Falken Azenis FK520 vs Giti GitiSport S2 plus
The FK520's story is built around efficiency and braking assurance in certain conditions (notably in the SUV test where it's called a “braking specialist”), plus strong comfort/low rolling resistance. The S2+ is the more consistently “sporty” handler and, in the Autobild and large braking comparison, it posts the stronger headline positions-suggesting a broader all-round performance envelope in those mainstream summer-test protocols. The tension in this matchup is simple: FK520's standout braking/efficiency moments versus S2+'s higher overall competitiveness in two of the three shared tests.
Test Results
Independent comparison tire tests are the best source of data to get tire information from, and the good news is there have been three tests which compare both tires directly!
| Tire | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Falken Azenis FK520 | one | |
| Giti GitiSport S2 plus | two |
While it might look like the Giti GitiSport S2 plus is better than the Falken Azenis FK520 purely based on the higher number of test wins, tires are very complicated objects which means where one tire is better than the other can be more important in real world use.
Let's look at how the two tires compare across multiple tire test categories.
Key Strengths
- Very strong rolling resistance/efficiency (wins both tests that measure it: 7.71 vs 8.99 kg/t in Autobild; also lower in SUV test)
- Better wear and lower abrasion in Autobild (52,080 km projected; 1305 g abrasion vs 1713 g)
- Comfort advantage in Autobild subjective scoring (7.3 vs 6.7) and slightly lower noise in the SUV test (71.3 vs 71.7 dB)
- Can deliver excellent braking performance in some setups-especially in the SUV test where it's labeled a braking specialist (wet braking 51.3 m vs 60.1 m; also shortest dry braking in that field)
- Stronger overall competitiveness in the two 245/45 R19 comparisons (4th/20 Autobild; 5th/50 braking mega-test)
- Sportier handling and driver confidence: higher dry handling speed (100.3 vs 98.5 km/h) and much higher subjective dry handling (8.0 vs 5.3)
- Better aquaplaning reserves in the 245/45 R19 Autobild test (straight 94.5 vs 91.6 km/h; curved 3.6 vs 3.3 m/s²) and wins curved aquaplaning in both shared tests
- Better value metric in Autobild (12.2 vs 12.86 price/1000) while still delivering top-quartile test placement
Dry Braking
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 and Giti GitiSport S2 plus performed equally well in dry braking tests.
Best In Dry Braking: Both tires performed equally well
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Giti GitiSport S2 plus was better during two dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Giti GitiSport S2 plus was 1.47% faster around a lap than the Falken Azenis FK520.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Giti GitiSport S2 plus
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Giti GitiSport S2 plus was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Giti GitiSport S2 plus scored 33.75% more points than the Falken Azenis FK520.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Giti GitiSport S2 plus
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during one wet braking tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 stopped the vehicle in 5.64% less distance than the Giti GitiSport S2 plus.
Best In Wet Braking: Falken Azenis FK520
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during one wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 was 0.78% faster around a wet lap than the Giti GitiSport S2 plus.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Falken Azenis FK520
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Giti GitiSport S2 plus was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Giti GitiSport S2 plus scored 8.75% more points than the Falken Azenis FK520.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Giti GitiSport S2 plus
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 was 0.56% faster around a wet circle than the Giti GitiSport S2 plus.
Best In Wet Circle: Falken Azenis FK520
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Giti GitiSport S2 plus was better during one straight aqua tests. On average the Giti GitiSport S2 plus floated at a 1.56% higher speed than the Falken Azenis FK520.
Best In Straight Aqua: Giti GitiSport S2 plus
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Giti GitiSport S2 plus was better during two curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Giti GitiSport S2 plus slipped out at a 7.74% higher speed than the Falken Azenis FK520.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Giti GitiSport S2 plus
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Gravel Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during one gravel handling [km/h] tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 was 0.32% faster around a lap than the Giti GitiSport S2 plus.
Best In Gravel Handling [Km/H]: Falken Azenis FK520
See how the Gravel Handling winner was calculated >>
Gravel Traction
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Giti GitiSport S2 plus was better during one gravel traction tests. On average the Giti GitiSport S2 plus had 6.33% better traction on gravel than the Falken Azenis FK520.
Best In Gravel Traction: Giti GitiSport S2 plus
See how the Gravel Traction winner was calculated >>
Sand Traction
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during one sand traction tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 had 22.6% better traction in sand than the Giti GitiSport S2 plus.
