The competition between tire manufacturers Bridgestone and Pirelli has garnered attention as both brands vie for consumer satisfaction and performance ratings. Recent studies indicate that while neither brand stands out as universally superior, each excels in specific segments of the market.
Performance Insights from JD Power
The 2025 JD Power study on customer satisfaction with new car and truck tires reveals significant insights. In the luxury tire segment, Pirelli secured a commendable third place, while Bridgestone fell to sixth. This trend continued in the passenger car tire segment, where Pirelli ranked fourth among 11 manufacturers, with Bridgestone in seventh.
In the performance-sport category, both brands performed below the segment average, yet Bridgestone edged out Pirelli. Notably, Bridgestone achieved an impressive third in the truck and utility tire segment, while Pirelli did not secure a ranking. The JD Power survey suggests that customers generally favor Pirelli for car tires, particularly in the luxury segment, while Bridgestone is preferred for utility tires.
Independent Testing and Brand Comparisons
Consumer Reports’ independent testing offers further analysis. Both Bridgestone and Pirelli received middling scores, with Bridgestone slightly ahead. However, both brands lagged behind competitors such as Michelin and Continental. Additionally, more affordable brands like Kumho and Hankook outperformed both in the performance-focused study.
A separate evaluation by SlashGear in 2025 ranked major tire brands based on customer reviews, lifespan, and availability. In this analysis, Pirelli ranked third, surpassing Bridgestone, which came in sixth. Both brands rank above many competitors, yet Michelin maintained its position at the top with a wider array of high-performing tire models.
Research by Car and Driver further highlights specific tire models. Their study on Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake-rated all-weather tires found that Pirelli’s Cinturato WeatherActive model was the best in its segment, with Bridgestone’s WeatherPeak close behind in third place.
Customer feedback from Tire Rack reveals that in the street/sport truck all-season segment, several models from Pirelli’s Scorpion Zero line rank among the best. Meanwhile, in the crossover/SUV touring all-season segment, Pirelli’s Scorpion WeatherActive takes top honors, and the Scorpion AS Plus 3 ranks third. Bridgestone’s Alenza models also perform well, though not as highly as Pirelli’s offerings.
In the winter/snow passenger tire segment, Bridgestone’s Blizzak line earns top ratings for its studless and run-flat winter tires. Pirelli’s Winter Sottozero line also receives high marks in this category.
While both brands have strengths in specific tire models, their overall reputation remains mixed. Consumers are encouraged to research individual models to ensure they select the highest-rated options from either Bridgestone or Pirelli. The landscape of tire performance is nuanced, with each brand catering to different preferences and needs within the market.
