Bridgestone WeatherPeak Tire Review and Ratings
Dry Conditions – 90%
Wet Conditions – 90%
Snow – 80%
Comfort – 80%
Noise Reduction – 80%
Durability – 90%
In the world of tires, there are some categories that we consider more popular. As much as I am a fan of sporty driving and high grip levels, I’m also aware that most drivers aren’t looking for that kind of performance. For them, refinement is a more crucial aspect.
There is a category of touring tires that are a bit of a mix of performance and refinement. We call them grand touring tires, and the one I’ve chosen for today comes from that segment.
Bridgestone recently released several new models, one of which is the WeatherPeak. This is a grand touring all-season model, meaning you’re getting a little bit of everything. If you want to push it a bit, there is some performance, and the refinement isn’t as compromised as with a UHP tire.
This sounds good in theory, but how does the WeatherPeak perform in the real world?
Pros
Cons
The Features of the {TIRENAME}
If you consider that the WeatherPeak is a relatively new tire in Bridgestone’s lineup, you can expect to see the latest technologies built into it.
The first and most important aspect of the WeatherPeak is the 3PMSF rating. We see some all-terrain or mud-terrain tires with this rating, but this is a rare sight in the touring segment. The result of this is a tire that should be better on snow than its rivals that only come with the M+S rating.
As part of the tread pattern, Bridgestone designed the WeatherPeak with full-depth 3D sipes across the blocks. These open up as the blocks are about to contact the road and provide improved traction. With this, you should see a benefit on damp roads or packed snow.
Wet performance is something that not all tires do well. The WeatherPeak features wide grooves and evolving sipes that help it channel water and keep the blocks on the road. This is where the open shoulders should come in handy to help it evacuate the water as effectively as possible, resulting in excellent aquaplaning resistance.
On the handling side, the WeatherPeak has several features that should help it beat some of its rivals. The sidewall construction, combined with the shoulders and central rib, should provide dynamic handling and excellent corner stability.
Bridgestone WeatherPeak in Dry Conditions
I rarely see a tire perform poorly in dry conditions, so this is easy for the WeatherPeak.
Thanks to the tire’s design, we’re looking at superb levels of grip and traction, so you notice the WeatherPeak struggling in most conditions. There’s no slip when accelerating, even if you get aggressive with the gas pedal. As part of the performance combination, you get very short braking distances and stability, putting the tire among the best in class, like the CrossClimate 2.
Even though aggressive driving isn’t what the WeatherPeak is made for, you can push it and have some fun on a twisty road. The handling is dynamic enough, and you’ll get a feel for the road thanks to the acceptable feedback. Going around a corner at higher speeds won’t be an issue, and the tire will remain on the road. Considering that it’s not a UHP tire, you should be aware that once you get past the limit, you will have to deal with the initial understeer.
The internal construction does a pretty good job of making the WeatherPeak a bit fun. Thanks to that, the flex in the sidewall isn’t as pronounced as some of the “softer” rivals.
As good as this sounds, remember it’s a touring tire. It means that the WeatherPeak will show its non-performance nature once you reach the limits.
Bridgestone WeatherPeak on Wet or Slippery Roads
If you’ve paid attention to the features section, many revolve around the wet performance. With that in mind, let’s look at how the WeatherPeak performs in these conditions.
The performance of the WeatherPeak on damp roads is excellent. Bridgestone nailed it by implementing the notches and sipes in the pattern, enabling the tire to have high levels of traction. They allow you to accelerate without any slip. In a worst-case scenario, the tire may slip, but it won’t be terrible. It’s a similar story with the grip, as the tire won’t struggle to maintain itself on the road in a corner. The tire’s braking distances are also very short. Like in dry conditions, they are among the shortest in the class.
Driving in harsher conditions with the WeatherPeak isn’t a terrifying experience. The tire’s pattern and grooves do an excellent job of evacuating water and will have no issues keeping you stable in pouring rain. Higher speeds won’t be a massive issue, and the tire will remain very stable even on the highway.
Bridgestone WeatherPeak in Snow
The WeatherPeak is a tire with a 3PMSF rating, but it’s not on the same level as a dedicated tire. That said, it’s slightly better than a tire with an M+S-rated tire.
Driving in winter conditions with the WeatherPeak is a solid experience, and you’ll have dependable performance. The tire’s traction levels are pretty good for an all-season tire, and it won’t have any issues in lighter conditions. You shouldn’t do aggressive driving as the performance levels aren’t as good as a proper winter tire. The performance levels are pretty solid on packed snow as well, thanks to the sipes that can bite into the snow and offer decent performance.
In harsher conditions, you’ll notice that the WeatherPeak isn’t a dedicated winter tire. If the snow is deeper, you will notice that it will struggle a lot more, which is to be expected. This also means there’s almost no traction on ice, so I’d avoid using it in those conditions.
Bridgestone WeatherPeak Off-Roading
Tires like the WeatherPeak are designed for road use, so off-roading is off the table. The most you’d get out of this tire is a short dive over a dirt road, but don’t expect to get the best possible performance. Another thing to consider is that it’s not designed for these conditions, so there is a chance that you may damage it.
