Falken Tires Review
Falken might not be one of the brands you’re very familiar with yet, but in recent years they’ve made a push to be one of the top players in both performance and all-terrain tires here in the United States. Falken entered the U.S. market in 1985, and is now a respected brand in many areas, one of which is all-terrain tires for crossovers and SUVs.
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Falken Pros and Cons
- Specialized tire models for different applications
- Significantly less expensive than competitive brands
- Not available from as many retailers as some
Best Falken tires by car type
Falken SINCERA SN250 All-Season - Best for passenger cars
The Sincera SN250 All-Season is a great all-around all-season tire that would be competitive with something like the BF Goodrich Advantage T/A. The tire uses Falken’s proprietary Dynamic Range Technology (DRT) to ensure maximum grip in a wide range of operating temperatures, which allows for exceptional wet and dry traction. The tread block design also helps to reduce tire noise at higher speeds for a much quieter ride than earlier versions of this tire. The tire features an 80,000/75,000 limited tread life warranty, and comes in 63 sizes, covering about 90% of non-luxury sub-compact through full-size vehicles.
Specs:
- Brand: Falken
- Model SINCERA SN250 All-Season
- Available Sizes: 14", 15", 16", 17", 18"
Falken AZENIS FK510 - Best performance tire
Falken has two flavors of AZENIS: the FK510 is the all-around, summer-only street performance tire and the RT660 is the peak performance track day tire. For our purposes, the FK510 is the one to think about. The AZENIS FK510 is perfect for premium vehicle owners looking for excellent grip and outstanding performance. Falken designers used 4D Nano Design to optimize high-performance compounds at the molecular level, providing both better wear and wet weather traction, things that are generally mutually exclusive. The FK510 features hybrid undertread materials, for confidence-inspiring handling and stability. The FK510 is available in sizes ranging from 17 to 22-inch.
Specs:
- Brand: Falken
- Model: AZENIS FK510
- Available Sizes: 17", 18", 19", 20", 21", 22"
Falken WILDPEAK A/T3W- Best SUV tire
The WILDPEAK A/T3W is Falken’s competitor for the BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A K02, and the Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar. It’s engineered for adventure, and as a result it’s more aggressive and heavier duty than what may have come on your vehicle from the factory, though the WILDPEAK AT/3W is original equipment on vehicles like the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. The WILDPEAK A/T3W uses an optimized tread design combined with a silica tread compound so the tire excels in treadlife, winter conditions, and wet performance. Designed for severe snow conditions, every A/T3W tire is qualified by USTMA and TRAC for the Three Peak Mountain Snow Flake (3PMSF) symbol. The tire features Falken’s patented 3D Canyon Sipes and an all-new proprietary lower sidewall. Full-depth sipes and grooves maintain consistent performance and appearance throughout the life of the tire. Car Talk tested the WILDPEAK A/T3W fitted to a Ford Bronco Sport. We came away impressed with this tire’s performance in adverse weather. Our personal opinion is that the 3PMSF symbol should be on any tire fitted to any crossover or SUV targeted to such driving.
Specs:
- Brand: Falken
- Model: Wildpeak A/T3W
- Available Sizes: 15", 16", 17", 18", 19", 20", 22"
Falken WILDPEAK M/T - Best off-road tire
The WILDPEAK M/T is Falken’s answer to tires like the BF Goodrich Mud Terrain KM3 and the Goodyear Wrangler MT/R. This is the most rugged tire you’re going to find from Falken, and it’s really only for drivers looking for the ultimate off-road performance. The M/T’s three-ply DURASPEC™ Sidewall Technology was engineered to sustain the most punishing off-road conditions, where sharp rocks and obstacles can easily puncture a lesser tire. The M/T features two high ply turn-ups that provide an additional layer of protection and durability. The aggressive upper sidewall provides additional traction especially when aired down to low pressure on the most rugged terrain. Yet, the tire was also designed to provide surprisingly decent road manners thanks to an optimized variable three-pitch tread pattern.
