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Last updated 10/08/2024 - Originally published 10/08/2024
Written by SimpleTire
All-weather tires are critical for safety in harsh winter conditions that involve deep snow and temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. It is this unique proposition that places them right between all-season and winter tires. All-weather tires are a great option if you do not plan to buy an extra set of winter tires or if your area doesn’t experience extreme cold conditions. Two of the best options we would like to suggest here are Bridgestone Weatherpeak and Nexen Roadian HTX2.
Though originally from Japan, Bridgestone was founded in America in the year 1967. On a similar note, the South Korean brand Nexen Tire came to American shores in 2005. It may not be as well-known as top brands Bridgestone, Pirelli, and Falken, but its products have been becoming more reliable over the years, with improvements in price and performance. Nexen tire lines can be found across all-weather, mud terrain, all-season, all-terrain, UHP (Ultra-high Performance), and highway tires.
We found both the Bridgestone and the Nexen tires to be highly reliable. However, the Weatherpeak is a tire with wider applications as it is suitable for more types of vehicles, including sedans, coupes, minivans, CUVs, and SUVs. On the other hand, the HTX2 is built for fitment into light trucks, Jeeps, and SUVs. Three Peak Mountain Snowflake symbols are visible on both for handling and grip in deep snow. To know more about which one will be the best fit for your vehicle, read this Weatherpeak vs. Roadian HTX2 tires comparison further.
As all-weather tires, both excel in terms of strength and traction, so where is it that these tires can be distinguished from each other? We’re telling you right now that the choice can get tricky, so let us help you choose the best tire with our unique SimpleScore scoring mechanism.
Bridgestone Weatherpeak tires
Bridgestone, though Japanese, has become a household name since its introduction in the US, climbing to the top of the charts over the years. Customers have displayed a lot of faith in this brand, which is keen to provide the latest innovations and features through the products that are sold via an extensive sales network. The Weatherpeak offers buyers plenty of features for traction, including snow vices and a groove channel for improved snow and ice grip and open shoulder slots for enhanced wet grip. Additionally, full-depth 3D sipes are helpful not just for traction but also for preventing uneven wear.
We’ve described only traction so far, but you can be sure other such features will be available for improving different characteristics too. As a passenger tire, Bridgestone Weatherpeak is sold with a warranty, and the sum total of features makes it suitable for an awesome average SimpleScore of 9.7.
Nexen Roadian HTX2 tires
The Nexen Roadian HTX2 was introduced in the US in 2021 to improve upon the features of its predecessor through the addition of new technology to be a better alternative to the tire it replaces. The HTX2 is designed primarily for SUVs, Jeeps, and light trucks, and comes with a range-based limited manufacturer tread life warranty for LT sizes and P-metric tire sizes. It features wide grooves and open shoulders to remove water from the tread and prevent aquaplaning. Apart from these, the dense sipes and broad, angled tread blocks offer drivers grip and traction in dry, rainy, and mildly snowy situations.
The HTX2's optimized tread shape reduces noise and rolling resistance, enhancing comfort and fuel efficiency. Much like the Weatherpeak, this also features the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating for guaranteeing confident handling and grip in severe weather conditions. High stability, handling, and steering response contribute towards the average SimpleScore of 8.6 for this tire.
Bridgestone Weatherpeak vs Nexen Roadian HTX2 tires on traction
Customers primarily choose all-weather tires over all-season tires due to the former's superior winter grip as the latter is only effective in light snow. High capacity in thick snow is possible due to the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake and the high tread depths on both the Bridgestone Weatherpeak and the Nexen Roadian HTX2. The Weatherpeak has snow vices and a special groove channel for superior grip. It also has full-depth 3D sipes and evolving sipes for even more traction. If you reside in a location that has severe snowfall for 7-8 months of the year, remember that you will still require specialized winter tires for extremely deep snow. The tire showcases open shoulder slots to facilitate wet traction by rapidly eliminating water from the treads.
