Bridgestone Potenza Buyer’s Guide 2025
By: America's Tire
Potenza is the Italian word for “power,” and it’s clear to see why Bridgetone chose this name for their line of high and ultra-high performance tires.
Rigorously tested, each Potenza model tire has been around the block–figuratively and literally–to test the extremes of wet and dry performance on both the road and the track.
All Potenza tires utilize a systematically tested arrangement of tread blocks, ribs, angular sipes and lateral grooves that work in tandem to resist hydroplaning while hooking the power of any drivetrain directly to the pavement.
We don’t just have the biggest selection of Bridgestone Potenza tires, we’ve also got all the best tires from Bridgestone, whether you’re shopping for your coupe, sedan, SUV or pickup.
With so many good options, it can be hard to choose. We’ve compared the features and applications of each Bridgestone Potenza model in this handy buyer’s guide to help you decide.
Potenza Sport
The Potenza Sport is a top shelf summer tire packed with features you need for a thrilling drive—even if one of those pesky summer storms shows up. It utilizes specially engineered pattern geometry to maintain contact pressure while promoting water evacuation. In short, wide ribs = controlled steering response and powerful braking and accelerating. Wide grooves = glue-like wet grip.
Responsive steering at high speeds? No problem; corners, curves and summer storms can’t hold this tire back!
Potenza S001
The Potenza S001 offers versatile traction and serious road-holding ability. This max performance summer tire utilizes active rubber inserts for extra stability. Plus, it has a circumferential tread rib with diagonally-etched sipes to whisk water away from the contact patch, giving you sure-footed performance in both wet and dry conditions. Enjoy consistent and rapid steering control via advanced pressure distribution tech!
Potenza S007
The Potenza S007 is the James Bond of the Potenza line, at least in our humble opinion.
Originally designed for the Ferrari F12Berlinetta, a 12-cylinder Italian stallion, the S007 was purpose-built to showcase the raw power and pure driving thrill of Ferrari vehicles. Bridgestone designed this tire using learnings from their time providing tires for Formula One races. In short, the S007 takes world-class racing technology and puts it in your hands (and on your ride).
Using a silica-enriched compound, wide circumferential grooves and lateral notches, the S007 will keep your vehicle planted in wet and dry weather alike. It also provides lightning quick steering response thanks to the extra wide outer shoulder blocks. Meanwhile, the continuously interlocking center rib boosts steering response while delivering powerful braking and accelerating.
BRIDGESTONE PERFORMANCE TIRES – THE RE WAY
If Potenza is the first name in Bridgestone performance, the RE-branded tires are the heir apparent. When you see a Potenza tire with the added RE nameplate, you know you’re in for a thrilling ride.
Potenza summer performance tires typically have few ribs and siping across their collective tread imprint, making them extremely close to being dedicated competition tires.
While you’ll undoubtedly need to get heat into some of these Potenzas for them to work their best, the “RE” designation makes a serious case for the enthusiast on the hunt for class-leading performance tires from a tried and true nameplate.
Our RE-class Bridgestone Potenza tires include:
Potenza RE050
The Potenza RE050 is an extreme summer performance tire with sharp handling and great dry and wet grip via a specially formulated rubber compound. With wide tread blocks for turn-on-a-dime maneuvering, its solid internal construction features twin steel belts and nylon reinforcements to promote high-speed stability. To top it all off, it comes with run flat tech in select sizes!
Potenza RE980 A/S Plus
The Potenza RE980 A/S Plus is an ultra high performance all-season tire that delivers thrills and weather-ready skills with no compromises! Sporty year-round fun is in your hands thanks to this powerful UHP A/S tire from Bridgestone.
It doles out more in every category, including wet weather traction and stopping power in light winter conditions. Pliable across a wide range of temperatures, this superhero of a tire uses a classic five-rib design that’s iconic in its previous iteration, the RE980 A/S. And for snappy handling and heart-stopping braking and accelerating, its asymmetric tread optimizes rubber placement for faultless contact with the road.
And all those thrills are backed by a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty.
If the other RE tires in this list are for weekend thrill rides and track day glory, RE980 A/S Plus is for the daily driver who takes the long way home for the love of the drive.
Potenza RE71R
A true competition tire, the Potenza RE71R is perhaps the most dedicated to performance handling of any Potenza. This race-ready summer tire can slice and dice up the competition in the high-octane driving situation of your choice while inducing unparalleled lateral, acceleration and braking G-performance.
Its special compound works in tandem with an extra wide center rib and race-inspired large-shouldered design to deliver high degrees of traction, agile steering and extreme cornering, even in wet track conditions.
EMPOWERING YOUR VEHICLE WITH BRIDGESTONE POTENZA TIRES
All Bridgestone Potenza tires are built for high-horsepower vehicles and the demands of thrilling performance handling.
Whether you’re going out for a day at the track or you want thrilling performance on the street, there’s a Potenza that won’t let you down and an America's Tire location to get your ride outfitted. When you buy and book online, you’ll wait less time in-store!
Still want to drive your sports car, muscle car or high-powered luxury sedan when winter strikes? While Potenza tires are the best bet for your high-performance ride during the summer months, you may want to outfit your vehicle with Bridgestone Blizzak tires when winter strikes. Check out our Bridgestone Blizzak buyer’s guide to learn all about these premium Bridgestone winter tires!