Michelin X Ice Snow vs Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
Expect a nuanced split: Nokian generally dominates dynamic handling and braking on dry, wet, and snowy tarmac, with low rolling resistance and high subjective confidence in winter driving. Michelin counters with class-leading hydroplaning safety and consistently short stopping on ice, paired with notably refined ride and low noise. The choice comes down to your winter mix-slick ice safety and comfort versus broader all-round tarmac performance in cold, slushy conditions.
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 eight tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Michelin X Ice Snow | one | |
| Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 | six | |
| one draws in one tests | ||
While it might look like the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 is better than the Michelin X Ice Snow 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
- Excellent ice braking and often best ice traction performance
- Class-leading straight/curved aquaplaning resistance
- High comfort and low cabin noise
- Predictable stability; strong safety bias in extreme situations
- Consistently shorter dry and wet braking with sharper handling
- Strong snow handling and traction; engaging winter drivability
- Low rolling resistance and generally good efficiency
- High subjective comfort in several tests
Dry Braking
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was better during six dry braking tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 stopped the vehicle in 2.85% less distance than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Dry Braking: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was better during two dry handling [s] tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was 0.73% faster around a lap than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was better during three subj. dry handling tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 scored 2.2% more points than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was better during three wet braking tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 stopped the vehicle in 2.57% less distance than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Wet Braking: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was better during four wet handling [s] tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was 2.19% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice Snow was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Michelin X Ice Snow scored 2.46% more points than the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Michelin X Ice Snow
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was 9.08% faster around a wet circle than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Wet Circle: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice Snow was better during four straight aqua tests. On average the Michelin X Ice Snow floated at a 6.76% higher speed than the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5.
Best In Straight Aqua: Michelin X Ice Snow
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice Snow was better during two curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Michelin X Ice Snow slipped out at a 12.31% higher speed than the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Michelin X Ice Snow
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Snow Braking
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was better during four snow braking tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 stopped the vehicle in 0.4% less distance than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Snow Braking: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was better during four snow traction tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 accelerated 0.85% faster than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Snow Traction: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [s]
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was better during five snow handling [s] tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was 1.13% faster around a lap than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Snow Handling [s]: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Snow Handling
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was better during two subj. snow handling tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 scored 3.6% more points than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Subj. Snow Handling: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
See how the Subj. Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Circle
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was better during one snow circle tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was 0.38% faster around a snow circle than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Snow Circle: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
See how the Snow Circle winner was calculated >>
Snow Slalom
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice Snow was better during one snow slalom tests. On average the Michelin X Ice Snow was 0.61% faster through a slalom than the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5.
Best In Snow Slalom: Michelin X Ice Snow
See how the Snow Slalom winner was calculated >>
Ice Braking
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice Snow was better during five ice braking tests. On average the Michelin X Ice Snow stopped the vehicle 4.33% shorter than the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5.
Best In Ice Braking: Michelin X Ice Snow
See how the Ice Braking winner was calculated >>
Ice Traction
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice Snow was better during three ice traction tests. On average the Michelin X Ice Snow accelerated 3.1% faster than the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5.
Best In Ice Traction: Michelin X Ice Snow
See how the Ice Traction winner was calculated >>
Ice Handling [s]
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was better during four ice handling [s] tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was 2.62% faster around a lap than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Ice Handling [s]: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
See how the Ice Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Ice Handling
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice Snow was better during one subj. ice handling tests. On average the Michelin X Ice Snow scored 1.64% more points than the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5.
Best In Subj. Ice Handling: Michelin X Ice Snow
See how the Subj. Ice Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was better during two subj. comfort tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 scored 1.09% more points than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Subj. Noise
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice Snow and Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 performed equally well in subj. noise tests.
Best In Subj. Noise: Both tyres performed equally well
See how the Subj. Noise winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice Snow was better during one noise tests. On average the Michelin X Ice Snow measured 0.69% quieter than the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5.
Best In Noise: Michelin X Ice Snow
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was better during one noise tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 measured 0.32% quieter than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Noise: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was better during one rolling resistance tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 had a 3.77% lower rolling resistance than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was better during two fuel consumption tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 used 1.84% less fuel than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Michelin X Ice Snow Driver Reviews
Most drivers rate the Michelin X Ice Snow highly for confident winter performance, especially strong traction and braking on snow and generally solid grip on ice, with predictable handling. Comfort and noise are typically praised, and several note slow wear. A minority report weaker performance on wet or smooth/black ice and average dry/wet road grip versus all-season or studded options. Overall sentiment is strongly positive with durability and winter grip leading the praise.
Based on 16 reviews with an average rating of 84%
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 Driver Reviews
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.
Based on 15 reviews with an average rating of 85%
Conclusion
Michelin X-Ice Snow is the specialist: it repeatedly delivers best-in-group ice braking and strong aquaplaning resistance, with standout refinement and low noise. However, it trails the R5 in most dry/wet metrics and often in snow handling, and several recent tests describe slower steering and weaker lateral grip. If your priority is maximum stopping security on ice and quiet comfort, Michelin is compelling; if you drive more wet, slushy, and variable winter tarmac with frequent cornering and emergency maneuvers, the Nokian is the safer all-round choice.
Key Differences
- Overall wins: R5 leads 6-1 (1 draw), indicating stronger all-round performance
- Ice braking: Michelin usually stops shorter; R5 can lag on smooth ice
- Aquaplaning: Michelin clearly superior (straight and curved) versus R5's known weakness
- Dry/wet tarmac: R5 typically brakes and handles better; Michelin often weakest in wet in 2025 tests
- Snow dynamics: R5 more agile with better cornering/traction; Michelin close in braking but less lateral grip
- Comfort/noise vs feel: Michelin quieter/more refined; R5 more responsive but sometimes slightly nervous
Overall Winner: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 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.