Falken Azenis FK520 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 5

In this article we will be looking at independent tire test data, and real world driver reviews of the Falken Azenis FK520 and the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 to find out which tire is best for your own driving.

The good news is that both the Falken Azenis FK520 and Michelin Pilot Sport 5 are Max Performance Summer tires designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars, which means comparing the two tires is relatively simple.

Both tires are hugely popular in the market place with drivers, and both have been featured in independent tire tests.

In This Article

Test Results Driver Reviews Conclusion Similar Comparisons

Test Results

Independent comparison tire tests are the best source of data to get tire information from, and the good news is there have been six tests which compare both tires directly!

Out of these six tests:

Michelin Pilot Sport 5 finished ahead of the Falken Azenis FK520 in six of the tests

While it might look like the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is better than the Falken Azenis FK520 purely based on the higher number of test wins, tires are very complicated objects which means where one tire is better than the other can be more important in real world use.

Let's look at how the two tires compare across multiple tire test categories.

Dry Braking

Looking at data from six tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during three dry braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 stopped the vehicle in 0.23% less distance than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520

34.15M

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

34.07M

Dry braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Dry Braking: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>

2023 Summer Tire Market Overview 225/45 R18	✓ Falken Azenis FK520:33.7M	Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 34.1M
2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test 225/40 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:35M	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 34.7M
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tire Test 235/35 R19	Falken Azenis FK520:32.5M	Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 32.5M
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	✓ Falken Azenis FK520:33.7M	Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 34.1M
2025 AZ Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:34.2M	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 33.5M
2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test 225/40 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:35.8M	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 35.5M

Dry Handling [s]

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during two dry handling [s] tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 was 0.53% faster around a lap than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.

Falken Azenis FK520

84.4s

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

84.85s

Dry handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Dry Handling [s]: Falken Azenis FK520

See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>

2023 AZ UHP Summer Tire Test 235/35 R19	✓ Falken Azenis FK520:99.4s	Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 100.1s
2025 AZ Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	✓ Falken Azenis FK520:69.4s	Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 69.6s

Dry Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was 0.09% faster around a lap than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520

116.75Km/H

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

116.85Km/H

Dry Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test 225/40 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:114.3Km/H	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 114.6Km/H
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	✓ Falken Azenis FK520:119.2Km/H	Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 119.1Km/H

Wet Braking

Looking at data from six tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during six wet braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 stopped the vehicle in 5.19% less distance than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520

38.53M

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

36.53M

Wet braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>

2023 Summer Tire Market Overview 225/45 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:27M	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 26M
2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test 225/40 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:43.2M	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 39.1M
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tire Test 235/35 R19	Falken Azenis FK520:40.1M	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 39.9M
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:42.2M	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 40.6M
2025 AZ Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:48.2M	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 44.4M
2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test 225/40 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:30.5M	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 29.2M

Wet Braking - Concrete

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one wet braking - concrete tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 stopped the vehicle in 6.37% less distance than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520

37.7M

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

35.3M

Wet braking on Concrete in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

See how the Wet Braking - Concrete winner was calculated >>

2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18

Falken Azenis FK520:37.7M

✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 35.3M

Wet Handling [s]

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during two wet handling [s] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was 2.94% faster around a wet lap than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520

71.45s

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

69.35s

Wet handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Handling [s]: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>

2023 AZ UHP Summer Tire Test 235/35 R19	Falken Azenis FK520:68.9s	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 67.9s
2025 AZ Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:74s	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 70.8s

Wet Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during two wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was 2.12% faster around a wet lap than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520

78.45Km/H

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

80.15Km/H

Wet Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test 225/40 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:83.8Km/H	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 84.8Km/H
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:73.1Km/H	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 75.5Km/H

Wet Circle

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during three wet circle tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was 1.48% faster around a wet circle than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520

12.13s

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

11.95s

Wet Circle Lap Time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Circle: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test 225/40 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:11.25s	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 11.13s
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tire Test 235/35 R19	Falken Azenis FK520:13.63s	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 13.52s
2025 AZ Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:11.51s	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 11.2s

