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Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RZ vs. RE-71RS Comparison Test

Tire Rack

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In this highly anticipated comparison, Brent and TJ officially run the all-new Potenza RE-71RZ against its predecessor, the lauded RE-71RS, in a full test. They didn’t stop there, though; they included a second size of each tire and a second test vehicle. So, it’s tire vs tire, on both our M2 and a race-ready BRZ!

0:00 Intro
2:07 Road Rides
2:47 Wet Track
4:12 Dry Track
5:43 Conclusion

Learn more about the tire featured in this test:

Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RZ: https://bit.ly/4993nhz
Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS: https://bit.ly/3PahbSk

View the full 2026 test report: https://bit.ly/4nGwiiX

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20 Comments

@Rodpwnzz 4 months ago

It is so awesome that you included both light weight low power and high weight high power cars so that the results can be applied and compared amongst most use cases. I know it probably adds a lot of time and money, but testing both vehicles moving forward should be the gold standard. Thank you!

@PeterSierraRacingSupply 4 months ago

The benefits to the RZ were supposed to be focused on heat tolerance and wear characteristics. It would be great to get some data on that!

@7mpowerd 4 months ago

Love the dual car testing. I’d be really excited to see the wear testing once you guys have had some time on them.

@HandyWithASpoon 4 months ago

Any way to include the warm-up and heat-handing characteristics of the tires? My experience so far is that the RZs are much better with less heat... not something this test captured. Would be helpful in the future.

@justcallmejefe 4 months ago

Good looking BRZ!

@iggyppup 4 months ago

Now Thats A Tyre Test! 2 vehicles..New & Superseded Tyres! Following from the Land Down Unda, Oz!

@3rdGenGuy 4 months ago

I've done 56 autocross laps. 700 street miles, and 2hours on track with the RZ,
They still show 7/32 tread
3,120lb car, Solid axle, 425 hp
295/30R18 on a 18x11

@Colapintoscousin 4 months ago

I would love to hear about the BRZ build.

@ravenstylea2 4 months ago

The RZ was almost negligible in being faster at the cost of driver confidence. I don't think that counts as a legitimate upgrade, but if the RZ lasts longer than the RS, it's worth buying.

@Iridtube 4 months ago

Would love to see a PSI test similar to what you did with the wheel width tests. Yes, I know it's different per car, but having any data to ballpark per weight and camber would be amazing, just like you had two cars here with very different setups.

@Jake-zc3fk 4 months ago

With the RS discontinued this is rather moot. Perhaps we should see the RZ against its relevant competitor, the Vitor X1. That would be relevant to today’s market. Thanks guys!

@TassieLorenzo 4 months ago (edited)

Nice car TJ! WR Blue and Gold Rims is a classic!

@FreshYoungDude 4 months ago

Just ordered a set of 245/40 17 heat cycled for my NC Miata. Can't wait! Coming from A052's so I'm very excited to try these out. Thanks for doing videos like this guys. 👍

@ヤヤ-Yaya 4 months ago

In earlier Japanese previews, I couldn't find 15" sizes for my '93 Miata so I was going to express my disappointment, but I just double-checked Tire Rack and found a 205/50/15 option, so I'm definitely considering this once my R-S4s cross over 6 years old.
I ran the old RE-71R for 4 seasons and felt like an absolute superman!

@just.a.simplejoe 4 months ago (edited)

Have the RS on my turbo ND but I bought and put the RZ on my fully built still naturally aspirated ND2. My wife and I both agree the RZ inputs are better especially in the cold due to where we live. We run them also similar at about 30ish psi hot and they have grip for days when doing any precision driving or touge. Both NDs are the exact same sizing just like Tirerack so it's about a 1 to 1 to 1 comparison 😂
New king of the fast and had my buddy who owns his gt3rs with cup 2 R's and he preferred the feel of my RZ let alone Miata over Cayman. Good times we live in for tire technology ❤

@9x1000-RPM 4 months ago

My comment about these is. We don't have either of them in Europe unfortunately 😢

@bobroberts395 1 month ago

how does the tread width compare between these 2 tires in size 275/35/18?

@762x51NATO1 4 months ago

OEM size RS on my bone-stock '01 Miata, very difficult to get that thing to break loose around a corner. Tough to argue with success.

@alexwong1006 4 months ago

Can yall do video on the brz ?

@89REDZED 2 months ago

It would be interesting to see if the BRZ can be tested against its old Tyre (PS4 Michelin) to compare how much it improves the car from factory settings