Tests 62 · 2 tests Owners 63 · 4 reviews
Best test result: #2 of 6 in The BEST Track Day Tyres for 2024 (dry braking)
Head-to-head
Updated
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R vs Bridgestone Potenza RE 71RS — Compared
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 4 + 452 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”
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
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77
Dry
Potenza RE 71RS +582Why this score
Source Pilot Sport Cup 2 R Potenza RE 71RS Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 2 tests 79 76 Reviews found online 74 92 Pilot Sport Cup 2 R: 60% × 79.1 + 40% × 73.9 = 77
Potenza RE 71RS: 60% × 76 + 40% × 92.1 = 82
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52
Wet
Potenza RE 71RS +2678Why this score
Source Pilot Sport Cup 2 R Potenza RE 71RS Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 2 tests 45 85 Reviews found online 63 67 Pilot Sport Cup 2 R: 60% × 45 + 40% × 63.3 = 52
Potenza RE 71RS: 60% × 85 + 40% × 66.7 = 78
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71
Comfort
Pilot Sport Cup 2 R +1160Why this score
Source Pilot Sport Cup 2 R Potenza RE 71RS Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 1 tests ≈ 70 (est.) 71 Reviews found online 72 52 Pilot Sport Cup 2 R: 40% × 69.6 (est.) + 60% × 71.7 = 71
Potenza RE 71RS: 40% × 71.1 + 60% × 52 = 60
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.
-
–
Noise
No comparison65Why this score
Source Pilot Sport Cup 2 R Potenza RE 71RS Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 1 tests – 67 Reviews found online – 63 Potenza RE 71RS: 60% × 66.6 + 40% × 63.3 = 65
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53
Treadwear
Potenza RE 71RS +457Why this score
Source Pilot Sport Cup 2 R Potenza RE 71RS Professional tests (TWG score) ≈ 59 (est.) ≈ 61 (est.) Reviews found online 45 51 Pilot Sport Cup 2 R: 60% × 58.8 (est.) + 40% × 45.4 = 53
Potenza RE 71RS: 60% × 60.9 (est.) + 40% × 51.4 = 57
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).
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).
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73
Handling (owners)
Potenza RE 71RS +1386Why this score
Source Pilot Sport Cup 2 R Potenza RE 71RS Reviews found online 73 86
Scores at a glance
| Category | Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R | Bridgestone Potenza RE 71RS |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 64 | 75 |
| Dry | 77 | 82 |
| Wet | 52 | 78 |
| Comfort | 71 | 60 |
| Noise | – | 65 |
| Treadwear | 53 | 57 |
| Handling (owners) | 73 | 86 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Weight the categories that matter to you
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.
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Only one of the two tires has a score here, so this weight changes nothing in the head-to-head.
Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Recomputed
Headline score
64
/ 100
Pilot Sport Cup 2 R
75
/ 100
Potenza RE 71RS
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
The professional test results behind the scores
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 | Pilot Sport Cup 2 R | Potenza RE 71RS | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 96% #2/5 · 2026 AutoBild Track Day Tyre Test | 100% #2/7 · 2025 Tire Rack Extreme Performance Track Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 99% #3/5 · 2026 AutoBild Track Day Tyre Test | 100% #1/7 · 2025 Tire Rack Extreme Performance Track Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Dry Handling Long Run | Dry | 97% #4/6 · The BEST Track Day Tyres for 2024 | 100% #1/7 · 2025 Tire Rack Extreme Performance Track Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 85% #5/5 · 2026 AutoBild Track Day Tyre Test | 100% #1/7 · 2025 Tire Rack Extreme Performance Track Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 93% #4/5 · 2026 AutoBild Track Day Tyre Test | 100% #1/7 · 2025 Tire Rack Extreme Performance Track Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #5/5 2026 AutoBild Track Day Tyre Test | #1/7 2025 Tire Rack Extreme Performance Track Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A Pilot Sport Cup 2 R
Pros
- Phenomenal dry grip providing a planted and confident feel on the track
- Optimized design specifically for extracting maximum performance during time attacks
- Superior circuit performance compared to the standard Pilot Sport Cup 2
Cons
- Extremely limited performance longevity, with grip dropping off rapidly after just a few laps
- Poor performance and safety risks in damp to wet conditions due to shallow and narrow tread patterns
- Best suited strictly for single-lap time trials rather than extended track sessions
Tire B Potenza RE 71RS
Pros
- Outstanding dry grip and rapid warm-up characteristics.
- Highly predictable and communicative at the limit, allowing for easy recovery.
- Improved on-road refinement, noise levels, and comfort compared to its predecessor.
Cons
- Rapid tread wear, especially when used aggressively on track or heavy vehicles.
- Tendency to become 'greasy' or lose peak grip during extended track sessions.
- Stiff sidewalls can make mounting the tires onto rims difficult.
What real owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Tire A
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
Tire B
Positive
Bridgestone Potenza RE 71RS
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.
civicx.com
·2025-02-25
“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.”
s2ki.com
“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!”
r/ElantraN
·5 upvotes ·2025-09-06
“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”
Top themes
#track and autocross performance#tire pressure tuning#road noise and refinement#clearance pricing and availability#fitment and sizing#tread wear and longevity#comparison to previous RE-71R
Based on 33 community posts
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R | B · Bridgestone Potenza RE 71RS |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer | Summer |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 7 | 10 |
| Rim diameters | 20″ – 21″ | 15″ – 19″ |
| Tread depth | — | 7/32″ |
| UTQG | — | 200 A A |
| Sidewall | — | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | — | 51 psi |
| Sizes in common | 0 | 0 |
Which one should you actually buy?
64
/ 100
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R
75
/ 100
Bridgestone Potenza RE 71RS
Winner: Bridgestone Potenza RE 71RS — better wet, handling and dry. Pick the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R if comfort matters most to you.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Bridgestone Potenza RE 71RS scores 78 vs 52 on wet.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Bridgestone Potenza RE 71RS scores 86 vs 73 on handling.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R scores 71 vs 60 on comfort.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Bridgestone Potenza RE 71RS scores 82 vs 77 on dry.
Tire A · Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R
Tire B · Bridgestone Potenza RE 71RS
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Pilot Sport Cup 2 R or Potenza RE 71RS?
Which is better in the wet, Pilot Sport Cup 2 R or Potenza RE 71RS?
Bridgestone Potenza RE 71RS, 78 vs 52 on our wet score.
Which grips better on dry roads, Pilot Sport Cup 2 R or Potenza RE 71RS?
Bridgestone Potenza RE 71RS, 82 vs 77 on our dry score.
Which is more comfortable, Pilot Sport Cup 2 R or Potenza RE 71RS?
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R, 71 vs 60 on our comfort score.
Which lasts longer, Pilot Sport Cup 2 R or Potenza RE 71RS?
Bridgestone Potenza RE 71RS, 57 vs 53 on our treadwear score.
How do we compare tires?
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