Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV vs Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2

Bridgestone and Falken are both well-known tire makers that manufacture great tires for everyday use and special tires for specific periods of the year. While Bridgestone is a premium brand, the Falken balances performance and value; the same is reflected in their Blizzak and Eurowinter winter tire lines, as well.

With their dedicated research & development teams, the brands have come up with winter products that deliver value and performance. Designed for CUVs, SUVs, and light trucks, the Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV and Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 winter tires work exceptionally well on ice, snow, and slush. So, should you go for the premium Bridgestone tire or the value-driven Falken one? Let’s compare Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV vs. Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 using SimpleScore to know the areas where they excel and have an advantage over the other.

Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV tires

Launched in early 2021, the Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV is the successor of the Eurowinter HS449 which comes with improved snow performance, wet braking, and Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certification. With its aggressive, directional design, the studless Falken tire lends superb traction and handling to CUVs, SUVs, and light trucks. While the use of 4D Nano Design technology helps maintain tread flexibility in sub-freezing temperatures, 3D Canyon Sipes increase traction on snowy and icy surfaces. The sturdy construction with optimized tread design ensures there is even wear with improved longevity.

On average, the Eurowinter HS01 SUV sports a fantastic SimpleScore of 9.18 thanks to its excellent handling, longevity, and traction.

Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 tires

Introduced in 2015, the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 is a studless winter tire that offers excellent road grip and traction in severe winter weather conditions. With the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certification, the tires offer superb ice and snow navigation with excellent braking performance.

The unique tread pattern comes with a multi-cell tread compound which means at the microscopic level, the tread is almost porous. These pores act as a sponge and help in quick water dispersal for confident wet performance. The successor of Blizzak DM-V1, the DM-V2 features a micro-texture pattern for prompt high-level winter performance. High-strength silica compound not only resists extreme temperatures but also provides extra durability and longevity.

On average, the Blizzak DM-V2 gets an excellent SimpleScore of 9.10 thanks to its great handling, awe-inspiring traction, and impressive longevity.

Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV vs Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 tires on traction

On a slippery surface, traction is the thing that keeps you moving in a controlled manner. With ice, snow, and slush around tires in severe winter weather conditions, it’s difficult to drive them. Winter tires are designed to provide you with that much-needed traction and grip to hold your vehicle and drive you through in extreme conditions.

With a Simple score of 9.1 out of 10, the Eurowinter HS01 SUV features an aggressive unidirectional tread design with directional arches and 3D Canyon Sipes for impeccable snow performance. The Central Transverse Groove expands into the shoulders to clear water and flush it away from the tread’s center and reinstate traction. The deep and wide blocks with optimized cuts and grooves not only provide maximum braking performance but also boost acceleration in wintry conditions.

Similarly, the Blizzak DM-V2 with an exceptional score of 9.7 out of 10 in traction leaves you spellbound with its performance. Increased block edges, advanced hydrophilic coating, and enhanced road contact of the Bridgestone winter tire give you extraordinary grip and traction on ice and snow that not only makes you feel confident while driving but also safe when braking or stopping. With the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certification, the tire guarantees great performance in moderate to severe winter weather conditions.

The Blizzak DM-V2 is the clear winner over here beating the Eurowinter HS01 SUV by a decent margin.

ADVANTAGE: Blizzak DM-V2

Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV vs Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 tires on handling

If traction is the most important aspect of a winter tire, then handling has to be the second best. Too much focus on the traction and the tire loses its handling finesse, but Falken and Bridgestone both have ensured this isn’t the case with their winter tires.

With an excellent average SimpleScore of 9.25, the Eurowinter HS01 SUV comes with 3D Canyon Sipe technology having dense sipes on the surface that not only provide great grip but also aid in improving handling and stability on slippery surfaces. The directional tread design boosts handling as it cuts through the ice and snow courtesy of its deep and wide grooves.

On the other hand, the Blizzak DM-V2 lags a bit in the handling department compared to the Eurowinter HS02 SUV with a SimpleScore of 8.8. The strong shoulder design with deep lateral grooves and optimized tread blocks allows excellent handling and control on ice and snow so that you can confidently turn and switch lanes.

Despite offering strong handling, the Blizzak DM-V2 couldn’t beat the Eurowinter HS01 SUV in that category.

ADVANTAGE: Eurowinter HS01 SUV

Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV vs Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 tires on longevity

While traction and handling are essential elements of a winter tire, they aren’t enough if the tires do not last long.

Boasting an average SimpleScore of 9.3, the Eurowinter HS01 SUV is pretty much home as far as longevity is concerned. Thanks to the 4D Nano Design tech the Falken tire features a special tread compound that not only lasts longer but also delivers improved dry performance and maintains flexibility during freezing temperatures.

On the contrary, the Blizzak DM-V2 gets an average SimpleScore of 9. The optimized tread design and the use of the next-generation Multicell compound ensure the tread is sturdy and lasts longer. Reinforced construction and strong sidewall design add extra durability to the tire. Moreover, the Bridgestone tire is known to be more comfortable and quiet compared to its counterpart.

While the Blizzak DM-V2 may be exceptional in delivering consistent traction, the Falken winter tire pins it in the handling and longevity areas.

ADVANTAGE: Eurowinter HS01 SUV

When to use each

Winter tires are made for a specific purpose which is to provide traction and grip on slippery surfaces such as snow and ice. Laced with special flexible compounds that maintain their flexibility in sub-freezing temperatures, winter tires should only be used in areas where the temperatures are consistently below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. If not, the tire is likely to wear quickly.

Both the tires are studless and should be used in every area that experiences ice, slush, snow, and temperatures below 45 degrees.

Which one should you choose?

In the end, the million-dollar question is which one you should go for? When considering their SimpleScores, the Eurowinter HS01 SUV is marginally ahead of the Bridgestone tire with overall points of 9.18 versus 9.10. While the features are almost similar, it’s the price that could be a deal breaker (for most buyers).

For a tire size of 265/50R19, the Eurowinter HS01 SUV costs around $217 per tire whereas the Blizzak DM-V2 costs $252 per tire. Considering these prices for a set of four tires, the Falken would cost $868 while the Bridgestone would incur $1,008 (a difference of $140!).

Based on the SimpleScore, you should choose the Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV if you:

• Drive CUV or SUVs like the Audi Q7, BMW X5, Porsche Cayenne, and Lexus IS
• Want a better handler in snow and ice (9.2 vs. 8.8 in handling)
• Prefer tires that last long (9.3 vs. 9 in longevity)
• Have budget constraints

Similarly, you could opt for the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 if you:

• Drive vehicles like a Jeep Cherokee, Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Charger, and GMC Terrain
• Want a great tire that offers exceptional traction (9.7 vs. 9.1)
• Are fine to pay more for a “name brand”

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.