Bridgestone Potenza Sport vs Falken Azenis FK520

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

The good news is that both the Bridgestone Potenza Sport and Falken Azenis FK520 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
Introduction Test Results Driver Reviews Conclusion
Potenza-Sport VS Azenis-FK520

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 seven tests which compare both tires directly!

Out of these seven tests:

  • Bridgestone Potenza Sport finished ahead of the Falken Azenis FK520 in six of the tests
  • Falken Azenis FK520 finished ahead of the Bridgestone Potenza Sport in one of the tests

While it might look like the Bridgestone Potenza Sport 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 four tire tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during one dry braking tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport stopped the vehicle in 1.02% less distance than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
34.05M
Falken Azenis FK520
34.4M
Dry braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Dry Braking: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport:33.5M Falken Azenis FK520: 35M
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport:32.6M ✓ Falken Azenis FK520: 32.5M
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport:35.2M Falken Azenis FK520: 35.2M
2023 The Best Electric Vehicle Tires VS UHP Tires
255/45 R20		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport:34.9M Falken Azenis FK520: 34.9M

Dry Handling [s]

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during one dry handling [s] tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was 1.01% faster around a lap than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
98.4s
Falken Azenis FK520
99.4s
Dry handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Dry Handling [s]: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

2023 AZ UHP Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport:98.4s Falken Azenis FK520: 99.4s

Dry Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during three dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was 0.59% faster around a lap than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
102.5Km/H
Falken Azenis FK520
101.9Km/H
Dry Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport:115.5Km/H Falken Azenis FK520: 114.3Km/H
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport:101.1Km/H Falken Azenis FK520: 100.6Km/H
2023 The Best Electric Vehicle Tires VS UHP Tires
255/45 R20		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport:90.9Km/H Falken Azenis FK520: 90.8Km/H

Wet Braking

Looking at data from four tire tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during two wet braking tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport stopped the vehicle in 0.97% less distance than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
32.68M
Falken Azenis FK520
33M
Wet braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport:41.2M Falken Azenis FK520: 43.2M
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport:38.1M Falken Azenis FK520: 40.1M
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport:25.4M ✓ Falken Azenis FK520: 24.5M
2023 The Best Electric Vehicle Tires VS UHP Tires
255/45 R20		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport:26M ✓ Falken Azenis FK520: 24.2M

Wet Handling [s]

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during one wet handling [s] tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was 3.48% faster around a wet lap than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
66.5s
Falken Azenis FK520
68.9s
Wet handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Handling [s]: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

2023 AZ UHP Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport:66.5s Falken Azenis FK520: 68.9s

Wet Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during three wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was 4.7% faster around a wet lap than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
75.73Km/H
Falken Azenis FK520
72.17Km/H
Wet Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport:86.9Km/H Falken Azenis FK520: 83.8Km/H
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport:88.7Km/H Falken Azenis FK520: 83.1Km/H
2023 The Best Electric Vehicle Tires VS UHP Tires
255/45 R20		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport:51.6Km/H Falken Azenis FK520: 49.6Km/H

Wet Circle

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during two wet circle tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport had 5.4% higher lateral wet grip than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
8.89m/s
Falken Azenis FK520
8.41m/s
Lateral wet grip in m/s squared, higher is better

Best In Wet Circle: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport:8.81m/s Falken Azenis FK520: 8.3m/s
2023 The Best Electric Vehicle Tires VS UHP Tires
255/45 R20		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport:8.97m/s Falken Azenis FK520: 8.52m/s

Straight Aqua

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
79.9Km/H
Falken Azenis FK520
79.9Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H, higher is better

Best In Straight Aqua:

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport:77.8Km/H Falken Azenis FK520: 77.6Km/H
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport:80.3Km/H Falken Azenis FK520: 78.8Km/H
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport:79.3Km/H ✓ Falken Azenis FK520: 80.6Km/H
2023 The Best Electric Vehicle Tires VS UHP Tires
255/45 R20		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport:82.2Km/H ✓ Falken Azenis FK520: 82.6Km/H

Curved Aquaplaning

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during one curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport slipped out at a 5.91% higher speed than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
5.08m/sec2
Falken Azenis FK520
4.78m/sec2
Remaining lateral acceleration, higher is better

Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport:2.72m/sec2 ✓ Falken Azenis FK520: 2.82m/sec2
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport:3.38m/sec2 ✓ Falken Azenis FK520: 3.47m/sec2
2023 The Best Electric Vehicle Tires VS UHP Tires
255/45 R20		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport:9.14m/sec2 Falken Azenis FK520: 8.06m/sec2

Subj. Comfort

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
NAN Points
Falken Azenis FK520
NAN Points
Subjective Comfort Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Comfort: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

Noise

Looking at data from four tire tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during four noise tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 measured 1.68% quieter than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
71.28dB
Falken Azenis FK520
70.08dB
External noise in dB, lower is better

Best In Noise: Falken Azenis FK520

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport:69dB ✓ Falken Azenis FK520: 66.6dB
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport:71dB ✓ Falken Azenis FK520: 69dB
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport:71.6dB ✓ Falken Azenis FK520: 71.3dB
2023 The Best Electric Vehicle Tires VS UHP Tires
255/45 R20		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport:73.5dB ✓ Falken Azenis FK520: 73.4dB

Price

Looking at data from four tire tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during four price tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 cost 21.73% less than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
409.5
Falken Azenis FK520
320.5
Price in local currency, lower is better

Best In Price: Falken Azenis FK520

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport:460 ✓ Falken Azenis FK520: 375
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport:760 ✓ Falken Azenis FK520: 595
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport:114 ✓ Falken Azenis FK520: 96
2023 The Best Electric Vehicle Tires VS UHP Tires
255/45 R20		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport:304 ✓ Falken Azenis FK520: 216

Rolling Resistance

Looking at data from four tire tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during four rolling resistance tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 had a 13.44% lower rolling resistance than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
9.67kg / t
Falken Azenis FK520
8.37kg / t
Rolling resistance in kg t, lower is better

Best In Rolling Resistance: Falken Azenis FK520

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport:9.9kg / t ✓ Falken Azenis FK520: 8.8kg / t
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport:9.47kg / t ✓ Falken Azenis FK520: 8.48kg / t
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport:10.2kg / t ✓ Falken Azenis FK520: 8.6kg / t
2023 The Best Electric Vehicle Tires VS UHP Tires
255/45 R20		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport:9.1kg / t ✓ Falken Azenis FK520: 7.6kg / t

Energy Consumption

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during one energy consumption tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 used 8.7% less energy than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
16.1kWh/100km
Falken Azenis FK520
14.7kWh/100km
Energy consumption in kW hours per 100 km, lower is better

Best In Energy Consumption: Falken Azenis FK520

2023 The Best Electric Vehicle Tires VS UHP Tires
255/45 R20		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport:16.1kWh/100km ✓ Falken Azenis FK520: 14.7kWh/100km

Real World Driver Reviews

Tire Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Bridgestone Potenza Sport and Falken Azenis FK520.

In total the Bridgestone Potenza Sport has been reviewed 101 times and drivers have given the tire 81% overall.

The Falken Azenis FK520 has been reviewed 29 times and drivers have given the tire 85% overall.

This means in real world driving, people prefer the Falken Azenis FK520.

Best Review for the Bridgestone Potenza Sport
Given 81% 225/45 R17 on a combination of roads for 2,000 spirited miles
I have had these on the rear of my XFR for a few months now, it has the optional "R-S" size of 295/30/20. They get a hard life on a heavy >500bhp RWD car with quite relaxed electronics, and these are by far the best tires I have used on the rear of an XFR - various models of which have been my daily driver for 6.5 years now (about 90k miles covered in that time). Traction is superb in wet and dry conditions, and resistance to aquaplaning has been good as well. It is slightly concerning they come with
Helpful 1267 - tire reviewed on November 22, 2021
View all Bridgestone Potenza Sport driver reviews >>
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 279 - tire reviewed on April 1, 2022
View all Falken Azenis FK520 driver reviews >>

Conclusion

In conclusion the Bridgestone Potenza Sport performed better in dry braking, dry handling [s], dry handling [km/h], wet braking, wet handling [s], wet handling [km/h], wet circle and curved aquaplaning, while the Falken Azenis FK520 performed better in noise, price, rolling resistance and energy consumption.

Interestingly, both tires performed equally well in straight aqua, 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 Bridgestone Potenza Sport 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: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

Overall Winner: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

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.

Lots of other websites do this sort of tire comparison, Tire Reviews doesn't.