Falken Azenis FK520 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 5
- TR Score
- 9.1/10
- Owners say
- 82% · 55
- TR Score
- 9.4/10
- Owners say
- 85% · 135
In the 9 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 finished ahead 8 times and the Azenis FK520 once. The Azenis FK520 was 1.8 dB quieter; the Pilot Sport 5 lasted 18% longer in the wear tests.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 if you want the more complete max-performance summer tyre-especially for frequent wet driving, higher speeds, and high annual mileage where its wet control, curved-aquaplaning strength, and longer life justify the premium. Choose the Falken Azenis FK520 if you're price-sensitive and want a quieter, comfortable performance tyre for mainly dry use and everyday driving, accepting less steering precision and generally lower wet-cornering confidence.
Where the Azenis FK520 is stronger
- Excellent price-to-performance: repeatedly wins value metrics (e.g., +13-17% better value/1000 in AZ 2025 and AutoBild 2026) and typically ~25-28% cheaper in listed price comparisons
- Low noise/refinement advantage: wins noise in all shared tests where reported (e.g., 69.9 dB vs 71.1 dB in Sport Auto 2026; 72.0 vs 74.3 dB in AutoBild 2026)
- Braking can be a standout in the right test/size, including a notable wet & dry braking edge in Sport Auto 2026 (wet 32.2 m vs 34.3 m; dry 33.6 m vs 34.5 m)
Where the Pilot Sport 5 is stronger
- Stronger wet performance pattern: wins wet braking in 8/9 shared tests and wet handling in the majority, translating to higher wet safety margins overall
- Better resistance to curved/lateral aquaplaning across tests (category wins 5-0), which supports stability in fast wet corners and during lane changes in standing water
- More precise, confidence-inspiring dry dynamics: top subjective dry handling where rated (e.g., Sport Auto 2026: 10 vs 9; AutoBild 2026: 10 vs 5.3), with strong agility/steering precision noted in reports
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.
Azenis FK520 vs Pilot Sport 5 at a glance
| Category | Azenis FK520 | Gap | Pilot Sport 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won9 shared tests | 1 | 8 | |
| Dry17 measurements | 6 | The Pilot Sport 5 averaged a 1% higher speed on the dry handling course (4 tests) | 10 |
| Wet35 measurements | 5 | The Pilot Sport 5 stopped 2.7% shorter in the wet (9 tests) | 30 |
| Comfort10 measurements | 9 | The Azenis FK520 was 1.8 dB quieter (7 tests) | 0 |
| Value14 measurements | 3 | The Pilot Sport 5 lasted 18% longer in the wear tests (4 tests) | 10 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.1/10 | The Pilot Sport 5 by 0.3 | 9.4/10 |
| Owner rating55 and 135 reviews | 82% | The Pilot Sport 5 by 3 points | 85% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 76% | The Pilot Sport 5 by 7 points | 83% |
| Pricein the 7 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The Pilot Sport 5 was dearer in 7 of 7 | +27.6% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 133 | 53 sizes made in both | 66 |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tyres; a tick marks the tyre 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 9 tests, 2023 to 2026
Each row is one published test in which both tyres ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | Azenis FK520 | Field | Pilot Sport 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sport Auto Summer Tyre Test | P3 of 7 | P5 of 7 | |
| 2026 Autobild Summer Tyre Test | P13 of 20 | P3 of 20 | |
| 2026 Summer Braking Super Tyre Test - How do 52 Tyres Perform in Wet and Dry Braking? | P14 of 50 | P9 of 50 | |
| 2025 AZ Summer Tyre Test | P8 of 10 | P4 of 10 | |
| 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | P8 of 18 | P3 of 18 | |
| 2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test | P8 of 20 | P2 of 20 | |
| 2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test | P6 of 10 | P5 of 10 | |
| 2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test | P7 of 13 | P3 of 13 | |
| 2023 Summer Tyre Market Overview | P8 of 50 | P6 of 50 |
Performance profile
15 measurements from the 9 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Azenis FK520
Pilot Sport 5
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 36 m stop against 34.2 m 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
Azenis FK520
Pilot Sport 5
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Where owners rate each higher
Azenis FK520
Pilot Sport 5
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the Azenis FK520 82% from 55 reviews and the Pilot Sport 5 85% from 135. 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 tyres 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 | Azenis FK520 | Gap | Pilot Sport 5 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34.34 | 0.4% | 34.19 | 3-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 84.4 | 0.5% | 84.85 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 111 | 1% | 112 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 49.9% | scored | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 37.18 | 2.7% | 36.06 | 1-8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 37.7 | 6.4% | 35.3 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 71.45 | 2.9% | 69.35 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 73.38 | 1.6% | 74.6 | 0-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 2.3% | scored | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.37 | 0.4% | 8.34 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 12.85 | 1.6% | 12.65 | 0-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 83.96 | 0.2% | 84.19 | 2-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2.86 | 8.7% | 3.13 | 0-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 8.9% | scored | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 70.17 | 1.8 dB | 71.94 | 7-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 45,895 | 18% | 54,168 | 0-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.52 | 1.3% | 8.4 | 2-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.6 | = | 5.6 | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 61.9 | 9.4% | 56.1 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 1,305 | 3.5% | 1,353 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 0.1 | 13.3% | 0.09 | 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 tyres 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 Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Azenis FK520 scores 9.1 and the Pilot Sport 5 9.4 out of 10.
