Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 vs Pirelli Ice Zero 2
- TR Score
- 8.7/10
- Owners say
- 86% · 17
- TR Score
- 8.4/10
- Owners say
- 64% · 3
In the 4 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 finished ahead 1 times and the Ice Zero 2 not once, with one level. The Hakkapeliitta R5 used 4.1% less fuel; the Ice Zero 2 resisted straight aquaplaning at a 19% higher speed.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose Pirelli Ice Zero 2 for regions with frequent ice, slush, and heavy winter rain where stopping distances and aquaplaning matter most. Choose Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 for daily Nordic commuting on mostly cleared roads, prioritizing quieter comfort, easier control, and better efficiency with strong snow performance.
Where the Hakkapeliitta R5 is stronger
- Calm, controllable limit behavior on ice and snow; excellent lateral grip on snow
- Lower fuel consumption in shared test and generally efficient rolling
- Quieter and more comfortable ride than the studded competitor
Where the Ice Zero 2 is stronger
- Superior ice performance (notably shorter ice braking and stronger traction)
- Class-leading wet braking for a studded tyre; best-in-group aquaplaning in shared data
- Precise steering with good stability in moose test scenarios
The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.
Hakkapeliitta R5 vs Ice Zero 2 at a glance
| Category | Hakkapeliitta R5 | Gap | Ice Zero 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won4 shared tests | 1 | 1 level | 0 |
| Dry4 measurements | 2 | Level between the two. | 2 |
| Wet7 measurements | 1 | The Ice Zero 2 resisted straight aquaplaning at a 19% higher speed (2 tests) | 5 |
| Snow4 measurements | 2 | 1 | |
| Ice4 measurements | 1 | 2 | |
| Comfort3 measurements | 2 | 0 | |
| Value2 measurements | 2 | The Hakkapeliitta R5 used 4.1% less fuel (2 tests) | 0 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 8.7/10 | The Hakkapeliitta R5 by 0.3 | 8.4/10 |
| Owner rating17 and 3 reviews | 86% | The Hakkapeliitta R5 by 22 points | 64% |
| Pricein the 2 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The Ice Zero 2 was dearer in 1 of 2 | +3.8% |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tyres; a tick marks the tyre ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.
Head to head in 4 tests, 2024 to 2026
Each row is one published test in which both tyres ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | Hakkapeliitta R5 | Field | Ice Zero 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test | P4 of 5Nordic Friction Winter Tyres | P1 of 7Studded Winter Tyres | |
| 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test | P4 of 7Nordic Friction Winter Tyres | P4 of 8Studded Winter Tyres | |
| 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | P2 of 7Nordic Friction Winter Tyres | P6 of 7Studded Winter Tyres | |
| The Best Studded / Friction Winter Tyres for 2024 | P4 of 6Nordic Friction Winter Tyres | P1 of 6Studded Winter Tyres |
Performance profile
6 measurements from the 4 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Hakkapeliitta R5
Ice Zero 2
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 36 m stop against 34.2 m is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. 11 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Hakkapeliitta R5
Ice Zero 2
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Where owners rate each higher
Hakkapeliitta R5
Ice Zero 2
Not ahead in any category
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the Hakkapeliitta R5 86% from 17 reviews and the Ice Zero 2 64% from 3. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tyres posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
| Measurement | Hakkapeliitta R5 | Gap | Ice Zero 2 | Wins | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30.8 | 2.5% | 31.6 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 12.5% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 40% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 69 | 1.4% | 70 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 37.9 | 9.5% | 34.3 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 40.6 | 1% | 41 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 11.1% | scored | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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| 54.9 | 19% | 65.35 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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| 49.5 | 0.8% | 49.9 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 6 | 1.7% | 5.9 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 5.6% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 47.9 | 13.2% | 41.6 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 6.7 | 13.4% | 5.8 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 25% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 8.3% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 42.9% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 5.84 | 4.1% | 6.09 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
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Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tyres shared. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.
Scores beyond the shared tests
On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Hakkapeliitta R5 scores 8.7 and the Ice Zero 2 8.4 out of 10.
| Hakkapeliitta R5 | Category | Ice Zero 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 56 | Dry | 86 | ||
| 33 | Wet | 94 | ||
| 28 | Comfort | 80 | ||
| 88 | Value | 65 | ||
| 88 | Snow | 56 | ||
| 81 | Ice | 33 | ||
Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
What owners say
| Hakkapeliitta R5 | Category | Ice Zero 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.3 | Dry Grip | 7.7 | ||
| 7.7 | Wet Grip | 7.3 | ||
| 8.7 | Road Feedback | 6.3 | ||
| 8.6 | Handling | 6 | ||
| 8.3 | Wear | 5.7 | ||
| 8.9 | Comfort | 5.7 | ||
| 9 | Snow Grip | 8 | ||
| 8.5 | Ice Grip | 6.3 | ||
Owners rate the Hakkapeliitta R5 86% from 17 reviews and the Ice Zero 2 64% from 3. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
- 86%from 17 reviews
- 88%would buy again
- 117,745 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers largely praise the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 for exceptional winter capability, with standout grip and braking on snow and strong confidence on ice, plus a very quiet and comfortable ride. A minority report weaknesses in wet conditions and aquaplaning resistance, and some note slush performance can be shaky around 0°C. Overall sentiment is strongly positive, with most users finding it a top-tier studless winter tyre for harsh climates.
