Bridgestone Potenza Sport vs Falken Azenis FK520
- TR Score
- 9.3/10
- Owners say
- 80% · 139
- TR Score
- 9.1/10
- Owners say
- 82% · 55
In the 10 independent tests that ran both tires, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport finished ahead 9 times and the Azenis FK520 once. The Potenza Sport lapped the wet handling course 4.4% faster; the Azenis FK520 had 14.1% lower rolling resistance.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose Bridgestone Potenza Sport for enthusiastic driving, sharp steering, and top wet-weather confidence; choose Falken Azenis FK520 for quieter, more efficient everyday use with better value and comfort.
Where the Potenza Sport is stronger
- Class-leading wet and dry handling with precise steering and strong feedback
- Consistently short braking distances, especially in the wet
- High grip reserves and stability at the limit
Where the Azenis FK520 is stronger
- Low rolling resistance and lower energy/fuel consumption
- Quieter and more comfortable ride
- Good straight-line aquaplaning resistance and safe balance
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.
Potenza Sport vs Azenis FK520 at a glance
| Category | Potenza Sport | Gap | Azenis FK520 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won10 shared tests | 9 | 1 | |
| Dry17 measurements | 13 | The Potenza Sport stopped 1.5% shorter in the dry (8 tests) | 2 |
| Wet37 measurements | 25 | The Potenza Sport lapped the wet handling course 4.4% faster (4 tests) | 12 |
| Comfort10 measurements | 1 | The Azenis FK520 was 1.4 dB quieter (7 tests) | 9 |
| Value13 measurements | 1 | The Azenis FK520 had 14.1% lower rolling resistance (7 tests) | 12 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.3/10 | The Potenza Sport by 0.2 | 9.1/10 |
| Owner rating139 and 55 reviews | 80% | The Azenis FK520 by 2 points | 82% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 67% | The Azenis FK520 by 9 points | 76% |
| Pricein the 6 tests that listed prices | +21.6% | The Potenza Sport was dearer in 6 of 6 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 129 | 95 sizes made in both | 133 |
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 10 tests, 2022 to 2025
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 | Potenza Sport | Field | Azenis FK520 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Performance Tires For 2025 | P6 of 7 | P5 of 7 | |
| 2025 AZ Summer Tire Test | P3 of 10 | P8 of 10 | |
| 2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test | P2 of 18 | P8 of 18 | |
| 2024 EVO Summer Tire Test | P3 of 7 | P7 of 7 | |
| 2023 The Best Electric Vehicle Tires VS UHP Tires | P5 of 10 | P7 of 10 | |
| 2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test | P6 of 11 | P7 of 11 | |
| 2023 AZ UHP Summer Tire Test | P1 of 10 | P6 of 10 | |
| 2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test | P2 of 13 | P7 of 13 | |
| 2023 ACE / Gute Fahrt UHP Summer Tire Test | P3 of 7 | P7 of 7 | |
| 2022 Auto Express Summer Tire Test | P1 of 7 | P5 of 7 |
Performance profile
16 measurements from the 10 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Potenza Sport
Azenis FK520
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 90%: 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
Potenza Sport
Azenis FK520
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
Potenza Sport
Azenis FK520
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the Potenza Sport 80% from 139 reviews and the Azenis FK520 82% from 55. 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 | Potenza Sport | Gap | Azenis FK520 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 111 | 1.5% | 113 | 4-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 87.64 | 1.1% | 88.66 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 63.7 | 0.6% | 63.3 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 11% | scored | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 107 | 1.6% | 110 | 4-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 114 | 8.2% | 124 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 75.81 | 4.4% | 79.27 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 47.1 | 4.8% | 44.8 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 17.3% | scored | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 19.9 | 5.7% | 18.8 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 11.96 | 1.6% | 12.13 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 48 | 0.4% | 48.2 | 4-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 48.2 | 2.6% | 48.9 | 3-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 22.5% | scored | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 4.8% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 71.74 | 1.4 dB | 70.39 | 0-7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 26,564 | 3.1% | 26,936 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 9.94 | 14.1% | 8.54 | 0-7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.8 | 3.4% | 5.6 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 16.1 | 8.7% | 14.7 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 63.8 | 3% | 61.9 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 0.11 | 7.5% | 0.1 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 Potenza Sport scores 9.3 and the Azenis FK520 9.1 out of 10.
| Potenza Sport | Category | Azenis FK520 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 96 | Dry | 90 | ||
| 97 | Wet | 83 | ||
| 12 | Comfort | 57 | ||
| 9 | Value | 54 | ||
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
| Potenza Sport | Category | Azenis FK520 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Dry Grip | 8.8 | ||
| 8.6 | Wet Grip | 8.3 | ||
| 8.8 | Road Feedback | 7.9 | ||
| 8.9 | Handling | 8.4 | ||
| 6.1 | Wear | 7.7 | ||
| 7 | Comfort | 8.1 | ||
Owners rate the Potenza Sport 80% from 139 reviews and the Azenis FK520 82% from 55. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
- 80%from 139 reviews
- 67%would buy again
- 947,770 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners generally rate the Bridgestone Potenza Sport as a very sporty road tire, with strong dry and wet grip and sharp, precise steering feel. The main drawback is longevity: around one in three owners complain about fast wear, sometimes markedly so. Road noise is another common issue (raised by around one in four), while a smaller but notable group report a big drop in grip and confidence in cold weather.
