To find the ideal tire, start by looking at top brands.
Today, numerous exceptional brands vie for dominance in the tire market. To streamline your selection process, evaluating the attributes of tires manufactured by Falken and Continental is prudent.
This article aims to provide a succinct comparison of Falken vs Continental tires. Are Falken tires commendable? Do Continental tires truly excel across the board? Let’s delve into the details to uncover the answers!
Before delving deeper, here’s a brief overview of the two brands.
| Characteristics | Falken | Continental |
| Wet Performance | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Dry Performance | 4/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Year Started | 1983 | 1871 |
| Country of Origin | Japan | Germany |
| Price | Cheaper | More expensive |
| Max Treadlife Warranty | 80,000 miles | 70,000 miles |
| Tire Variety | Passenger cars, light trucks, SUVs, crossovers, and commercial trucks. | Passenger cars, bicycles, motorcycles, vans, commercial trucks, buses, underground trucks, porter vehicles, and agricultural vehicles |
About the Falken Company
Founded in 1983, Falken is a tire company owned by Ohtsu Tire Co. It began by making tires for motorsports but later added products for cars and trucks.
Now, Sumitomo Rubber North America, Inc. owns Falken Tires. The company is based in California and has distribution centers in Florida, New Jersey, Texas, and Tennessee.
About the Continental Company
Continental Tire, founded in October 1871, originally made tires for bikes and carriages. It was the first in Germany to produce bike tires with air-filled tubes.
By the 1900s, it had started making car tires. Over the years, it introduced key innovations. These included detachable rims and winter tires.
Today, the company focuses on innovation. It develops tires with advanced features to meet drivers’ changing needs.
Comparing Falken vs Continental
We’ll test the performance of Falken and Continental tires. We’ll compare their famous summer tires: Falken Azenis FK510 and Continental PremiumContact 6.
Dry Performance: The Continental PremiumContact 6 excels in dry performance. It has shorter braking distances and better grip, thanks to its optimized design. Meanwhile, the Falken Azenis FK510 also handles well. However, the PremiumContact 6 is the better choice overall.
Wet Performance: The Continental AllSeasonContact SUV outperforms the Falken EuroALL Season AS210. It excels at resisting aquaplaning. Moreover, it’s great for wet handling, cornering, and braking. This is due to its open shoulders and stiff patterns. In contrast, the Falken tire falls short in wet handling and traction, despite good wet braking.
Winter Performance: Continental’s WinterContact TS 860 surpasses Falken’s EuroWinter HS01 in winter conditions. The Continental tire uses Snow Curve+ and Liquid Layer Drainage. This improves snow traction, handling, and braking. However, the Falken EuroWinter HS01 is stable on snow but lacks grip. As a result, it has longer braking distances and poor traction.
Noise and Comfort: Overall, Falken tires provide a smoother ride and less road noise than Continental tires. For example, the Falken Azenis FK510 is slightly quieter than the Continental PremiumContact 6.
Price: There’s a noticeable price difference between Continental and Falken tires. Continental tires range from $90 to $430, while Falken tires are priced between $120 and $250.
Warranty: Falken offers a warranty of up to 80,000 miles, surpassing Continental’s warranty of up to 70,000 miles.
Continental tires perform well in both dry and wet conditions. Meanwhile, Falken tires offer more comfort and lower noise at a lower price. So, pick what fits your needs and priorities.
Pros and Cons
1. Falken
Pros
- Cheaper cost
- Longer warranty mileage support
- Lower road noises
Cons
- Competitor’s tire options are generally better
2. Continental
Pros
- Better dry performance
- Better wet performance
- Better wintertime performance
Cons
- Pricey
- Slightly shorter warranted mileage
Which is Better?
Falken tires are known for good ride quality. However, they fall behind Continental tires in dry, wet, and snow performance. If you value short braking, sharp handling, and good cornering, go for Continentals.
But, Falken tires shine in ride comfort and noise levels. They offer a quieter, comfier drive than Continentals.
Both brands are trusted for their high-quality, backed by their long experience. You can count on either for top-notch tires.
6 Famous Falken vs Continental Tires
| Falken Tires | Continental Tires |
|---|---|
| Falken Azenis FK510 | Continental PremiumContact 6 |
| Falken EuroALL Season AS210 | Continental AllSeasonContact SUV |
| Falken EuroWinter HS01 | Continental WinterContact TS 860 |
| Falken Wildpeak AT3W | Continental TerrainContact A/T |
| Falken Ziex ZE950 A/S | Continental TrueContact Tour |
| Falken Sincera SN250 A/S | Continental PureContact LS |
Vechiles Falken vs Continental Tires Will Fit
| Falken Tires | Continental Tires |
|---|---|
| Falken Azenis FK510 | Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 |
| Falken Wildpeak AT3W | Continental TerrainContact A/T |
| Falken Ziex ZE950 A/S | Continental PureContact LS |
| Falken Sincera SN250 A/S | Continental TrueContact Tour |
| Falken EuroALL Season AS210 | Continental AllSeasonContact SUV |
| Falken EuroWinter HS01 | Continental WinterContact TS 860 |
Conclusion
Congratulations! You now have a comprehensive understanding of the differences between Falken and Continental tires.
Take a moment to reflect on your driving requirements and preferences. By doing so, you’ll be better equipped to choose the ideal tire brand for your vehicle.
We’re delighted to have been a part of your decision-making journey. Keep an eye out for future articles on tire-related topics!