- outstanding snow traction and handling
- strong ice grip and braking for a studless winter tyre
- very quiet and comfortable ride
- confidence-inspiring winter performance
- wet grip and aquaplaning resistance
- slush performance around 0°C
Summarised by AI from 13 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 17 Hakkapeliitta R5 reviewsGood Tires in almost all conditions. Feels better in try and wet than previous version r2 or r3. Good on wear. Could be better on ice and snow braking. Continental vikingcontact 7 feels better on ice and snow braking.
Pirelli Ice Zero 2
- 64%from 3 reviews
- 11,000 milesdriven by reviewers
All 3 Ice Zero 2 reviewsAt it tires are an important shortcoming: aftet 95 km/h strongly hoots "whuuuuuuuuuu"!
Sizes, EU label and lineage
| Category | Hakkapeliitta R5 | Ice Zero 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| On the market since | 2021 | - |
| Replaced | Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 (2018) | Pirelli Ice Zero |
| Price in the shared tests | The Ice Zero 2 was the dearer tyre in 1 of the 2 tests that listed prices, by 3.8% on average. Each test priced the tyres in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
Reading the results
Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.
This comparison pits two Nordic winter specialists with different philosophies: the friction (non-studded) Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 versus the studded Pirelli Ice Zero 2. Both target premium-touring drivers who face long winters, but they trade strengths between ice authority, wet-road manners, and day-to-day refinement.
Across three shared tests, Pirelli took two overall wins and Nokian one. The pattern is clear: Pirelli leverages studded confidence and standout wet braking for a studded tyre, while Nokian counters with calmer ice control, strong snow capability, better comfort, and lower fuel use in key measurements. The choice comes down to how often you face sheer ice and heavy rain versus mixed Nordic commuting with an emphasis on comfort and efficiency.
Conclusion
If your winter includes frequent glazed ice, emergency stops on cold wet asphalt, and you want maximum bite, the Pirelli Ice Zero 2 is the safer, more decisive option. It repeatedly outperforms on ice (around 13% gains in braking and traction in one test) and posts class-leading wet braking for a studded tyre, plus excellent aquaplaning resistance. The trade-offs are higher noise, higher rolling resistance in some reports, and more nervous behavior at the limit on ice and fast wet maneuvers.
For mixed urban/suburban Nordic driving with lots of cleared roads, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 is the more pleasant daily tyre. It's easier to control on ice, strong on snow, quieter, and returned better fuel consumption in shared data, while also winning dry braking and subjective dry handling once. Its weaknesses are meaningful: notably weaker aquaplaning and softer wet braking than the Pirelli, and slightly nervous stability compared with the very best friction peers. Net: Pirelli for maximum winter attack and wet stopping; Nokian for balanced, efficient, and calmer day-to-day winter use.
Hakkapeliitta R5 vs Ice Zero 2: your questions
Is the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 or the Pirelli Ice Zero 2 the better tyre?
In the 4 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 finished ahead 1 times and the Ice Zero 2 not once, with one level. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Hakkapeliitta R5 scores 8.7 and the Ice Zero 2 8.4 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Hakkapeliitta R5 or the Ice Zero 2?
The Ice Zero 2 led 5 of the 7 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it resisted straight aquaplaning at a 19% higher speed across 2 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
Across the shared tests the dry measurements are split 2-2 between the Hakkapeliitta R5 and the Ice Zero 2.
Which is better in snow?
The Hakkapeliitta R5 led 2 of the 4 snow measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Hakkapeliitta R5 used 4.1% less fuel (2 tests). Owners rate wear 8.3/10 for the Hakkapeliitta R5 and 5.7/10 for the Ice Zero 2.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 8.9/10 for the Hakkapeliitta R5 and 5.7/10 for the Ice Zero 2.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Hakkapeliitta R5 86% from 17 reviews and the Ice Zero 2 64% from 3.
Which is more expensive?
In the 2 tests that listed prices, the Ice Zero 2 was the dearer tyre in 1 of them, by 3.8% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
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Run either of these?
Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tyre wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tyres ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tyre Reviews Score rates each tyre out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tyres can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tyre Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tyres independently since 2007.
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