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Last updated 12/12/2024 - Originally published 12/12/2024
Written by SimpleTire
Falken was founded in Japan in 1983 and is part of Sumitomo Rubber North America Inc. It offers all-season, all-terrain, UHP all-season, UHP summer, winter, rugged terrain, mud-terrain, all-weather, and other types of tires. Its portfolio caters to the needs of passenger cars, SUVs, CUVs, light trucks, trailers, and commercial vehicles.
On the other hand, Kenda has its base in Taiwan and has been doing business since 1962. For use on passenger cars, CUVs, SUVs, pickup trucks, golf karts, ATVs/UTVs, lawn & garden applications, trailers, farm equipment, and industrial applications, there are dedicated lines offered by Kenda in the American subcontinent.
Both Falken and Kenda offer two reliable all-terrain tires, the Falken Wildpeak A/T4W and the Kenda Klever A/T2 KR628 that come with the ability to run on paved roads as well as offer dependable performance off-road. The Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certification adds more fun to their performance by making them eligible for use in severe winter conditions in temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
So, here we have compared the Wildpeak A/T4W vs. Klever A/T2 tires to help you choose the best all-terrain tire for your needs and driving style. We have rated them based on SimpleScore, our proprietary tire rating system, for their traction, handling, and longevity, alongside rating them on their overall performance.
Falken Wildpeak A/T4W tires
Let’s talk about the Falken Wildpeak A/T4W that debuted in January 2024. It is comparatively a new all-terrain tire that brings on board advanced features and great abilities to go on- and off-the-pavement. As we mentioned, it is severe snow-rated and can deliver dependable performance in dry, wet, and winter weather conditions. It looks rugged and features an aggressive tread design that can do a lot of things performance-wise. Excellent towing capability, year-round traction, long-lasting tread life, better on-road comfort, and optimum damage resistance make it a great package for on- and off-road drivers of Jeeps, light trucks, and SUVs. Overall, all these features accredit the Wildpeak A/T4W with an outstanding SimpleScore of 9.5.
Kenda Klever A/T2 KR628 tires
Coming to the Kenda Klever A/T2 KR628, the other tire of our comparative analysis. It was introduced in January 2020 and is good for use on SUVs, light trucks, and Jeeps, the same as its competitor. It offers smooth on-road drives, reduced tread noise levels on highways, solid off-road durability, aggressive off-road performance, and the ability to offer traction even in severe snow conditions and muddy terrains. There is a tread life warranty for a hassle-free ownership experience and dedicated features that ensure damage resistance for longer use. Additionally, the computer-tuned design and solid structure also make it worthy to carry heavy loads. Overall, it scores an 8.1 SimpleScore rating because of the aforementioned abilities.
Falken Wildpeak A/T4W vs Kenda Klever A/T2 KR628 tires on traction
As both the Wildpeak and Klever tires compared here are built and designed for paved and off-road use, traction performance becomes an essential factor in making a conclusive decision. When the traction performance of these tires was compared there was a big gap in their scores. Read on for more!
The Wildpeak A/T4W scores a whopping 9.8 SimpleScore rating in traction, which confirms its outstanding ability to run in dry, wet, and severe winter conditions with a superior grip and excellent traction performance. For increased off-road capability there are staggered shoulder blocks that provide extra traction in rugged off-road conditions. The Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certification ensures that grip and traction on snow and ice during severe winter are consistently achieved. The tread blocks of the Wildpeak A/T4W have sharper edges to confidently bite the surfaces, while the all-season tread compound makes the tread flexible for use in varying temperatures.
Contrarily, the Kenda Klever A/T2 KR628 scores an 8.0 in traction. This means it is decent enough when it comes to traction performance on- and off-the-road and can also maintain grip in varying weather conditions. Like its peer, the Klever A/T2 is also Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified for severe winter use. While the interlocking tread pattern provides confident off-road forward motion and lateral traction, multiple biting edges offer aggressive performance in changing conditions. The siping is adequate to provide solid traction on snow and ice and the zig-zag grooves optimize water channeling to prevent hydroplaning and boost traction on wet and snowy highways.
It is clearly visible that there is a significant difference in traction scores of both tires. It is the Wildpeak A/T4W that leads here, leaving the Klever A/T2 behind in the race.
ADVANTAGE: Falken Wildpeak A/T4W
Falken Wildpeak A/T4W vs Kenda Klever A/T2 KR628 tires on handling
The Wildpeak and Klever tires are both severe weather certified, can be used year-round, and most importantly are used in diverse terrain conditions, therefore, the comparison of their handling performances gives a better picture of how well they respond to driver’s command. Again, on the handling front as well, we found a big gap in their scores.
