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Bridgestone Tyres vs Hankook Tyres
Bridgestone and Hankook are both premium tyre brands that manufacture tyres at a global scale.
Bridgestone, a premium Japanese tyre brand, has grown to become one of the largest tyre manufacturers in the world.
Korea’s leading tyre manufacturer, Hankook has established themselves a significant presence in the global tyre market, known for its high-performance and quality tyres.
Today, these two great manufacturers will be getting comparisons drawn between their respective backgrounds, product line-ups, and what makes their tyres stand out in the tyre industry.
Bridgestone Overview
Bridgestone, established in Japan in 1931, rolled out their first tyre a year before their official founding.
Since then, Bridgestone has grown into a dominant force in the industry, renowned for their extensive range of tyres and ownership of notable brands like Nokian and Firestone.
By 2024, Bridgestone is celebrated as the world's second-largest tyre manufacturer, with Michelin leading the market.
Their status as an industry leader is well-earned, driven by their commitment to innovation and high performance, making them a trusted name for some of the most reliable tyres on the market.
In 2007, Bridgestone expanded into the world of Formula One, serving as the exclusive tyre supplier until Pirelli took over in 2010.
What sets Bridgestone's tyres apart are their advanced technologies, such as:
Ultimat Eye – This technology enables engineers to visualize and analyse how tyres interact with road surfaces, optimizing their design for superior performance and safety.
B-Silent – Aimed at reducing road noise inside the vehicle, B-Silent enhances passenger comfort by addressing the primary sources of tyre noise, ensuring a quieter ride.
NanoPro-Tech – This cutting-edge technology improves tyre attributes like fuel efficiency, wet grip, wear resistance, and durability by enhancing the dispersion of silica within the rubber.
DriveGuard Run-Flat Technology – Bridgestone's DriveGuard technology ensures continued mobility and stability for run flat tyres, offering a dependable solution when tyres go flat.
These are just a few examples of Bridgestone's continuous innovation, as the Japanese tyre brand remains at the forefront of the industry, pushing boundaries to this day.
Popular Bridgestone Tyres
Turanza T005
Introduced in 2018, the Turanza T005 is a top-tier summer tyre from Bridgestone, designed for high-performance vehicles. It excels in both wet and dry conditions and features Bridgestone's B-Silent technology to minimize tyre noise.
Over 7400 Blackcircles.com customers have reviewed the Turanza T005 as follows:
- Overall rating of my tyres – 4.5/5
- I would buy the same tyres again – 4.6/5
- The car feels better to drive – 4.2/5
- The tyres were value for money – 4.3/5
Prices for the Bridgestone Turanza T005 range from £84.43 to £346.61.*
Turanza 6
Released in 2023, the Bridgestone Turanza 6 is the latest addition to the Turanza series, replacing the Turanza T005. This new model is engineered to handle wet driving conditions and provides enhanced steering response.
Over 250 Blackcircles.com customers rate the Turanza 6 as follows:
- Overall rating of my tyres – 4.6/5
- I would buy the same tyres again – 4.5/5
- The car feels better to drive – 4/5
- The tyres were value for money – 4.1/5
Prices for the Bridgestone Turanza 6 range from £94.61 to £345.10.*
Potenza S001
Launched in 2010, the Bridgestone Potenza S001 is a flagship ultra-high performance tyre. Known for its excellent grip during cornering, precise handling, and stability at high speeds, it has maintained its popularity in the tyre industry.
According to over 4980 Blackcircles.com customers, the Potenza S001 is rated as follows:
- Overall rating of my tyres – 4.6/5
- I would buy the same tyres again – 4.6/5
- The car feels better to drive – 4.2/5
- The tyres were value for money – 4.2/5
Prices for the Bridgestone Potenza S001 range from £100.23 to £345.35.*
Alenza 001
Since 2017, the Alenza 001 has been Bridgestone's premium offering for luxury SUVs. It provides exceptional braking performance in both wet and dry conditions, making it a reliable choice for high-end vehicles.
Over 460 Blackcircles.com review the Alenza 001 as follows:
- Overall rating of my tyres – 4.6/5
- I would buy the same tyres again – 4.6/5
- The car feels better to drive – 4/5
- The tyres were value for money – 4.1/5
Prices for the Bridgestone Alenza 001 range from £138.79 to £344.35.*
Weather Control A005 EVO
Introduced in 2020, the Weather Control A005 EVO is Bridgestone's premier all-season tyre. Designed to significantly reduce the risk of aquaplaning with its V-shaped central tread pattern, it delivers superior performance on wet surfaces.
Over 960 of our customers review the Bridgestone model as follows:
- Overall rating of my tyres – 4.5/5
- I would buy the same tyres again – 4.6/5
- The car feels better to drive – 4.3/5
- The tyres were value for money – 4.2/5
Prices for the Bridgestone Weather Control A005 EVO range from £84.53 to £275.44.*
Buy Weather Control A005 EVO tyres
Hankook Overview
Hankook are South Korea’s leading tyre manufacturer that was established by Bridgestone in 1941. The premium tyre brand would eventually lay claim to Korea’s first ever tyre factory.
