Falken Azenis FK520 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
- TR Score
- 9.1/10
- Owners say
- 82% · 55
- TR Score
- 9.4/10
- Owners say
- 85% · 179
In the 4 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S finished ahead 4 times and the Azenis FK520 not once. The Azenis FK520 resisted straight aquaplaning at a 1.3% higher speed; the Pilot Sport 4 S had 2% lower rolling resistance.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S if you want the most complete max-performance summer tire-especially for confident wet handling, precise steering, and consistently top-tier test outcomes. Choose the Falken Azenis FK520 if value, lower noise, and strong aquaplaning resistance are your priorities and you drive mostly on-road at sane limits; it's a safe, competent option, but it's less rewarding and less dependable at the limit in the wet.
Where the Azenis FK520 is stronger
- Excellent aquaplaning resistance, including standout curved-aquaplaning results (e.g., ACE best curve aquaplaning threshold 71.5 km/h; EVO best curved aquaplaning)
- Competitive braking in some tests (e.g., 2025 best wet braking 22.57 m; marginally best dry braking 33.67 m)
- Low noise/refinement advantages versus PS4S in multiple results (e.g., 71.3-71.7 dB vs Michelin ~72.1-73.5 dB in shared tests)
Where the Pilot Sport 4 S is stronger
- Best overall performance and placements across all shared tests (1st/10 ACE 2026; 2nd/7 EVO 2024; 3rd/11 Sport Auto 2023; 2nd/7 in 2025 test)
- More precise, confidence-inspiring handling balance in both dry and wet; repeatedly higher subjective scores and praised steering/cornering stability
- Stronger wet performance where it counts for safety margins, including major wet-braking advantage in EVO (31.4 m vs 34.0 m) and consistently better wet cornering metrics (wet circle/handling wins in 2023)
The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.
Azenis FK520 vs Pilot Sport 4 S at a glance
| Category | Azenis FK520 | Gap | Pilot Sport 4 S |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won4 shared tests | 0 | 4 | |
| Dry8 measurements | 1 | The Pilot Sport 4 S stopped 1.5% shorter in the dry (3 tests) | 6 |
| Wet15 measurements | 5 | 7 | |
| Comfort4 measurements | 2 | Level between the two. | 2 |
| Value3 measurements | 1 | The Pilot Sport 4 S had 2% lower rolling resistance (3 tests) | 2 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.1/10 | The Pilot Sport 4 S by 0.3 | 9.4/10 |
| Owner rating55 and 179 reviews | 82% | The Pilot Sport 4 S by 3 points | 85% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 76% | The Pilot Sport 4 S by 4 points | 80% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 133 | 60 sizes made in both | 105 |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tires; a tick marks the tire ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.
Head to head in 4 tests, 2023 to 2026
Each row is one published test in which both tires ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | Azenis FK520 | Field | Pilot Sport 4 S |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 ACE Summer Tire Test | P4 of 10 | P1 of 10 | |
| Best Performance Tires For 2025 | P5 of 7 | P2 of 7 | |
| 2024 EVO Summer Tire Test | P7 of 7 | P2 of 7 | |
| 2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test | P7 of 11 | P3 of 11 |
Performance profile
10 measurements from the 4 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Azenis FK520
Pilot Sport 4 S
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 118 ft stop against 112 ft is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. The scale stops at 96%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 5 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Azenis FK520
Pilot Sport 4 S
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Where owners rate each higher
Azenis FK520
Not ahead in any category
Pilot Sport 4 S
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the Azenis FK520 82% from 55 reviews and the Pilot Sport 4 S 85% from 179. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tires posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
| Measurement | Azenis FK520 | Gap | Pilot Sport 4 S | Wins | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 112 | 1.5% | 110 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||
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| 92.92 | 0.9% | 92.02 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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| 62.5 | = | 62.5 | 0-0 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 11.5% | scored | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
|
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| 89 | 1.8% | 86 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 87.09 | 0.6% | 86.97 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 51.6 | 1.8% | 52.6 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 11.2% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 18.6 | 1.9% | 18.9 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 47.1 | 1.3% | 46.5 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 82.8 | 0.1% | 79.2 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 5.3% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 14.3% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
|
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| 71.5 | 1.3 dB | 72.8 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 8.73 | 2% | 8.93 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||
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Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tires shared. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.