Straight Aqua

Looking at data from five tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during four straight aqua tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 floated at a 0.43% higher speed than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520

82.9Km/H

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

83.26Km/H

Float Speed in Km/H, higher is better

Best In Straight Aqua: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test 225/40 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:77.6Km/H	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 77.9Km/H
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tire Test 235/35 R19	✓ Falken Azenis FK520:78.8Km/H	Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 77.1Km/H
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:104.1Km/H	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 105.7Km/H
2025 AZ Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:75.3Km/H	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 75.7Km/H
2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test 225/40 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:78.7Km/H	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 79.9Km/H

Curved Aquaplaning

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during three curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 slipped out at a 7.98% higher speed than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520

3m/sec2

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

3.26m/sec2

Remaining lateral acceleration, higher is better

Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test 225/40 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:2.82m/sec2	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 2.96m/sec2
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:3.38m/sec2	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 3.83m/sec2
2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test 225/40 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:2.8m/sec2	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 3m/sec2

Subj. Comfort

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 scored 12.5% more points than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.

Falken Azenis FK520

8 Points

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

7 Points

Subjective Comfort Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Comfort: Falken Azenis FK520

See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>

2025 AZ Summer Tire Test
225/45 R18

✓ Falken Azenis FK520:8 Points

Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 7 Points

Noise

Looking at data from five tire tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during five noise tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 measured 2.48% quieter than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.

Falken Azenis FK520

69.86dB

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

71.64dB

External noise in dB, lower is better

Best In Noise: Falken Azenis FK520

See how the Noise winner was calculated >>

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test 225/40 R18	✓ Falken Azenis FK520:66.6dB	Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 68.3dB
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tire Test 235/35 R19	✓ Falken Azenis FK520:69dB	Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 72dB
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	✓ Falken Azenis FK520:73dB	Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 73.8dB
2025 AZ Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	✓ Falken Azenis FK520:69dB	Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 71dB
2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test 225/40 R18	✓ Falken Azenis FK520:71.7dB	Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 73.1dB

Wear

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during three wear tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is predicted to cover 16.24% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520

43833.33KM

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

52333.33KM

Predicted tread life in KM, higher is better

Best In Wear: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

See how the Wear winner was calculated >>

2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:44800KM	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 55600KM
2025 AZ Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:40000KM	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 45000KM
2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test 225/40 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:46700KM	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 56400KM

Value

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during three value tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 proved to have a 10.93% better value based on price/1000km than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.

Falken Azenis FK520

11.73Price/1000

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

13.17Price/1000

Euros/1000km based on cost/wear, lower is better

Best In Value: Falken Azenis FK520

See how the Value winner was calculated >>

2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	✓ Falken Azenis FK520:11.38Price/1000	Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 12.5Price/1000
2025 AZ Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	✓ Falken Azenis FK520:14.38Price/1000	Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 16.67Price/1000
2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test 225/40 R18	✓ Falken Azenis FK520:9.42Price/1000	Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 10.35Price/1000

Price

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during three price tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 cost 26.73% less than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.

Falken Azenis FK520

493.33

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

673.33

Price in local currency, lower is better

Best In Price: Falken Azenis FK520

See how the Price winner was calculated >>

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test 225/40 R18	✓ Falken Azenis FK520:375	Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 500
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tire Test 235/35 R19	✓ Falken Azenis FK520:595	Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 825
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	✓ Falken Azenis FK520:510	Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 695

Rolling Resistance

Looking at data from four tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during three rolling resistance tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 had a 1.97% lower rolling resistance than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520

8.65kg / t

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

8.48kg / t

Rolling resistance in kg t, lower is better

Best In Rolling Resistance: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test 225/40 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:8.8kg / t	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 8.62kg / t
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tire Test 235/35 R19	Falken Azenis FK520:8.48kg / t	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 8.37kg / t
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:8.61kg / t	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 8.09kg / t
2025 AZ Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	✓ Falken Azenis FK520:8.7kg / t	Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 8.85kg / t

Fuel Consumption

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 and Michelin Pilot Sport 5 performed equally well in fuel consumption tests.

