72
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
73/100
20 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated May 2026
Dunlop Direzza DZ102 vs Falken FK452 — Compared (May 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
VS
73
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
74/100
211 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictToo close to call: Dunlop Direzza DZ102 and Falken FK452 are within 2 points overall. Falken FK452 is stronger on handling and comfort.
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Category breakdown
5 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | Direzza DZ102 | FK452 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 82 | 82 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Direzza DZ102 leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | Direzza DZ102 | FK452 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 73 | 72 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
FK452 leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | Direzza DZ102 | FK452 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 70 | 73 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
FK452 leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | Direzza DZ102 | FK452 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 67 | 69 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
FK452 leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | Direzza DZ102 | FK452 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 69 | 73 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop Direzza DZ102 | Falken FK452 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 72 | 73 |
| Dry | 82 | 82 |
| Wet | 73 | 72 |
| Comfort | 70 | 73 |
| Treadwear | 67 | 69 |
| Handling | 69 | 73 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
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Recomputed
Headline score
72
/ 100
Tire A
73
/ 100
Tire B
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Dunlop Direzza DZ102 is widely regarded as a high-value, entry-level Ultra-High Performance summer tire that balances impressive dry grip and comfort with an attractive price point. While many users praise its handling and road manners, consensus is split regarding its longevity and wet-weather performance, with some users reporting rapid tread wear and inconsistent traction in heavy rain.
Pros
- Excellent price-to-performance ratio
- Strong dry pavement grip and cornering stability
- Surprisingly high levels of ride comfort for a performance tire
- Low road noise levels compared to competitors in the segment
Cons
- Rapid or inconsistent tread wear
- Inconsistent wet weather performance and hydroplaning resistance
- Increased road noise as the tire ages
- Difficult to balance for some users
Observations
- Users with high-torque or tuned vehicles (300hp+) report that the tire provides sufficient grip to manage power delivery effectively.
- Drivers on 17-inch and 18-inch setups frequently highlight a significant improvement in comfort compared to previous touring or OEM tires.
- Some users noted that the tire's performance is highly sensitive to correct inflation pressures, with improper settings leading to immediate degradation in feel.
The Falken FK452 is widely regarded as a high-value performance tire that offers impressive dry and wet grip, often rivaling premium brands at a significantly lower price point. While many users praise its predictable handling and value, a notable segment of owners reports issues with road noise, rapid tread wear, and soft sidewalls that can impact steering precision.
Pros
- Exceptional value for money compared to premium competitors
- Strong dry and wet traction for spirited driving
- Predictable and progressive breakaway characteristics
- Attractive, aggressive tread pattern design
Cons
- High levels of road noise, often described as a 'hum' or 'bearing-like' sound
- Rapid and sometimes uneven tread wear
- Soft sidewalls leading to vague steering feel or 'gelatinous' handling
- Lack of adequate rim protection
Observations
- Users with high-torque, rear-wheel-drive vehicles frequently reported faster rear tire wear and occasional traction loss under heavy acceleration.
- Owners of heavier vehicles (e.g., Audi A8, BMW 7 Series) noted that the soft sidewalls could lead to increased tramlining and less precise turn-in compared to stiffer premium alternatives.
- Some users observed that the tire width can run slightly narrower than other brands of the same nominal size, occasionally causing fitment or aesthetic concerns.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop Direzza DZ102 | B · Falken FK452 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Extreme Performance tires | Summer Ultra High Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
72
/ 100
Dunlop
73
/ 100
Falken
Too close to call: Dunlop Direzza DZ102 and Falken FK452 are within 2 points overall. Falken FK452 is stronger on handling and comfort.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Falken FK452 scores 73 vs 69 on handling.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Falken FK452 scores 73 vs 70 on comfort.
Tire A · Dunlop Direzza DZ102
Tire B · Falken FK452
More comparisons
Also compared with
Dunlop Direzza DZ102 also compared with
Falken FK452 also compared with
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.