Scores beyond the shared tests
On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Azenis FK520 scores 9.1 and the Pilot Sport 4 S 9.4 out of 10.
| Azenis FK520 | Category | Pilot Sport 4 S | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90 | Dry | 97 | ||
| 83 | Wet | 89 | ||
| 57 | Comfort | 44 | ||
| 54 | Value | 32 | ||
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
What owners say
| Azenis FK520 | Category | Pilot Sport 4 S | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.8 | Dry Grip | 9.2 | ||
| 8.3 | Wet Grip | 8.7 | ||
| 7.9 | Road Feedback | 8.4 | ||
| 8.4 | Handling | 8.6 | ||
| 7.7 | Wear | 8 | ||
| 8.1 | Comfort | 8.4 | ||
Owners rate the Azenis FK520 82% from 55 reviews and the Pilot Sport 4 S 85% from 179. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Falken Azenis FK520
- 82%from 55 reviews
- 76%would buy again
- 403,489 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners generally rate the Falken Azenis FK520 highly (average 79.6%), most often praising its strong dry grip and capable wet grip for the money. Comfort and refinement also come through well, with many describing it as quiet and compliant for a UHP-style tire, and around one in five explicitly calling it great value. The main recurring drawbacks are mixed steering feel (some find it sharp, others a bit numb) and a smaller but notable group reporting vibration/balance issues; wet handling is also more divided than outright wet grip.
- Strong dry grip, comparable to premium brands
- Reassuring wet grip
- Comfortable ride despite sporty intent
- Low road noise on motorway speeds
- Occasional vibration or balancing issues at speed
- Steering feel can be a bit numb or lacking feedback
- Wet handling feels less confidence-inspiring for some
Summarised by AI from 49 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 55 Azenis FK520 reviewsFalken Azenis fk520 have been a great tire, noise level is not intrusive and they give a good return on fuel economy. These tires are very progressive and give good feed back. Having watched a back to back comparison with the Michelin PS4, the Falkens are punching way above their price range. If you want near PS4 performance at kumho prices, you won't go far wrong...will definitely try out the latest incarnation, Falken azenis R820 when the fk520's are done.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
- 85%from 179 reviews
- 80%would buy again
- 2,104,714 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners broadly agree the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S delivers standout dry and wet grip, with over half mentioning strong dry traction and nearly half praising its wet confidence. Comfort is also a common plus for a max-performance tire, though noise is more mixed, with a noticeable minority finding it loud. Longevity gets a more divided reception: many report solid tread life, but around one in eight complain about faster wear or uneven wear, and a smaller group say performance drops off as it wears. A further recurring criticism is a soft sidewall feel, with around one in ten owners reporting less support or precision than expected.
- Excellent dry grip and traction
- Very strong wet grip and confidence in the rain
- Comfortable ride for a performance tire
- Stable, confidence-inspiring dry handling
- Noticeable road noise at certain speeds or on coarse surfaces
- Soft sidewalls can feel less supportive or precise
- Tread life can be shorter than expected for some drivers
Summarised by AI from 154 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 179 Pilot Sport 4 S reviewsThe wet and dry grip has been exceptional with low road noise and moderate harshness. Handling precision and responsiveness have been good, not exceptional. The tires have held inflation pressure very well with minimal leakage. This is my second set and unless Michelin comes out with a better max performance summer tire, I'll buy them again.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 133 sizes of the Azenis FK520 and 105 of the Pilot Sport 4 S, 60 of them made in both.
| Category | Azenis FK520 | Pilot Sport 4 S |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Summer | Summer |
| Sizes made | 133 sizes, 17 to 22 inch | 105 sizes, 17 to 22 inch |
| Made in both | 60 sizes 225/45 R17205/40 R18215/35 R18225/40 R18225/45 R18225/50 R18235/40 R18245/35 R18245/40 R18245/45 R18255/40 R18225/35 R19and 48 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A95%B5% | A84%B11%C2%D2% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C68%A12%B12%D8% | C55%D45% |
| EU label noise | 68-72 dB B51%A49% | 70-75 dB B100% |
| On the market since | - | 2016 |
| Replaced | Falken Azenis FK510 (2016) | Michelin Pilot Super Sport (2010) |
| Replaced by | - | Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 |
| Awards | - | Winner: Best Tires for High Performance Cars (DriverReviews, 2026/27) Winner: Best Tires for High Performance Cars (DriverReviews, 2024/25) |
Label grades are shown as the share of registered sizes carrying each grade, so "B (88%), C (12%)" means most sizes are B. Grades vary by size; check the label for yours.
