Nokian Encompass AW01 vs Falken Aklimate: In the world of Grand Touring All-Season tires, the competition is fierce, and the arrival of the Falken Aklimate challenges established players like the Nokian Encompass AW01. Both these tires boast the prestigious 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) certification, a testament to their superior snow traction capabilities. This certification indicates that they exceed a specific threshold in snow performance, ensuring reliability and safety in challenging winter conditions.
The Nokian Encompass AW01, a veteran in the segment, has long been praised for its balanced performance in various conditions. On the other hand, the Falken Aklimate enters the arena as a formidable newcomer, promising cutting-edge technology and enhanced features. This face-off between the seasoned Nokian Encompass AW01 and the freshly launched Falken Aklimate is not just a comparison of specifications, but a clash of tire-making philosophies.
As we delve into the nuances of these two top-tier tires, one can’t help but wonder: Will the Nokian Encompass AW01 uphold its legacy, or will the Falken Aklimate redefine the standards of the Grand Touring All-Season category?
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Results: Nokian Encompass AW01 vs Falken Aklimate
Results below were taken from Tire Rack’s Testing Grand Touring All-Season Tires 2023 test. A total of 4 tires were tested on Tire Rack’s proving ground. The graph below shows the comparison between Nokian Encompass AW01 vs Falken Aklimate based on the relevant performance category. The Encompass AW01 was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
As both tires are classified as an all weather tire with the 3 peak mountain logo, Tire Rack will include snow & ice in its testing portfolio. A detailed testing on snow including acceleration, braking & handling will be available after the 2023 winter season. The tire size of interest is a 205/55R16 which is a common tire size for Toyota Corolla & Volkswagen Golf. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle is a powerful 2022 Subaru BRZ.
Wet
When it comes to wet performance, the Nokian Encompass AW01 and Falken Aklimate show noticeable differences. In wet braking, the Falken Aklimate outperforms the Nokian Encompass AW01, stopping from 50mph to 0 in 111.60 feet, which is 8.60 feet shorter than the Nokian’s 120.20 feet. This shorter braking distance can be significant, especially in emergency situations.
In subjective wet handling, the Falken Aklimate again scores higher with a rating of 6.56 out of 10, compared to the Nokian Encompass AW01’s 6.13. This suggests that drivers may feel more confident and in control with the Falken Aklimate on wet roads.
Lastly, in terms of wet handling lap times, the Falken Aklimate completes a lap faster, taking only 33.25 seconds, which is 1.14 seconds quicker than the Nokian Encompass AW01’s lap time of 34.39 seconds. This faster lap time indicates better agility and responsiveness of the Falken Aklimate in wet conditions.
Encompass AW01 :
In contrast, the Encompass AW01 presented challenges in wet conditions. The light steering, also observed during the road ride, made it difficult to accurately control the car, especially in turns. This lack of steering resistance made it hard to judge how much to turn the wheel, often resulting in understeer. Additionally, the tire’s tendency to be tail-happy and its poor grip exacerbated the issue, making it feel like the Encompass AW01 had trouble maintaining stable traction.
Test driver feedback on Encompass AW01
Falken Aklimate :
On the wet track, the Aklimate showed responsive and precise steering, making it easier to handle at moderate speeds. However, when our drivers increased the speed and tested the tire’s limits, they noticed a decline in precision, leading to more understeer.
Test driver feedback on Falken Aklimate
Overall, the Falken Aklimate demonstrates superior wet performance in these aspects compared to the Nokian Encompass AW01.
Falken Aklimate :
- +7.7% in wet braking
- +2.2% in wet handling (subj)
- +3.4% in wet handling (lap time)
Dry
In dry conditions, the performance of the Nokian Encompass AW01 and Falken Aklimate is quite close, but with some differences. For dry braking, the Nokian Encompass AW01 slightly edges out the Falken Aklimate, stopping from 50mph to 0 in 92.10 feet, which is just 0.60 feet shorter than the Aklimate’s 92.70 feet. This small difference suggests that both tires are quite effective in dry braking situations.
