Falken Azenis FK520 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

In this article we will be looking at independent tire test data, and real world driver reviews of the Falken Azenis FK520 and the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S to find out which tire is best for your own driving.

The good news is that both the Falken Azenis FK520 and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S are Max Performance Summer tires designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars, which means comparing the two tires is relatively simple.

Both tires are hugely popular in the market place with drivers, and both have been featured in independent tire tests.

In This Article

Test Results Driver Reviews Conclusion Similar Comparisons

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!

Out of these three tests:

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S finished ahead of the Falken Azenis FK520 in three of the tests

While it might look like the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S 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.

Dry Braking

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during two dry braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S stopped the vehicle in 1.5% less distance than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520

34.09M

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

33.58M

Dry braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Dry Braking: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>

2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test 225/40 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:35.2M	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 33.9M
Best Performance Tires For 2025 225/40 R18	✓ Falken Azenis FK520:33.67M	Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 33.74M
2024 EVO Summer Tire Test 235/35 R19	Falken Azenis FK520:33.4M	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 33.1M

Dry Handling [s]

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during two dry handling [s] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was 0.97% faster around a lap than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520

92.92s

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

92.02s

Dry handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Dry Handling [s]: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>

Best Performance Tires For 2025 225/40 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:83.325s	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 82.82s
2024 EVO Summer Tire Test 235/35 R19	Falken Azenis FK520:102.52s	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 101.21s

Dry Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S performed equally well in dry handling [km/h] tests.

Falken Azenis FK520

100.6Km/H

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

100.6Km/H

Dry Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Both tires performed equally well

See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>

2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18

Falken Azenis FK520:100.6Km/H

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 100.6Km/H

Subj. Dry Handling

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during two subj. dry handling tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S scored 12.1% more points than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520

30 Points

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

34.13 Points

Subjective Dry Handling Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>

Best Performance Tires For 2025 225/40 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:9 Points	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 9.75 Points
2024 EVO Summer Tire Test 235/35 R19	Falken Azenis FK520:51 Points	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 58.5 Points

Wet Braking

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during one wet braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S stopped the vehicle in 2.55% less distance than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520

27.02M

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

26.33M

Wet braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>

2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test 225/40 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:24.5M	Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 24.5M
Best Performance Tires For 2025 225/40 R18	✓ Falken Azenis FK520:22.57M	Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 23.08M
2024 EVO Summer Tire Test 235/35 R19	Falken Azenis FK520:34M	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 31.4M

Wet Handling [s]

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during one wet handling [s] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was 0.14% faster around a wet lap than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520

87.09s

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

86.97s

Wet handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Handling [s]: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>

Best Performance Tires For 2025 225/40 R18	✓ Falken Azenis FK520:102.9s	Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 104.77s
2024 EVO Summer Tire Test 235/35 R19	Falken Azenis FK520:71.27s	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 69.17s

Wet Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during one wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was 1.77% faster around a wet lap than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520

83.1Km/H

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

84.6Km/H

Wet Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>

2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18

Falken Azenis FK520:83.1Km/H

✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 84.6Km/H

Subj. Wet Handling

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S scored 15.79% more points than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520

28 Points

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

33.25 Points

Subjective Wet Handling Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>

Best Performance Tires For 2025 225/40 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:9 Points	Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 9 Points
2024 EVO Summer Tire Test 235/35 R19	Falken Azenis FK520:47 Points	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 57.5 Points

Wet Circle

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S had 1.89% higher lateral wet grip than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520

8.3m/s

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

8.46m/s

Lateral wet grip in m/s squared, higher is better

Best In Wet Circle: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>

2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18

Falken Azenis FK520:8.3m/s

✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 8.46m/s

Straight Aqua

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during two straight aqua tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 floated at a 1.24% higher speed than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.

Falken Azenis FK520

75.84Km/H

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

74.9Km/H

Float Speed in Km/H, higher is better

Best In Straight Aqua: Falken Azenis FK520

See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>

2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test 225/40 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:80.6Km/H	Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 80.6Km/H
Best Performance Tires For 2025 225/40 R18	✓ Falken Azenis FK520:75.5Km/H	Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 73.5Km/H
2024 EVO Summer Tire Test 235/35 R19	✓ Falken Azenis FK520:71.43Km/H	Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 70.61Km/H

Curved Aquaplaning

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during one curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 slipped out at a 4.4% higher speed than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.