Reading the results
Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.
Falken's Azenis FK520 and Michelin's Pilot Sport 4 S sit in the same “max-performance summer” bracket, but the shared test data shows they reach that goal with very different priorities. Across four independent group tests (18-19 inch fitments), the Michelin repeatedly lands at or near the top of the field, while the Falken ranges from mid-pack to last depending on how heavily wet handling and driver feel are weighted.
The headline theme is consistency versus value-led competence. The Pilot Sport 4 S is typically the more complete performance tire-especially for steering precision, dry/wet handling confidence, and overall points-whereas the FK520 often shines in specific objective safety metrics (notably straight/curved aquaplaning and sometimes braking) and in noise/price, but can give away time and confidence in wet cornering and subjective “sportiness.”
Conclusion
On the evidence of the four shared tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S is the clear overall winner for drivers who want dependable, repeatable performance across conditions. It won the 2026 ACE test outright (141/170 vs Falken's 135) by combining top-tier dry safety (53/60) with one of the best wet safety packages (68/80), and it backed that up with strong finishes in the 2024 EVO test (2/7) and 2023 Sport Auto test (3/11). Where it matters on real roads-confidence during fast wet driving, clean steering response, and controllability near the limit-the Michelin is repeatedly described as precise, stable, and “safe/dynamic,” even if it can lean to understeer at the edge.
The Falken Azenis FK520 makes a solid case if your priority is cost, low noise, and aquaplaning reassurance, but it's less convincing as a true enthusiast UHP tire. It can match or even beat Michelin on some single metrics-e.g., best straight aquaplaning in multiple tests (75.5 vs 73.5 km/h in 2025; best curve aquaplaning threshold in ACE with 71.5 km/h) and occasional braking wins (2025 wet braking 22.57 m vs 23.08 m; 2025 dry braking 33.67 m vs 33.74 m). However, its recurring weakness is wet handling and subjective grip/feedback: ACE explicitly flags poor wet handling (12/20) with under/oversteer, and EVO shows a large wet-braking deficit (34.0 m vs 31.4 m) plus the weakest overall wet performance in that test set. The practical takeaway: if you regularly drive hard in the wet or want the most “complete” performance tire, the PS4S justifies its premium; if you want a quieter, cheaper tire with strong hydroplaning resistance and generally safe limits, the FK520 can be good value-just don't expect the same sharpness or wet-circuit composure.
Azenis FK520 vs Pilot Sport 4 S: your questions
Is the Falken Azenis FK520 or the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S the better tire?
In the 4 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S finished ahead 4 times and the Azenis FK520 not once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Azenis FK520 scores 9.1 and the Pilot Sport 4 S 9.4 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Azenis FK520 or the Pilot Sport 4 S?
The Pilot Sport 4 S led 7 of the 15 wet measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which is better in the dry?
The Pilot Sport 4 S led 6 of the 8 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 1.5% shorter in the dry across 3 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Pilot Sport 4 S had 2% lower rolling resistance (3 tests). Owners rate wear 7.7/10 for the Azenis FK520 and 8/10 for the Pilot Sport 4 S.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The Azenis FK520 was 1.3 dB quieter (2 tests). Owners rate comfort 8.1/10 for the Azenis FK520 and 8.4/10 for the Pilot Sport 4 S.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Azenis FK520 82% from 55 reviews and the Pilot Sport 4 S 85% from 179. 76% of Azenis FK520 owners would buy it again, against 80% for the Pilot Sport 4 S.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Azenis FK520 is made in 133 sizes (17 to 22 inch) and the Pilot Sport 4 S in 105 (17 to 22 inch). 60 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Azenis FK520 is graded A for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Pilot Sport 4 S A and C.
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Run either of these?
Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tire wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tires ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tire Reviews Score rates each tire out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tires can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tire Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tires independently since 2007.
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