Bridgestone WeatherPeak for Sporty Driving
Grand touring tires have a whiff of sportiness in their DNA, but they aren’t performance-oriented tires. The same can be said about the WeatherPeak. It will be fine to have some fun, but it shouldn’t be your first choice for sporty driving.
The grip and traction levels are more than enough for regular driving and are acceptable if you push it a bit. You won’t get the fastest lap times with the WeatherPeak, but you can chug it into a corner and put a smile on your face. This would probably be something thComfortat people with a rear-wheel-drive car would find amusing, as they can get the tail sliding reasonably easily.
On the limit, the WeatherPeak handles acceptably well. It will communicate some of the information to you, and the decent responsiveness means you won’t wait for the car to change direction. It’s not the most direct and precise tire on the market, but at the end of the day, not many people would drive it that way.
Does the Bridgestone WeatherPeak Ride Comfortably?
One of the main aspects of a grand touring tire is the refinement, and the WeatherPeak delivers solid results.
The comfort levels of the WeatherPeak are pretty good but don’t come without some slight drawbacks. Despite the sidewall not having a lot of flex, the tire is pretty comfortable. It will absorb the smaller bumps and will soften the larger ones without feeling a massive jolt. With that said, it may be a bit more bouncy on broken-up roads, but far from a terrible performer.
In terms of noise levels, looking at the tread pattern, you may have an idea where this is going. The WeatherPeak is a touring tire, so it’s not loud, which is a good thing. The problem arises when you compare it with some of its rivals, like the Turanza QuietTrack. There isn’t a massive difference around town, but the hum is present on the highway. Don’t get me wrong, this is still a quiet tire, but not the quietest.
Bridgestone WeatherPeak Warranty
We’ve seen Bridgestone do better in terms of warranty, but I’d still categorize it as excellent. The WeatherPeak comes with a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is on the same level as the PureContact LS. That puts it above the CrossClimate 2, but below the Turanza QuietTrack.
Bridgestone WeatherPeak Pricing: Is It Worth the Price?
As a tire from a premium brand, you shouldn’t expect it to be the most affordable option. For a 16-inch model, the WeatherPeak is priced slightly below the CrossClimate 2 and the Turanza QuietTrack but above the PureContact LS.
Should I Buy the Bridgestone WeatherPeak?
The WeatherPeak is a tire offering more than enough for everyday driving. Even enthusiasts may find it appealing if they don’t start comparing it with performance-oriented models.
As a package, the performance from the WeatherPeak is excellent, and I’d consider it among the best in the grand touring segment. The tire does exceptionally well throughout the year. It’s imperative to point out that the winter performance is slightly better than the M+S-rated tire. This comes in a package offering solid handling characteristics, so it’s not the dullest tire on the market.
The refinement is pretty good but a bit behind the best in class. It’s very comfortable, but if you drive on a bad road, you’ll need to get used to the slightly bouncy nature. The noise levels also aren’t the lowest but are still excellent for a tire from this category.
To sum things up, the WeatherPeak is an excellent tire that you shouldn’t ignore. The premium price tag may not be attractive for some, but keep in mind that you’re getting a premium performance.
What Vehicles Will the Bridgestone WeatherPeak Fit?
Here’s a sample list of cars that the Bridgestone WeatherPeak will fit:
- Audi A1, A3, A6
- BMW 1, 3, 5 Series
- Ford Fiesta, Focus, Taurus
- Honda Civic, Accord
- Kia Forte, Rio
- Mazda 2, 3, 6
- Nissan Altima, Maxima
- Subaru Legacy, Impreza
- Toyota Camry, Avalon, Corolla
- Volkswagen Golf, Jetta, Arteon
- Volvo C30, C70
Tire Sizes of the Bridgestone WeatherPeak
15″
- 175/65R15 84H
- 185/55R15 82V
- 185/60R15 84H
- 185/65R15 88H
- 195/65R15 91H
16″
- 185/55R16 83H
- 195/50R16 84V
- 195/55R16 87V
- 205/55R16 91V
- 205/60R16 92V
- 205/65R16 95H
- 215/55R16 93H
- 215/60R16 95V
- 215/65R16 98H
- 215/70R16 100H
- 225/60R16 98V
- 225/65R16 100H
- 235/65R16 103T
- 235/70R16 106H
17″
- 205/50R17 93V
- 215/45R17 91V
- 215/50R17 95V
- 215/55R17 94V
- 215/60R17 96H
- 215/65R17 99H
- 225/45R17 91V
- 225/50R17 94V
- 225/55R17 97V
- 225/60R17 99H
- 225/65R17 102H
- 235/50R17 96V
- 235/55R17 99V
- 235/60R17 102H
- 235/65R17 104H
- 245/65R17 107H
18″
- 225/40R18 88V
- 225/45R18 95V
- 225/50R18 95H
- 225/55R18 98V
- 225/60R18 100H
- 235/45R18 94V
- 235/50R18 97V
- 235/55R18 100V
- 235/60R18 103H
- 235/65R18 106H
- 245/40R18 93V
- 245/45R18 96V
- 245/60R18 105H
- 255/65R18 111H
19″
- 225/55R19 99V
- 235/40R19 96V
- 235/55R19 101H
- 255/60R19 109H
20″
- 235/55R20 102H
- 245/50R20 102V