| Azenis FK520 | Category | Pilot Sport 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90 | Dry | 93 | ||
| 83 | Wet | 96 | ||
| 57 | Comfort | 22 | ||
| 54 | Value | 59 | ||
Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
What owners say
| Azenis FK520 | Category | Pilot Sport 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.8 | Dry Grip | 9 | ||
| 8.3 | Wet Grip | 9 | ||
| 7.9 | Road Feedback | 8.1 | ||
| 8.4 | Handling | 8.3 | ||
| 7.7 | Wear | 8 | ||
| 8.1 | Comfort | 8.2 | ||
Owners rate the Azenis FK520 82% from 55 reviews and the Pilot Sport 5 85% from 135. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
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 tyre, 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 tyre page.
All 55 Azenis FK520 reviewsFalken Azenis fk520 have been a great tyre, noise level is not intrusive and they give a good return on fuel economy. These tyres 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.
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
- 85%from 135 reviews
- 83%would buy again
- 1,150,326 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners rate the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 very highly overall, with most highlighting standout grip in both the dry and wet and plenty of confidence for fast road driving. Comfort and refinement are also frequently praised for a UHP tyre, with many finding it quiet and easy-going day to day. Wear is more divisive: many report strong mileage, but around one in ten complain of quicker wear than expected (and a smaller group mention uneven wear). Around one in eight owners also wish for sharper, more precise steering feel compared with sportier rivals.
- Outstanding wet grip and confidence in the rain
- Very strong dry grip with big reserves
- Comfortable, compliant ride for a performance tyre
- Refined, relatively quiet motorway manners (especially when new)
- Steering feel can be a bit vague or slower to respond than rivals
- Can wear quicker than expected for some drivers
- Not happy when pushed hard on track; can overheat and lose grip
Summarised by AI from 121 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 135 Pilot Sport 5 reviewsI have driven on PS5 for the first season in my 150HP car (Cupra Leon ST).
The grip both in dry and in the wet is excellent - I tried to push them to the limit many times and have never been able to lose the grip so far.
Although I have to mention that they feel very soft close at the limit - even though the grip always delivers in the end, the tyre often „floats” when turning that you may start wondering if the tyre will make it out of the corner.
Due to their softness, I find them comfortable as for the summer tyre on small bumps.
Summing up - the grip is excellent, very safe and stable, breaking is sharp and… the tyre itself looks amazing.
Something worth mentioning is that the rim protector doesn’t exist in this tyre - if that’s something you care about, the PS5 is not for you.
Although I can’t find any cons in terms of safety in PS5, as a tyre geek, I think about replacing them for the next season for something with more sharp/sporty steering (I would appreciate any recommendations).
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 133 sizes of the Azenis FK520 and 66 of the Pilot Sport 5, 53 of them made in both.
