Falken tires vs Michelin: Falken is a Japanese tire company that was founded in 1983 & it is fully owned by Sumitomo Rubber Industry. It was ranked the 5th largest tire manufacturer in 2021 with a total revenue of close to €6 billion Euros. It holds brands such as Falken, Dunlop (Japan only) which spread ahead its product portfolio. Sumitomo is a unique manufacturer as its other subsidiary brands outshine its own brand.
Michelin on the other hand is the highest revenue tire manufacturer with over €23.7 billion in tire sales. Michelin is currently the de-facto technology leader as they have showcased over the years with multiple award winning products while Falken has been consistently been a mid tier tire product focusing on value at a lower price point. Instead of having a general outlook of comparison, we will stack Falken tires vs Michelin same segment products and compare them head to head.
Table of Contents
Falken Tires vs Michelin: Product Comparison
Instead of having a general outlook of comparison, we will stack the same segment products and compare them head to head.
Ultra Ultra High Performance (UUHP)
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S and the Falken Azenis FK520 both have distinct advantages depending on driver priorities. The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S excels in dry and wet handling, braking performance, and provides higher lateral acceleration in wet conditions, ensuring a confident and thrilling driving experience.
In contrast, the Falken Azenis FK520 offers exceptional value with comparable wet braking, lower rolling resistance for better fuel efficiency, and a quieter ride, making it a great choice for budget-conscious drivers. Ultimately, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S is the winner for those seeking top-tier handling and performance.
- Pilot Sport 4S
- Launch: 2017
- Press test wins: 4/17
- Strength: Dry Braking & Wet Handling
- Azenis FK520
- Launch: 2022
- Press test wins: 0/9
- Strength: Rolling Resistance
Touring
In the comparison between Falken and Michelin tires, the Michelin Primacy 4+ shines in wet braking, noise reduction, and rolling resistance. Meanwhile, the Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun excels in dry handling and comfort. This duel is too close to declare a definitive winner, as the best choice ultimately depends on individual driving priorities.
- Primacy 4+
- Launch: 2022
- Press test wins: 0/6
- Strength: Wet Braking & Rolling Resistance
- ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun
- Launch: 2017
- Press test wins: 0/22
- Strength: Dry Handling & Comfort
EV
Based on test results, both Falken and Michelin tires show distinct strengths. The Falken e.Ziex offers excellent EV characteristics with the lowest rolling resistance and strong performance in dry conditions. The Michelin e.Primacy slightly outperforms in wet conditions. This comparison is too close to call, with no clear winner, as both tires excel in different areas.
- e.Primacy
- Launch: 2020
- Press test wins: 0/1
- Strength: Wet Handling
- e.Ziex
- Launch: 2023
- Press test wins: 0/1
- Strength: Rolling Resistance
All Season (Europe)
Both the Michelin CrossClimate 2 and the Falken EUROALL SEASON AS210 have their unique advantages. The Michelin CrossClimate 2 excels in snow and dry performance, offers superior wet braking, and provides better fuel efficiency due to its lower rolling resistance, consistently topping the charts for all-season performance.
In contrast, the Falken EUROALL SEASON AS210 stands out with its higher mileage and commendable performance in wear and straight aquaplaning, offering a cost-effective option. While the Michelin is quieter and performs exceptionally in various conditions, the Falken provides a budget-friendly alternative with solid overall performance.
- Cross Climate 2
- Launch: 2020
- Press test wins: 9/18
- Strength: Wet, Snow & Rolling Resistance
- EUROALL SEASON AS210
- Launch: 2018
- Press test wins: 0/14
- Strength: Mileage
Winter (Middle Europe)
The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 is the clear winner in this comparison. Its superior performance in wet and snow conditions, longer wear life, quieter ride, and lower rolling resistance make it the best choice for middle European winters. The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 excels in all critical areas, ensuring safety, durability, and comfort, which justifies its premium standing.
- Pilot Alpin 5
- Launch: 2014
- Press test wins: 5/14
- Strength: Well balanced tire !
- EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
- Launch: 2022
- Press test wins: 0/5
- Strength: –
Snow/Studless/Nordic
Both the Michelin X Ice Snow SUV and the Falken Winterpeak F Snow 1 have their distinct advantages. The Michelin excels in ice and snow traction, dry handling, and offers better fuel efficiency with its lower rolling resistance. The Falken performs better in wet braking and straight-line aquaplaning. However, due to the strong ice and snow performance requirements for the studless market, the Michelin X Ice Snow SUV takes the crown in this duel, making it the superior choice for winter driving.
- X Ice Snow SUV
- Launch: 2020
- Press test wins: 0/1
- Strength: Ice & Dry Handling
- Winterpeak F Snow 1
- Launch: 2021
- Press test wins: 0/4
- Strength: Wet & Dry Braking
Summary
In conclusion, Michelin consistently offers top-tier performance and technology across various categories, while Falken provides commendable performance and value, making it a strong contender in specific segments.
Ultra Ultra High Performance (UUHP)
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: Excels in dry and wet handling, braking performance, and lateral acceleration. Winner for top-tier performance.
- Falken Azenis FK520: Offers exceptional value with wet braking, lower rolling resistance, and a quieter ride.
Touring
- Michelin Primacy 4+: Superior in wet braking, noise reduction, and rolling resistance.
- Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun: Excels in dry handling and comfort. Too close to call a definitive winner.
EV
- Michelin e.Primacy: Better in wet conditions.
- Falken e.Ziex: Best in rolling resistance and dry performance. No clear winner.
All Season (Europe)
- Michelin CrossClimate 2: Tops in snow and dry performance, wet braking, and fuel efficiency.
- Falken EUROALL SEASON AS210: Higher mileage, good wear, and aquaplaning resistance. Solid budget-friendly option.
Winter (Middle Europe)
- Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: Best in wet and snow conditions, wear life, noise, and rolling resistance. Clear winner.
- Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro: –
Snow/Studless/Nordic
- Michelin X Ice Snow SUV: Best in ice and snow traction, dry handling, and fuel efficiency. Winner for studless market.
- Falken Winterpeak F Snow 1: Better in wet braking and aquaplaning.