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Bridgestone DriveGuard

The Bridgestone DriveGuard is a premium touring summer runflat with good wet and dry grip. Owners often find it comfortable compared with other runflats, but short tread life is a recurring complaint and opinions on noise differ.

The quick answer

Owners say 70% from 26 owner reviews 41% would buy again Read the reviews
Tests say 1st average finish across 1 independent tests · 1 wins Latest: P1 of 10 · 2017 See every test

Built from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold for this tyre - the evidence is all further down the page. Data updated January 2025.

  • 26owner reviews
  • 338,860miles driven
  • 1professional tests

Tyre Reviews Score

Bridgestone DriveGuard

8.5/10

Better than 78% of summer tyres

  • Limited Confidence
  • 1 test
  • 26 owner reviews
Scores of the 406 summer tyres we have tested

How this score is built

Source Better than Weight
Independent tests1 test · 1 publication · 2017 83% 89%
Owner reviews26 owner reviews · rated 70% 32% 11%
Combined 78% 8.5

A fixed curve turns the combined figure into the 0 to 10 score, so roughly the top 10% of a group score 9 or more.

Held at 8.5: a tyre needs 3 independent tests to score higher.

Category by category

How it compares with other summer tyres in each area, and how much each area counts. 50 is the middle of the group.

Category Better than Weight Tests
WetBraking, handling and aquaplaning in the wet 93% 53% 1
DryBraking and handling on dry roads 65% 47% 1

Weights are shares of the test result. Owner reviews are blended in afterwards. Faded bars rest on one or two tests.

By discipline

The same results grouped by what the tyre was doing. They are not counted a second time.

HandlingEvery handling test, on any surface 86% 1
BrakingEvery braking test, on any surface 73% 1

Confidence

  1. Limited
  2. Medium
  3. High

Its own test results decide 84% of the test figure. The other 16% is the average for its group, and it shrinks as more tests arrive.

High needs at least 3 tests, with its own results deciding 90% or more. Medium needs 2 tests and 70%. Anything less is Limited: expect the number to move as tests arrive.

The tests behind it

  1. 2017 2017 Mid Range Tyre Test Motor · 205/55 R16 P1 / 10
1 Tests
1 Test Wins
1st Average
1st Best
1st Worst
The latest test

2017 Mid Range Tyre Test P1 of 10

Strong: Dry Handling, Wet Braking, Wet Handling

Every independent test of the Bridgestone DriveGuard, newest first
YearTestResultAward
20172017 Mid Range Tyre TestMotor · 205/55 R16P1 / 10
Dimensions & Label Scores
View All

Size Range22 sizes available

185-245Width40-65Profile15-18Rim88-100 V-YLoad/Speed Index2016First On Market

EU LabelAcross 22 sizes - the grade depends on the size you buy.

