Bridgestone Potenza Sport vs Continental CrossContact UHP tires

When you equip your performance car with a set of Ultra-high-performance (UHP) tires, they enhance traction, cornering ability, and effectively dissipate heat, contributing to overall better performance. Two well-known brands that make solid UHP tires are Bridgestone and Continental which excel in delivering great tires.

The Bridgestone Potenza Sport and the Continental CrossContact UHP tires are both highly regarded for their advanced design, aiming to surpass customer expectations. These high-performance tires are designed for passenger vehicles, providing outstanding features and quality. The Bridgestone Potenza Sport prioritizes precise steering and comfort, while the Continental CrossContact UHP emphasizes traction and responsiveness. Their commitment to excellence is evident in their tire offerings. While both tires offer great performance, one has to be better than the other, right? Let’s compare Bridgestone Potenza Sport vs Continental CrossContact UHP tires using SimpleScore to show where each tire excels and which one might be right for you.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport tires

The Bridgestone Potenza Sport is an ultra-high-performance summer tire that's designed for use on sports cars and offers drivers excellent traction on wet and dry roads plus responsive steering and cornering, This tire utilizes a special, ultra-high silica compound for confident grip and handling on wet and dry roads. Additionally, a large footprint with wide grooves puts more rubber on the road and evacuates water out of the tire to strengthen traction. Must mention that this tire is engineered to drive up to 3% faster on wet roads and stop 6% sooner on dry roads than the Potenza S-04 Pole Position.

This tire shines with a remarkable SimpleScore of 9, achieving an exceptional 9.9 for handling, a good 7.3 for longevity, and an outstanding 9.8 for traction. Rest easy knowing that this exceptional tire offers unparalleled performance, exceptional quality, and long-lasting durability for your vehicle.

Continental CrossContact UHP tires

The Continental CrossContact UHP is the top choice. This tire is an ultra-high-performance tire that's designed for use on four-wheel drive SUVs and light trucks and offers drivers improved handling and performance. With this tire, you get improved steering stability without sacrificing ride comfort. A silica-enhanced tread compound improves grip in wet and dry weather conditions that are common during the summer months, and the CrossContact UHP's rubber compound works with a low rolling resistance design to improve fuel efficiency so that drivers spend less at the pumps. Additionally, it is backed by Continental's Total Confidence Plan which includes Road Hazard, Limited Warranty, Customer Satisfaction Trial, Flat Tire Roadside Assistance, and Mileage Warranty (restrictions and limitations apply).

This tire impresses with a great average SimpleScore of 8.3 featuring a great score of 8.9 for handling, a solid 7.4 for longevity, and an 8.8 for traction. For superior performance, exceptional quality, and unbeatable durability, look no further than this tire for your vehicle.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport vs Continental CrossContact UHP tires on traction

Traction is a critical aspect of tire performance, particularly in all-season tires. These tires are designed to provide grip across various weather conditions. These tires aim to strike a balance between performance in dry, wet, and light snowy conditions. Based on SimpleScore, this was the biggest gap between the two tires.

Comparing the above two based on traction, you will see that the Bridgestone Potenza Sport is designed with an asymmetrical tread pattern and a large footprint with wide grooves that put more rubber on the road and evacuate water out of the tire to strengthen traction, and the Potenza Sport's 3D siping further increases grip while also allowing for consistent performance. This has helped this tire to reach an average traction SimpleScore of 9.9 which is exceptionally great when it comes to performance.

The Continental CrossContact UHP, on the other hand, also displays a solid score of 8.8 out of 10 in traction. This is thanks to a silica-enhanced tread compound that improves grip in wet and dry weather conditions allowing drivers excellent all-season traction and performance.

When it comes to traction, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport is way ahead of the Continental CrossContact UHP tire.

ADVANTAGE: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

Bridgestone Potenza Sport vs Continental CrossContact UHP tires on handling

All-season tires are designed to provide a balance of performance for a variety of weather conditions, including dry, wet, and light snow. The handling of a tire is improved by different elements of the tire’s tread pattern, in addition to the tire’s overall design.

