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Falken FK453 Test Results

Tested 2012 to 2016 6 publications

Tested 9 times by independent publications, the Falken FK453 averages a finish of 13th.

  • 9Independent tests
  • 0Test wins
  • 0Podium finishes
  • 13thAverage finish
  • 31%Field beaten on average
  • 6Publications
Falken FK453

9 tests, 2012 to 2016

0%50%100%20122013201420152016Average 31%2012 Autobild 50 Tire Braking Test (2012): P25 of 50, Beat 45% of the field2013 European Summer Sports Tire Test (2013): P13 of 19, Beat 29% of the field2013 Sport Auto Max Performance Summer Tire Test (2013): P10 of 10, Beat 0% of the field2014 Auto Bild 50 Summer Tire Shootout (2014): P37 of 50, Beat 27% of the field2014 Auto Zeitung Summer Tire Test (2014): P6 of 12, Beat 55% of the field2015 AZ 225/40 R18 Summer Tire Test (2015): P9 of 14, Beat 38% of the field2015 Australian Motor 235/35 R19 Tire Test (2015): P6 of 8, Beat 29% of the field2015 Auto Express Tire Test (2015): P8 of 11, Beat 30% of the field2016 Sport Auto UHP Summer Tire Test (2016): P6 of 8, Beat 29% of the field
Share of the field beaten in each test, oldest to newest. Hover or tap a point for the test.
  • Test win
  • Second
  • Third
  • Average 31%

Head-to-head record

Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Falken FK453. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.

Rival Shared tests Ahead Behind Level Finished ahead
Continental Sport Contact 5 7 shared: 0 ahead, 7 behind 7 0 7 - 0%
Toyo Proxes T1 Sport 6 shared: 2 ahead, 4 behind 6 2 4 - 33%
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 6 shared: 0 ahead, 6 behind 6 0 6 - 0%
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 6 shared: 0 ahead, 6 behind 6 0 6 - 0%
Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 5 shared: 0 ahead, 5 behind 5 0 5 - 0%
Bridgestone Turanza T001 4 shared: 2 ahead, 2 behind 4 2 2 - 50%
Vredestein Ultrac Vorti 4 shared: 2 ahead, 2 behind 4 2 2 - 50%
Yokohama Advan Sport V105 4 shared: 1 ahead, 3 behind 4 1 3 - 25%
Nokian zLine 4 shared: 1 ahead, 3 behind 4 1 3 - 25%
Pirelli P Zero 4 shared: 0 ahead, 4 behind 4 0 4 - 0%
Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 4 shared: 0 ahead, 4 behind 4 0 4 - 0%
Vredestein Ultrac Cento 3 shared: 2 ahead, 1 behind 3 2 1 - 67%
Apollo Aspire 4G 3 shared: 1 ahead, 2 behind 3 1 2 - 33%
Uniroyal RainSport 2 3 shared: 1 ahead, 2 behind 3 1 2 - 33%
Fulda SportControl 3 shared: 1 ahead, 2 behind 3 1 2 - 33%
Pirelli CINTURA/TO P7 3 shared: 0 ahead, 3 behind 3 0 3 - 0%
Kumho Ecsta KU39 3 shared: 0 ahead, 3 behind 3 0 3 - 0%
Bridgestone Potenza S001 3 shared: 0 ahead, 3 behind 3 0 3 - 0%
Michelin Primacy 3 3 shared: 0 ahead, 3 behind 3 0 3 - 0%
Semperit Speed Life 3 shared: 0 ahead, 3 behind 3 0 3 - 0%

Against its own line

The same record for the tire it replaced and the tire that replaced it.

Tire Tests Wins Avg finish Field beaten
Falken FK452 Predecessor 0 - - -
Falken FK453 This tire 9 0 13th 31%
Falken Azenis FK510 Successor 39 2 5th 48%

Performance Analysis

Drawn from 9 tests. Updated October 29, 2026.

The Falken FK453 generally earns more approval for dry handling than wet performance, with high rolling resistance a recurring drawback. Auto Express placed it eighth of 11 in 2015: fourth for dry handling, only 1% behind the Continental, but weak in wet and dry braking and second-last in wet cornering. Sport Auto ranked it last of ten in 2013 despite good dry results, criticising wet grip and twitchy handling. ADAC's 2013 result was 13th of 19, again with good dry performance and a wet weakness.

The exceptions are unusual. Auto Zeitung found strong wet performance but room for dry improvement in its sixth-of-12 result in 2014, reversing the more common balance. Its 2015 ninth-of-14 result brought praise for aquaplaning resistance and stable wet cornering, contrary to Sport Auto's twitchy wet verdict and Auto Express's eighth-place straight aquaplaning. Braking also varied unusually: Sport Auto praised wet and dry stops in 2016, finishing sixth of eight, whereas Auto Express struggled in both in 2015 and Auto Zeitung criticised wet stops that year. Sport Auto's 2016 positives included quick steering, dry handling and low noise, but wet performance remained average and rolling resistance high. The record supports dry handling more consistently than braking or wet-road balance.

Performance Strengths

Performance Weaknesses

Do owners agree with the tests?

Every tester write-up on the Falken FK453 (5 tests) and 27 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.

Where owners and testers agree

  • Dry handling strength in 3 of 5 tests 5 praise, 1 criticise of 27 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Road noise strength in 1 of 5 tests 7 praise, 3 criticise of 27 reviews · Read those reviews

Raised by owners, not by any test of this tire

  • Appearance no test mentions it 5 praise, 0 criticise of 27 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Value for money no test mentions it 4 praise, 1 criticise of 27 reviews · Read those reviews
  • High-speed stability no test mentions it 0 praise, 4 criticise of 27 reviews · Read those reviews

Flagged by testers, not mentioned by owners

  • Rolling resistance weakness in 3 of 5 tests no owner mentions it

Every test, newest first 9

Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.

2016 1 test
2015 3 tests
P8 of 11 Beat 30% of the field

2015 Auto Express Tire Test

Auto Express 225/45 R17

A test debut for Falken with the FK453, and sadly eighth place. The tire struggled in wet and dry braking, was second to last in wet cornering, had a high rolling resistance and could only manage eighth in straight aquaplaning. Fourth in dry handling was its saving grace, only 1% slower than the Continental.

WinnerContinental Sport Contact 5

2014 2 tests
P6 of 12 Beat 55% of the field

2014 Auto Zeitung Summer Tire Test

Auto Zeitung 225/50 R17

Falken Azenis FK453 is surprisingly strong when the roads are wet, but its dry result leaves room for improvement

WinnerContinental Sport Contact 5

2013 2 tests
2012 1 test

Back to the Falken FK453 overview

Owner reviews, sizes and EU label data, comparisons and the Tire Reviews score. All Falken tires

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