The Roadian HTX2 has thick sipes and big, angled tread blocks to provide traction and grip. In addition to the above, deep lateral grooves and circumferential grooves are present to swiftly remove water from the surface and reduce aquaplaning chances. Tread depth on the Roadian HTX2 is marginally higher than that of the Bridgestone Weatherpeak.
While the Bridgestone tires are suitable for an outstanding average traction SimpleScore of 9.8, the Nexen tires are only able to manage an 8.4.
ADVANTAGE: Bridgestone Weatherpeak
Bridgestone Weatherpeak vs. Nexen Roadian HTX2 tires on handling
Bridgestone Weatherpeak tires display a slightly lower tread depth than Nexen Roadian HTX2, though both of them sport symmetrical tread patterns. Bridgestone offers drivers higher speeds through H and V speed ratings, as compared to H, S, and T for the Nexen (based on specific sizes). While the Weatherpeak's evolving sipes offer the most exceptional snow and wet performance, the central ribs and open shoulder slots ensure better driving control in icy and rainy situations.
The handling of each tire indicates how well it responds to steering input. When the handling is prompt and very precise, your ride will be safer and more enjoyable. In dry, wet, and light snow conditions, the Roadian HTX2's wide, angled grooves and sturdy shoulder construction provide exceptional grip and precise steering response. Additionally, there's a zigzag ribbed tread pattern here for improved handling and traction on your SUV, light truck, or CUV.
In terms of average handling SimpleScores, we have the Weatherpeak earning a marvellous 9.5 and the Roadian HTX2 getting an 8.3.
ADVANTAGE: Bridgestone Weatherpeak
Bridgestone Weatherpeak vs. Nexen Roadian HTX2 tires on longevity
Limited manufacturer warranties are offered for both tires, although the Weatherpeak's warranty coincides with the upper limit for the Roadian HTX2. While the Weatherpeak is covered for 70,000 miles, the Roadian HTX2 offers buyers 70,000 miles For P-metric sizes and 50,000 miles for LT-metric sizes. Additionally, there are full-depth 3D sipes on the Bridgestone tire for less uneven wear and an optimal tread pattern on the Nexen tire for the same function, though the latter's sturdy reinforced carcass also guarantees improved stability for a better tread life.
The tread pattern on the Nexen Roadian HTX2 distributes driving pressure equally for better performance and longevity. A higher tread depth also tilts the balance slightly in favour of the Nexen tire. While the Weatherpeak was found capable of a phenomenal average longevity SimpleScore of 9.8, the HTX2 receives a 9.1, making this the closest battle thus far.
ADVANTAGE: Bridgestone Weatherpeak
When to use each
Drivers will have tremendous confidence while taking both the Weatherpeak and the HTX through moderate to severe snow as both are Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified. In other words, these tires can be driven for sustained periods at temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. However, ensure that you do not use them for off-road driving in a manner similar to all-terrain or mud-terrain tires.
Winter tires cannot be eliminated if you’re in deep snow for more than 6 months and wish to be mobile during that period. Keeping the above in mind, it is important to remember that the all-weather tires described here are suitable for year-round use and offer similar levels of ride comfort, low uneven wear properties, road noise, and road manners. After a look at the above scores, it is easy to see that the Weatherpeak will generate more traction as compared to the Roadian HTX2.
Which one should you choose?
Evidently, the Bridgestone Weatherpeak outperforms the Nexen Roadian HTX3 in every category listed above. However, that doesn't mean the HTX2 is not a good tire, with the longevity scores being fairly even. In terms of prices, the Roadian HTX2 has a clear advantage, being priced at $137 ($548) as compared to the Weatherpeak which starts at $168.99 ($675.96 for 4).
You must buy the Bridgestone Weatherpeak if:
- Winter safety is important for you
- You are looking for sedan or coupe tires
- You want access to a wider service network
- You want better dry and wet traction
Based on the above, we believe the Nexen Roadian HTX2 should be your choice if you:
- Need the tire for a light truck
- Want the cheaper tire
- Want better longevity
Still unsure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help. Our helpful agents will be more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.