Continental VikingContact 8 vs Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
The data shows a clear pattern. Nokian dominates pure ice metrics by large margins (for example, ice braking 33.9 m vs 47.1 m; ice traction advantages of 24-31%), while Continental consistently rides, handles, and sips fuel better, often winning dry and wet handling plus subjective comfort and noise. Aquaplaning is a shared weakness for Nordic friction tyres, yet straight-line aquaplaning slightly favored the Nokian in one test, while Continental's curved aquaplaning lag was noted. The choice ultimately hinges on how often you drive on bare or wet pavement versus hard ice.
Test Results
Independent comparison tyre tests are the best source of data to get tyre information from, and the good news is there have been four tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Continental VikingContact 8 | three | |
| one draws in one tests | ||
While it might look like the Continental VikingContact 8 is better than the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 purely based on the higher number of test wins, tyres are very complicated objects which means where one tyre is better than the other can be more important in real world use.
Let's look at how the two tyres compare across multiple tyre test categories.
Key Strengths
- Class-leading all-rounder with 3 overall test wins and consistently high scores across surfaces
- Excellent comfort and low noise (e.g., 9 vs 5 points comfort; top subjective noise ratings)
- Best efficiency/rolling resistance in testing (around 3-4% lower fuel consumption)
- Confident dry/wet handling and stability with strong snow performance and composed road manners
- Outstanding ice performance with studs (e.g., ice braking 33.9 m vs 47.1 m; perfect 80/80 winter points in one test)
- Exceptional traction and drivability on ice and packed snow with precise, predictable steering
- Competitive wet metrics in parts (e.g., a wet braking win; slight straight-line aquaplaning edge)
- High stability in emergency maneuvers (moose test) on winter surfaces
Dry Braking
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 was better during one dry braking tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 stopped the vehicle in 57.92% less distance than the Continental VikingContact 8.
Best In Dry Braking: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 was better during one dry handling [s] tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 was 100% faster around a lap than the Continental VikingContact 8.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Continental VikingContact 8 was better during two subj. dry handling tests. On average the Continental VikingContact 8 scored 57.89% more points than the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Continental VikingContact 8
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 was better during two wet braking tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 stopped the vehicle in 54.46% less distance than the Continental VikingContact 8.
Best In Wet Braking: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 was better during one wet handling [s] tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 was 68.9% faster around a wet lap than the Continental VikingContact 8.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Continental VikingContact 8 was better during two subj. wet handling tests. On average the Continental VikingContact 8 scored 44.7% more points than the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Continental VikingContact 8
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 was 100% faster around a wet circle than the Continental VikingContact 8.
Best In Wet Circle: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Continental VikingContact 8 was better during one straight aqua tests. On average the Continental VikingContact 8 floated at a 49.16% higher speed than the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10.
Best In Straight Aqua: Continental VikingContact 8
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental VikingContact 8 was better during one curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Continental VikingContact 8 slipped out at a 100% higher speed than the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Continental VikingContact 8
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Snow Braking
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Continental VikingContact 8 was better during one snow braking tests. On average the Continental VikingContact 8 stopped the vehicle in 0.6% less distance than the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10.
Best In Snow Braking: Continental VikingContact 8
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Continental VikingContact 8 and Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 performed equally well in snow traction tests.
Best In Snow Traction: Both tyres performed equally well
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental VikingContact 8 was better during one snow handling [s] tests. On average the Continental VikingContact 8 was 1.52% faster around a lap than the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10.
Best In Snow Handling [s]: Continental VikingContact 8
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Snow Handling
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Continental VikingContact 8 and Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 performed equally well in subj. snow handling tests.
Best In Subj. Snow Handling: Both tyres performed equally well
See how the Subj. Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Slalom
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 was better during one snow slalom tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 was 7.12% faster through a slalom than the Continental VikingContact 8.
Best In Snow Slalom: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
See how the Snow Slalom winner was calculated >>
Ice Braking
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 was better during two ice braking tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 stopped the vehicle 26.5% shorter than the Continental VikingContact 8.