Falken Azenis FK520

5.6l/100km

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

5.6l/100km

Fuel consumption in Litres per 100 km, lower is better

Best In Fuel Consumption: Both tires performed equally well

See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>

2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18

Falken Azenis FK520:5.6l/100km

Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 5.6l/100km

Abrasion

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one abrasion tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 emitted 9.37% less particle wear matter than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520

61.9mg/km/t

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

56.1mg/km/t

Weight of Tire Wear Particles Lost (mg/km/t), lower is better

Best In Abrasion: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>

2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18

Falken Azenis FK520:61.9mg/km/t

✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 56.1mg/km/t

Real World Driver Reviews

Tire Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Falken Azenis FK520 and Michelin Pilot Sport 5.

In total the Falken Azenis FK520 has been reviewed 34 times and drivers have given the tire 85% overall.

The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 has been reviewed 73 times and drivers have given the tire 85% overall.

This means in real world driving, people prefer the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.

Best Review for the Falken Azenis FK520

/45 R17 on a combination of roads for 100 average miles

I was very surprised by the comfort of the new tires. My previous tires were the fk510 and they were hard as hell, felt every crack in the road. The handling in dry and wet conditions are very good, and the cars feels sporty and good in rhe tight curves. Hope they will last as long as fk510 (around 35k km)

Helpful 330 - tire reviewed on April 1, 2022

View all Falken Azenis FK520 driver reviews >>

Best Review for the Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Given 89% 225/40 R18 on mostly country roads for 2,000 spirited miles

I've bought the new Michelin Pilot Sport 5 for my Golf R as I previously had the Pilot Sport 4 tires. What a fantastic difference these new tire are. Theres far less noise, the grip in the wet is better and the dry grip is almost the same if not better as well. I would definitely be buying these again.

Helpful 489 - tire reviewed on January 12, 2022

View all Michelin Pilot Sport 5 driver reviews >>

Conclusion

In conclusion the Falken Azenis FK520 performed better in dry handling [s], subj. comfort, noise, value and price, while the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 performed better in dry braking, dry handling [km/h], wet braking, wet braking - concrete, wet handling [s], wet handling [km/h], wet circle, straight aqua, curved aquaplaning, wear, rolling resistance and abrasion.

Interestingly, both tires performed equally well in fuel consumption, showing that they are closely matched in these areas.

Which tire is best for you depends a lot on your driving style and situation, plus what you want from the tire. Comparing all the data in the tire reviews database, on balance Michelin Pilot Sport 5 seems to be the best tire overall.

However, it's important to note that both tires have their strengths.

Remember, the best tire for you might depend on which of these factors are most important for your specific driving needs and conditions.

Overall Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Based on the tire test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tire has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tire buying choice.

Similar Comparisons

Looking for more tire comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tires:

Michelin Pilot Sport 5 VS Vredestein Ultrac Pro

Firestone Firehawk Sport VS Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Michelin Pilot Sport 5 VS Yokohama Advan Sport V107

Bridgestone Potenza Sport VS Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Falken Azenis FK520 VS Pirelli P Zero PZ4

Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 VS Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Bridgestone Potenza Sport VS Falken Azenis FK520

Continental SportContact 7 VS Falken Azenis FK520

Continental SportContact 7 VS Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Falken Azenis FK520 VS Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Falken Azenis FK520 VS Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 VS Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Continental PremiumContact 7 VS Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Footnote

This page has been developed using tire industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tires in the same test.

Why is this important? Tire testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tire test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tire tests performed on different days or at different locations.

As a result you will see other tests on Tire Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.

Falken Azenis FK520 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Test Results

Dry Braking

Dry Handling [s]

Dry Handling [Km/H]

Wet Braking

Wet Braking - Concrete

Wet Handling [s]

Wet Handling [Km/H]

Wet Circle

Straight Aqua

Curved Aquaplaning

Subj. Comfort

Noise

Wear

Value

Price

Rolling Resistance

Fuel Consumption

Abrasion

Real World Driver Reviews

Conclusion

Overall Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

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