Noise

69-72dB B

Frequently Asked Questions
How good is the Bridgestone DriveGuard in the wet?
Across the 1 wet-braking test it has featured in, the Bridgestone DriveGuard stops 9% shorter than premium rivals, 6.4% shorter than mid-range rivals and 2% shorter than budget rivals. It has a Tyre Reviews wet score of 93/100, and owners rate it 8.3/10 in the wet from 26 reviews.
How good is the Bridgestone DriveGuard in the dry?
Across the 1 dry-braking test it has featured in, the Bridgestone DriveGuard stops 0.8% longer than premium rivals, 1% shorter than mid-range rivals and 0.8% shorter than budget rivals. It has a Tyre Reviews dry score of 65/100, and owners rate it 8.4/10 in the dry from 26 reviews.
How many miles does the Bridgestone DriveGuard last?
Based on test and owner data, the Bridgestone DriveGuard is expected to last around 12,000 miles (19,312 km).
What do owners say about the Bridgestone DriveGuard?
Across 26 owner ratings the Bridgestone DriveGuard averages 70%. Owners rate Dry Grip highest at 8.4 out of 10 and Wear lowest at 4.7. 10 of those reviews come from owners past 10,000 miles. 57% of owners score it 70% or better.
What is the Bridgestone DriveGuard's EU tyre label rating?
Across its range, the Bridgestone DriveGuard most commonly carries EU label ratings of C for fuel efficiency, A for wet grip and 71 dB for noise.
More questions about the Bridgestone DriveGuard (7)
How comfortable and quiet are the Bridgestone DriveGuard?
Owners rate the Bridgestone DriveGuard 6.9 out of 10 for comfort and noise across 26 reviews.
How well do the Bridgestone DriveGuard wear, according to owners?
Owners rate the Bridgestone DriveGuard 4.7 out of 10 for wear across 26 reviews. 10 of those reviews come from owners past 10,000 miles, and the typical review covers 8,000 miles.
Would owners buy the Bridgestone DriveGuard again?
41% of owners say they would buy the Bridgestone DriveGuard again, based on the 22 owner reviews that answered the question. 32% of them gave it the highest possible answer.
What do owners say about the Bridgestone DriveGuard's tread life?
Of the 26 owner reviews analysed for the Bridgestone DriveGuard, 13 mention tread life: 2 praise it (long-lasting) and 11 criticise it (wears quickly). One owner wrote: "it will only last 6,000 miles". Read those reviews
What do owners say about the Bridgestone DriveGuard's road noise?
Of the 26 owner reviews analysed for the Bridgestone DriveGuard, 11 mention road noise: 8 praise it (quiet) and 3 criticise it (noisy). Read those reviews
What do owners say about the Bridgestone DriveGuard's ride comfort?
Of the 26 owner reviews analysed for the Bridgestone DriveGuard, 10 mention ride comfort: 7 praise it (comfortable ride) and 3 criticise it (harsh ride). One owner wrote: "it made the car a real pleasure to drive on again". Read those reviews
What sizes does the Bridgestone DriveGuard come in?
The Bridgestone DriveGuard is available in 24 sizes, ranging from 185-245/40-65 R15-18.
Owner Questions (1)
Ask a question

Questions and Answers for the Bridgestone DriveGuard

When will the Drive Guard be available in size 245 / 50 R18, and the cost?

Also what run flats are available in All Season Tyres, for the size above?
June 20, 2016
We haven't been notified of a 245/50 R18 Driveguard, but Bridgestone are expanding their range all the time so keep an eye on the "sizes" tab. Likewise, all season tyres in that size are very hard to find.

Bridgestone DriveGuard Owner Reviews

Review this tyre

What owners say summarised from 26 reviews

Owners of the Bridgestone DriveGuard commonly praise its wet and dry grip, with quieter running and improved comfort also recurring, particularly after other run-flat models. Opinion is mixed overall, with half of the 26 reviews positive and an average score of 63.5%. Tread life is the clearest weakness, criticised in around two in five reviews, often after relatively modest mileages. These complaints come from owners who have used the tyre through its life, rather than just initial impressions. Around one in eight reviews mentions slower steering response or reduced feedback, although several owners are pleased with the handling.

What owners mention most counted across 26 reviews

Tap one to read only the reviews that mention it.

Owner ratings averaged from 26 ratings

  • Owner score 70%
  • Dry Grip 84%
  • Wet Grip 83%
  • Road Feedback 77%
  • Handling 74%
  • Comfort 69%
  • Wear 47%

Featured reviews

Most helpful 56%

“When new, they were more quiet but became louder over time. The handling was always a little soft with a delay between turn on and response. I hoped to trade some performance for wet and snow traction but these tired...”

  • MINI mini countryman cooper s
  • 30,000 miles
Read full review → 947 found this helpful
Most critical 43%

“Worst "premium tyre" I have experienced! This tyre is a disaster! They came mounted on my BMW F31 318d x-drive, when we bought it as a "newer" second hand car (3 years old). The road noice is horrible as soon as you...”

