Falken Azenis FK460 A/S Review: Gripping the Road No Matter the Weather

Falken has been manufacturing high performance tires for over 80 years. The Japanese company was founded in 1983 and is known for producing affordable tires that offer impressive performance capabilities.

The FK460 A/S is one of Falken’s all-season ultra high performance tires. It’s designed to provide a comfortable ride, reliable performance in various weather conditions, and long tread life. The FK460 utilizes Falken’s proprietary 4D Nano high-tech polymer allowing for better grip, handling, and stability.

This tire is intended for sports sedans, coupes, and crossovers. It aims to deliver a dynamic driving experience combined with all-season versatility. The FK460 promises responsive handling, confident wet and dry traction, and a comfortable ride quality.

In this review, we’ll take a close look at the features and real-world performance of the Falken FK460 all-season tire. We’ll evaluate tread design, ride comfort, handling, traction, treadwear warranty, and value. Our goal is to provide an in-depth and unbiased assessment of how this tire performs in key categories. Read on for the full Falken Azenis FK460 A/S review.

List of Other Falken Tire Reviews

Falken is a prominent tire company offering a wide range of products suitable for various driving demands, terrains, and weather conditions. Here’s a brief overview of some popular Falken tire models we review:

• Falken Wildpeak AT3W Review
• Falken Rubitrek AT Review
• Falken Wildpeak AT Trail Review
• Falken Wildpeak RT Review
• Falken Sincera SN250 A/S Review
• Falken Azenis FK510 Review
• Falken Azenis RT615K+ Review
• Falken ZIEX ZE960 A/S Review
• Falken Azenis FK460 A/S Review

Tire Specs

The Falken Azenis FK460 A/S is available in a wide range of popular passenger car sizes ranging from 15 to 20 inches. Common sizes include:

• 215/50R17 94W
• 225/45R17 91W
• 245/40R18 97W
• 255/35R19 96W

Speed ratings offered range from V rated to W rated, which corresponds to speeds of 149 mph up to 168 mph. This high speed capability makes the FK460 well suited for sports cars and performance sedans.

Load indexes start at 91 and go up to 97 for XL rated tires, indicating the FK460 can handle lighter vehicles up to heavier SUVs and crossover models.

The FK460 meets industry standards for H, V, W, Y, and ZR speed ratings as well as F and XL load indexes, ensuring a proper fitment for most applications. With over 80 sizes to choose from, drivers should have no problem finding the right FK460 to fit their vehicle.

Tread Design of Falken Azenis FK460 A/S

The Falken Azenis FK460 A/S features an asymmetric tread pattern that is optimized for performance in both dry and wet conditions. On the outside shoulder of the tire, larger tread blocks and continuous lateral grooves help to channel water out from under the tire and provide grip when cornering in the rain.

The inside shoulder has a higher tread block density with multiple sipes to enhance dry handling and braking. The sipes allow the tread blocks to flex independently, increasing the overall grip of the tire’s contact patch on dry pavement.

In the center of the tread, a combination of lateral and circumferential grooves helps prevent hydroplaning while also minimizing tread squirm and irregular wear. The grooves are tapered near the tread’s outer edges to enhance stiffness and high-speed stability.

Overall, the asymmetric design provides a good balance of responsiveness and traction in varying conditions. Drivers will notice confident handling on dry roads along with surefooted wet weather performance.

Performance of Falken Azenis FK460 A/S

The Falken Azenis FK460 A/S tire delivers excellent performance in dry and wet conditions thanks to its asymmetric tread pattern and rigid tread blocks. The tire’s wide lateral grooves and angled sipes provide strong traction and grip when accelerating, cornering, and braking on both dry and wet roads.

Drivers report responsive, precise steering and handling with minimal body roll when pushing the FK460 hard into turns. The tire’s stiff outside shoulder blocks remain stable under load, resisting squirming and enhancing steering feel and control. Even at high speeds, the Falken FK460 maintains composure and Instills confidence in the driver.

Hard cornering and heavy braking are handled with aplomb by the FK460. The tire’s rigid tread blocks and firm compound allow for high lateral grip and short braking distances on dry roads. Wet braking distances are also short for an all-season tire, aided by the angled sipes that provide extra biting edges.

Road noise is average for the ultra high performance all-season category. Some mild roar is detectable on coarse road surfaces, but open highway cruising is quiet. The Falken hits a good balance between responsiveness and noise suppression. Overall, drivers seeking sharp handling and traction without excessive road noise should be satisfied with the Azenis FK460’s performance.

Ride Comfort of Falken Azenis FK460 A/S

The Falken Azenis FK460 A/S provides a comfortable and quiet ride thanks to its tread design and construction. The symmetrical tread pattern helps to minimize noise on the road by reducing irregular wear.

The tire’s continuous shoulder blocks also help dampen road noise and vibrations. The silica-enhanced tread compound is softer than many all-season tires, absorbing more shock and smoothing out imperfections in the road.

Testers have praised the FK460 for its supple feel and lack of harshness over cracked pavement and potholes. The tires maintain composure and resist tramlining on grooved concrete highways. Overall, the ride is very smooth and comfortable, without droning or loud road roar intruding into the cabin.

