Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus vs Falken Azenis FK460 A/S tires

Established in 1871 and based in Hanover, Germany, Continental is a popular premium tire manufacturer, while Falken was introduced in Japan in 1983 and is a part of Sumitomo Rubber North America, Inc. with headquarters based in Rancho Cucamonga, California. Both tire manufacturers offer a wide range of tires and one thing that’s common in both is their concern for performance. This is also reflected in their ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus tires and Azenis FK460 A/S tires, the two popular UHP all-season tires.

Each brand dedicates its time, research, and effort to making highly capable ultra-high-performance (UHP), all-season tires to ensure the driving experience exceeds the customer's expectations. This is quite relatable to the ExtremeContact tires and the Azenis tires. Both of these tires are designed for use on sports cars, passenger cars, CUVs, and SUVs, and offer confident handling, in-time braking, high-speed stability, and year-round traction and grip. While both tires are great on the performance front, which one is better, and could be the right choice for you? So, utilizing SimpleScore, we have compared Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus vs Falken Azenis FK460 A/S tires to help you understand in what areas both of these tires excel, and which one is an ideal choice for you drive.

Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus tires

The Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus was launched in January 2021 and is a premium ultra-high-performance (UHP), all-season tire suitable for use on passenger cars, CUVs, and SUVs. The tire is optimized to offer enhanced braking performance, responsive handling, longer tread life, and increased grip on wet and snowy surfaces. The innovative asymmetrical tread design and advanced technologies allow the tire to offer excellent year-round performance.

Overall, the ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus achieves an excellent 9.4 SimpleScore rating, thanks to its superior traction performance, excellent handling, and long-lasting tread life.

Falken Azenis FK460 A/S tires

Introduced in September 2022, the Falken Azenis FK460 A/S is also an ultra-high-performance, all-season tire that boasts an asymmetrical tread pattern and is made for use on sports cars, CUVs, SUVs, and muscle cars. The tire is engineered to provide great high-speed performance, year-round traction, long-lasting tread life, and impressive handling and stability. This UHP, all-season tire is engineered to provide confident driving in dry, wet, and light snow conditions, allowing buyers to drive year-round, without worrying about tire replacement.

Overall, the Azenis FK460 A/S scores an impressive 8.7 out of 10 SimpleScore because of its long-lasting tread life, sharp handling, and solid year-round traction performance.

Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus vs Falken Azenis FK460 A/S tires on traction

Traction is significant in the case of ultra-high-performance, all-season tires like the ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus and the Azenis FK460 A/S because it enhances the year-round performance of these tires in dry, wet, and light winter weather conditions. Additionally, with better traction performance, a UHP, all-season tire can maintain consistent surefootedness. So, let’s learn more about the traction of the ExtremeContact vs Azenis tires!

Boasting an outstanding 9.8 SimpleScore in traction, the ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus represents its exceptional capabilities to offer traction in dry, wet, and light wintry conditions. The tire sports an innovative asymmetric tread design built using an advanced all-season compound. While its patented SportPlus technology ensures superior grip in wet conditions, the circumferential grooves force water out of the footprint for increased contact with the surface in wet weather conditions. The 3D sipes and multiple biting edges on the tire’s tread boost traction performance in milder snow conditions. Furthermore, the tire also features QuickView indicators that allow drivers to monitor the tire’s tread usability in dry, wet, and light winter conditions.

On the contrary, the Azenis FK460 A/S bags a great 8.6 SimpleScore in traction, which is because of the patented Advanced 4D Nano Technology that utilizes solid rubber compound to offer better year-round traction in dry, wet, and light snow conditions. The intricate tread pattern of this tire features emerging grooves and interlocking sipes that further increase grip in wet and snow conditions. The asymmetrical tread design of this tire and the all-season compound ensure that a dependable traction performance is delivered in varying weather conditions.

While both tires are great on the traction front, the Azenis FK460 A/S is slightly behind the ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus.

ADVANTAGE: ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus

Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus vs Falken Azenis FK460 A/S tires on handling

In the case of performance tires, handling is as equally important as traction because these tires ought to have high-speed stability, faster acceleration, sharp turning ability, and better ride control. Fortunately, Continental tires and Falken tires compared here are blessed with multiple features and elements that boost handling performance.

Starting with the ExtremeContact DWS06, the tire scores an excellent 9.8 SimpleScore in handling. All thanks to its wider footprint, SportPlus technology, and advanced asymmetric tread that enhance handling performance and contribute to in-time braking. While the 3D sipes and increased biting edges boost handling in light snow conditions, the multiple grooves scale steering response and overall controllability for a better year-round driving experience. Additionally, the ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus tires sport highly reinforced sidewalls for improved handling response, while their low profile helps in gaining better control, effortless lane-changing, and confident turning.

