In this article we will be looking at independent tyre test data, and real world driver reviews of the Falken Azenis FK520 and the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 to find out which tyre is best for your own driving.
The good news is that both the Falken Azenis FK520 and Pirelli P Zero PZ4 are Max Performance Summer tyres designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars, which means comparing the two tyres is relatively simple.
Both tyres are hugely popular in the market place with drivers, and both have been featured in independent tyre tests.
Independent comparison tyre tests are the best source of data to get tyre information from, and the good news is there have been seven tests which compare both tyres directly!
Out of these seven tests:
While it might look like the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 is better than the Falken Azenis FK520 purely based on the higher number of test wins, tyres are very complicated objects which means where one tyre is better than the other can be more important in real world use.
Let's look at how the two tyres compare across multiple tyre test categories.
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during two dry braking tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 stopped the vehicle in 0.29% less distance than the Falken Azenis FK520.
Best In Dry Braking: Pirelli P Zero PZ4
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
2023 Summer Tyre Market Overview 225/45 R18 |
✓ Falken Azenis FK520:33.7M | Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 34M |
2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test 225/40 R18 |
Falken Azenis FK520:35M | ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 34.5M |
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19 |
✓ Falken Azenis FK520:32.5M | Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 32.7M |
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test 225/45 R18 |
✓ Falken Azenis FK520:33.7M | Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 34M |
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test 225/40 R18 |
Falken Azenis FK520:35.2M | ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 34.1M |
2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19 |
✓ Falken Azenis FK520:33.4M | Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 33.6M |
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during one dry handling [s] tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was 0.29% faster around a lap than the Falken Azenis FK520.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Pirelli P Zero PZ4
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19 |
✓ Falken Azenis FK520:99.4s | Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 100.1s |
2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19 |
Falken Azenis FK520:102.52s | ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 101.23s |
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during two dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was 0.83% faster around a lap than the Falken Azenis FK520.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Pirelli P Zero PZ4
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test 225/40 R18 |
Falken Azenis FK520:114.3Km/H | ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 115.1Km/H |
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test 225/45 R18 |
Falken Azenis FK520:119.2Km/H | ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 121.3Km/H |
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test 225/40 R18 |
✓ Falken Azenis FK520:100.6Km/H | Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 100.5Km/H |
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 scored 8.93% more points than the Falken Azenis FK520.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Pirelli P Zero PZ4
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19 |
Falken Azenis FK520:51 Points | ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 56 Points |
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during four wet braking tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 stopped the vehicle in 2.67% less distance than the Falken Azenis FK520.
Best In Wet Braking: Pirelli P Zero PZ4
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
2023 Summer Tyre Market Overview 225/45 R18 |
Falken Azenis FK520:27M | ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 24.9M |
2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test 225/40 R18 |
Falken Azenis FK520:43.2M | ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 41.3M |
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19 |
Falken Azenis FK520:40.1M | ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 39.6M |
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test 225/45 R18 |
Falken Azenis FK520:42.2M | ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 38.9M |
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test 225/40 R18 |
✓ Falken Azenis FK520:24.5M | Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 26.6M |
2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19 |
✓ Falken Azenis FK520:34M | Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 34.1M |
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during two wet handling [s] tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was 3.65% faster around a wet lap than the Falken Azenis FK520.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Pirelli P Zero PZ4
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19 |
Falken Azenis FK520:68.9s | ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 66.7s |
2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19 |
Falken Azenis FK520:71.27s | ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 68.36s |
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during three wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was 3.65% faster around a wet lap than the Falken Azenis FK520.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Pirelli P Zero PZ4
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test 225/40 R18 |
Falken Azenis FK520:83.8Km/H | ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 85.2Km/H |
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test 225/45 R18 |
Falken Azenis FK520:73.1Km/H | ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 77.2Km/H |
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test 225/40 R18 |
Falken Azenis FK520:83.1Km/H | ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 86.7Km/H |
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 scored 18.97% more points than the Falken Azenis FK520.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Pirelli P Zero PZ4
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19 |
Falken Azenis FK520:47 Points | ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 58 Points |
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 had 3.15% higher lateral wet grip than the Falken Azenis FK520.
Best In Wet Circle: Pirelli P Zero PZ4
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test 225/40 R18 |
Falken Azenis FK520:8.3m/s | ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 8.57m/s |
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during three straight aqua tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 floated at a 0.39% higher speed than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.
