If you’re in the market for new tires for your car or truck, you may be considering the Bridgestone Duravis line. Two popular models in this line are the Duravis R500 and M700 tires.
Both offer all-season traction and handling, but they have some key differences that can help you decide which is the better choice for your needs.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take an in-depth look at the Duravis R500 and M700 tires, including:
- Overview of the Duravis tire line
- Duravis R500 tire specs and features
- Duravis M700 tire specs and features
- Duravis R500 vs M700: Key comparisons
- Traction and handling
- Ride quality and comfort
- Treadwear warranty and durability
- Price
- Pros and cons of each tire
- Which tire is right for you?
After reviewing the details on both models, you’ll have all the information you need to choose the ideal Bridgestone Duravis tire for your vehicle. Let’s get started!
A Brief Comparison Table
| Aspects | Bridgestone Duravis R500 | Bridgestone Duravis M700 |
| Traction and Handling | Dependable all-season traction. Focus on comfort over responsiveness. | Excellent wet/dry grip. Sharper handling and cornering response. |
| Ride Quality and Comfort | Ultra quiet interior. Soft, cushioned ride feel. | Slightly firmer ride. More road noise than R500. |
| Treadwear Warranty | 80,000 miles | 60,000 miles |
| Durability | Durable, even treadwear. | Resists uneven treadwear. |
| Price | Slightly higher cost than M700. | Lower MSRP than R500. |
| Best Suited For | Crossovers, SUVs, vans. Highway cruising. | Coupes, sedans, sportier driving. |
Key Takeaways:
- Both the R500 and M700 offer reliable all-season traction and handling. The M700 has the performance edge while the R500 focuses more on comfort.
- The R500 provides a quieter, softer ride quality thanks to its sound absorbing features and plush feel. The M700 has firmer tuning for more road feedback.
- With an 80,000 mile warranty, the R500 is expected to last longer than the 60,000 mile M700 before needing replacement.
- The R500 costs slightly more than the M700 on average. The M700 is the budget-friendly pick.
- The R500 fits best for larger vehicles and highway driving. The M700 suits sportier cars needing sharp handling.
- Drivers wanting comfort and quietness are better served by the R500. For maximum grip and response, the M700 is ideal.
- Either Duravis tire delivers reliable all-season performance and long tread life. Choose based on your vehicle type, driving style, and budget.
Overview of the Bridgestone Duravis Tire Line
Bridgestone launched the Duravis line in 2009 to provide a versatile, all-season tire with dependable traction and handling. The name “Duravis” combines “durable” and “visibility” to highlight two key strengths of these tires.
The Duravis line spans touring all-season, grand touring all-season, and all-weather designs to suit a range of vehicles, from passenger cars to crossovers and SUVs. They come in a variety of sizes to fit 13″ to 20″ diameter wheels.
Key features found across the Duravis tire line include:
- All-season tread design – Patterned tread blocks and lateral/circumferential grooves provide year-round grip on dry and wet roads.
- Mileage warranty – Duravis tires come with treadwear warranties from 60,000 to 80,000 miles, indicating their long-lasting durability.
- Quiet performance – Sound-absorbing materials integrated into the tread minimize road noise for a quiet, comfortable ride.
- Responsive handling – Stable shoulder blocks and rigid inboard tread blocks allow precise steering, cornering, and braking.
The R500 and M700 represent two of Bridgestone’s newer additions to the Duravis touring all-season category. As we’ll explore next, they have similar all-season performance but differ in some design specifics.
Also Read: Differences Between Goodyear Assurance All-Season And WeatherReady Tires.
Duravis R500 Tire Specs and Features
The Duravis R500 debuted in 2018 as a replacement for the Duravis R400 model. It’s engineered as a grand touring all-season tire focused on comfort, fuel efficiency, and durability.
Here are the detailed specs and features of the Bridgestone Duravis R500:
- Available sizes: 16″ to 20″ wheel diameters
- Treadwear warranty: 80,000 miles
- Traction and handling: Straight grooves enhance wet grip while stable shoulder blocks allow responsive cornering and steering feel. Variable shoulder pitch modifies rigidity for balanced dry/wet handling.
- Comfort and noise: Closed outside shoulder and sound absorbing ComfortCruise technology reduce road noise. Cushioned sidewall absorbs vibrations.
- Fuel efficiency: Nano Pro-Tech polymer in the tread compound helps reduce rolling resistance.
- Durability: Tread pattern and compound are optimized for long, even wear.
- Snow traction: Saw-tooth grooves and multiple sipes provide grip in light snow conditions. Not intended for harsh winter climates.
The Duravis R500 is well-suited for crossovers, SUVs, vans, and passenger vehicles looking for a smooth, quiet ride with dependable all-season grip.
The 80,000 mile warranty indicates its longevity for lasting performance.
Duravis M700 Tire Specs and Features
Introduced in 2021, the Duravis M700 is a newer addition that replaces the previous Duravis M550. This touring all-season tire is engineered for sedans and coupes needing responsive handling and traction.
