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Last updated 6/24/2024 - Originally published 6/24/2024
Written by SimpleTire
All-season tires are designed to perform well throughout the year, particularly in dry, wet, and winter conditions, making them the most commonly used tires on the road. Bridgestone and Nexen are two reputable brands known for producing high-quality tires, especially in the all-season category. These brands are committed to meeting and exceeding customer expectations through innovation, which is evident in their tire models like the Bridgestone Dueler H/T 685 and the Nexen Roadian HTX RH5. Both tires are intended for use on passenger vehicles, offering a blend of performance and comfort for everyday driving.
While both tires offer great performance, one has to be better than the other, right? Let’s compare Bridgestone Dueler H/T 685 vs Nexen Roadian HTX RH5 tires using SimpleScore to show where each tire excels and which one might be right for you.
Bridgestone Dueler H/T 685 tires
All-season tires provide consistent traction and perform in dry, wet, and light winter weather conditions, which makes them an excellent choice for most passenger vehicles have a look at the Bridgestone Dueler H/T 685 as it is a commercial-grade all-season tire for light trucks and SUVs, and features a redesigned contact patch, long-wearing tread compound, tread optimized for year-round traction, and is covered by a 50,000 mile limited manufacturer's tread life warranty.
The Dueler H/T 685 includes an innovative design that gives drivers a quiet, comfortable ride, plus an optimized footprint that allows for even wear to extend the tire's tread life. This tire boasts an excellent SimpleScore of 9.1 thanks to its handling, longevity, and traction.
Nexen Roadian HTX RH5 tires
Nexen Roadian HTX RH5 is also an all-season tire that's designed for use on light trucks and SUVs and offers drivers improved grip and an up to 65,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty. The Roadian HTX RH5 features four grooves within the tread to channel water out of the tread and reduce the risk of hydroplaning on wet roads. Additionally, the tire's tread design and angled tread blocks, paired with extra siping, enhance overall grip by creating additional biting edges.
This tire boasts a noteworthy average SimpleScore of 8.4, when you choose this tire for your vehicle, you can trust its promise of exceptional performance, top-notch quality, and outstanding durability.
Bridgestone Dueler H/T 685 vs Nexen Roadian HTX RH5 tires on traction
Traction is a critical aspect of tire performance, particularly in all-season tires. These tires are designed to provide grip across various weather conditions. These tires aim to strike a balance between performance in dry, wet, and light snowy conditions.
Comparing the above two based on traction, you will see that the Bridgestone Dueler H/T 685 has a score of 9.8 out of 10 in traction. This is thanks to a special symmetrical tread design that enhances grip and wide grooves within its tread that remove water for added hydroplaning resistance. You get considerate traction with this tire and can depend on it for your all-season great traction performance.
The Nexen Roadian HTX RH5, on the other hand, has a score of 8.3 out of 10 in traction. This is thanks to its grooves that quickly remove water from the tire to reduce the risk of hydroplaning and enhance traction and performance on wet roads.
When it comes to winter weather traction, the Bridgestone Dueler H/T 685 takes the leap above the Nexen Roadian HTX RH5.
ADVANTAGE: Bridgestone Dueler H/T 685
Bridgestone Dueler H/T 685 vs Nexen Roadian HTX RH5 tires on handling
All-season tires are designed to balance performance for various weather conditions, including dry, wet, and light snow. The handling of a tire is improved by different elements of the tire’s tread pattern, in addition to the tire’s overall design.
The Bridgestone Dueler H/T 685 comes in with a SimpleScore of 9.5. Featuring an innovative design that gives drivers a quiet, comfortable ride, plus an optimized footprint that allows for even wear to extend the tire's tread life. Additionally, the steel belt package with 2-ply polyester reinforcement plies makes it a hard worker for heavy loads.