Best In Sand Traction: Falken Azenis FK520
See how the Sand Traction winner was calculated >>
Grass Traction
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during one grass traction tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 had 2.78% better traction on grass than the Giti GitiSport S2 plus.
Best In Grass Traction: Falken Azenis FK520
See how the Grass Traction winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 scored 8.22% more points than the Giti GitiSport S2 plus.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Falken Azenis FK520
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during one noise tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 measured 0.14% quieter than the Giti GitiSport S2 plus.
Best In Noise: Falken Azenis FK520
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during one wear tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 is predicted to cover 3.96% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Giti GitiSport S2 plus.
Best In Wear: Falken Azenis FK520
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Giti GitiSport S2 plus was better during one value tests. On average the Giti GitiSport S2 plus proved to have a 5.13% better value based on price/1000km than the Falken Azenis FK520.
Best In Value: Giti GitiSport S2 plus
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during two rolling resistance tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 had a 9.71% lower rolling resistance than the Giti GitiSport S2 plus.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Falken Azenis FK520
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Abrasion
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during one abrasion tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 lost 23.82% less particle wear matter than the Giti GitiSport S2 plus.
Best In Abrasion: Falken Azenis FK520
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Tire Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Falken Azenis FK520 and Giti GitiSport S2 plus.
In total the Falken Azenis FK520 has been reviewed 38 times and drivers have given the tire 83% overall.
The Giti GitiSport S2 plus has been reviewed 0 times and drivers have given the tire 0% overall.
This means in real world driving, people prefer the Falken Azenis FK520.
View all Giti GitiSport S2 plus driver reviews >>
Conclusion
The Falken Azenis FK520 is easiest to justify when your priorities include efficiency, comfort, and wear, and when you value braking resilience in certain real-world scenarios. It decisively wins rolling resistance in Autobild (7.71 vs 8.99 kg/t) and is projected to last longer (52,080 vs 50,020 km) with lower abrasion (1305 g vs 1713 g). In the 255/45 R19 SUV test it also delivers a major wet-braking advantage versus the Giti (51.3 m vs 60.1 m) and is praised as a braking specialist-though it's simultaneously criticized for delayed steering response/weak side guidance, which is consistent with its lower subjective handling score in Autobild.
Practical takeaway: if you're chasing a sharper, more confidence-inspiring max-performance summer feel and strong test-table results, choose the GitiSport S2+. If your use case leans toward higher mileage, lower energy consumption, and a calmer ride-while accepting less crisp turn-in-then the Azenis FK520 is the more sensible long-term ownership tire.
Key Differences
- Overall results split by test type: Giti leads strongly in 245/45 R19 (4/20 and 5/50), while Falken only beats Giti in the SUV-oriented 255/45 R19 test (8/9 vs 9/9).
- Wet braking variability: Falken dominates in the SUV test (51.3 m vs 60.1 m), but Giti edges Falken in Autobild and the braking mega-test (42.5 vs 43.4 m; 27.2 vs 27.8 m).
- Handling character: Giti is consistently the more confidence-inspiring cornering tire (subjective dry 8.0 vs 5.3), whereas Falken is repeatedly described as vague/delayed on turn-in.
- Aquaplaning: Giti has the stronger curved-aqua results across both tests that measure it (2.34 vs 2.18 m/s²; 3.6 vs 3.3 m/s²) and also leads straight aquaplaning in Autobild (94.5 vs 91.6 km/h).
- Efficiency/ownership costs: Falken's rolling resistance advantage is large in Autobild (7.71 vs 8.99 kg/t) and it also leads wear/abrasion, suggesting lower running costs over time.
- Off-road/loose-surface traction in the SUV test: Falken is much better on sand (10,718 N vs 8,296 N), while Giti is better on gravel traction (10,606 N vs 9,935 N)-highlighting different tread/compound priorities.
Overall Winner: Falken Azenis FK520
Based on the tire test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Falken Azenis FK520 has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tire has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tire buying choice.Similar Comparisons
Looking for more tire comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tires:
Falken Azenis FK520 Top Comparisons
No other comparisons available for this tire.
Giti GitiSport S2 plus Top Comparisons
No other comparisons available for this tire.
Footnote
This page has been developed using tire industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tires in the same test.
Why is this important? Tire testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tire test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tire tests performed on different days or at different locations.
As a result you will see other tests on Tire Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.
Lots of other websites do this sort of tire comparison, Tire Reviews doesn't.