Here are the key specs and features of the Bridgestone Duravis M700:
- Available sizes: 15″ to 19″ wheel diameters
- Treadwear warranty: 60,000 miles
- Traction and handling: Continuous center rib and wide inboard shoulder blocks allow steady braking and sharp handling. Wider outboard tread improves cornering grip.
- Comfort and noise: Closed outside shoulder design reduces noise while rigid blocks tune the ride for responsiveness.
- Fuel efficiency: Low rolling resistance compound improves fuel economy.
- Durability: Variable pitch sequence prevents uneven wear.
- Snow traction: Zig-zag grooves and lateral notches supply grip in light snow. Not optimized for winter climates.
With its performance focus, the M700 suits coupes, sedans, and sportier vehicles that benefit from its precise steering and traction. The 60,000 mile warranty indicates reliability for the long haul.
Also Read: Differences Between Bridgestone Potenza And Firestone Firehawk Tires.
Duravis R500 And M700: Key Comparison Points
Now that we’ve covered the specs and features of each model, let’s directly compare the Duravis R500 and M700 tires in a few key categories:
- Traction and Handling
Both tires deliver dependable all-season wet and dry traction thanks to their stable tread blocks and groove patterns. However, the M700 has an edge when it comes to traction and handling performance.
Its continuous center rib and wider outer shoulder tread enhance stability and grip during braking, cornering, and accelerating. The R500 promotes a more comfort-focused ride quality over maximum responsiveness.
Advantage: Duravis M700
- Ride Quality and Comfort
The Duravis R500 prioritizes cushioning and comfort with its sound absorbing features and vibration dampening sidewalls.
Its flexible shoulder blocks also tune the ride for a smoother feel compared to the rigid handling of the M700.
Drivers who spend more time commuting and highway cruising will likely prefer the compliant, relaxed ride of the R500.
The M700 trades off some softness for more road feedback and control.
Advantage: Duravis R500
- Treadwear Warranty and Durability
With an 80,000 mile treadwear warranty, the Duravis R500 runs 20,000 miles longer than the 60,000 mile warranty of the M700. This suggests you can expect more cumulative miles out of the R500 before needing replacement.
Both models are built to resist uneven tread wear using optimized pitch sequence designs. Their tread compounds also deliver consistent performance throughout the life of the tires. Overall, the R500 has a slight durability edge but both produce excellent longevity.
Advantage: Duravis R500
- Pricing
The Duravis R500 tires have a slightly higher MSRP compared to the M700 models. The difference is generally between $10-20 more per tire.
Keep in mind pricing can vary among retailers. It’s wise to compare prices from different sellers before purchase. Overall, the R500 commands a small premium due to its added comfort technologies and higher mileage warranty.
Advantage: Duravis M700
Now that we’ve directly compared the R500 and M700 models, let’s summarize the pros and cons of each tire.
Pros and Cons of the Duravis R500 Tires
Pros:
- Ultra quiet and comfortable ride quality
- 80,000 mile treadwear warranty
- Fuel efficient rolling resistance
- Durable, even treadwear
- Dependable all-season wet/dry traction
- Light snow performance
Cons:
- Handling not as responsive as M700
- Slightly more expensive than M700
- Not ideal for sporty driving
Pros and Cons of the Duravis M700 Tires
Pros:
- Sharper steering and handling response
- Excellent wet and dry grip
- Wider outer tread improves cornering
- Lower cost than R500
- Durable treadlife with 60,000 mile warranty
- Light snow traction
Cons:
- Ride not as plush and soft as R500
- More road noise than R500
- Shorter treadwear warranty than R500
- Less cushioned feel over bumps
Also Read: How Firestone Destination MT And M/T2 Tires Stack Up?
Which Tire Is Right For You?
When choosing between the Bridgestone Duravis R500 and M700 tires, consider your priorities in these areas:
- Vehicle Type: The R500 fits best for crossovers, SUVs, vans that would benefit from its comfortable ride. The M700 suits sedans, coupes that need its sharper handling.
- Driving Habits: If you log more highway miles, value a quiet interior, and want fuel savings, go with the R500. For energetic driving and max dry/wet responsiveness, the M700 is preferable.
- Climate: Both have light snow capability but aren’t ideal for winter climates. If dealing with severe winters, consider a dedicated winter/snow tire instead.
- Budget: The M700 costs slightly less than the R500 on average. If getting the lowest price, the M700 may be the better value.
Closing Remarks
In summary, drivers wanting a blend of comfort, quietness, and value are well served by the Duravis R500. For crisper handling and cornering traction, the Duravis M700 is ideal. Either model delivers reliable mileage and safety across all four seasons.
By understanding the differences between the Duravis R500 and M700 tires, you can decide which model best fits your vehicle, driving demands, and budget. With their all-season performance, long warranties, and Bridgestone engineering, both options provide thousands of miles of dependable service.