  • BMW F31 318d x drive
  • 20,000 miles
Read full review → 982 found this helpful
Longest term 100%

“Ok I've been through many tyres in my time. Was looking for similar deive to uni royals rain sports and I have found it!. These tyres are truly stunning to drive with and I think I've found my tyre for life. The wet...”

  • BMW 320 d
  • 150,000 miles
Read full review → 540 found this helpful

All 26 Bridgestone DriveGuard reviews

Score spread across 23 written reviews
56%
Member
When new, they were more quiet but became louder over time. The handling was always a little soft with a delay between turn on and response. I hoped to trade some performance for wet and snow traction but these tired did not deliver. I am replacing them early because after about 50% tread, they started to hydroplane badly. My highway speeds were greatly reduced in the rain after a few white knuckled moments. While I've driven worse on the snow, these were not good. I'll be looking for a different option.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 7
  • Wet Grip 5
  • Road Feedback 6
  • Handling 6
  • Wear 7
  • Comfort 7
  • Buy again 1
Helpful 947
57%
Member
If you want a tire that is NOT SECURE, that it will only last 6,000 miles, then buy a Bridgestone DriveGuard tire. Its innovation and technology are so good that despite the fact that neither the tire nor the rim have any visible signs of damage, the tire is unusable a year after it was purchased. It's a real shame to spend money on expensive tires that turn out to perform so poorly.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 8
  • Wet Grip 7
  • Road Feedback 8
  • Handling 7
  • Wear 2
  • Comfort 7
  • Buy again 1
Helpful 981
56%
Member
  • BMW 330i
  • 225/45 R18
  • 15,000 miles
  • A Combination of Roads
This is very grippy tire for both wet and dry conditions but lacks comfort. It is also very noisy tire. When I was riding on bumpy roads, I realised how bad this tires as comfort wise. I changed to Yokohama Advan Sport V105s, however new ones are not run flats but very satisfied with comfort and handling.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 8
  • Wet Grip 8
  • Road Feedback 4
  • Handling 8
  • Wear 8
  • Comfort 2
  • Buy again 1
Helpful 960

Which tyres do you drive?

Researching the Bridgestone DriveGuard? Rate the tyres you actually drive - and help the next buyer choose.

Own the Bridgestone DriveGuard?
Member
  • BMW
  • 225/45 R17
  • 13,000 miles
  • A Combination of Roads
  • Average
I am dissapointed with a quick wear. After 12.800 miles my back tire is close to 1.5 mm For a mid range tire it is such a bad product. Rear tires should last for around 40 K and not 13K. I will avoid this tyre make for sure.
73%
Member
  • BMW 320D
  • 225/45 R17
  • 10,000 miles
  • Mostly Motorways
  • Average
Need to replace fronts after about 10k miles due to side wear (tracking checked and confirmed ok)
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 10
  • Wet Grip 10
  • Road Feedback 8
  • Handling 9
  • Wear 2
  • Comfort 7
  • Buy again 5
Helpful 1,025
Member
  • BMW
  • 205/55 R15
  • 9,000 miles
  • Mostly Motorways
  • Average
Am shocked worn to 1.5mm evenly in 1 year/ 9000 miles, for a known brand this is dreadful. not worth it
93%
Member
  • Toyota Prius
  • 225/55 R16 V
  • 13,000 miles
  • A Combination of Roads
  • Average
When I first got this car it was 3 years old and I kept it on the original Bridgestone tyres up until approx 2 years ago I will say that the Drive Guard has transformed this car. The only downside is the ride is hard but you feel like you have control and when you hit a pot hole it seems to just glide over them. I do not think they are noisy and I have found that since fitting these the car has no over or under steer and where you point it it goes. Also Tyre wear is good for this type of tyre (less than half worn on front wheels at this millage) and Yes I will replace them with same when they are worn.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 10
  • Wet Grip 10
  • Road Feedback 10
  • Handling 10
  • Wear 8
  • Comfort 7
  • Buy again 10
Helpful 952
43%
Member
Worst "premium tyre" I have experienced!

