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Last updated 11/26/2024 - Originally published 11/26/2024
Written by SimpleTire
Even if you know tires well, you can sometimes confuse all-weather tires with an all-season tire, having said that you must know that an all-weather tire gives you an extra edge during winter, so it would not be wrong to say that they are a cross between an all-season and winter tires. If you are looking for strong traction and performance in wet and dry conditions, plus better performance in winter weather you can opt for one.
Falken and Nexen are two names that excel in delivering great tires, especially in the all-weather category. Both are renowned for their innovative strategies that exceed customer expectations as they tailor their products and services to meet these specific needs. The same is visible in the tire range of the Falken Aklimate and Nexen Roadian HTX2.
Both of these tires are meant for use on passenger vehicles. While both tires offer great performance, one has to be better than the other, right? Let’s compare Falken Aklimate vs Nexen Roadian HTX2 tires using SimpleScore to show where each tire excels and which one might be right for you.
Falken Aklimate tires
The Falken Aklimate tire is engineered for passenger vehicles, delivering reliable performance in tough winter weather. It stands out with its advanced tread design and rubber compound, which improve grip and stability, ensuring a confident drive in winter conditions. With an impressive excellent SimpleScore of 8.8 out of 10. This all-weather tire provides excellent traction and handling on dry, wet, and snowy roads, along with enhanced fuel efficiency. It also comes with a 65,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty, giving drivers peace of mind.
Nexen Roadian HTX2 tires
If you are looking for an alternate tire brand that is equally efficient in gripping the roads and delivering great performance all year round, look at the Nexen Roadian HTX2 tire that is also an all-weather tire that's designed for use on light trucks and SUVs and offers drivers outstanding traction and handling performance year-round along with a 70,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty for P-metric sizes, and a 50,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty for LT sizes.
Features of this all-weather tire include four wide grooves, and open shoulders that help improve wet grip, while large, angle tread blocks and dense siping enhance grip by biting into the road. As an all-weather tire, the Roadian HTX2 is Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified and will offer excellent performance in medium to harsh winter weather conditions. It boasts an impressive average SimpleScore of 8.7 out of 10, excelling in handling, longevity, and traction.
Falken Aklimate vs Nexen Roadian HTX2 tires on traction
Traction is a crucial factor in tire performance, particularly for all-weather tires. These adaptable tires are carefully engineered to provide dependable grip in diverse weather conditions. Their objective is to strike a harmonious balance between performance on dry roads, wet surfaces, and even lightly snowy terrain.
Comparing the above two based on traction, you will see that the Falken Aklimate has a great score of 8.5 out of 10 in traction. This is thanks to an optimized tread pattern with 3D sipe technology that enhances traction and grip on snowy roads.
The Nexen Roadian HTX2, on the other hand, falls a little behind with a score of 8.4 out of 10 in traction. The tire delivers great performance thanks to a symmetrical tread pattern that improves handling capabilities on dry and wintry roads, and wide grooves for excellent traction on wet roads. You get considerate traction with this tire and can depend on it for your all-weather great traction performance.
ADVANTAGE: Falken Aklimate
Falken Aklimate vs Nexen Roadian HTX2 tires on handling
All-weather tires are designed to balance performance for various weather conditions, including dry, wet, and light snow. The handling of a tire is improved by different elements of the tire’s tread pattern, in addition to the tire’s overall design.
The Falken Aklimate offers great handling as the tire comes with a SimpleScore of 8.6. Featuring strategically placed snow claws that provide additional biting edges for improved handling and stability on icy surfaces for even wear to extend the tire's tread life.
On the flip side, the Nexen Roadian HTX2 again falls a little short for handling as the tire comes in with a SimpleScore of 8.3. Featuring an innovative design that gives drivers a quiet, comfortable ride, plus an optimized footprint that allows for even wear to extend the tire's tread life.
ADVANTAGE: Falken Aklimate
Falken Aklimate vs Nexen Roadian HTX2 tires on longevity
The longevity aspect is equally important to traction and handling when purchasing a tire. The longevity of a tire depends on several factors, including the quality of the tire, driving habits, road conditions, and maintenance.
Starting with the Falken Aklimate’s excellent 9.4 SimpleScore in longevity shows that it takes the lead here. The Falken Aklimate innovative tread design and rubber compound enhance grip and stability to extend the tire's tread life.
Conversely, the Roadian HTX2’s 9.3 SimpleScore in longevity shows that it lags a bit here. The Nexen Roadian HTX2 also features reinforced construction, and its innovative tread design gives drivers a quiet, comfortable ride, plus even wear to extend the tire's tread life.
Here you will notice progress in terms of longevity for the Falken Aklimate over the Nexen Roadian HTX2 tires.
Although both the tires perform solid when it comes to longevity, the Falken Aklimate comes with a 65,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life and the Nexen Roadian HTX2 comes with a 70,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life.
ADVANTAGE: Falken Aklimate
When to use each
While all-weather tires offer convenience and versatility, they tend to have a longer lifespan compared to tires designed specifically for certain weather conditions, such as winter tires or summer tires. This is because they are constructed with a tread compound that balances handling and performance across different seasons.
Both the Falken Aklimate and Nexen Roadian HTX2 may not provide optimal performance in extreme winter weather conditions. For example, in areas with heavy snowfall, dedicated winter tires might be necessary for improved traction and safety. That said, all-season tire is an excellent choice if you live in an area that only gets light snow.
Additionally, cautious driving habits and avoiding harsh conditions can help preserve the tread and overall integrity of the tires.
Which one should you choose?
So, which all-weather tire is the right option for you? When looking at SimpleScore, the Falken Aklimate falls slightly behind the Nexen Roadian HTX2 with an overall score of 8.8 versus 8.7. As noted above, there are key differences between the two tires and these need to be weighed against each other to determine what’s best for you. Finally (and maybe, most importantly), pricing on these two tires is a bit different as Falken Aklimate tires cost approx $95.00 per tire while Nexen Roadian HTX2 tires cost approx $137 per tire. That means a set of four Falken Aklimate all-weather tires will cost you approx $380 for a set of four, while a set of four Nexen Roadian HTX2 tires will cost you approx $548.
Based on SimpleScore, you should choose the Falken Aklimate if you:
- Drive a Honda Civic, Nissan Versa, or Chevrolet Cruze
- Want exceptional longevity (9.4 vs 9.3)
- Looking for a tire with exceeded traction (8.5 vs 8.4) and superior handling (8.6 vs 8.3)
- You are looking for an affordable tire that performs great
Conversely, you should choose the Nexen Roadian HTX2 if you:
- Drive a vehicle like the Acura CL, Audi A6, Toyota Camry, or Buick Encore
- You want a tire that is manufactured by Nexen that delivers exceeded warranty at 70,000
Falken Aklimate vs Nexen Roadian HTX2 tires might not seem a close comparison on the surface, but the above clearly shows that either is a great option. Remember, both of the tire brands are some of the best tire manufacturers on the market, and that tradition continues with the Falken Aklimate and Nexen Roadian HTX2. At the end of the day, the decision to buy one or the other depends on your vehicle, where (and how) you drive, and what you care more about in terms of traction, handling, longevity, and price.
Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help as our helpful agents are more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.