Relative Score (0–100): the weighted average of the categories below, each 60% road tests and 40% owner reviews (comfort 40/60). Based on 2 + 2 road tests and 452 + 4 owner reviews. How we score
Potenza RE 71RS is ahead, 75–64
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Tests 78 · 2 tests Owners 69 · 452 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 7 in 2025 Tire Rack Extreme Performance Track Tyre Test (wet handling (tester's mark))
“Drove my GR86 coast to coast on pre-thrashed 200tw tires in 3.5 days AMA 2024 GR86 Premium performance package mt Bridgestone Potenza RE-71rs tires Car had 24,000ish miles and now has 27,000ish”
Tests 62 · 2 tests Owners 63 · 4 reviews
Best test result: #2 of 6 in The BEST Track Day Tyres for 2024 (dry braking)
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
| Source | Potenza RE 71RS | Pilot Sport Cup 2 R |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 2 tests | 76 | 79 |
| Reviews found online | 92 | 74 |
Potenza RE 71RS: 60% × 76 + 40% × 92.1 = 82
Pilot Sport Cup 2 R: 60% × 79.1 + 40% × 73.9 = 77
| Source | Potenza RE 71RS | Pilot Sport Cup 2 R |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 2 tests | 85 | 45 |
| Reviews found online | 67 | 63 |
Potenza RE 71RS: 60% × 85 + 40% × 66.7 = 78
Pilot Sport Cup 2 R: 60% × 45 + 40% × 63.3 = 52
| Source | Potenza RE 71RS | Pilot Sport Cup 2 R |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / – tests | 71 | ≈ 70 (est.) |
| Reviews found online | 52 | 72 |
Potenza RE 71RS: 40% × 71.1 + 60% × 52 = 60
Pilot Sport Cup 2 R: 40% × 69.6 (est.) + 60% × 71.7 = 71
No road tests of comfort for Pilot Sport Cup 2 R. The test half is the tested tires’ average (69): owners’ comfort ratings barely follow the road tests.
| Source | Potenza RE 71RS | Pilot Sport Cup 2 R |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / – tests | 67 | – |
| Reviews found online | 63 | – |
Potenza RE 71RS: 60% × 66.6 + 40% × 63.3 = 65
| Source | Potenza RE 71RS | Pilot Sport Cup 2 R |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | ≈ 61 (est.) | ≈ 59 (est.) |
| Reviews found online | 51 | 45 |
Potenza RE 71RS: 60% × 60.9 (est.) + 40% × 51.4 = 57
Pilot Sport Cup 2 R: 60% × 58.8 (est.) + 40% × 45.4 = 53
No road tests of treadwear for Potenza RE 71RS. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.35).
No road tests of treadwear for Pilot Sport Cup 2 R. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.35).
| Source | Potenza RE 71RS | Pilot Sport Cup 2 R |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews found online | 86 | 73 |
| Category | Bridgestone Potenza RE 71RS | Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 75 | 64 |
| Dry | 82 | 77 |
| Wet | 78 | 52 |
| Comfort | 60 | 71 |
| Noise | 65 | – |
| Treadwear | 57 | 53 |
| Handling (owners) | 86 | 73 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Wet grip starts at “Important”. Treadwear starts at “Neutral” here: road tests measured it for at most one of the two tires, so it rests on owner reviews. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
Only one of the two tires has a score here, so this weight changes nothing in the head-to-head.
Potenza RE 71RS
Pilot Sport Cup 2 R
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
Per discipline: the average % of the best tire over every test both tires were in, and how many of those tests each one won. “Different tests” rows compare results from separate tests.
