Falken Ziex ZE960 A/S Review

Last Updated on November 3, 2025 by Tom

The Ziex ZE960 A/S is one of Falken’s performance-focused all-season models, meant for cars that need a little more edge in their steering while still staying on the road year-round. It’s sold in a spread of sizes that fit everyday sedans, two-door coupes, and the compact crossovers people drive to work or out on the highway.

This review walks through how the tire behaves on dry pavement, its performance in rain, the feedback from owners during cold mornings, and how the tread wears down once real mileage starts to stack up.

Dry Roads and Everyday Stability

In everyday traffic, the ZE960 A/S keeps steering steady without feeling nervous at the wheel. Drivers say the tire holds its line through lane changes and long ramps, with the shoulders giving enough bite to keep cars planted through routine turns. On suburban roads, it tracks predictably, letting sedans and coupes handle tighter loops without leaning too far into the corner.

Compact car owners often point out the change most clearly. One Civic driver in California described how the set “grabbed the lane” during a merge, giving the car more control than before. Midsize sedan drivers share similar notes about the tire staying composed on open sweepers, even when crosswinds tug at the body. Long-haul commuters add that at highway speeds the tread feels centered and doesn’t wander, even on grooved concrete.

Performance feedback does split when the driving gets more aggressive. Owners of sport-tuned vehicles notice that the tire gives up grip earlier than a summer set during sharp inputs. For regular use, though, whether that’s stop-and-go traffic or steady highway running, most describe the ZE960 A/S as predictable and easy to live with.

Pro tip: Check out our review of the previous version of this tire, the Falken Ziex ZE950 A/S!

Rain and Heavy Water

Rain is one of the tire’s stronger suits. The grooves channel water outward, keeping the tread blocks connected to the road across most downpours. Drivers in Gulf Coast states like Florida and Texas say the tire feels secure even when crossing pooled water at intersections. Hydroplaning reports are rare in the first half of tread life, though some owners mention that lighter steering returns as the shoulders begin to wear after thirty thousand miles.

Reviews from the Pacific Northwest echo similar points. Commuters in Portland and Seattle note that braking remains firm on soaked streets, and ride-share drivers mention the confidence the tire provides on long rainy days. Braking through oily intersections, a common worry during storms, is described as predictable, with cars tracking straight instead of wandering under pressure.

Snow and Ice

As with many performance all-seasons, winter behavior depends heavily on location. In states with mild winters such as Virginia or Kentucky, the siping helps bite into light snow, and cars get moving without constant slip. Plowed streets see traffic flow without major issues, and owners often keep the ZE960 A/S mounted through short cold spells.

In northern states, reports shift. Michigan drivers talk about spin at intersections and longer braking distances on compacted snow. Vermont and Minnesota owners frequently park the set by December and swap to winter tires, knowing that deeper snow and icy backroads show the limits of the compound.

Not all feedback is critical, though. A Miata driver in Alaska shared surprise at getting through a storm with heavy accumulation, crediting careful driving and the tread design. These accounts show that the tire can handle occasional snowfalls, but for consistency, most shops still classify it as a three-season choice in harsher climates.

Comfort and Cabin Tone

One of the bigger positives in reviews is the ride quality. Drivers swapping out older OEM sets often say the Falken Ziex ZE960 A/S rides smoother than expected for a performance all-season. Raised expansion joints don’t send the same sharp jolt into the cabin, and potholes get muted enough that passengers notice less chatter.

Noise levels draw steady praise, especially from those driving older cars with less sound insulation. On fresh asphalt, the tire fades into the background, with little road tone making its way inside. Drivers say a faint hum can creep in on rougher concrete or chip seal, especially once the car climbs past 50 mph. In smaller compacts the sound makes itself known, though in bigger vehicles it blends into the background.

The sidewalls carry a firmer feel than you’d get from a soft touring tire, which means the wheel picks up more of the road’s texture. For many owners, that sharper response becomes part of the tire’s character after a few weeks of daily driving.

Wear and Longevity

Treadwear is the area where reviews diverge the most. Some owners report sets lasting close to warranty numbers with careful rotation and alignment. Others complain about fade well before expectations, particularly under aggressive use.

Shops often note that maintenance habits tell the story. Vehicles that rotate every five to six thousand miles usually see steady wear across the tread, pushing past forty thousand before traction drops off. Owners who skip intervals or run with low inflation find the tires losing depth sooner, sometimes by twenty thousand.

Heavy SUVs and EVs add more strain. Torque and curb weight chew into the shoulders, with some drivers seeing uneven wear by mid-life. Commuter sedans, on the other hand, often get the best mileage, logging fifty thousand or more if driven consistently on highway routes.

Where the Tire Fits Best

The ZE960 A/S fits into households where drivers want performance flavor without the hassle of seasonal swaps. Compact sedans and coupes benefit most, since the steering feels tighter in daily traffic, and braking confidence in rain reduces stress on long commutes. Families running smaller crossovers mention that it holds traction well during city errands and school routes, while still staying quiet on the highway.

You’ll find these tires across many regions. In California, commuters run them daily on freeways. In the Midwest, they handle suburban driving and grocery trips. Some Northeastern drivers keep them mounted all year, though snowbelt owners still prefer to swap once storms set in. The tire’s appeal lies in its balance of sporty grip and everyday practicality, which explains why it shows up on such a wide spread of vehicles.

Tradeoffs to Expect

Like every design, the Falken Ziex ZE960 A/S comes with give-and-take. Dry traction holds up for daily use, but spirited drivers may find its limits sooner than they’d like. Wet grip is excellent, though some decline appears once tread depth falls. Winter coverage stops short of deep snow or ice, making it best suited for mild climates.

Treadwear draws the most complaints. Owners looking for maximum mileage may be disappointed if they expect a full fifty or sixty thousand miles without strict care. Still, for many households, the balance between wet security, quiet ride, and sharper-than-average steering outweighs the shorter lifespan.

Warranty and Coverage

Falken lists the ZE960 A/S with mileage coverage that varies by size and speed rating, topping out at sixty-five thousand miles. Shops note that warranty claims often depend on service records, especially proof of rotations and inflation checks. Keeping those in order gives drivers better leverage if treadwear falls short.

The tire has earned a spot in Falken’s lineup by covering a middle ground. It offers wet traction that drivers trust, cabin quiet that makes long trips easier, and steering feel that adds life to everyday cars. While it may not satisfy those seeking touring-tire mileage or snowbelt security, it provides enough capability to fit the needs of many American drivers who value both comfort and confidence year-round.