Nexen N Blue 4S 2 vs Falken Aklimate tires

Nexen and Falken are both known for their reliable range of tires and facilitate drivers with an extensive range of all-season, all-terrain, UHP all-season, UHP summer, all-weather, winter, rugged-terrain, and mud-terrain tires.

Here, we will compare the two capable all-weather tires from these two manufacturers – the N Blue 4S 2 and the Aklimate. These all-weather tires are suitable for use on passenger cars, CUVs, SUVs, and pickup trucks and are Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified for use in dry, wet, and moderate to severe winter conditions. They are a better option compared to the all-season tires as they can also be used on roads with a few inches of snow and ice, in temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

Both tires sport new technologies and innovative tread patterns for extra command in all weathers as they were recently introduced. While the Aklimate was launched by Falken in September 2023, the N Blue 4S 2 made its debut in August 2024. Now, let’s learn about the overall capabilities of these tires and find out how they perform in traction, handling, and longevity areas. This will help you choose the tire that best suits your driving purpose.

In the N Blue 4S 2 vs Aklimate tires comparison, we will be using our patented tire rating system, SimpleScore, and rate the tires in the aforementioned areas on a scale of 10. So, read on and get started with choosing the best all-weather tires for your vehicle!

Nexen N Blue 4S 2 tires

The Nexen N Blue 4S 2 is a highly capable and versatile tire that offers confident driving in dry, wet, and winter weather conditions and sports a reinforced construction. The tire is optimized for better ride comfort, solid handling, efficient braking, good fuel efficiency, and a commanding all-weather grip. There is an attractive warranty that’s offered on the purchase of tires, which further brings a delightful ownership experience.

Owing to the above abilities, the Nexen N Blue 4S 2 receives a great overall 8.9 SimpleScore.

Falken Aklimate tires

The Falken Akilimate, on the other hand, is engineered to offer an all-round performance in any climate. This all-weather touring tire is meant to offer confident driving in all weather and is specially optimized for smooth and quieter rides, solid traction in snow, long-lasting tread life, and responsive winter handling. The tire fits most of the popular cars on the market and also offers a great tread life warranty.

Thanks to the advanced engineering and features, the Aklimate scores an 8.9 rating overall.

Nexen N Blue 4S 2 vs Falken Aklimate tires on traction

Let’s discuss the traction performance of both all-weather tires and find out which of the two is better when it comes to grip and surface-biting ability in dry, wet, and severe winter conditions.

The Nexen N Blue 4S 2 is rated an 8.5 SimpleScore in traction, which means the tire has great abilities to get you through the changing weather with better surefootedness. The optimized directional tread pattern of the N Blue 4S 2 is engineered to eliminate water and slush from the path and provide a better grip in wet and snowy weather. There are detailed sipes on the tread blocks that provide that additional grip on snow and ice and the grooves effectively channel water from the contact patch for reduced risk of hydroplaning.

On the contrary, the Falken Aklimate receives an 8.6 SimpleScore rating in traction. Its tread pattern is designed for increased traction and its sipes across the blocks help in better surface holding on slick surfaces. The 4D Nano Design Technology and advanced rubber compound also contribute to improved traction in snow. There are Canyon Grooves that offer solid grip on snow and the 3D Canyon Sipe Technology helps achieve traction in dry, wet, and snow conditions.

Both tires are great on the traction performance part, however, the Falken tire takes the lead by a small margin.

ADVANTAGE: Falken Aklimate

Nexen N Blue 4S 2 vs Falken Aklimate tires on handling

With a set of all-weather tires, you obviously intend to experience a confident handling performance. But, which of the two tires is better in this area, let’s find this out!

Starting with the N Blue 4S 2, the tire scores an 8.8 SimpleScore in handling and assures a great steering response. The profile is flat and wide enough to maintain stability and ride control and the detailed tread further enhances its abilities by holding the surfaces, allowing you to navigate seamlessly from one lane to another and bringing the vehicle to a halt in no time. The rubber compound of the tire is optimized to absorb the road vibrations, offering you a more comfortable ride.