| Discipline | Category | Potenza RE 71RS | Pilot Sport Cup 2 R | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 100% #2/7 · 2025 Tire Rack Extreme Performance Track Tyre Test | 96% #2/5 · 2026 AutoBild Track Day Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 100% #1/7 · 2025 Tire Rack Extreme Performance Track Tyre Test | 99% #3/5 · 2026 AutoBild Track Day Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Dry Handling Long Run | Dry | 100% #1/7 · 2025 Tire Rack Extreme Performance Track Tyre Test | 97% #4/6 · The BEST Track Day Tyres for 2024 | – | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 100% #1/7 · 2025 Tire Rack Extreme Performance Track Tyre Test | 85% #5/5 · 2026 AutoBild Track Day Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 100% #1/7 · 2025 Tire Rack Extreme Performance Track Tyre Test | 93% #4/5 · 2026 AutoBild Track Day Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #1/7 2025 Tire Rack Extreme Performance Track Tyre Test | #5/5 2026 AutoBild Track Day Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Community sentiment toward the Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS is overwhelmingly positive, with drivers praising its high grip levels, responsive turn-in, and improved refinement over the older RE-71R. Discussions frequently center around track and autocross setups, optimal hot tire pressures, clearance pricing, and its streetability regarding road noise and gravel pickup. Minor caveats noted include fast wear characteristic of 200tw competition tires and rotation limits stemming from an asymmetrical tread design.
“They are an amazing tire, both for autocross and track days. I'm currently running Falkens but my next track set will be RE71s for sure. Should be able to get a half second off my laps from what I've seen so far.”
“When I said 'they are more different than I expected,' the best way to describe that with one word is SMOOTH! These tires are smooth in all aspects. They are substantially quieter than the old 71R, maybe a 2 out of 10. After driving on two lane blacktops, I have not noticed any measurable gravel or other debris picked up at this point, definitely less than the 71R, maybe 50% reduction. Handling is the most important aspect for me personally and Bridgestone has hit a home run! Stopping fantastic and according to Bridgestone they are better on wet roads, IDK as I try to avoid driving in the rain. Steering is amazing and more sensitive! There is even a level of comfort that I did not expect for performance tires. Honestly, I am unable to come up with any negative. Five Stars! The post by jst2878 was spot on about them being a 'gift!' After break in greater than 300 miles, they just need to be hammered! After doing so yesterday, I have returned home for Pina Coladas & Pool this weekend!”
“Track tire fitment Just got some new Bridgestone Potenza RE-71rs in 245/40r18. I did my research on this subreddit and it seems like that will fit without rubbing/camber bolts. Does anyone know if the RE-71rs’ run wide cause they measure a full inch wider than the stock PS4s’, I’m just wondering now if I’ll need camber bolts. I’d prefer not, just want to throw them on and go. For reference they are being mounted onto a 18x8.5 +45 Enkei TS-V wheel. If anyone could offer insight cause I just can’t understand how they would fit but maybe I’m just over thinking it. Stock suspension by the way. I searched the sub and didn’t see anything with exact matching specs, only bigger and different tires. Tl;dr Will 245/40r18 Bridgestone Potenza RE-71rs’ fit on an 18x8.5 +45 wheel without clearance issues/adding other modifications (camber bolts) on our car? Thanks for any help! Read more”
Based on 33 community posts
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
| Attribute | A · Bridgestone Potenza RE 71RS | B · Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer | Summer |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 10 | 7 |
| Rim diameters | 15″ – 19″ | 20″ – 21″ |
| Tread depth | 7/32″ | — |
| UTQG | 200 A A | — |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | — |
| Max pressure | 51 psi | — |
| Sizes in common | 0 | 0 |
Bridgestone Potenza RE 71RS
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R
Winner: Bridgestone Potenza RE 71RS — better wet, handling and dry. Pick the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R if comfort matters most to you.
Bridgestone Potenza RE 71RS scores 78 vs 52 on wet.
Bridgestone Potenza RE 71RS scores 86 vs 73 on handling.
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R scores 71 vs 60 on comfort.
Bridgestone Potenza RE 71RS scores 82 vs 77 on dry.
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Bridgestone Potenza RE 71RS, 78 vs 52 on our wet score.
Bridgestone Potenza RE 71RS, 82 vs 77 on our dry score.
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R, 71 vs 60 on our comfort score.
Bridgestone Potenza RE 71RS, 57 vs 53 on our treadwear score.
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements), each result compared with every other tire in the same test and newer tests counting more. 40% comes from owner reviews found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates. Both use one scale: the average tested tire gets 70, the best 100. When a tire has only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from the other and the score stays closer to average; with no road test and fewer than five owner reviews it gets no score yet.
Handling is the exception: road tests measure it inside the dry and wet scores, so its own row comes from owner ratings only and starts as less important.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score. Full methodology