The Bridgestone Potenza Sport sports an excellent 9.9 SimpleScore for handling, which is largely driven by the tire’s special, ultra-high silica compound that ensures a confident grip and handling on wet and dry roads so that drivers can still drive at higher speeds regardless of the weather.

On the flip side, the Continental CrossContact UHP is a step behind again with the Bridgestone Potenza Sport for handling as the tire comes in with an exceptional SimpleScore of 8.9. Featuring a strong, lightweight construction that enhances handling and steering response, the CrossContact UHP's rubber compound works with a low rolling resistance design to improve fuel efficiency.

ADVANTAGE: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

Bridgestone Potenza Sport vs Continental CrossContact UHP tires on longevity

The longevity aspect is equally important to traction and handling when purchasing a tire. The longevity of a tire depends on several factors, including the quality of the tire, driving habits, road conditions, and maintenance.

Starting with the Bridgestone Potenza Sport, the tire offers an exceptional SimpleScore of 7.4 out of 10 on the longevity front. The tire’s tough, rugged rubber compound and multiple sipings increase handling which allows for a longer tread life.

Conversely, the CrossContact UHP’s 7.7 SimpleScore in longevity shows that it scores ahead. The Continental CrossContact UHP also features reinforced construction, and its innovative tread design gives drivers a quiet, comfortable ride, plus even wear to extend the tire's tread life.

Here you will notice progress in terms of longevity for the Continental CrossContact UHP over Bridgestone Potenza Sport.

ADVANTAGE: Continental CrossContact UHP

When to use each

Ultra-high-performance (UHP) tires are designed for sports, supercars, and performance-oriented vehicles, delivering outstanding performance in warmer weather. They offer advantages such as sporty handling, quick acceleration, shorter braking distances, and precise steering. Typically featuring a speed rating of V or higher, UHP tires are known for their wide footprint and low-profile design, allowing drivers to fully utilize their vehicle's power and capabilities.

However, both the Bridgestone Potenza Sport and Continental CrossContact UHP may not perform optimally in extreme winter conditions. In areas with heavy snowfall, dedicated winter tires are recommended for better traction and safety. For regions with light snow, all-season tires are a suitable choice.

It's important to drive cautiously and avoid harsh conditions to preserve the tread and overall integrity of UHP tires.

Which one should you choose?

So, which UHP tire is the right option for you? When looking at SimpleScore, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport comes out slightly ahead of the Continental CrossContact UHP with an overall score of 8.3 versus 9. As noted above, there are key differences between the two tires and these need to be weighed against each other to determine what’s best for you. Finally (and maybe, most importantly), pricing on these two tires is a bit different as Bridgestone Potenza Sport tires cost at least $167.99 per tire while Continental CrossContact UHP tires cost at least $160.98 per tire. That means a set of four Bridgestone Potenza Sport all-season tires will cost you at least $671.96 for a set of four, while a set of four Continental CrossContact UHP tires will cost you at least $643.92.

Based on SimpleScore, you should choose the Bridgestone Potenza Sport if you:

• Drive a vehicle like the Ford Focus, Fiat 500, Dodge Neon, Buick Verano, Acura RSX, BMW M3, Honda Accord, Hyundai Avante, Kia Ceed, or Nissan Sentra
• Want excellent traction (9.9)
• Prefer exceptional handling (9.9)
• Looking for a tire from Bridgestone, which has been in the tire manufacturing business since 1931.
• Need a tire that delivers considerate longevity.

Conversely, you should choose the Continental CrossContact UHP if you:

• Drive a Honda Breeze or Nissan Ariya or a Ford Edge
• Are looking for a tire that performs well even at a lower cost.
• Delivers better longevity between the two at 7.7

Bridgestone Potenza Sport vs Continental CrossContact UHP tires might not seem a close comparison on the surface, but the above clearly shows that either is a great option. Remember, both of the tire brands are some of the best tire manufacturers on the market, and that tradition continues with the Bridgestone Potenza Sport and Continental CrossContact UHP. At the end of the day, the decision to buy one or the other depends on your vehicle, where (and how) you drive, and what you care more about in terms of traction, handling, longevity, and price.

Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help as our helpful agents are more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.