76
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
78/100
18 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated May 2026
Bridgestone Potenza S-02 vs Bridgestone Potenza S01 — Compared (May 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
VS
79
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
86/100
3 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Bridgestone Potenza S01 — better handling, dry and comfort. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Read full
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Category breakdown
5 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Score (0–100)
Potenza S01 leads by 7
Why this score
| Source | Potenza S-02 | Potenza S01 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 97 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Potenza S-02 leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | Potenza S-02 | Potenza S01 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 79 | 77 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Potenza S01 leads by 7
Why this score
| Source | Potenza S-02 | Potenza S01 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 63 | 70 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Potenza S01 leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | Potenza S-02 | Potenza S01 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 65 | 67 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Potenza S01 leads by 10
Why this score
| Source | Potenza S-02 | Potenza S01 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 87 | 97 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Bridgestone Potenza S-02 | Bridgestone Potenza S01 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 76 | 79 |
| Dry | 90 | 97 |
| Wet | 79 | 77 |
| Comfort | 63 | 70 |
| Treadwear | 65 | 67 |
| Handling | 87 | 97 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
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Recomputed
Headline score
76
/ 100
Tire A
79
/ 100
Tire B
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Bridgestone Potenza S-02 is widely regarded by enthusiasts as a legendary performance tire, particularly valued for its exceptional steering feedback, cornering grip, and chassis-balancing characteristics on period-correct sports cars. While it remains a benchmark for handling, users frequently note its rapid tread wear and sensitivity to cold temperatures, with many expressing frustration over its limited availability in the modern market.
Pros
- Exceptional dry grip and cornering performance
- Superior steering feedback and communicative handling
- Excellent chassis balance, especially for OE-matched vehicles like the Honda S2000
- High level of confidence and stability during spirited driving
Cons
- Extremely rapid tread wear
- Poor performance and loss of adhesion in cold weather
- High noise levels and stiff ride quality
- Limited availability due to being discontinued
Observations
- Owners of the Honda S2000 consistently report that the S-02 is essential for maintaining the vehicle's intended neutral handling characteristics.
- Users with heavier or high-torque vehicles, such as the BMW 740i, reported significantly accelerated tread wear compared to lighter sports cars.
- Track-focused users noted that the tire requires significant heat to reach optimal performance, which can be difficult to achieve on lighter vehicles.
The Bridgestone Potenza S01 is widely regarded as a high-performance tire that prioritizes exceptional grip and handling dynamics over longevity and comfort. While enthusiasts appreciate its uncompromising performance in both wet and dry conditions, users should be prepared for rapid tread wear and a firm, noisy ride quality.
Pros
- Exceptional grip levels in both wet and dry conditions
- Superior handling characteristics favored by performance-oriented vehicles
- High-speed stability and performance consistency
Cons
- Very rapid tread wear and short lifespan
- High levels of road noise
- Stiff and uncomfortable ride quality
Observations
- Performance-focused vehicles like the Mitsubishi Evo 6 highlight the tire's tendency to wear out in sync with aggressive service intervals.
- Porsche OEM N-Spec variants are noted for being intentionally uncompromising, designed specifically to complement sport-tuned suspensions.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Bridgestone Potenza S-02 | B · Bridgestone Potenza S01 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | — | Summer Max Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | — | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
76
/ 100
Bridgestone
79
/ 100
Bridgestone
Winner: Bridgestone Potenza S01 — better handling, dry and comfort. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Bridgestone Potenza S01 scores 97 vs 87 on handling.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Bridgestone Potenza S01 scores 97 vs 90 on dry.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Bridgestone Potenza S01 scores 70 vs 63 on comfort.
Tire A · Bridgestone Potenza S-02
Tire B · Bridgestone Potenza S01
More comparisons
Also compared with
Bridgestone Potenza S-02 also compared with
Bridgestone Potenza S01 also compared with
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.