The Aklimate scores an 8.7 rating in handling, giving tough competition to its counterpart. For responsive handling and raised comfort in varying weathers, the tire features Canyon Grooves and for confident driving in wet conditions, the tire is offered with a 4D Nano Design Technology. The three ribs improve the tire’s lane-changing ability and the strong shoulders facilitate better cornering performance. All kudos to the wide and flat footprint that brings a larger contact area into the play for more stable and controlled rides year-round.

In handling, there is a slight flip, and the N Blue 4S 2 scores better performance than the Aklimate.

ADVANTAGE: Nexen N Blue 4S 2

Nexen N Blue 4S 2 vs Falken Aklimate tires on longevity

Let’s now proceed to the longevity analysis of both tires and find out which of the two is made for a long-lasting service in changing weather conditions.

The SimpleScore rating in the longevity area for the N Blue 4S 2 is an outstanding 9.6, which means with a set of this tire installed you can go for miles worry-free. To add more convenience to your driving experience, there’s a great 70,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty offered. The solid construction and robust rubber compound ensure an increased tread life, while the flat and wide contact patch helps in even and longer wear.

The Aklimate also surprises with an excellent 9.5 SimpleScore rating in longevity. So, this means, that even if you consider this tire, you won’t regret buying it as it will offer a longer service. The award-winning 4D Nano Design Technology uses strong rubber compounds and reinforced inner construction to improve service life. To keep the tire in shape and avoid the chance of irregular wear, this tire also comes with a flat and wide contact patch that distributes the driving forces across the tread. With Aklimate, you get a 65,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty.

Choosing either of these tires won’t be a wrong call if you are looking for long-lasting tires, however, it is the N Blue 4S 2 that earns some extra points and leads in this area.

ADVANTAGE: Nexen N Blue 4S 2

When to use each

Both tires are suitable for use in dry, wet, and severe winter conditions. This means not only in rain and shine but also in temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit or on thick layers of snow or ice, you can vouch for the performance of these tires. If you live in a region that witnesses more than a few inches of snow or where the temperature typically remains below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, buying a set of winter tires would be a better option than these all-weather tires.

Which one should you choose?

Based on the overall SimpleScore, the Nexen N Blue 4S 2 and Falken Aklimate are a great choice as they score an equal 8.9 SimpleScore rating. But both tires have their own strengths and their selection should be based on your driving needs.

As far as the prices are concerned, the Nexen N Blue 4S 2 is available at a starting price of at least $103 per tire, while the Falken Aklimate is available at a starting price of $95 per tire. This means a set of four N Blue tires will cost you at least $412 and a set of four Aklimate tires is offered at a price of at least $380.

Based on SimpleScore and discussed attributes, you must consider the N Blue 4S 2 if you:

• Drive vehicles like the Audi Q3, Cadillac CTS, Jeep Compass, or Honda CR-V.
• Need a tire that’s better in handling (8.8 vs 8.7).
• Need a tire that’s better in longevity (9.6 vs 9.5).
• Want a tire that’s backed by a great 70,000 miles limited manufacturer tread life warranty.
• Are comfortable paying more to own a tire that’s good in two out of three areas of our comparative analysis (handling and longevity).
• Want a tire that is compatible with vehicles having rim sizes in the range of 15- to 20-inch.

Contrarily, you must prefer the Aklimate if you:

• Drive vehicles like the Honda Civic, Hyundai Kona, Chevrolet Suburban, and Mercedes-Benz GLC300.
• Need a tire that’s better in traction (8.6 vs 8.5).
• Need a tire that’s more affordable yet offers equally good overall performance.
• Need a tire that’s compatible with vehicles with rim sizes falling in the range of 15- to 22-inch rims.

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.