Best In Straight Aqua: Falken Azenis FK520
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test 225/40 R18 |
✓ Falken Azenis FK520:77.6Km/H | Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 77.5Km/H |
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19 |
Falken Azenis FK520:78.8Km/H | ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 79.3Km/H |
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test 225/45 R18 |
Falken Azenis FK520:104.1Km/H | ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 104.4Km/H |
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test 225/40 R18 |
✓ Falken Azenis FK520:80.6Km/H | Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 79.9Km/H |
2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19 |
✓ Falken Azenis FK520:71.43Km/H | Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 69.85Km/H |
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during three curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 slipped out at a 1.62% higher speed than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Falken Azenis FK520
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test 225/40 R18 |
✓ Falken Azenis FK520:2.82m/sec2 | Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 2.75m/sec2 |
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test 225/45 R18 |
Falken Azenis FK520:3.38m/sec2 | ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 3.8m/sec2 |
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test 225/40 R18 |
✓ Falken Azenis FK520:3.47m/sec2 | Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 3.4m/sec2 |
2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19 |
✓ Falken Azenis FK520:69.33m/sec2 | Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 67.78m/sec2 |
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during one subj. noise tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 scored 10.64% more points than the Falken Azenis FK520.
Best In Subj. Noise: Pirelli P Zero PZ4
See how the Subj. Noise winner was calculated >>
2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19 |
Falken Azenis FK520:21 Points | ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 23.5 Points |
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during three noise tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 measured 0.64% quieter than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.
Best In Noise: Falken Azenis FK520
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test 225/40 R18 |
✓ Falken Azenis FK520:66.6dB | Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 66.9dB |
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19 |
✓ Falken Azenis FK520:69dB | Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 70dB |
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test 225/45 R18 |
✓ Falken Azenis FK520:73dB | Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 73.7dB |
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test 225/40 R18 |
Falken Azenis FK520:71.3dB | ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 71.1dB |
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during one wear tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 is predicted to cover 26.79% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.
Best In Wear: Falken Azenis FK520
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test 225/45 R18 |
✓ Falken Azenis FK520:44800KM | Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 32800KM |
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during one value tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 proved to have a 41.67% better value based on price/1000km than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.
Best In Value: Falken Azenis FK520
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test 225/45 R18 |
✓ Falken Azenis FK520:11.38Price/1000 | Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 19.51Price/1000 |
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during four price tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 cost 18.38% less than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.
Best In Price: Falken Azenis FK520
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test 225/40 R18 |
✓ Falken Azenis FK520:375 | Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 435 |
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19 |
✓ Falken Azenis FK520:595 | Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 745 |
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test 225/45 R18 |
✓ Falken Azenis FK520:510 | Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 640 |
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test 225/40 R18 |
✓ Falken Azenis FK520:96 | Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 111 |
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during four rolling resistance tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 had a 7% lower rolling resistance than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Falken Azenis FK520
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test 225/40 R18 |
✓ Falken Azenis FK520:8.8kg / t | Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 9.83kg / t |
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19 |
✓ Falken Azenis FK520:8.48kg / t | Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 9.46kg / t |
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test 225/45 R18 |
Falken Azenis FK520:8.61kg / t | ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 8.33kg / t |
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test 225/40 R18 |
✓ Falken Azenis FK520:8.6kg / t | Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 9.6kg / t |
2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19 |
✓ Falken Azenis FK520:8.68kg / t | Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 9.17kg / t |
Tyre Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Falken Azenis FK520 and Pirelli P Zero PZ4.
In total the Falken Azenis FK520 has been reviewed 30 times and drivers have given the tyre 85% overall.
The Pirelli P Zero PZ4 has been reviewed 69 times and drivers have given the tyre 75% overall.
This means in real world driving, people prefer the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.
In conclusion the Falken Azenis FK520 performed better in straight aqua, curved aquaplaning, noise, wear, value, price and rolling resistance, while the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 performed better in dry braking, dry handling [s], dry handling [km/h], subj. dry handling, wet braking, wet handling [s], wet handling [km/h], subj. wet handling, wet circle and subj. noise.
Which tyre is best for you depends a lot on your driving style and situation, plus what you want from the tyre. Comparing all the data in the tyre reviews database, on balance Pirelli P Zero PZ4 seems to be the best tyre overall.
However, it's important to note that both tyres have their strengths.
Remember, the best tyre for you might depend on which of these factors are most important for your specific driving needs and conditions.
Looking for more tyre comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tyres:
This page has been developed using tyre industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tyres in the same test.
Why is this important? Tyre 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 tyre test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tyre tests performed on different days or at different locations.
As a result you will see other tests on Tyre 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 tyre comparison, Tyre Reviews doesn't.