Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus VS DriveGuard: Both are premium summer tires that are built to provide reliable and comfortable performance during high temperatures.
While the DriveGuard features a greater void ratio to provide excellent hydroplaning resistance during flooded conditions, the Bridgestone Ecopia offers a higher contact patch and multiple sipes that are responsible for incredible traction on dry and wet roads.
Examine the treads on these tires closely. They hold the key to knowing which to choose. In fact if you visit my "tread design" page, picking the right tire would never bother you.
Let’s dive in, but first make sure you also check out the differences between Bridgestone Ecopia and Turanza tires.
Table of Contents
Comparing Bridgestone Ecopia with DriveGuard
Vs
The Ecopia EP422 Plus features a five-pitch tread design along with four grooves.
There are two outer shoulders on this tire.
The shoulders are scarce and the shoulder lugs are also closely positioned.
The broad grooves and the larger blocks define the shoulders of this tire along with fewer sipes on each shoulder block.
In addition to this, the sipes on the centre are also lesser in number.
The DriveGuard also features a five-pitch tread design along with four grooves running around the tread.
All of the grooves are narrower than its competitor.
The broad grooves and the larger blocks define the shoulders of this tire along with fewer sipes on each shoulder block.
Furthermore, there are numerous deep curvy sipes that divide the tread into different blocks.
Grip Comparison
Talking about the EP422 Plus’s grip on dry roads, it has comparatively wider grooves which reduced contact patch with the road.
The open tread design of this tire lowers its grip with the road’s surface and hence a higher dry braking distance in comparison.
When it comes to this tire’s performance on wet surfaces, it is also lesser than its competitor.
The sipes found on its tread are neither numerous nor deep.
This means that the braking distance on wet surfaces is also higher.
On the other hand, the DriveGuard features narrower grooves around its central part.
Due to the dense tread pattern, the tire is able to offer remarkable grip on dry roads.
The same performance is translated into the wet grip of this tire as well.
The sipes found on the tread pattern are numerous and deep.
So, they work in harmony to provide excellent wet grip and as a result, its braking distance is reduced.
Handling Comparison
The length of the blocks of EP422 Plus’s shoulders is lower which reduces the tire’s grip while turning over sharp edges.
Thus, its lap time was estimated to be higher over a dry track.
Moreover, the smaller shoulders and are also not good in wet handling as they are unable to maintain its grip.
In addition to this, the sipes found on the shoulders are also lesser in number.
As a result, the tire’s lap time is increased in wet conditions.
Talking about the handling performance of the DriveGuard, its shoulder blocks are large. Additionally, the design of the shoulders is also compact.
So, this tire’s lap time on a dry track is reduced in comparison.
Talking about the wet handling of this tire, the sipes found on the shoulder blocks are deep and numerous.
This is what helps this tire in wiping the water away and maintaining its grip.
In short, both the dry and wet handling time of the DriveGuard is lower, making it victorious over its competitor.
Comparison of Hydroplaning Resistance
Since the EP422 Plus has relatively wider grooves, they provide an easy passage for a lot of water to get through its tread.
As a result, the threat of hydroplaning is reduced and this tire’s floating speed is boosted.
The DriveGuard on the other hand has narrower grooves in comparison. These grooves are not that efficient in wiping away the water.
Thus, the floating speed of this tire was estimated lower and the threat of hydroplaning is increased.
Comparison of Rolling Resistance
Ecopia features a higher void ratio as compared to its competitor.
Therefore, a lesser portion of its tread is connected with the road.
This results in lower friction and lesser force will be required to overcome it.
All of these factors contribute to a rolling resistance of lower value.
Due to the lower rolling resistance of this tire, its fuel efficiency is also increased.
On the other hand, the design of the DriveGuard features a relatively lower void ratio. This means that a higher portion of its tread is connected with the road and a higher value friction is produced.
This is what increases the rolling resistance of this tire, hence its fuel average is also estimated to be lower.
Comfort Comparison
Ecopia has wider grooves that allow the entrapment of a lot of air particles inside them and these particles strike against its walls.
As a result, a loud noise is produced while driving the vehicle at high speed.
In addition to this, its subjective comfort is also lower due to this tire’s lower performance in terms of grip and handling.
In comparison, the narrower grooves of the DriveGuard allow this tire to produce less noise as lesser air molecules will be trapped into the limited space offered by the narrow grooves.
This will result in lower noise production.
Moreover, the subjective comfort of this tire is also higher due to its remarkable performance.
Durability & Treadwear
Due to lower rolling resistance, the tread of Ecopia will wear out slower.
However, this tire is manufactured using a softer rubber compound that is unable to meet the durability standards of the DriveGuard.
But, due to the lesser treadwear of this tire, it can easily last for a longer period.
Driveguard will wear out faster due to the higher rolling resistance, comparatively.
Moreover, the build of this tire is quite mild that is unable to provide durability to bear the treadwear caused by higher rolling resistance.
Therefore, its estimated mileage is lower.
Quick Summary
- Both of them are summer tires.
- The dry and wet grip of the DriveGuard is better.
- The dry and wet handling of the DriveGuard is superior as well.
- Hydroplaning resistance of Ecopia is higher.
- The rolling resistance of the Ecopia is lower leading to higher fuel efficiency.
- The DriveGuard produces less noise while driving at high speed.
- The durability of the EP422 Plus is higher due to the lower rate of treadwear.