Fast-forward to the 21st century, Hankook have built and empire to compete with industry giants, climbing to be the 7th largest tyre company in the world.
This can be seen through the fact that Hankook have grown themselves to the point where they are recognised as a premium tyre brand, after many years of being an established mid-range tyre brand.
The reasoning for Hankook becoming a premium tyre brand is their expertise in tyre types such as EV tyres, summer tyres, performance tyres, and more.
Hankook also operates five Research and Development labs located in Korea, Germany, the USA, China, and Japan.
These labs focus on creating cutting-edge, market-specific, and customized technological innovations.
Hankook’s main technologies include, but are not limited to:
Visual Alignment Indicator (VAI) – Hankook's VAI technology is a unique feature designed to help vehicle owners detect misalignment issues early. The VAI system consists of sipes (small slits in the tyre tread) located on both shoulders of the tyre.
Highly Enriched Synthetic Silica Compound (HSSC) – HSSC technology is an advanced material used in the tread compound of their tyres. This technology involves a unique mixing process that evenly distributes highly purified silica within the rubber matrix, improving longevity.
Hankook Platform System-Cell (HPS-Cell) – The HPS-Cell system incorporates intelligent sensors that monitor various aspects of the tire's condition, such as pressure, temperature, and tread wear.
iON Innovative Technology – Designed for electric vehicle (EV) tyres, this technology comprises four core elements that work together to optimize performance, efficiency, and comfort for EVs.
Popular Hankook Tyres
Ventus S1 Evo 3
The Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 3, introduced as a premium summer tyre, offers superior performance for high-end vehicles. It excels in wet and dry conditions and incorporates advanced compounds to ensure durability and performance.
Over 1550 Blackcircles.com customers have reviewed the Ventus S1 Evo 3 as follows:
- Overall rating of my tyres – 4.5/5
- I would buy the same tyres again – 4.6/5
- The car feels better to drive – 4.1/5
- The tyres were value for money – 4.3/5
Prices for the Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 3 range from £99.33 to £280.13.*
Ventus S1 Evo 2
The predecessor to the Ventus S1 Evo 3, the Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 2 is designed for ultra-high performance. It provides excellent handling and stability, especially at high speeds.
Over 1600 Blackcircles.com customers rate the Ventus S1 Evo 2 as follows:
- Overall rating of my tyres – 4.5/5
- I would buy the same tyres again – 4.6/5
- The car feels better to drive – 4.1/5
- The tyres were value for money – 4.2/5
Prices for the Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 2 range from £111.14 to £260.58.*
Ventus Prime 3
The Hankook Ventus Prime 3, introduced for performance and comfort, offers excellent grip and stability in wet and dry conditions. It is a popular choice for premium saloons and coupes.
According to over 2000 Blackcircles.com customers, the Ventus Prime 3 is rated as follows:
- Overall rating of my tyres: 4.4/5
- I would buy the same tyres again: 4.6/5
- The car feels better to drive: 4.1/5
- The tyres were value for money: 4.4/5
Prices for the Hankook Ventus Prime 3 range from £77.45 to £213.25.*
Kinergy Eco 2
Designed for fuel efficiency and long-lasting performance, the Hankook Kinergy Eco 2 is an eco-friendly summer tyre. It offers reliable performance in both wet and dry conditions, making it a great choice for everyday driving.
Over 1050 Blackcircles.com customers review the Kinergy Eco 2 as follows:
- Overall rating of my tyres: 4.4/5
- I would buy the same tyres again: 4.6/5
- The car feels better to drive: 4.2/5
- The tyres were value for money: 4.3/5
Prices for the Hankook Kinergy Eco 2 range from £65.16 to £125.26.*
Kinergy 4S 2
The Hankook Kinergy 4S 2 is an all-season tyre, providing excellent performance throughout the year. It features a unique tread design to enhance grip and reduce the risk of aquaplaning.
Over 1800 Blackcircles.com customers rate the Kinergy 4S 2 as follows:
- Overall rating of my tyres: 4.4/5
- I would buy the same tyres again: 4.5/5
- The car feels better to drive: 4.1/5
- The tyres were value for money: 4.3/5
Prices for the Hankook Kinergy 4S 2 range from £77.79 to £211.51.*
Bridgestone or Hankook Tyres?
As both tyre brands highlighted today are premium manufacturers and industry leaders, deciding which brand to choose can be challenging. Hankook and Bridgestone both produce highly reliable tyres that are amongst the best on the market.
Looking for a high-performance summer tyre? You might find yourself choosing between the Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 3 and the Bridgestone Turanza 6. Both offer superior handling and stability in wet and dry conditions, making them excellent choices for high-performance vehicles.
If you’re in need of an all-season tyre, consider the Hankook Kinergy 4S 2 or the Bridgestone Weather Control A005 EVO. These tyres deliver exceptional performance in various weather conditions, ensuring safety and comfort throughout the year.
Whatever tyres you choose, we hope this article has helped you make a well-informed decision between these two outstanding brands.
*Please note, fully fitted prices for tyre may fluctuate in time, with listed prices being from date of writing (08/07/2024).