Falken Azenis RS820 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
- TR Score
- 8.3/10
- Owners say
- 91% · 9
- TR Score
- 9.4/10
- Owners say
- 85% · 179
In the 3 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S finished ahead 3 times and the Azenis RS820 not once. The Pilot Sport 4 S stopped 6.9% shorter in the wet.
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 wet-weather safety, predictable handling, and daily refinement. Consider the Falken Azenis RS820 primarily if budget is the deciding factor and your driving is mostly fair-weather, accepting that wet braking/consistency and ride refinement are the key trade-offs.
Where the Azenis RS820 is stronger
- Engaging, keen steering feel; can be biddable and fun near the limit (noted especially in wet circuit driving)
- Competent dry performance with solid traction out of slow corners; competitive dry braking for the class (though usually not best-in-test)
- Can post strong single-lap results in the dry (EVO dry handling win: 67.47 s vs 67.96 s)
Where the Pilot Sport 4 S is stronger
- Consistently shorter braking distances, especially in the wet (e.g., 29.15 m vs 33.63 m in EVO)
- Balanced, precise handling on dry roads; repeatedly top-two level in track-style dry tests
- Strong aquaplaning security overall (wins straight aquaplaning in all three shared tests)
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 RS820 vs Pilot Sport 4 S at a glance
| Category | Azenis RS820 | Gap | Pilot Sport 4 S |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won3 shared tests | 0 | 3 | |
| Dry8 measurements | 1 | The Pilot Sport 4 S stopped 1.3% shorter in the dry (3 tests) | 7 |
| Wet14 measurements | 1 | The Pilot Sport 4 S stopped 6.9% shorter in the wet (3 tests) | 13 |
| Comfort2 measurements | 0 | The Pilot Sport 4 S was 0.8 dB quieter (2 tests) | 2 |
| Value3 measurements | 1 | The Pilot Sport 4 S had 3.6% lower rolling resistance (3 tests) | 2 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 8.3/10 | The Pilot Sport 4 S by 1.1 | 9.4/10 |
| Owner rating9 and 179 reviews | 91% | The Azenis RS820 by 6 points | 85% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 100% | The Azenis RS820 by 20 points | 80% |
| Pricein the 3 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The Pilot Sport 4 S was dearer in 3 of 3 | +25.5% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 39 | 33 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 3 tests, 2025 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 RS820 | Field | Pilot Sport 4 S |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 EVO Summer Tire Test | P8 of 9 | P5 of 9 | |
| 2025 Autobild Sports Cars UUHP Tire Test | P5 of 7 | P2 of 7 | |
| 2025 Sport Auto UUHP Tire Test | P3 of 4 | P2 of 4 |
Performance profile
8 measurements from the 3 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Azenis RS820
Not ahead on any measurement here
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 95%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 6 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Azenis RS820
Not ahead in any category
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 RS820
Pilot Sport 4 S
Not ahead in any category
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the Azenis RS820 91% from 9 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 RS820 | Gap | Pilot Sport 4 S | Wins | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 109 | 1.3% | 108 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||
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| 67.47 | 0.7% | 67.96 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 70.8 | 2.5% | 72.6 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 7.7% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 18.2% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 125 | 6.9% | 118 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||
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| 81.73 | 4.5% | 78.03 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
|
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| 48.1 | 1% | 48.6 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 3.7% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 11.03 | 0.4% | 10.99 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 54 | 1% | 54.5 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||
|
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| 21 | 3.2% | 21.6 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||
|
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| 74.25 | 0.8 dB | 73.5 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
|
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| 8.93 | 3.6% | 8.6 | 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 RS820 scores 8.3 and the Pilot Sport 4 S 9.4 out of 10.
| Azenis RS820 | Category | Pilot Sport 4 S | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82 | Dry | 97 | ||
| 62 | Wet | 89 | ||
| 25 | Comfort | 44 | ||
| 17 | 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 RS820 | Category | Pilot Sport 4 S | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.4 | Dry Grip | 9.2 | ||
| 9.3 | Wet Grip | 8.7 | ||
| 9.1 | Road Feedback | 8.4 | ||
| 9.5 | Handling | 8.6 | ||
| 8.1 | Wear | 8 | ||
| 8.9 | Comfort | 8.4 | ||
Owners rate the Azenis RS820 91% from 9 reviews and the Pilot Sport 4 S 85% from 179. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Falken Azenis RS820
- 91%from 9 reviews
- 100%would buy again
- 43,007 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers rate the Falken Azenis RS820 very highly, most often praising its strong dry and wet grip, confidence-inspiring handling, and predictable breakaway at the limit. Several reviewers compare it favorably to premium options (e.g., Michelin PS4S/Goodyear F1) while highlighting the RS820's strong value for money and solid braking performance. A smaller but recurring theme is that it can be more temperature/heat sensitive than some premium rivals, with quicker wear or performance softening during extended hard driving/track use.