Falken Azenis FK520

25.25m/sec2

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

24.14m/sec2

Remaining lateral acceleration, higher is better

Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Falken Azenis FK520

See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>

2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test 225/40 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:3.47m/sec2	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 3.63m/sec2
Best Performance Tires For 2025 225/40 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:2.95m/sec2	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 2.96m/sec2
2024 EVO Summer Tire Test 235/35 R19	✓ Falken Azenis FK520:69.33m/sec2	Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 65.82m/sec2

Subj. Comfort

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S scored 5% more points than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520

9.5 Points

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

10 Points

Subjective Comfort Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Comfort: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>

Best Performance Tires For 2025
225/40 R18

Falken Azenis FK520:9.5 Points

✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 10 Points

Subj. Noise

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during one subj. noise tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S scored 12.5% more points than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520

21 Points

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

24 Points

Subjective in car noise levels, higher is better

Best In Subj. Noise: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

See how the Subj. Noise winner was calculated >>

2024 EVO Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19

Falken Azenis FK520:21 Points

✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 24 Points

Noise

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during two noise tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 measured 1.79% quieter than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.

Falken Azenis FK520

71.5dB

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

72.8dB

External noise in dB, lower is better

Best In Noise: Falken Azenis FK520

See how the Noise winner was calculated >>

2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test 225/40 R18	✓ Falken Azenis FK520:71.3dB	Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 72.1dB
Best Performance Tires For 2025 225/40 R18	✓ Falken Azenis FK520:71.7dB	Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 73.5dB

Price

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during one price tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 cost 46.96% less than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.

Falken Azenis FK520

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

181

Price in local currency, lower is better

Best In Price: Falken Azenis FK520

See how the Price winner was calculated >>

2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18

✓ Falken Azenis FK520:96

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 181

Rolling Resistance

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during one rolling resistance tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 had a 2.24% lower rolling resistance than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.

Falken Azenis FK520

8.73kg / t

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

8.93kg / t

Rolling resistance in kg t, lower is better

Best In Rolling Resistance: Falken Azenis FK520

See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>

2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test 225/40 R18	✓ Falken Azenis FK520:8.6kg / t	Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 9.6kg / t
Best Performance Tires For 2025 225/40 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:8.9kg / t	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 8.7kg / t
2024 EVO Summer Tire Test 235/35 R19	Falken Azenis FK520:8.68kg / t	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 8.5kg / t

Real World Driver Reviews

Tire Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Falken Azenis FK520 and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.

In total the Falken Azenis FK520 has been reviewed 34 times and drivers have given the tire 85% overall.

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S has been reviewed 139 times and drivers have given the tire 86% overall.

This means in real world driving, people prefer the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.

Best Review for the Falken Azenis FK520

/45 R17 on a combination of roads for 100 average miles

I was very surprised by the comfort of the new tires. My previous tires were the fk510 and they were hard as hell, felt every crack in the road. The handling in dry and wet conditions are very good, and the cars feels sporty and good in rhe tight curves. Hope they will last as long as fk510 (around 35k km)

Helpful 374 - tire reviewed on April 1, 2022

View all Falken Azenis FK520 driver reviews >>

Best Review for the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

Given 100% 275/35 R19 on a combination of roads for 1,000 spirited miles

Replaced the Pilot Super Sports on my F80 M3 and it's better in every way. The wet grip is insane, it's like you're driving in the dry. Best tire on the market.

Helpful 697 - tire reviewed on March 9, 2017

View all Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S driver reviews >>

Conclusion

In conclusion the Falken Azenis FK520 performed better in straight aqua, curved aquaplaning, noise, price and rolling resistance, while the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S performed better in dry braking, dry handling [s], subj. dry handling, wet braking, wet handling [s], wet handling [km/h], subj. wet handling, wet circle, subj. comfort and subj. noise.

Interestingly, both tires performed equally well in dry handling [km/h], showing that they are closely matched in these areas.

Which tire is best for you depends a lot on your driving style and situation, plus what you want from the tire. Comparing all the data in the tire reviews database, on balance Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S seems to be the best tire overall.

However, it's important to note that both tires have their strengths.

Remember, the best tire for you might depend on which of these factors are most important for your specific driving needs and conditions.

Overall Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

Based on the tire test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S 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 VS Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

Bridgestone Turanza 6 VS Falken Azenis FK520

Falken Azenis FK520 VS Vredestein Ultrac

Falken Azenis RS820 VS Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

Falken Azenis FK520 VS Vredestein Ultrac Pro

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 VS Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S VS Vredestein Ultrac Pro

Falken Azenis FK520 VS Pirelli P Zero PZ4

Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport VS Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

Bridgestone Potenza Sport VS Falken Azenis FK520

Continental SportContact 7 VS Falken Azenis FK520

Continental SportContact 7 VS Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S VS Pirelli P Zero PZ4

Falken Azenis FK520 VS Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Falken Azenis FK520 VS Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6

Bridgestone Potenza Sport VS Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

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.

Falken Azenis FK520 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

Test Results

Dry Braking

Dry Handling [s]

Dry Handling [Km/H]

Subj. Dry Handling

Wet Braking

Wet Handling [s]

Wet Handling [Km/H]

Subj. Wet Handling

Wet Circle

Straight Aqua

Curved Aquaplaning

Subj. Comfort

Subj. Noise

Noise

Price

Rolling Resistance

Real World Driver Reviews

Conclusion

Overall Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

Similar Comparisons

Footnote

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