Commencing with the Wildpeak A/T4W, the tire scores an excellent 9.4 SimpleScore in handling. Thanks to the robust sidewall protection, the Wildpeak tire features 3-ply DURASPEC Sidewall Technology, which makes handling on the toughest terrain super-easy. Similarly, the wider shoulders of the tire are designed to provide increased stability while driving on the highways. The flat footprint and center tread blocks provide seamless movement from one lane to another, making the steering more responsive. Similarly, the grooves and sipes do not let the tire lose its grip and provide confident handling in changing weather conditions.
The Kenda Klever A/T2 KR628 scores 7.9 SimpleScore in the handling area, confirming its good ability to respond to the driving commands. While its computer-optimized tread pattern ensures confident handling in varying load conditions, the high sipe density on the tread provides confident handling in winter conditions. The biting edges across the tread provide consistent contact for better ride control and the solid shoulder blocks extend towards the center ribs for enhanced stability in off-road conditions and on the highways. Additionally, the aggressive upper sidewalls boost stability and improve cornering to give the drivers the confidence they expect from a versatile all-terrain tire.
On the handling front, the Wildpeak A/T4W tires surpass the rival Klever A/T2 KR628 by a big margin taking the lead in two of the most important areas of tire consideration.
ADVANTAGE: Falken Wildpeak A/T4W
Falken Wildpeak A/T4W vs Kenda Klever A/T2 KR628 tires on longevity
Long-lasting is another factor of consideration as it evaluates which of the two tires can last longer. When we compared the two tires, the difference was minimal here.
Starting with the Wildpeak A/T4W, it scores an excellent 9.3 SimpleScore rating in longevity, which indicates that the tire can serve for a longer period. It is also backed by an up to 65,000 miles limited manufacturer tread life warranty and this is a good indicator that Falken has built the Wildpeak tires to provide a hassle-free driving experience for a good number of miles. Thanks to the increased tread rigidity, the tread wear rate is slowed for a long-lasting performance. Similarly, the optimized rubber compound and tread pattern reduce the chances of irregular wear, promoting longevity. The 3-ply DURATEC sidewalls of the tire prevent the tire from damage, cuts, and chips, offering additional protection for increased service life.
On the contrary, the Kenda Klever A/T2 KR628 scores a great 8.6 SimpleScore rating in longevity. This can be taken as a consideration that the tire can serve for a longer period and also that it is backed by an up to 60,000 miles limited manufacturer tread life warranty, a long-lasting service can be expected. The tread design of the tire is optimized to avoid chances of irregular wear and its solid sidewalls come with sturdiness to avoid cuts, tears, and abrasions. Thanks to the durable inner casing and reinforced outer shell of the tread, the tire can deliver long-lasting wear.
Not only in traction and handling, but also in longevity it is the Wildpeak A/T4W that excels and leaves the Klever A/T2 KR628 behind.
ADVANTAGE: Falken Wildpeak A/T4W
When to use each
Both, the Wildpeak and Klever tires fall in the all-terrain category and are severe snow-rated, and therefore, they can be trusted for on- and off-road drives in varying weather conditions. However, the Falken Wildpeak A/T4W outnumbers the Kenda Klever A/T2 KR628 in all three areas and hence appears to be a better choice. That being said, both tires have their unique characteristics that must be taken into consideration to conclude with the tire buying decision. That being said, if you are looking for a set of tires for off-road driving purposes only, then consider mud-terrain tires as they are more rugged than the all-terrains compared here.
When it comes to tire sizes, both the Wildpeak tires and the Klever tires are offered in 15- to 22-inch rim sizes, giving you a lot of compatibility options to choose from.
Which one should you choose?
Looking at the overall SimpleScores, the Wildpeak A/T4W comes out as a better option than the Klever A/T2 KR628, scoring an excellent overall rating of 9.5 against the competitor’s 8.1 overall rating. Additionally, in traction, handling, and longevity areas as well, the Falken tire leads and stands as a better choice.
Let’s also look at the pricing of both tires. The Wildpeak A/T4W is available at a starting price of at least $157.00 per tire, while the Klever A/T2 KR628 is offered at a starting price of at least $137.88 per tire. This means a set of four Wildpeak tires will cost you at least $628.00, while a set of four Klever tires will be available at a price of at least $551.52. So, here we can see that the Wildpeak tires are no doubt better in all the areas, but come at an extra cost.
Based on the SimpleScores and a lot of other factors discussed above, we would suggest that you should choose the Wildpeak A/T4W if you:
- Drive a rugged full-size truck like the Toyota Tundra or a capable off-road SUV like the Jeep Cherokee
- Need a set of tires that offers better traction
- Need a set of tires that offers better handling
- Need a set of long-lasting tires
- Need a set of tires that comes with higher tread life warranty coverage
On the other hand, you should choose the Klever A/T2 KR629 if you:
- Drive a heavy-duty pickup truck like the Ford F-250 or a full-size pickup truck like the Chevrolet Silverado1500
- Need a set of tires that offers dependable performance yet are more affordable
- Need a set of tires that are quieter on the highways
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.