Best In Ice Braking: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
See how the Ice Braking winner was calculated >>
Ice Traction
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 was better during two ice traction tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 accelerated 27.23% faster than the Continental VikingContact 8.
Best In Ice Traction: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
See how the Ice Traction winner was calculated >>
Ice Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental VikingContact 8 was better during one ice handling [s] tests. On average the Continental VikingContact 8 was 6.43% faster around a lap than the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10.
Best In Ice Handling [s]: Continental VikingContact 8
See how the Ice Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Ice Handling
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 was better during one subj. ice handling tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 scored 13.33% more points than the Continental VikingContact 8.
Best In Subj. Ice Handling: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
See how the Subj. Ice Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Continental VikingContact 8 was better during two subj. comfort tests. On average the Continental VikingContact 8 scored 73.35% more points than the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Continental VikingContact 8
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Subj. Noise
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental VikingContact 8 was better during one subj. noise tests. On average the Continental VikingContact 8 scored 22.22% more points than the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10.
Best In Subj. Noise: Continental VikingContact 8
See how the Subj. Noise winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 was better during one noise tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 measured 100% quieter than the Continental VikingContact 8.
Best In Noise: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 was better during one rolling resistance tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 had a 100% lower rolling resistance than the Continental VikingContact 8.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental VikingContact 8 was better during one fuel consumption tests. On average the Continental VikingContact 8 used 3.7% less fuel than the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Continental VikingContact 8
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Tyre Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Continental VikingContact 8 and Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10.
In total the Continental VikingContact 8 has been reviewed 4 times and drivers have given the tyre 78% overall.
The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 has been reviewed 8 times and drivers have given the tyre 76% overall.
This means in real world driving, people prefer the Continental VikingContact 8.
Conclusion
If your winter reality is frequent hard ice and packed snow-think rural Nordic routes, mountain passes, or untreated surfaces-the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10's studs provide a decisive safety margin. It posted perfect 80/80 winter-surface points in one test and slashes stopping distances on ice (up to ~28% shorter) while delivering predictable, precise behavior in extreme slipperiness. You'll trade for higher noise, harsher ride, and notably worse efficiency, and it feels less composed on bare pavement. In short: Continental for everyday winter versatility and refinement; Nokian for maximum security on ice when conditions justify the studded compromise.
Key Differences
- Construction and intent: Nokian is studded for maximum ice grip; Continental is a non-studded friction tyre optimized for balance and refinement.
- Ice dominance: Nokian wins ice braking/traction by large margins (up to ~28-31% advantage), giving a clear safety buffer on glare ice.
- Road manners: Continental is markedly quieter, more comfortable, and more stable on bare pavement; Nokian feels harsher and less refined on asphalt.
- Efficiency: Continental shows lower rolling resistance and better fuel use (e.g., 5.726 vs 5.946 l/100 km).
- Wet/dry behavior: Continental typically handles and steers better in dry and wet, while Nokian nabbed a wet braking win in one test but felt imprecise on asphalt overall.
- Aquaplaning nuance: Nokian had a slight edge in straight-line aquaplaning once, but Continental's curved aquaplaning was a relative weak spot noted by testers.
- Overall consistency: Continental took 3 overall wins and a draw; Nokian's results swing from exceptional on ice to mediocre on bare pavement.
- Noise and comfort: Continental rated significantly higher in subjective comfort/noise; Nokian is louder, typical of studded tyres.
- Legal/practical considerations: Studded tyres like the Nokian may face restrictions and are less ideal for prolonged bare-road use.
- Value proposition: For mixed conditions, Continental's breadth of ability and lower running costs improve total ownership value.
Overall Winner: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tyre has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tyre buying choice.Similar Comparisons
Looking for more tyre comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tyres:
Footnote
This page has been developed using tyre industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tyres in the same test.
Why is this important? Tyre testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tyre test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tyre tests performed on different days or at different locations.
As a result you will see other tests on Tyre Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.
Lots of other websites do this sort of tyre comparison, Tyre Reviews doesn't.