Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS Plus vs Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

    2026 test data · 31 independent tests

    → See full Bridgestone vs Dunlop brand comparison

    Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS Plus vs Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2: the full picture

    This comparison is built only from published independent tests — no manufacturer claims and no sponsored reviews. Between them, the Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS Plus and Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 appear in 31 tests, though they have not yet met head-to-head in the same test. Head-to-head results carry the most weight here, because surface, weather and test car all change between events and make raw numbers from different tests hard to compare directly.

    How the Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS Plus performs. It takes the win in wet, dry, snow, noise / comfort, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 89/100, based on 1 test.

    How the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 performs. It takes the win in mileage. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 86/100, based on 30 tests.

    What this means for you. Category wins matter more than the overall score when your driving is weighted toward one condition — a wet-climate commuter should follow the wet braking column, while a high-mileage driver should follow wear and rolling resistance. Also check that both tires are actually offered in your size and load rating: performance can shift between sizes, and availability differs between the European and North American markets.

    Verdict

    The Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS Plus is the stronger all-round choice, leading in wet and Tire Lab Score. The Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 still wins on mileage, making it the right pick if that matters most to you.

    Which one should you buy?

    • You prioritise wet
    • You prioritise dry
    • You prioritise snow
    • You prioritise mileage

    Test profile

    MetricBridgestone Potenza RE980AS PlusDunlop SportMaxx RT 2
    SegmentUHPUHP
    TypeAll SeasonSummer
    Tests used130
    Best rank#1#1
    Avg rank2.68.0
    Latest test20222026
    Tire Lab Score8986.1

    Tire Lab Score

    89
    Very Good · All Season
    86.1
    Very Good · Summer

    Performance overview

    Category-by-category results

    CategoryBridgestone Potenza RE980AS PlusDunlop SportMaxx RT 2Winner
    💧Wet
    Avg rank 2.3
    112
    Avg rank 7.7
    692
    Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS Plus
    ☀️Dry
    Avg rank 2.7
    11
    Avg rank 8.0
    27
    Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS Plus
    ❄️Snow
    Avg rank 3.0
    11
    No data
    Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS Plus
    🔇Noise / Comfort
    Avg rank 3.0
    2
    Avg rank 7.9
    33
    Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS Plus
    📏MileageNo data
    Avg rank 7.4
    11
    Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
    🔋Efficiency
    Avg rank 1.0
    1
    Avg rank 7.1
    3
    Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS Plus

    💧 Wet: Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS Plus vs Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

    The Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS Plus wins this category with an average rank of 2.3, compared to 7.7 for the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.

    ☀️ Dry: Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS Plus vs Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

    The Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS Plus wins this category with an average rank of 2.7, compared to 8.0 for the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.

    ❄️ Snow: Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS Plus vs Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

    The Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS Plus wins this category with an average rank of 3.0, compared to no data for the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.

    🔇 Noise / Comfort: Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS Plus vs Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

    The Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS Plus wins this category with an average rank of 3.0, compared to 7.9 for the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.

    📏 Mileage: Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS Plus vs Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

    The Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 wins this category with an average rank of 7.4, compared to no data for the Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS Plus.

    🔋 Efficiency: Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS Plus vs Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

    The Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS Plus wins this category with an average rank of 1.0, compared to 7.1 for the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.

    Frequently asked questions

    Which is better in the wet, Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS Plus or Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2?

    Across independent wet-braking tests, the Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS Plus ranks higher on average than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.

    Which has shorter dry braking distance?

    The Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS Plus averages a better dry-braking rank than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 across the tests where both appeared.

    Which tire is quieter and more comfortable?

    On combined noise and comfort metrics, the Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS Plus ranks better than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.

    Which tire lasts longer?

    Based on wear and abrasion testing, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 shows better mileage performance than the Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS Plus.

    How many tests were used in this comparison?

    Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS Plus appears in 1 independent tests, Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 in 30.

    Also compare

    Data aggregated from independent testing organizations including ADAC, Auto Bild, TCS, and Auto Motor und Sport. Read our methodology →