- Strong grip in both dry and wet conditions
- Predictable, confidence-inspiring handling and breakaway
- Good braking performance
- Excellent value versus premium competitors
- More temperature/heat sensitive than some premium tires (can feel softer or wear quicker under hard use/track driving)
Summarised by AI from 9 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 9 Azenis RS820 reviewsI previously drove on the Good Year Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5.
The tires are equally good.
The Falken is new now, so it might have more grip than the GY, but its handling is just as good, if not better than the GY.
Plus, the Falken is cheaper.
I'll continue to use this tire in the future.
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: 39 sizes of the Azenis RS820 and 105 of the Pilot Sport 4 S, 33 of them made in both.
| Category | Azenis RS820 | Pilot Sport 4 S |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Summer | Summer |
| Sizes made | 39 sizes, 19 to 21 inch | 105 sizes, 17 to 22 inch |
| Made in both | 33 sizes 225/35 R19225/40 R19225/45 R19235/35 R19235/40 R19245/35 R19245/40 R19255/30 R19255/35 R19255/40 R19265/35 R19275/35 R19and 21 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A100% | A84%B11%C2%D2% |
| EU label rolling resistance | D61%C39% | C55%D45% |
| EU label noise | 70-74 dB B73%A27% | 70-75 dB B100% |
| On the market since | 2022 | 2016 |
| Replaced | - | 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) |
| Price in the shared tests | The Pilot Sport 4 S was the dearer tire in 3 of the 3 tests that listed prices, by 25.5% on average. Each test priced the tires in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
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 RS820 is pitched as a newer, value-leaning entry in the max-performance summer category, aiming to bring sporty steering feel and dry grip at a lower price point. Michelin's Pilot Sport 4 S, by contrast, is the established benchmark all-round UUHP road tire-typically strong across dry, wet, and day-to-day refinement rather than chasing a single headline metric.
Across three independent tests in large, performance-focused sizes (235/35 R19, 285/30 R20, 295/30 R20), the pattern is consistent: the PS4S finishes materially higher overall (2nd/7, 2nd/4, 5th/9), while the RS820 tends to land mid-to-lower pack (5th/7, 3rd/4, 8th/9). The interesting twist is that the Falken can feel engaging and even nick a dry-handling result in one test, but it struggles to match Michelin's wet braking security, road polish, and broad “usable performance window.”
Conclusion
On objective performance, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S is the clear winner across the shared data: it wins all three tests overall and dominates the safety-critical wet metrics. Wet braking is the standout separator-EVO records 29.15 m for the Michelin vs 33.63 m for the Falken (about 13% shorter), and Sport Auto shows 30.7 m vs 32.8 m (about 6% shorter). Michelin also consistently edges wet handling and aquaplaning (straight-line in all three tests), and it layers that with better subjective road comfort/steering linearity (EVO road score 22.7 vs 19.2) and typically lower noise (e.g., 73.4 dB vs 74.8 dB in Sport Auto).
The Falken Azenis RS820's case is value and “good fun when conditions suit.” It can deliver keen steering feel and competent pace, including a narrow win in EVO's dry handling stopwatch (67.47 s vs 67.96 s). But multiple reports flag drawbacks that matter for real-world confidence: less refinement, more sensitivity to load changes in the wet, and in some contexts (Sport Auto's powerful BMW M4) an imbalance/instability as speeds rise and grip limits approach. If you want the most complete, confidence-inspiring max-performance summer tire for mixed road use (including heavy rain), the PS4S remains the safer, more consistent buy; the RS820 only makes sense when price is a primary driver and you can accept the wet/refinement compromises.
Azenis RS820 vs Pilot Sport 4 S: your questions
Is the Falken Azenis RS820 or the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S the better tire?
In the 3 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S finished ahead 3 times and the Azenis RS820 not once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Azenis RS820 scores 8.3 and the Pilot Sport 4 S 9.4 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Azenis RS820 or the Pilot Sport 4 S?
The Pilot Sport 4 S led 13 of the 14 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 6.9% shorter in the wet across 3 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Pilot Sport 4 S led 7 of the 8 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 1.3% shorter in the dry across 3 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Pilot Sport 4 S had 3.6% lower rolling resistance (3 tests). Owners rate wear 8.1/10 for the Azenis RS820 and 8/10 for the Pilot Sport 4 S.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The Pilot Sport 4 S was 0.8 dB quieter (2 tests). Owners rate comfort 8.9/10 for the Azenis RS820 and 8.4/10 for the Pilot Sport 4 S.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Azenis RS820 91% from 9 reviews and the Pilot Sport 4 S 85% from 179. 100% of Azenis RS820 owners would buy it again, against 80% for the Pilot Sport 4 S.
Which is more expensive?
In the 3 tests that listed prices, the Pilot Sport 4 S was the dearer tire in 3 of them, by 25.5% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Azenis RS820 is made in 39 sizes (19 to 21 inch) and the Pilot Sport 4 S in 105 (17 to 22 inch). 33 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Azenis RS820 is graded A for wet grip and D for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Pilot Sport 4 S A and C.
Which is the newer tire?
The Azenis RS820 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2022, the Pilot Sport 4 S in 2016. The Pilot Sport 4 S replaced the Michelin Pilot Super Sport.
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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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