On the flip side, the Nexen Roadian HTX RH5 is far behind the Bridgestone Dueler H/T 685 for handling as the tire comes in with a SimpleScore of 8.3. The Roadian HTX RH5 also comes with reinforced shoulder blocks for improved cornering and handling performance and an optimized tire design for lower road noise and fuel consumption. All the above features make Roadian an ideal fit to be used as a highway tire that delivers durability and heat tolerance, with the ability to handle the heavier weight of these vehicles and haul materials.
Here again, you will notice an elevated steep of progress in terms of longevity for the Bridgestone Dueler H/T 685 over the Nexen Roadian HTX RH5.
ADVANTAGE: Bridgestone Dueler H/T 685
Bridgestone Dueler H/T 685 vs Nexen Roadian HTX RH5 tires on longevity
The longevity aspect is equally important to traction and handling when purchasing a tire. The longevity of a tire depends on several factors, including the quality of the tire, driving habits, road conditions, and maintenance.
Starting with the Bridgestone Dueler H/T 685’s 8.3 SimpleScore in longevity is because of reinforced construction, and its innovative tread design gives drivers a quiet, comfortable ride, plus even wear to extend the tire's tread life. Outside of that, the tire’s optimized design and tied shoulders put more rubber on the road which prevents irregular wear by evenly distributing road forces (in addition to boosting handling).
Conversely, the Roadian HTX RH5 takes a leap here with an 8.6 SimpleScore in longevity. The Nexen Roadian HTX RH5 also features a special noise-reducing tread pattern that eliminates road noises for a quiet, comfortable ride.
Although both the tires perform solid when it comes to longevity, the Bridgestone Dueler H/T 685 comes with 50,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty that falls a little behind against the 65,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty by the Nexen Roadian HTX RH5.
ADVANTAGE: Nexen Roadian HTX RH5
When to use each
While all-season tires offer convenience and versatility, they tend to have a longer lifespan compared to tires designed specifically for certain weather conditions, such as winter or summer tires. This is because they are constructed with a tread compound that balances handling and performance across different seasons.
Both the Bridgestone Dueler H/T 685 and Nexen Roadian HTX RH5 may not provide optimal performance in extreme winter weather conditions. For example, in areas with heavy snowfall, dedicated winter tires might be necessary for improved traction and safety. That said, all-season tires are an excellent choice if you live in an area that only gets light snow.
Additionally, cautious driving habits and avoiding harsh conditions can help preserve the tread and overall integrity of the tires.
Which one should you choose?
So, which all-season tire is the right option for you? When looking at SimpleScore, the Bridgestone Dueler H/T 685 comes out slightly ahead of the Nexen Roadian HTX RH5 with an overall score of 9.1 versus 8.4. As noted above, there are key differences between the two tires and these need to be weighed against each other to determine what’s best for you. Finally (and maybe, most importantly), pricing on these two tires is a bit different as Bridgestone Dueler H/T 685 tires cost at least $204.96 per tire while Nexen Roadian HTX RH5 tires cost at least $101.96 per tire. That means a set of four Bridgestone Dueler H/T 685 all-season tires will cost you at least $819.84 for a set of four, while a set of four Nexen Roadian HTX RH5 tires will cost you at least $407.84.
Based on SimpleScore, you should choose the Bridgestone Dueler H/T 685 if you:
- Drive a Ford F250, Jeep Wrangler or Nissan Titan
- Looking for superior handling of 9.5
- Increased traction takes priority for your tie choice at 9.8
Conversely, you should choose the Nexen Roadian HTX RH5 if you:
- Drive a Hyundai H300, Nissan Rogue or a Fiat Toro
- Looking for a long lasting tire 8.6
- Are looking for an affordable tire that comes from the Nexen family
Bridgestone Dueler H/T 685 vs Nexen Roadian HTX RH5 tires might not seem a close comparison on the surface, but the above clearly shows that either is a great option. Remember, both of the tire brands are some of the best tire manufacturers on the market, and that tradition continues with the Bridgestone Dueler H/T 685 and Nexen Roadian HTX RH5. At the end of the day, the decision to buy one or the other depends on your vehicle, where (and how) you drive, and what you care more about in terms of traction, handling, longevity, and price.
Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help as our helpful agents are more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.