This tyre is a disaster!
They came mounted on my BMW F31 318d x-drive, when we bought it as a "newer" second hand car (3 years old).

The road noice is horrible as soon as you drive the car on tarmac that is the slightest rough in surface. They generate a very loud and disturbing low frequency noice.
In fact they are louder than a second set of 18" rims/tyres with the dimension of 235/40-18ZR (Michelin Pilotsport 3) we have for this car!

The dry and wet grip is not impressing at all.

The comfort is not good but not as bad as the noice....

The wear of the tyres is the only upside, there is about 6 mm left after about 30000 km (two summer seasons - I use winter tyres in the winter season), but honestly is the "good" wear rate a bad thing thus you will have to live with these bad tyres a long time. The car is driven smooth and with a lot of high-way use.

I would not recomend these tyres to anyone and will not buy again!


This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 5
  • Wet Grip 5
  • Road Feedback 7
  • Handling 6
  • Wear 5
  • Comfort 1
  • Buy again 1
Helpful 982
61%
Member
  • BMW 118d
  • 205/55 R16
  • 8,000 miles
  • Mostly Motorways
  • Spirited
driven 8000 miles and only a few mm left on the tyre very disappointing
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 8
  • Wet Grip 9
  • Road Feedback 9
  • Handling 8
  • Wear 1
  • Comfort 6
  • Buy again 2
Helpful 1,028
59%
Member
  • BMW 320D
  • 225/45 R17
  • 10,000 miles
  • A Combination of Roads
  • Average
Had 4 of these fitted on my BMW 320 diesel touring. they feel really good handling, give you confidence on the road with a great grip. Down side is they wear quite quick and a year later and 10k miles trey are down to slicks. Not buying them again.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 9
  • Wet Grip 7
  • Road Feedback 9
  • Handling 7
  • Wear 1
  • Comfort 7
  • Buy again 1
Helpful 864
56%
Member
  • BMW 520d
  • 225/50 R17 V
  • 8,000 miles
  • Mostly Motorways
  • Easy Going
Bought/fitted these tyres an 4th January, 2018. Completely BALD by the end of October, 2018 having covered 13,078 klms (8,0126 Miles) of gentle driving on the rear of our BMW 520D E60. We have two cars, this 9 year old low mileage 520D for longer comfortable journeys and hybrid Yaris for shorter / town journeys so the 520D only gets used on longer, occasional journeys mostly driven by my wife - both of us are more interested in MPG these days than MPH. They were bought to replace a set of Pirelli tyres because of the superior grip of these Bridgestone Drive Guard in the wet/frost etc. On this front, they did score well, better and more responsive grip/steering in poor winter conditions but in fifty years of driving, I've never had a set of tyres wear so quickly and so completely. I do some work/standing in for a local car dealership and customers often ask for recommendations for tyres (we sell BMW Audi Merc, Jaguar etc) Bridgestone WON'T be featuring on my recommended list :-(
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 8
  • Wet Grip 8
  • Road Feedback 8
  • Handling 8
  • Wear 1
  • Comfort 5
  • Buy again 1
Helpful 843
79%
Member
  • Dacia Logan
  • 195/65 R15
  • 10,000 miles
  • A Combination of Roads
  • Easy Going
I fitted a set of Bridgestone Driveguard on my father's 2005 Dacia Logan, found the tyres at a very good price. The car drives exactly as it should, the noise from the tyres is really low, the grip is also very good in any road conditions. Unfortunately, the front tyres(it s a fwd car) are used more than half of their profile in only 15.000km(aprox. 10.000 miles) which is very unplesant compared to the last set of tyres fitted on that car, some cheap Matadors which lasted more than 45.000km(~30.000 miles). In conclusion Bridgestone Driveguard are good tyres as long as they last,but their poor lifetime makes me think twice in buying them again.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 9
  • Wet Grip 9
  • Road Feedback 10
  • Handling 10
  • Wear 3
  • Comfort 8
  • Buy again 6
Helpful 625
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