- Very strong dry grip with a predictable, confidence-inspiring feel
- Impressive wet grip for a performance-focused summer tire
- Sharp, precise steering response and good road feedback
- Strong dry handling and cornering ability
- Short tread life / rapid wear for many owners
- Loud road noise, often getting intrusive
- Noticeable performance drop in cold conditions
Summarised by AI from 129 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 139 Potenza Sport reviewsOn road it's like having a semislick which is capable of handling water showers like an UHP tire. On track you can feel it's not a semislick, but you can enjoy a stable performance allowing you 100% of fun with 80% lap time or something like that.
On the road wear on external shoulder is high, on track it's really impressive lap after lap.
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.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 129 sizes of the Potenza Sport and 133 of the Azenis FK520, 95 of them made in both.
| Category | Potenza Sport | Azenis FK520 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Summer | Summer |
| Sizes made | 129 sizes, 16 to 24 inch | 133 sizes, 17 to 22 inch |
| Made in both | 95 sizes 205/45 R17215/40 R17215/45 R17225/45 R17225/50 R17225/55 R17245/40 R17205/40 R18225/35 R18225/40 R18225/45 R18225/50 R18and 83 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A75%B21%C3%D0% | A95%B5% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C44%D38%A9%B8%E1% | C68%A12%B12%D8% |
| EU label noise | 68-75 dB B81%A19% | 68-72 dB B51%A49% |
| On the market since | 2021 | - |
| Replaced | Bridgestone Potenza S001 | Falken Azenis FK510 (2016) |
| Replaced by | Bridgestone Potenza Sport Evo | - |
| Price in the shared tests | The Potenza Sport was the dearer tire in 6 of the 6 tests that listed prices, by 21.6% 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.
This head-to-head pits two max-performance summer staples with different philosophies: Bridgestone's Potenza Sport aims for peak grip and razor-sharp responses, while Falken's Azenis FK520 leans toward accessible performance with stronger efficiency and comfort metrics. Across 10 shared tests from 2022-2025 and a wide spread of sizes, the Bridgestone consistently excels in dynamic control, especially in the wet, whereas the Falken often counters with lower rolling resistance, quieter operation, and keener pricing.
Conclusion
Patterns across multiple tests are clear: if you prioritize precise steering, short stopping, and confident wet-road pace, the Potenza Sport is the driver's tire. It dominates dry and wet handling and usually brakes shorter on both surfaces, taking 9 overall wins to the Falken's 1. The trade-offs are higher rolling resistance, more noise, and a firmer ride; several tests also flag elevated energy/fuel use and, in some contexts, shoulder wear under track abuse. The FK520 lands as a safe, calm all-rounder with strong aquaplaning resistance, low noise, markedly better efficiency, and better value. Its limitations show up when driven hard-less precision, longer wet braking in several tests, and a touring-leaning feel. For everyday driving and cost-conscious ownership, the Falken makes sense; for enthusiastic driving and maximum confidence in poor weather, choose the Bridgestone.
Potenza Sport vs Azenis FK520: your questions
Is the Bridgestone Potenza Sport or the Falken Azenis FK520 the better tire?
In the 10 independent tests that ran both tires, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport finished ahead 9 times and the Azenis FK520 once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Potenza Sport scores 9.3 and the Azenis FK520 9.1 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Potenza Sport or the Azenis FK520?
The Potenza Sport led 25 of the 37 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it lapped the wet handling course 4.4% faster across 4 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Potenza Sport led 13 of the 17 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 1.5% shorter in the dry across 8 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Azenis FK520 had 14.1% lower rolling resistance (7 tests). Owners rate wear 6.1/10 for the Potenza Sport and 7.7/10 for the Azenis FK520.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The Azenis FK520 was 1.4 dB quieter (7 tests). Owners rate comfort 7/10 for the Potenza Sport and 8.1/10 for the Azenis FK520.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Potenza Sport 80% from 139 reviews and the Azenis FK520 82% from 55. 67% of Potenza Sport owners would buy it again, against 76% for the Azenis FK520.
Which is more expensive?
In the 6 tests that listed prices, the Potenza Sport was the dearer tire in 6 of them, by 21.6% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Potenza Sport is made in 129 sizes (16 to 24 inch) and the Azenis FK520 in 133 (17 to 22 inch). 95 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Potenza Sport is graded A for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Azenis FK520 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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