Firestone masters standing water; BFGoodrich counters with stronger dry manners and longer-wearing value.
The Firestone Roadhawk 2 is an upper-middle-segment summer tyre aimed at everyday drivers who want strong rain safety, low energy use and broad suitability for conventional cars and EVs. Made in Italy and offered in 108 sizes from R16 to R22, it replaces the Firestone Roadhawk. Firestone presents the second generation as an active-lifestyle and long-distance tyre, using Bridgestone-derived ENLITEN construction, a high-silica NanoPro-Tech compound and a lighter carcass. The claimed gains over the original are 20% more mileage and 12% lower rolling resistance, making this a meaningful technical update rather than a cosmetic relaunch.
The BFGoodrich Advantage occupies the same upper-middle territory but covers a more traditional range of family cars, with 64 sizes spanning R14 to R20. Michelin-owned BFGoodrich pitches it through affordability, uncomplicated road manners and everyday comfort rather than cutting-edge wet-weather engineering. It has since been succeeded by the BF Goodrich Advantage 2, an important consideration where both generations remain available.
The defining difference is character. The Roadhawk 2 is the rain-resilient, efficiency-focused all-rounder, especially impressive when standing water becomes the main hazard. The Advantage is the calmer value tyre: more convincing on a dry road, generally quiet and comfortable, and supported by stronger mileage evidence, but less capable when wet corners demand grip. Their only shared test reinforces that distinction: in the 2026 ADAC 225/50 R17 comparison, Firestone finished fourth of 16 while BFGoodrich placed tenth, although both received the same broad satisfactory verdict.
Roadhawk 2
Advantage
Roadhawk 2 is the stronger overall recommendation. Its 83/100 rating against BFGoodrich’s 70/100, fourth place versus tenth in their shared test, outstanding aquaplaning scores and generally better efficiency make it the more complete modern summer tyre. Choose it for frequent motorway travel, an EV, a wet climate or roads prone to standing water. It is especially persuasive for a driver who values calm storm behaviour and low cabin noise more than crisp steering.
That recommendation comes with two real costs: Firestone’s dry braking is mediocre, and its mileage score is substantially weaker. Drivers covering very high annual distances on mainly dry roads should therefore consider the Advantage, particularly when it is meaningfully cheaper. BFGoodrich supplies better dry scores, comfortable manners and stronger longevity evidence; it suits family cars and measured driving, not someone who habitually attacks wet bends. Its progressive understeer may be understandable, but the low aquaplaning score means it has less protection when rain becomes deep water.
In short, buy Firestone for weather capability, energy efficiency and broader safety balance; buy BFGoodrich for dry-road composure, comfort and cost per usable mile. The Advantage is a rational bargain for moderate climates, but its successor should also be priced before committing to the older design. If prices are close, Roadhawk 2 wins because its special strength—maintaining contact through standing water—is difficult for driving technique to replace, whereas its slower dry responses can be managed by leaving a larger following distance.
| Organization | Season | Year | Dimension | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 ADAC | Summer | 2026 | 225/50 R17 | View |
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