Bridgestone Potenza Sport vs Firestone Firehawk Sport

In this article we will be looking at independent tire test data, and real world driver reviews of the Bridgestone Potenza Sport and the Firestone Firehawk Sport to find out which tire is best for your own driving.

There are a few basic differences between the two tires. The Bridgestone Potenza Sport is an Max-Performance Summer tire designed to be fitted to Passenger-Cars, and the Firestone Firehawk Sport is an Ultra-High-Performance Summer tire designed to be fitted to Passenger-Cars

Potenza-Sport VS Firehawk-Sport

Test Results

Independent comparison tire tests are the best source of data to get tire information from, and the good news is there have been five tests which compare both tires directly!

Out of these five tests:

  • Bridgestone Potenza Sport finished ahead of the Firestone Firehawk Sport in four of the tests
  • Firestone Firehawk Sport finished ahead of the Bridgestone Potenza Sport in one of the tests

While it might look like the Bridgestone Potenza Sport is better than the Firestone Firehawk Sport purely based on the higher number of test wins, tires are very complicated objects which means where one tire is better than the other can be more important in real world use.

Let's look at how the two tires compare across multiple tire test categories.

Dry Braking

Looking at data from five tire tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during four dry braking tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport stopped the vehicle in 3.38% less distance than the Firestone Firehawk Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
33.76M
Firestone Firehawk Sport
34.94M
Dry braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Dry Braking: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:33.5M Firestone Firehawk Sport: 35.1M
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:35.2M Firestone Firehawk Sport: 34.5M
2025 Summer Tire Test Shootout
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:32.6M Firestone Firehawk Sport: 34.6M
2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:34.9M Firestone Firehawk Sport: 35.9M
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:32.6M Firestone Firehawk Sport: 34.6M

Dry Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during three dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was 1.57% faster around a lap than the Firestone Firehawk Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
112.4Km/H
Firestone Firehawk Sport
110.63Km/H
Dry Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:115.5Km/H Firestone Firehawk Sport: 114.3Km/H
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:101.1Km/H Firestone Firehawk Sport: 100.7Km/H
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:120.6Km/H Firestone Firehawk Sport: 116.9Km/H

Wet Braking

Looking at data from five tire tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during four wet braking tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport stopped the vehicle in 6.26% less distance than the Firestone Firehawk Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
33.22M
Firestone Firehawk Sport
35.44M
Wet braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:41.2M Firestone Firehawk Sport: 42.2M
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:25.4M Firestone Firehawk Sport: 24.3M
2025 Summer Tire Test Shootout
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:27.6M Firestone Firehawk Sport: 31.1M
2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:28.8M Firestone Firehawk Sport: 30.9M
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:43.1M Firestone Firehawk Sport: 48.7M

Wet Braking - Concrete

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during one wet braking - concrete tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport stopped the vehicle in 8.95% less distance than the Firestone Firehawk Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
34.6M
Firestone Firehawk Sport
38M
Wet braking on Concrete in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:34.6M Firestone Firehawk Sport: 38M

Wet Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during three wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was 4.01% faster around a wet lap than the Firestone Firehawk Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
83.03Km/H
Firestone Firehawk Sport
79.7Km/H
Wet Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:86.9Km/H Firestone Firehawk Sport: 81.6Km/H
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:88.7Km/H Firestone Firehawk Sport: 86.2Km/H
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:73.5Km/H Firestone Firehawk Sport: 71.3Km/H

Wet Circle

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport had 3.75% higher lateral wet grip than the Firestone Firehawk Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
8.81m/s
Firestone Firehawk Sport
8.48m/s
Lateral wet grip in m/s squared, higher is better

Best In Wet Circle: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:8.81m/s Firestone Firehawk Sport: 8.48m/s

Straight Aqua

Looking at data from four tire tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during two straight aqua tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport floated at a 1.24% higher speed than the Firestone Firehawk Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
78.78Km/H
Firestone Firehawk Sport
77.8Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H, higher is better

Best In Straight Aqua: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:77.8Km/H Firestone Firehawk Sport: 74.6Km/H
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:79.3Km/H Firestone Firehawk Sport: 79.4Km/H
2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:78.9Km/H Firestone Firehawk Sport: 77.5Km/H
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:79.1Km/H Firestone Firehawk Sport: 79.7Km/H

Curved Aquaplaning

Looking at data from four tire tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during three curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport slipped out at a 5.56% higher speed than the Firestone Firehawk Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
3.06m/sec2
Firestone Firehawk Sport
2.89m/sec2
Remaining lateral acceleration, higher is better

Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:2.72m/sec2 Firestone Firehawk Sport: 2.45m/sec2
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:3.38m/sec2 Firestone Firehawk Sport: 3.19m/sec2
2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:3.1m/sec2 Firestone Firehawk Sport: 2.8m/sec2
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:3.04m/sec2 Firestone Firehawk Sport: 3.1m/sec2

Subj. Comfort

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport and Firestone Firehawk Sport performed equally well in subj. comfort tests.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
4.3 Points
Firestone Firehawk Sport
4.3 Points
Subjective Comfort Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Comfort: Both tires performed equally well

2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:4.3 Points Firestone Firehawk Sport: 4.3 Points

Noise

Looking at data from four tire tests, the Firestone Firehawk Sport was better during four noise tests. On average the Firestone Firehawk Sport measured 1.66% quieter than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
72.25dB
Firestone Firehawk Sport
71.05dB
External noise in dB, lower is better

Best In Noise: Firestone Firehawk Sport

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:69dB Firestone Firehawk Sport: 67dB
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:71.6dB Firestone Firehawk Sport: 71.3dB
2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:73.8dB Firestone Firehawk Sport: 72.3dB
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:74.6dB Firestone Firehawk Sport: 73.6dB

