Michelin X Ice Snow vs Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5

Across multiple tests, the Hakkapeliitta R5 is the more winter-focused performer, consistently winning snow handling, snow traction, and most ice handling laps, and edging dry braking. It also tends to be quieter and can offer lower fuel consumption in some sizes. Drivers who value crisp response and lateral grip on winter surfaces will likely prefer the Nokian.

The X-Ice Snow counters with repeatable strengths where many Nordic tyres falter: best-in-group aquaplaning resistance, strong wet braking, and excellent ice and snow straight-line braking. It feels stable and reassuring on bare and wet tarmac, with low rolling resistance in key tests. If your winter mixes freeze-thaw, rain, and slush with occasional snow/ice, Michelin delivers the more rounded real-world safety net.

Bottom line: Nokian for maximum winter cornering prowess; Michelin for all-weather winter versatility and wet-security.

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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.