Regarding subjective dry handling, drivers rate the Falken Aklimate higher at 6.50 out of 10, compared to the Nokian Encompass AW01’s 6.19. This indicates that drivers feel a bit more comfortable and in control with the Falken Aklimate during dry conditions.
When it comes to dry handling lap times, the Nokian Encompass AW01 is marginally faster, completing a lap in 30.43 seconds, which is just 0.13 seconds quicker than the Falken Aklimate’s time of 30.56 seconds. While both tires perform similarly in dry conditions, the Nokian Encompass AW01 shows a slight advantage in braking and lap time, whereas the Falken Aklimate is preferred for its handling feel.
Falken Aklimate :
- -0.6% in dry braking
- +1.6% in dry handling (subj)
- -0.4% in dry handling (lap time)
Noise/Comfort/Ride Quality
In terms of NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) performance, the Falken Aklimate has a slight edge over the Nokian Encompass AW01. Both tires have identical ratings in noise level, scoring 6.25 out of 10, indicating that they produce a similar amount of sound while driving.
However, when it comes to ride quality, the Falken Aklimate scores higher with a 7 out of 10, compared to the Nokian Encompass AW01’s 6.5. This suggests that the Aklimate offers a slightly smoother and more comfortable ride.
In steering and road handling, the Aklimate also leads with a rating of 6.5, whereas the Encompass AW01 scores a 6. This difference implies that drivers might find the Aklimate to offer a better feel and control while steering.
Overall, when considering the average scores for noise, comfort, and ride quality, the Falken Aklimate comes out ahead with an average score of 6.58, compared to the Nokian Encompass AW01’s 6.25. This overall better performance in NVH aspects makes the Falken Aklimate a preferable choice for drivers prioritizing a quieter and more comfortable driving experience.
Falken Aklimate :
- +1.7% in average of Noise, Comfort & Ride Quality
UTQG rating
We have previously shown that UTQG tread wear rating can be a good indication of your expected mileage. Below are the UTQG values of both of the tirelines.
| Brand | Tireline | Size | Tread Wear | Traction | Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nokian | Encompass AW01 | All | 600 | A | A |
| Falken | Aklimate | All | 640 | B | A |
The UTQG (Uniform Tire Quality Grading) ratings for the Nokian Encompass AW01 and Falken Aklimate tires show some differences, particularly in their treadwear and traction grades. The Nokian Encompass AW01 has a treadwear rating of 600, which is quite good and aligns with its 60,000-mile warranty. However, the Falken Aklimate surpasses this with a slightly higher treadwear rating of 640, consistent with its longer 65,000-mile warranty. This suggests that the Falken Aklimate may last a bit longer than the Nokian Encompass AW01 under similar conditions.
In summary, the Falken Aklimate shows a potential for longer wear, while the Nokian Encompass AW01 might offer slightly better traction. Both tires are equally rated for temperature performance.
Price
In terms of pricing for the tire size 205/55R16, the Nokian Encompass AW01 is priced at $135, which is $10 more than the Falken Aklimate, priced at $125. This makes the Falken Aklimate a more budget-friendly option compared to the Nokian Encompass AW01.
Tire size: 205/55R16
- Encompass AW01 : $135
- Falken Aklimate : $125
Difference: -8% more cheaper for Falken Aklimate.
Summary
From a tire expert’s perspective, it’s clear that in the first round of summer performance evaluations, the Falken Aklimate has taken a noticeable lead over the Nokian Encompass AW01. The Aklimate demonstrated superior wet and dry handling capabilities, which are crucial for summer driving conditions. Its shorter braking distance in wet conditions and slightly better handling scores in both wet and dry scenarios give it a distinct advantage. Moreover, its marginally better NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) performance contributes to a more comfortable and enjoyable driving experience in summer conditions.
However, it’s important to stay tuned for the winter performance analysis. Nokian is renowned for its expertise in winter tires, and this expertise could potentially tip the balance back in their favor. Winter driving conditions pose a completely different set of challenges, and the Nokian Encompass AW01 may have features and technologies that are specifically designed to excel in such environments. As we proceed to evaluate these tires under winter conditions, it will be interesting to see if Nokian can leverage its winter tire prowess to outperform the Falken Aklimate.
Dr Edwin Pang