Specs:
- Brand: Falken
- Model: WILDPEAK M/T
- Available Sizes: 15", 16", 17", 18", 20"
Falken WILDPEAK A/T Trail - Best crossover tire
The WILDPEAK A/T Trail is unique amongst its competitors. It’s the first all-terrain tire to be specifically designed for crossovers, so if you’re driving something like a Toyota RAV4 or a Subaru Outback and want something that splits the difference between a traditional all-terrain tire and something that just isn’t up to the task of off-highway driving, this one’s for you. The A/T TRAIL strikes the perfect balance between aggressive off-road traction and dependable all-weather performance. Durable 2-ply polyester construction and rugged upper sidewall features protect the A/T TRAIL from off-road terrain, while an optimized tread design helps to maintain the efficiency and versatility of a modern crossover. Featuring USTMA’s Severe Snow Rating, you’ll find that your crossover is going to perform significantly better in the white stuff than it did when it was equipped with an all-season tire.
Specs:
- Brand: Falken
- Model: WILDPEAK A/T TRAIL
- Available Sizes: 16", 17", 18", 19", 20"
Falken WINTERPEAK F-ICE 1 - Best winter tire
Winter tires have gone through a lot of innovation recently, with a push to making essentially all-season tires that handle winter a bit better than a regular all-season tire might. The Falken WINTERPEAK F-ICE 1 heads in the other direction, maximizing winter performance in snow, ice and brutally cold temperatures. It’s also studdable, making it one of the few remaining dedicated winter tires that still accept the metal studs for the ultimate in ice performance. The tire features a pliable, winter-ready tread compound, and is available in a range of sizes that covers a variety of modern vehicles, with the option to add TSMI #12 or #13 studs. There is a limit to what an all-terrain tire like the excellent WILDPEAK A/T3W can do on ice and snow-covered ice. When the winter conditions are their most extreme, the WINTERPEAK F-ICE 1 is the tire to choose.
Specs:
- Brand: Falken
- Model: WINTERPEAK F-ICE 1
- Available Sizes: 15", 16", 17", 18"
Top selling Falken tires
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Why choose Falken tires?
Falken may not be the most recognized brand of tires just yet, but they’ve been around for quite some time, and have made a name for themselves in performance circles. Founded in Japan in 1983, Falken made its way here in 1985 and is seen as a technology leader in tire technology.
Competition is key to Falken’s legacy, and it sees motorsports as a laboratory for its products.
Falken is capitalizing on its history as a performance brand, and making those victories and advances applicable to everyday street tires. In recent years, Falken has earned its way onto the original equipment list for vehicles like the RAM 1500, Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, and Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road.
The Road Hazard Protection warranty is something to think about, too. Falken provides FREE replacement for up to two years or for the first 3/32nds of tread life.
Top reasons to choose Falken tires
Technical Innovations: Falken has received patents for several of its designs, and has worked to deliver technical innovations even in its conventional all-season tire lineup.
Off-Highway Performance: Falken has wagered a big bet on all-terrain and mud-terrain tires that are suitable for crossovers, SUVs and trucks, covering a huge percentage of the most popular vehicles on the road today. The advancement in an all-terrain tire specifically for crossovers is a big step forward, and provides drivers who have jumped into overlanding with a unique tire that truly meets their needs.
Warranty: Free replacement for up to two years or the first 3/32nds of tread life is definitely a consideration, especially if this is your first set of Falkens and you’re anxious about trying them out.
Important considerations when choosing a tire brand
In the modern world where any product is just a few keystrokes and a UPS truck away, you don’t have to think that much about whether your local tire guy carries a brand or not. However, if you’re running less popular tires and you’re driving across the country, availability is definitely something to think about. It’s not like you can’t get a set of Falkens in a day in Boston, but if you’re in East Jabib Center in Oklahoma, you might be in for a wait to replace one.
Car Talk Community's favorite tires
Car Talk's very active online Community has many interesting and thoughtful perspectives on the best tire brands in the industry, based on real life user experience and knowledge.
Read more on the Best Tires in the industry according to the Car Talk Community here.
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