While not quite reaching the plushness of a dedicated grand touring tire, the Falken Azenis FK460 ranks among the most comfortable in the ultra-high performance all-season category. Drivers seeking a refined, luxury car-like ride will be pleasantly surprised by this tire’s composure and noise isolation abilities. The silky smooth ride makes it ideal for long highway trips or daily commuting duties.

Treadwear of Falken Azenis FK460 A/S

The Falken Azenis FK460 A/S tire has an impressive treadwear rating, especially for a high-performance all-season tire. According to Falken, this tire is expected to last for 50,000 miles or more until the tread is worn down to the minimum depth.

This high treadwear rating is thanks to Falken’s new silica tread compound, which utilizes specialized synthetic rubber reinforced with silica to enhance durability and longevity. The tread pattern is also designed to distribute wear evenly across the entire tread area.

In real-world driving, owners of the FK460 A/S report getting 40,000 to 60,000 miles or even more out of a set before needing replacement. With average driving, most drivers can expect to easily get at least 45,000 miles of use before the tires wear out.

The high treadwear gives the Azenis FK460 A/S a significant advantage over many rival ultra high performance all-season tires that typically max out at around 35,000 to 40,000 miles of tread life. For drivers who put a lot of yearly mileage on their vehicle, the long-lasting tread on the FK460 A/S makes it a smarter choice to minimize replacement costs.

Overall, the exceptional treadwear rating sets the Falken Azenis FK460 A/S apart from other UHP all-season options and makes it a great choice for drivers looking to maximize the mileage they can get out of their tires. The silica tread compound clearly delivers on its promise of enhanced durability.

Off-Road Capability of Falken Azenis FK460 A/S

The Falken Azenis FK460 A/S performs surprisingly well on gravel and dirt roads thanks to its symmetrical tread pattern and lateral notches that help eject small rocks and gravel. The tire’s intermediate tread blocks provide decent traction in loose dirt while the continuous center rib helps prevent squirrelly handling on washboard surfaces.

In light snow, the FK460 A/S provides reliable grip and maneuverability. The tire’s precise steering response is maintained even when there’s snow packed into the treads. Stopping distances are kept short thanks to the tire’s solid snow performance. At the same time, the FK460 doesn’t feel overly squirrely on snow-covered roads.

While the FK460 A/S isn’t an off-road focused tire, it can hold its own on loose gravel, packed dirt, and light snow much better than an average all-season. Drivers who occasionally travel down unpaved roads or deal with winter snow will appreciate the FK460’s well-rounded off-road capabilities.

Warranty

Falken provides a 60,000 mile limited treadwear warranty on the Azenis FK460 All-Season tire. This means that if the tread depth wears down below 2/32″ before reaching 60,000 miles, Falken will provide a pro-rated credit towards a replacement tire based on mileage.

Some key points about Falken’s warranty:

• Covers defects in materials and workmanship for the life of the original usable tread (down to 2/32″).
• Applies to the original purchaser only. Proof of purchase required.
• Does not cover damage from road hazards, improper mounting, misuse, or improper repairs.
• Treadwear warranty is prorated based on mileage driven – for example, if the tire wears out at 40,000 miles you may be eligible for a 50% credit.
• Warranty is non-transferrable to a 2nd owner.

The 60,000 mile treadwear warranty provides assurance that the Azenis FK460 is designed to last. However, actual longevity depends on proper tire inflation, alignment, driving habits, and road conditions. As with any tire, regular inspections and rotation are recommended. Overall, Falken provides industry-standard coverage to protect against early defects or premature treadwear failures under normal driving conditions.

Price

The Falken Azenis FK460 A/S has a suggested retail price of around $145-$165 in popular sizes like 215/55R17 and 225/45R18, which puts it squarely in the ultra high performance all-season category. This price range is very competitive with other top tires in the category like the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 4, Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus, and Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Plus II.

The Azenis FK460 A/S tends to be priced very similarly to the Continental DWS 06 Plus, while the Michelin and Pirelli tires are usually $10-20 more expensive per tire. So the Falken offers a great balance of performance, comfort, and treadlife for the price. Overall, it’s an excellent value compared to the major premium tire brands given its impressive dry and wet traction, comfortable ride quality, long treadwear, and strong high-speed capabilities. Drivers looking for a ultra high performance all-season tire get a lot for their money with the Azenis FK460 A/S.

Conclusion

The Falken Azenis FK460 A/S tire offers a great balance of performance, comfort, and value. Here’s a quick recap of the pros and cons:

Pros

• Excellent wet and dry handling and braking
• Quiet and comfortable ride
• Above average treadlife for the category
• Reasonable pricing

Cons

• Light snow traction falls short of the best winter tires
• Not ideal for off-roading or track use

Overall, the FK460 A/S is a superb all-season performance tire ideally suited to sports coupes and sedans. The responsive handling inspires confidence on both wet and dry roads without compromising ride quality. While maximum snow and ice traction isn’t its forte, the FK460 offers better winter capabilities than many grand touring all-season tires.

For drivers seeking a high-performance all-season tire that maintains its composure in all weather conditions, the Falken Azenis FK460 A/S is an excellent choice and earns my wholehearted recommendation. It provides an unbeatable blend of dry grip, wet weather safety, comfortable ride quality, quiet operation and long tread life.

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