Falken EuroWinter HS449 Tire Review

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‍About the Falken EuroWinter HS449

Driving in harsh wintry conditions requires that you be careful on the vehicle you choose, and it must be having proper and well-maintained tires. This is not only good for your safety, but for your comfort too.

While your set of all-season tires can ensure traction in light snow, they become almost useless in deep snow, ice and slushy conditions.

But with so many choices in the market to choose from, you need to evaluate the kind of tires that you choose and ensure that they are quality ones. Well, it’s hard to point to one particular winter tire and say it’s the best on the market since each tire comes with its unique qualities.

However, there is one particular tire that stands out in the winter category. And this is Falken EuroWinter HS449.

Built for minivans and passenger cars, this winter tire offers optimal performance and is ideal even in extremely snowy conditions.

Technology and Design

Like other winter tires, the Falken EuroWinter HS449 is engineered to deliver a safe driving experience in harsh wintry conditions. To achieve these objectives, Falken has provisioned it with several advanced tire features and technologies such as:

Advanced Tread Compound

The EuroWinter HS449 comes with a silica-enhanced tread compound. This advanced tread compound ensures optimal performances on light icy roads, deep snowy conditions and slushy conditions.

And apart from delivering a dependable performance in these conditions, this tread compound remains pliable in extremely cold weather and enhances stability and handling.

With the utilization of this advanced tread compound, Falken wants to make sure that you will arrive safely and comfortably to your destination.

Directional Tread Pattern

Falken has further provisioned the product and features high-void symmetrical tread pattern, featuring wide lateral grooves.

This tread pattern helps to ensure maximum grip and contact with the road surface, both on the dry pavement or over wet surfaces.

3D Canyon SIPE Technology

The EuroWinter HS449 also sports Falken’s unique 3D Canyon SIPE technology. So, how does this technology work? Well, each tread block on the tire features more biting edges. At the same time, the rigidity of the tread blocks is not compromised, since they work together to support each other and deliver maximum control.

The product offers short braking distances on snowy or icy roads. Also, this technology helps to deliver enhanced acceleration from a stationary position.

Staggered Block Variation

This tire features a staggered block variation.

This design is very helpful in reducing noise and vibrations coming to the cabin. Consequently, you are going to enjoy a quiet and efficient ride.

Performances in Various Conditions

So, how does the Falken EuroWinter HS449 fare in different conditions? We mounted a set of this tire on a Honda Crosstour and headed north to Alaska, to evaluate its performance. And after days of rigorous testing, we made the following observations.

Performance in Snow and Ice

As a dedicated winter tire, everyone expects the tire to be very good in snowy and icy conditions. Is that the case?

Without a doubt, the Falken EuroWinter HS449 does not disappoint the user and it fits in driving ice-covered roads as well as snowy roads.

During our test rides, it felt as if we were driving on wet conditions as opposed to snow-covered roads.

What we loved most about this tire is its outstanding traction and grip in extreme snow conditions. With the EuroWinter HS449, you will never get stuck during winter, regardless of how severe the conditions are.

We also loved how it handled corners with ease. Its steering response was great and the front tires dug into the snow exceptionally well. The rear tires also followed suit, creating a surefooted and balanced ride.

Also, this tire delivered some of the shortest braking distances that we’ve recorded in this category. One is assured of a safe driving experience in harsh wintry conditions.

As pertaining to studless tires, the Falken EuroWinter HS449 is arguably one of the best for driving on icy and snowy surfaces.

Performance in Wet and Slippery Conditions

Its performance in wet and slippery conditions was equally great. As far as handling goes, the Falken EuroWinter HS449 offers ideal driving in wet and slippery conditions.

During the entirety of our test ride, this tire didn’t lose any responsiveness. Also, it remained surefooted, delivering adequate traction all through.

Furthermore, there were no instances of understeer or oversteer, even when we were undertaking hard cornering.

Even in hard acceleration, we didn’t experience any wheel spin. And thanks to its exceptional hydroplaning resistance, our Honda Crosstour remained stable, even when we pushed it to the limit in heavy rain.

As for the braking distances, they remained short. In fact, they were shorter than some of the premium tires in this class.

Dry Performance

As expected, the Falken EuroWinter HS449 doesn’t handle dry roads well like a summer tire.

Also, it trails almost all all-season tires as pertaining to dry performance. The braking distances were long, steering response was poor, and traction was quite limited.

Overall, the Falken EuroWinter HS449 is a poor performer on dry roads. And this didn’t come as a surprise to us, since it’s not engineered for such conditions.

Off-roading Performance

With its aggressive tread pattern, the EuroWinter HS449 may provide traction as well as grip on slippery surfaces like mud or gravel.

But, it doesn’t mean that it is capable of handling off-road terrains. Its rubber compound is extremely soft.

Therefore, prolonged driving with this tire in off-road terrains may damage its tread considerably, leading to possible tear.

Ride Quality

In case you are using a perfectly smooth road, then you will enjoy a comfortable and quiet riding with the tire.

However, things are quite different if you happen to encounter textured or rough roads. The ride feels harsh and it produces excessive road noise.

Simply put, its ride quality depends on the driving surface that you encounter. On smooth roads, it will be supremely comfortable but on rough roads, the ride experience will be unpleasant.

Warranties and Guarantees

The Falken EuroWinter HS449 comes with a six-year work as well as materials href="https://www.falkentire.com/tires/care-safety-warranty?qt-tire_care_safety=1#qt-tire_care_safety" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">warranty.

Under this warranty, Falken offers a replacement for free, in the case it is not serviceable due to workmanship or materials defects.

If the EuroWinter HS449 is removed from service during its first 2/32-inch tread, Falkem is going to offer a replacement for free.

In the case the tire becomes unserviceable after its first 2/32-inch of its original tread, Falken is going to offer a replacement on prorated rates. Thus, you are going to contribute a certain percent of the product's replacement costs.

An authorized Falken is going to help you in the calculation as well as understanding the amount. Should you feel aggrieved in any way, do not hesitate to seek an explanation from the company, and they are going to assist you.

Sizes and Fitment

Falken produces this tire in various sizes including the following:

• Buick Lucerne and LaCrosse
• Ford Flex and Fusion
• Hyundai Veloster
• Honda Crosstour
• Nissan Altima
• Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Impala and Malibu
• Audi A4 Quattro

Falken EuroWinter HS449 Pros

• Outstanding traction and grip in snow and slush
• Excellent steering response
• Comfortable ride on smooth pavement

Falken EuroWinter HS449 Cons

• Harsh ride on rough surfaces

Verdict on EuroWinter HS449?

It’s almost impossible to find anything to dislike about the Falken EuroWinter HS449. Its performance and handling when driving on snow conditions and ice-covered roads are exceptional. Also, its performance in wet and slippery conditions is equally outstanding. The only potential downside you may experience with this tire is its harsh ride on rough surfaces. But this is not a deal-breaker in any way. In case you want a winter tire that will always deliver an assured performance in harsh wintry conditions, then the EuroWinter HS449 will be an excellent choice.