| Category | Azenis FK520 | Pilot Sport 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Summer | Summer |
| Sizes made | 133 sizes, 17 to 22 inch | 66 sizes, 16 to 22 inch |
| Made in both | 53 sizes 205/45 R17215/40 R17215/45 R17225/45 R17225/50 R17225/55 R17235/45 R17245/40 R17245/45 R17205/40 R18225/40 R18225/45 R18and 41 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A95%B5% | A89%B11% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C68%A12%B12%D8% | C82%B10%A9% |
| EU label noise | 68-72 dB B51%A49% | 70-75 dB B100% |
| On the market since | - | 2022 |
| Replaced | Falken Azenis FK510 (2016) | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 (2015) |
| Awards | - | Winner: Best Tyres for Hot Hatches (Compact Sports Cars) (DriverReviews, 2026/27) Winner: Best Tyres for Hot Hatches (DriverReviews, 2024/25) |
| Price in the shared tests | The Pilot Sport 5 was the dearer tyre in 7 of the 7 tests that listed prices, by 27.6% on average. Each test priced the tyres 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 is a straight fight in the “max-performance summer” class between two tyres with very different priorities: the Falken Azenis FK520 as the value-led challenger, and the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 as the premium all-rounder that typically targets top-tier safety and longevity. Across 9 shared professional tests in multiple sizes (from 205/45 R17 up to 245/45 R19), they repeatedly trade small margins in the dry, but diverge more clearly when conditions turn wet and when long-term running costs are considered.
The headline pattern is consistent: the Pilot Sport 5 wins the vast majority of comparisons overall (8 test head-to-head wins vs 1 for the Falken) thanks to stronger wet handling, better aquaplaning-on-curves resistance, and clearly superior wear. The FK520, however, keeps itself relevant with sharp pricing/value metrics, noticeably lower noise in nearly every test, and occasional standout braking results (including a notable wet/dry braking double win in the 2026 Sport Auto test).
Conclusion
Taken across the full set of shared tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is the safer, more complete max-performance summer choice for most drivers-especially if you see frequent rain, drive briskly on mixed roads, or keep tyres for high mileage. It's repeatedly ahead in wet grip and control (e.g., wet braking wins in 8/9 shared tests and wet handling wins in 6 shared tests), and it consistently lasts longer (around +12-24% projected mileage in multiple tests: 59,670 km vs 52,080 km in AutoBild 2026; 56,400 km vs 46,700 km in ADAC 2025; 55,600 km vs 44,800 km in AutoBild UHP 2023). The trade-offs are familiar Michelin ones: higher purchase price and, in several tests, slightly higher pass-by noise.
The Falken Azenis FK520 makes the strongest case when purchase price, value-per-kilometre, and day-to-day refinement matter more than ultimate wet-cornering confidence. It's almost always quieter (noise category wins 7-0) and often rated more comfortable, while also delivering strong braking in some conditions (notably 2026 Sport Auto: 32.2 m vs 34.3 m wet braking; 33.6 m vs 34.5 m dry braking). Where it loses ground is the “sport” part of a max-performance brief: multiple reports cite less precise turn-in/response and weaker wet-cornering reserves-especially in lateral/curved aquaplaning where the Michelin is repeatedly ahead.
Practical takeaway: if you want a true premium performance tyre that stays consistent in the wet and stays strong deep into its life, the Pilot Sport 5 justifies its cost. If you want a quieter, cheaper tyre that's still competent-and you're willing to accept less crisp steering and generally lower wet-limit confidence-the FK520 is the smart budget-oriented pick.
Azenis FK520 vs Pilot Sport 5: your questions
Is the Falken Azenis FK520 or the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 the better tyre?
In the 9 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 finished ahead 8 times and the Azenis FK520 once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Azenis FK520 scores 9.1 and the Pilot Sport 5 9.4 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Azenis FK520 or the Pilot Sport 5?
The Pilot Sport 5 led 30 of the 35 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 2.7% shorter in the wet across 9 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Pilot Sport 5 led 10 of the 17 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it averaged a 1% higher speed on the dry handling course across 4 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Pilot Sport 5 lasted 18% longer in the wear tests (4 tests) and had 1.3% lower rolling resistance (6 tests). Owners rate wear 7.7/10 for the Azenis FK520 and 8/10 for the Pilot Sport 5.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The Azenis FK520 was 1.8 dB quieter (7 tests). Owners rate comfort 8.1/10 for the Azenis FK520 and 8.2/10 for the Pilot Sport 5.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Azenis FK520 82% from 55 reviews and the Pilot Sport 5 85% from 135. 76% of Azenis FK520 owners would buy it again, against 83% for the Pilot Sport 5.
Which is more expensive?
In the 7 tests that listed prices, the Pilot Sport 5 was the dearer tyre in 7 of them, by 27.6% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Azenis FK520 is made in 133 sizes (17 to 22 inch) and the Pilot Sport 5 in 66 (16 to 22 inch). 53 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Azenis FK520 is graded A for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Pilot Sport 5 A and C.
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Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tyre 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 tyres 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 Tyre Reviews Score rates each tyre out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tyres can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tyre Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tyres independently since 2007.
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