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Last updated 11/20/2024 - Originally published 11/20/2024
Written by SimpleTire
Globally introduced in 1983, Falken tire is a prominent tire maker that offers a wide range in different categories such as all-season, all-weather, all-terrain, winter, Ultra-High-Performance (UHP), and mud-terrain. Within a short time frame, the Sumitomo-owned tire manufacturer has established its name in the North American market. Similarly, the Taiwan-based Kenda Tire is a great alternative to popular tire brands in the industry as its products offer adequate durability, capability, and performance at reasonably aggressive prices. What happens when the Aklimate from Falken and the Vezda Touring 4S (KR211) from Kenda take on each other in the all-weather category? The results are out; keep reading to know the answer.
Designed for coupes, sedans, and minivans, the Falken Aklimate and Kenda Vezda Touring 4S (KR211) are reliable all-weather tires that offer great year-round performance in dry, wet, and moderate to severe snow without burning a hole in your pocket. For extra grip, control, and traction on wet, snow, and ice, these tires feature asymmetric tread patterns with hundreds of sipes and lateral and circumferential grooves for extra biting edges. Both the tires are Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified for excellent performance in winter weather conditions and come with solid limited manufacturer tread life warranties. So, which one should you pick? Let’s compare Falken Aklimate vs. Kenda Vezda Touring 4S (KR211) tires based on our proprietary SimpleScore to know the best option for your ride.
Falken Aklimate tires
The Falken Aklimate was launched last year in 2023 to occupy the gap present for a capable all-weather tire which cost less than top-rated brands but offered incredible value. Featuring a special rubber compound, the Aklimate adapts to changing weather conditions and ensures consistent performance in unpredictable weather conditions throughout the year. Thanks to the 3D Canyon Sipe Technology, the Falken tire not only offers increased traction and grip in moderate to severe winter weather but also reduces noise and vibration levels for a quiet and comfortable ride quality. Meanwhile, the optimized rigid tread blocks and deep sipes boost braking and traction in dry, rain, snow, and ice. With the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certification, the Aklimate ensures great traction, handling, and stability in snowy and icy weather conditions. Backed by a 65,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty, the Falken gets a 30-Day Ride Guarantee and Road Hazard Protection program.
With an impressive 8.9 out of 10 SimpleScore, the Falken Aklimate promises a fantastic mix of the following year-round characteristics- grip, control, traction, handling, and longevity.
Kenda Vezda Touring 4S (KR211) tires
The Kenda Vezda Touring 4S (KR211) is a great all-weather tire from Kenda that features an asymmetric tread pattern for consistent traction and handling in different weather conditions, computer-optimized pitch sequence for reduced noise and vibration levels, and deep sipes for effective performance on ice and snow. With the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certification, the Kenda all-weather tire assures impressive grip, control, and traction in snowy conditions. While the four wide circumferential grooves allow quick channeling of water and slush from the tread for improved wet and snow braking and traction, the large shoulder area of the Vezda Touring (4S KR211) boosts cornering in slippery conditions. Ideal for passenger cars, the all-weather tire features a special soybean-infused rubber compound that remains flexible in low temperatures, is durable, and adapts itself to warmer conditions as well. With a strong backing of a 65,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty, the Kenda tire is great for year-round use.
Boasting an 8.2 average SimpleScore, the Kenda all-weather tire promises enhanced comfort, a quiet ride, improved traction and handling, and excellent longevity.
Falken Aklimate vs Kenda Vezda Touring 4S (KR211) tires on traction
The traction is the critical aspect of a tire and defines how safe it is to run in different weather conditions. The Falken and Kenda all-weather tires claim to offer adequate traction and grip in unpredictable weather conditions.
Scoring an 8.7, the Falken Aklimate is right on the mark thanks to the unique tread design that features a special rubber compound laced with Advanced 4D Nano Design Technology for improved snow traction. While the circumferential grooves remove water and slush from the tread, the 3D Canyon Sipe Technology boosts traction in other weather conditions.