On the other hand, the Azenis FK460 A/S boasts an admirable 8.7 out of 10 SimpleScore rating in handling. This is attained because of the Advanced 4D Nano Technology that provides a high-performance grip for enhanced ride control and sure-footedness. Another patented Canyon Groove Technology also enhances ride control by improving the braking performance in light snow conditions and offers more comfortable and quieter rides. The tread of the Azenis FK460 A/S also sports a high-grip chamfer for improved handling on dry roads. Additionally, this tire also features a wider footprint and low profile that contribute to achieving better-handling response, enhanced controllability, confident turning, and seamless lane-changing.

We found that on the handling front too, there was a gap in the performances of both tires and the ExtremeContact DWS06 performed better than the Falken Azenis FK460 A/S.

ADVANTAGE: ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus

Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus vs Falken Azenis FK460 A/S tires on longevity

In addition to traction and handling, longevity is something where ultra-high-performance, all-season buyers are more particular and want the tires to last longer and wear slowly. Interestingly, there was an absolute turnaround to the common perception when we compared them on the longevity front.

The ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus sports a respectable 8.8 SimpleScore in longevity, thanks to the patented SportPlus technology that reduces the wear rate and promotes longevity. Additionally, the Alignment Verification System also helps the drivers with getting the alignment checked and reduces the chances of uneven wear. The robust 2-ply sidewall construction of the ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus helps in confronting high-speed driving pressures and protects the tread from damage. The tread compound and optimized pattern also prevent the tire from uneven or premature wear to promote longevity. Additionally, Continental offers an up to 50,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty on the purchase of this tire, indicating that the tire is engineered and built to last longer.

Contrarily, the Azenis FK460 A/S tires scored an outstanding SimpleScore of 9.0 in longevity. The two-ply polyester casing and high-tensile steel belts provide solid durability to the tire to withstand high-speed driving pressures, while the solid center ribs and shoulder blocks put more rubber on the road for longer wear. The wider profile of the Azenis FK460 A/S prevents the tread from uneven wear and the durable sidewalls also provide additional strength to the tire to absorb pressures during cornering and high-speed accelerations and promote longevity. The Azenis FK460 A/S is covered by a 50,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty, which means the tire is optimized for longer service.

While both tires look great on the longevity front, the Azenis FK460 A/S is ahead of the ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus.

ADVANTAGE: Azenis FK460 A/S Plus

When to use each

The ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus tires and the Azenis FK460 A/S tires both fall in the ultra-high-performance (UHP), all-season tire category and are year-round usable. This means, these tires can deliver exceptional performance in dry, wet, and light winter conditions. That being said, these tires aren’t Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified and are not suitable for use in temperatures below 45 degrees, on thick snow or ice. Furthermore, these tires should not be used in rough or off-road conditions as they are built only for driving on paved surfaces.

Which one should you choose?

Now coming to the most important question – which tire should you choose out of the ExtremeContact DWS06 and Azenis FK460 A/S tires? A comparison of the overall SimpleScores of both tires indicates that the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus is ahead with an overall score of 9.4 vs 8.7. But, it is to be understood that both tires come with different capabilities and you must compare them against each other to understand which one meets your driving preferences and needs.

As far as the pricing is concerned, the ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus is offered at a starting price of at least $134.99 per tire, while the Azenis FK460 A/S is available at a start price of at least $140.00 per tire. This means a set of four ExtremeContact tires will cost you at least $539.96, while a set of four Azenis tires will cost you at least $560.00.

Based on SimpleScore, you should consider the ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus if you:

• Drive a mid-size luxury sports sedan like the Cadillac CTS, a pony car like the Dodge Challenger, a sports car like the Nissan 350Z, or a full-size luxury CUV like the Mercedes-Benz GL350.
• Need a tire that performs better on the traction front (9.8 vs 8.6 in traction).
• Need a tire that offers better handling performance (9.8 vs 8.7 in handling).
• Want a premium ultra-high-performance, all-season tire that costs less but performs better.

On the other hand, you should choose the Azenis FK460 A/S if you:

• Drive a compact luxury car like the Audi S5, a muscle car like the Chevrolet Camaro, a high-end sports car like the Porsche 911, or a long-range EV like the Tesla Model Y.
• Need tires that offer a longer service life (9.0 vs 8.8 in longevity).
• Need tires that offer a standard 50,000-mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty for all sizes.
• Are comfortable paying extra to enjoy a great high-speed performance for a longer period.

At first look, the ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus vs Azenis FK460 A/S tires might not look like a perfect comparison, but when we look at their SimpleScores in traction, handling, and longevity, and check out the kind of vehicles both these tires cater to, the comparison looks appropriate and justified. However, it is to be noted that both tires have their strengths and your decision to buy one of these should be made after considering factors like how and where you drive, your vehicle type, your budget, and where and how you drive.

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.