Wear

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during two wear tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport is predicted to cover 34.26% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Firestone Firehawk Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
48190KM
Firestone Firehawk Sport
31680KM
Predicted tread life in KM, higher is better

Best In Wear: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:50500KM Firestone Firehawk Sport: 34500KM
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:45880KM Firestone Firehawk Sport: 28860KM

Value

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during two value tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport proved to have a 26.39% better value based on price/1000km than the Firestone Firehawk Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
8.98Price/1000
Firestone Firehawk Sport
12.2Price/1000
Euros/1000km based on cost/wear, lower is better

Best In Value: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:9.58Price/1000 Firestone Firehawk Sport: 12.75Price/1000
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:8.37Price/1000 Firestone Firehawk Sport: 11.64Price/1000

Price

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Firestone Firehawk Sport was better during two price tests. On average the Firestone Firehawk Sport cost 16.9% less than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
287
Firestone Firehawk Sport
238.5
Price in local currency, lower is better

Best In Price: Firestone Firehawk Sport

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:460 Firestone Firehawk Sport: 365
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:114 Firestone Firehawk Sport: 112

Rolling Resistance

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Firestone Firehawk Sport was better during three rolling resistance tests. On average the Firestone Firehawk Sport had a 25.77% lower rolling resistance than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
9.78kg / t
Firestone Firehawk Sport
7.26kg / t
Rolling resistance in kg t, lower is better

Best In Rolling Resistance: Firestone Firehawk Sport

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:9.9kg / t Firestone Firehawk Sport: 7.05kg / t
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:10.2kg / t Firestone Firehawk Sport: 7.1kg / t
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:9.24kg / t Firestone Firehawk Sport: 7.62kg / t

Fuel Consumption

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Firestone Firehawk Sport was better during one fuel consumption tests. On average the Firestone Firehawk Sport used 5.17% less fuel than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
5.8l/100km
Firestone Firehawk Sport
5.5l/100km
Fuel consumption in Litres per 100 km, lower is better

Best In Fuel Consumption: Firestone Firehawk Sport

2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:5.8l/100km Firestone Firehawk Sport: 5.5l/100km

Abrasion

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during one abrasion tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport emitted 21.33% less particle wear matter than the Firestone Firehawk Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
63.8mg/km/t
Firestone Firehawk Sport
81.1mg/km/t
Weight of Tire Wear Particles Lost (mg/km/t), lower is better

Best In Abrasion: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18
Bridgestone Potenza Sport:63.8mg/km/t Firestone Firehawk Sport: 81.1mg/km/t

Real World Driver Reviews

Tire Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Bridgestone Potenza Sport and Firestone Firehawk Sport.

In total the Bridgestone Potenza Sport has been reviewed 114 times and drivers have given the tire 81% overall.

The Firestone Firehawk Sport has been reviewed 5 times and drivers have given the tire 74% overall.

This means in real world driving, people prefer the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.

Best Review for the Bridgestone Potenza Sport
Given 81% 225/45 R17 on a combination of roads for 2,000 spirited miles
I have had these on the rear of my XFR for a few months now, it has the optional "R-S" size of 295/30/20. They get a hard life on a heavy >500bhp RWD car with quite relaxed electronics, and these are by far the best tires I have used on the rear of an XFR - various models of which have been my daily driver for 6.5 years now (about 90k miles covered in that time). Traction is superb in wet and dry conditions, and resistance to aquaplaning has been good as well. It is slightly concerning they come with
Helpful 1828 - tire reviewed on November 22, 2021
View all Bridgestone Potenza Sport driver reviews >>
Best Review for the Firestone Firehawk Sport
Given 90% 265/30 R20 on a combination of roads for 1,500 average miles
Excellent tires for wet roads - no slipping when accelerating / overtaking / cornering, or when hitting unseen standing water, or more generally, bouncing around on poorly-surfaced potholed roads - so well-suited to driving in England this Summer... Also grip well in the dry, and they're quiet at lower speeds - very important for a convertible which came with large, wide alloys and rubber-band tires. Am also achieving more miles per gallon - never seen 33 mpg previously (30 was the best) - so as nothing else has changed, the new tires' construction/composition must be responsible. Plus, they... Continue reading this review using the link below
Helpful 220 - tire reviewed on July 12, 2024
View all Firestone Firehawk Sport driver reviews >>

Conclusion

In conclusion the Bridgestone Potenza Sport performed better in dry braking, dry handling [km/h], wet braking, wet braking - concrete, wet handling [km/h], wet circle, straight aqua, curved aquaplaning, wear, value and abrasion, while the Firestone Firehawk Sport performed better in noise, price, rolling resistance and fuel consumption.

Interestingly, both tires performed equally well in dry handling, wet handling and subj. comfort, showing that they are closely matched in these areas.

Which tire is best for you depends a lot on your driving style and situation, plus what you want from the tire. Comparing all the data in the tire reviews database, on balance Bridgestone Potenza Sport seems to be the best tire overall.

However, it's important to note that both tires have their strengths.

Remember, the best tire for you might depend on which of these factors are most important for your specific driving needs and conditions.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport

Overall Winner: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

Based on the tire test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tire has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tire buying choice.

Similar Comparisons

Looking for more tire comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tires:


Footnote

This page has been developed using tire industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tires in the same test.

Why is this important? Tire testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tire test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tire tests performed on different days or at different locations.

As a result you will see other tests on Tire Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.

Lots of other websites do this sort of tire comparison, Tire Reviews doesn't.