On the other hand, the Kenda scores a modest 7.7 thanks to its eco-friendly silica, resins, and soybean oil molded rubber compound with an asymmetric tread pattern. Meanwhile, the wide circumferential grooves allow quick water and slush dispersal to mitigate the risk of hydroplaning and boost wet and snow traction.
With a solid traction score, the Falken flies higher than the Kenda.
ADVANTAGE: Falken Aklimate
Falken Aklimate vs Kenda Vezda Touring 4S (KR211) tires on handling
Handling becomes far more critical in wet and wintry conditions of ice and snow. Both all-weather tires promise effective control and steering response in challenging conditions.
Made from a special compound utilizing 4D Nano Design Technology, the Aklimate scores a fantastic 8.8 in handling. Combined with the Canyon Grooves, the tire delivers a confident steering response with better control in wet and snowy regions. Lastly, the wide footprint and solid shoulders also help to return a sure-footed control.
With an 8.1 handling score, the Vezda Touring 4S (KR211) features dense siping in the center ribs that provides block stiffness leading to precise steering response and extra biting edges for optimum performance on slippery terrains. While the large shoulder blocks boost dry cornering, the pattern sipes of the Kenda tire helps clear water and improve winter performance to lend improved handling.
The handling section also goes to the Falken as it scores better and has more advanced technology.
ADVANTAGE: Falken Aklimate
Falken Aklimate vs Kenda Vezda Touring 4S (KR211) tires on longevity
All-weather tires are loved for their superb year-round performance including moderate to extreme winter conditions and their longer service life. Moreover, these tires come with a solid mileage warranty.
Scoring an exceptional 9.6 in longevity, the Aklimate features 4D Nano Design Technology in its rubber compound which helps return superior durability and service life. With a solid inner construction that resists tire deformation under pressure, the Falken is covered by a 65,000-mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty.
Thanks to the silica-based soybean-infused rubber compound, the Kenda Vezda Touring 4S (KR211) delivers enhanced tread life while scoring an excellent 9 in the longevity department. It is backed by a solid 60,000 limited manufacturer tread life warranty.
While the Kenda improves its scoring, the Falken ups its game even further and scores an exceptional longevity score, resulting in yet another win.
ADVANTAGE: Falken Aklimate
When to use each
All-weather tires are ideal for drivers who face unpredictable weather conditions. These tires deliver dependable control, traction, handling, and durability across dry, wet, and moderate to severe winter conditions, including ice and snow. However, if temperatures consistently stay below 45 degrees Fahrenheit for most of the year, winter tires are a better choice as they feature a specialized winter compound and center rib sipes designed for slippery surfaces and low temperatures.
For warmer climates, all-season tires are a popular option. They offer a longer lifespan and satisfactory performance across various weather conditions, including light snow.
Which one should you choose?
To sum up, both tires offer decent value in different weather conditions, such as dry, wet, and moderate to severe snow and ice. However, the Falken Aklimate pins the Kenda Vezda Touring 4S (KR211) across traction, handling, and longevity departments and comes out to be a better all-weather tire. Let’s check out their prices to see whether it has the potential to attract buyers.
Comparing the prices of the 205/55R16 91V tire size, the Falken Aklimate costs around $125 per tire, and four such tires cost $500, while the Kenda Vezda Touring 4S (KR211) costs around $109 per tire, and four such tires cost $432 (a difference of $68).
Based on SimpleScore, you should choose the Falken Aklimate if you:
- Drive vehicles like the Hyundai Kona, Chevrolet Suburban, and Honda Civic
- Want better traction (8.4 vs 7.7) and handling (8.6 vs 8.1)
- Need a longer-lasting tire (9.7 vs 9.0)
- Want a longer mileage warranty (65,000 vs 60,000 miles)
You can opt for the Kenda Vezda Touring 4S (KR211) if you:
- Drive vehicles like the Buick Verano, Dodge Dart, or the Ford Focus
- Want an affordable all-weather tire
- Are looking for touring attributes in an all-weather tire
Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help as our helpful agents will be more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.