We find we cannot recommend this tire for regular use based on extensive research. Both independent professional testing and hundreds of customer reviews indicate that the manufacturer seriously overstated their assessments of the tire model’s abilities.
Bridgestone promises a summer performance tire that handles well, quietly, and comfortably in wet and dry conditions, as well as ice and snow. All evidence suggests that the Potenza RE050A model fails to perform as described, to the point of being potentially dangerous in some conditions. The model also lacks any particular durability and warranty.
Under certain conditions, it may be a worthwhile addition to a performance vehicle. Customer reviews suggest that these tires perform well on smooth roads with regular maintenance, including regular tire rotations and alignments. A vehicle with irregular use, or one limited to highly maintained roads and tracks, may be suited to this model of tire.
 Bridgestone Potenza RE050A |  Michelin Pilot Sport 4S |  Michelin Pilot Super Sport |  Continental ExtremeContact Sport |  Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
|
|
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| Dry Traction | 8.6 | 9.6 | 9.5 | 9.0 | 6.6 |
| Wet Traction | 7.2 | 8.9 | 9.0 | 8.7 | 6.5 |
| Noise | 6.7 | 8.7 | 8.6 | 8.6 | 6.4 |
| comfort | 6.9 | 8.8 | 8.7 | 8.6 | 6.2 |
| Tread Life | 6.0 | 8.3 | 8.1 | 7.9 | 5.9 |
| Braking | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Sharpness | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Durability | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Feel | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Show more |
This article is an extensive review of the Bridgestone Potenza RE050A, max performance summer tires for performance cars and other performance vehicles.
We have researched this model of tires thoroughly using reliable resources that are not affiliated, in any way, with the manufacturer. We have based the following article on the manufacturer’s stats compared and contrasted with independent test results, assessments, and hundreds of customer reviews to best understand the performance of the Bridgestone Potenza RE050A model tires. We have references which you can find at the end of the article.
Don’t have time to read everything? Here’s a quick summary of our review as well as pros & cons listed.
We researched the manufacturer’s promises to best write about these tires. These were compared to independent tests and customer reviews. Because of the manufacturer’s statements, we’ll be analyzing the Bridgestone Potenza EW050A model of Max Performance Summer tires by dry and wet performance, ice and snow handling (even though they’re summer tires), handling, and comfort, and durability.
To learn more about these tires, keep on reading.
Bridgestone promises a sleek, sporty look for summer performance. Bridgestone designed these tires for high-performance vehicles. The brand rates them as having excellent cornering performance in dry and wet conditions and smooth handling on ice and snow. According to Bridgestone, it has a W speed rating (up to 168 mph). The company does not rank the tires well for durability.
The Bridgestone Potenza RE050A is classified as Max Performance Summer and is meant to be a durable, high-quality tire for performance vehicles. We find it best described as a budget performance option. It replaced the Bridgestone Potenza RE040, and it improved most handling and performance stats set by its predecessor by several percent.
We pulled up reviews from TyreReviews and TireRack, both of which showed a consistent rating of just over three out of five stars from customer reviews. Higher reviews were mainly from drivers who tend toward easy driving and practice extremely regular tire rotation, balance, and alignment. Mid to low-high-end budget performance vehicles make up most of the reviews, with a handful of true performance vehicles. Use leans towards a combination of smooth and coarse roads with mainly “spirited” driving.
Dry performance is rated well enough, with the most common complaints being noise from the road and that cars fitted with these tires don’t handle bumps well. Bridgestone claims these tires are rated best for quiet and comfortable driving. However, numerous customer reviews suggest that the tires make for an uncomfortable, “crashy” ride, some indicating that they even canceled out their car’s built-in stabilizers.
Several reviewers were under the impression that their suspensions required maintenance until buying new tires. Other reviewers had built-in noise cancellation, which was more than adequate with different tires, but when they replaced them with the Potenza RE050A, their driving became “horrendously” loud.
Factory tests show high wet performance, but customer reviews and private trials from sites like TyreReviews and TireRack suggest otherwise. TyreReviews states it has “poor wet grip, poor wet handling, low aquaplaning resistance,” as found in the 2011 Autoreview Max Performance Summer Tyre Test, where it came in eight out of nine. Customers called the tires’ wet performance “appalling” and noted being unable to accelerate or brake effectively.
It is categorized as a summer tire, but on its site, Bridgestone claims the Potenza RE050A to be best in winter conditions, including snow and ice, where tests and reviews show this to be inaccurate. In icy weather, the tire’s rubber becomes hard, increasing wear and damage while simultaneously lowering performance and handling.
Reviews suggest the Potenza RE050A is prone to balding quickly, with some customers stating that the tread just fell off. Despite claims at durability and performance, reviews across multiple sites implied that performance rapidly diminished. The price for the quality and durability is exceedingly high and is barely excused by it being a performance tire.
Bridgestone offers a ninety-day return policy. However, they offer no warranty.
The Bridgestone Potenza RE050A is a medium-quality tire playing at being a performance tire. For a mid-grade performance tire, it succeeds in offering decent handling when given extreme care and maintenance; however, those looking for a smooth, quiet ride in their sporty vehicles will likely want to look elsewhere.
For roughly the same price, you can find better summer performance, as well as all-weather tires that will offer better wet and dry handling, durability, as well as sound control.
An easy replacement option for this tire would be the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2, which TireRack assures is “Original Equipment (O.E.) on some of the world’s most prestigious sports cars and performance sedans.” The tread design for this model is designed for optimal traction in wet and dry conditions and can be found for a similar cost. It has a 20,000 mile or six-year warranty, or if it loses 2/32” of tread in the first year. It is not meant for cold conditions.
On TireRack, the Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 came in a close second to the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 during testing. Though nearly double the price of the Potenza RE050A, it has between three and a half and four stars on Tyrereviews. Customer reviews prove it to have solid handling in wet and dry conditions, though it can be a less comfortable ride than other options.
Due to the results of our research, we can only recommend this model of tire for light use, the smoothest road conditions, and a car owner willing to put time and effort into maintaining their tires’ integrity and longevity. The Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 (similarly priced and can be found lower cost) or Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 (much more expensive) are better, safer options for summer performance tires.
The Bridgestone Potenza RE050A is a potentially unsafe tire model for performance vehicles, as it has been found potentially unstable in most road conditions. It lacks comfort and sound control and the necessary durability to be a lasting tire option in the best of conditions.
Tyrereviews Bridgestone Potenza RE050A
Tirerack Bridgestone Potenza RE050A
Tyrereviews Bridgestone Potenza RE040
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