Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 - Test Results

Test Statistics

8

Tests Completed

3rd

Average Position

1st

Best Result

7th

Worst Result

Performance Analysis

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 - Official Image

Across eight tests, the Hakkapeliitta R5 is a top-tier Nordic friction winter tyre with class-leading snow and excellent ice performance, often finishing top three overall and winning major independent tests. It consistently posts best-in-class or near-best snow results and strong ice metrics, complemented by low rolling resistance and good comfort/noise. However, its wet performance and aquaplaning resistance are recurring weaknesses, and it fares poorly when benchmarked against studded tyres on ice. One all-weather test used it as a reference where it dominated snow but was not scored overall.
Overall, the R5 excels in harsh winter conditions (snow/ice control and traction) and efficiency, but shows clear limitations in wet braking/aquaplaning and mixed-category comparisons that include studded tyres.

Performance Strengths
  • Snow Performance Strong
    • 1st place snow braking/traction/handling/circle in 2025 Car and Driver All Weather (reference tyre)
    • 1st snow handling and 2nd overall in 2023 Studless vs Studded (snow handling 1/8; snow braking 2/8 +2.1%)
    • 1st snow handling and strong overall (3/8) in 2023 Studless Friction (snow handling 1/8)
    • Top-3 snow trio in 2022/23 Tyre Reviews (snow traction 1/9; snow handling 2/9 +0.1%; snow braking 3/9 +0.9%)
    • Top-3 snow across 2024 Nordic Friction (snow handling 2/8 +0.1%; snow braking 2/8 +0.2%; traction 3/8 +4%)
  • Ice Performance Strong
    • 2024 Nordic Friction: ice braking/traction/handling all 2/8 (within +6.4%, +6.4%, +0.6%)
    • 2023 Studless vs Studded: ice braking 2/8 (+1.8%); ice handling 2/8 (+0.2%)
    • 2023 Studless Friction: ice handling 2/8 (+0.4%); ice braking 3/8 (+3.3%)
    • 2022/23 Tyre Reviews: ice traction 2/9; ice handling 3/9 (+2.5%)
  • Comfort and Efficiency Strong
    • 2022/23 Tyre Reviews: Noise 1/8; Subj. Comfort 1/8; Rolling resistance 2/9 (+1.2%)
    • 2024 Studded vs Friction: Noise 1/8; Fuel consumption 1/8
    • 2024 Nordic Friction: Fuel consumption 2/8 (+1%)
  • Overall Winter Test Results Strong
    • 1/9 overall in 2022/23 Tyre Reviews Studless Winter
    • 2/8 overall in 2023 Studless vs Studded
    • 3/8 overall in 2023 Studless Friction
    • 3/8 overall in 2024 Nordic Friction
    • 4/17 overall in 2024 Teknikens Värld mixed studded/friction
Performance Weaknesses
  • Wet Braking and Aquaplaning Strong
    • 2024 Nordic Friction: wet braking 6/8 (+52.5%); straight aqua 6/8 (+30.5%)
    • 2023 Studless vs Studded: wet braking 8/8 (+32.7%); wet handling 5/8 (+4.5%)
    • 2022/23 Tyre Reviews: straight aquaplaning 8/8 (+28.1%); curved aquaplaning 8/8 (+27.9%); wet braking 4/8 (+36.6%); wet handling 5/8 (+12%)
    • 2024 Studded vs Friction: wet braking 8/8 (+11.9%); straight aqua 8/8 (+20.8%)
  • Performance vs Studded Tyres on Ice Moderate
    • 2024 Studded vs Friction: ice braking 8/8 (+62%); ice traction 8/8 (+104.3%) while being only friction tyre
    • Mixed-category 2024 Teknikens Värld: friction tyre ranked below top studded options (overall 4/17)
  • Dry Subjective Handling Minor
    • 2024 Nordic Friction: subjective dry handling 6/8 (+40% from best)
    • 2023 Studless Friction: subjective dry handling 5/8 (+40% from best)
Performance Over Time

Test History

6
of 7
2025 Car and Driver All Weather Tyre Test

2025
Winner: Pirelli Cinturato WeatherActive

Strong:
Snow Braking, Snow Circle, Snow Handling, Snow Traction
3
of 8
2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test

2024
Winner: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3

The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 took third place, dominating the winter conditions alongside Continental. It excelled in both ice and snow performance, offering the best cornering grip and proving part...
Strong:
Ice Braking, Ice Handling, Ice Traction, Snow Braking, Snow Handling, Fuel Consumption
7
of 8
2024 Studded Tyre Test

2024
Winner: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10

The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 friction tyre proved that non-studded tyres can match studded ones in many winter conditions, particularly on rough ice and snow. Its soft compound gives understeery han...
Strong:
Noise, Dry Braking, Ice Handling, Snow Traction, Fuel Consumption
Weak:
Subj. Dry Handling, Ice Braking, Ice Traction, Straight Aqua, Wet Braking
4
of 17
The Best Studded / Friction Winter Tyres for 2024

2024
Winner: Pirelli Ice Zero 2

The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5, a Nordic non-studded tyre, showed improved performance in wet conditions compared to previous years while maintaining strong ice and snow capabilities. It demonstrated ...
3
of 8
2023 Studless Friction Winter Tyre Test

2023
Winner: Continental VikingContact 7

Nokian's latest friction tire scores the most points of all in the snow and ice rounds. It has lively reactions and steers quickly into curves. For a soft friction tire, it is a joy to drive with a...
Strong:
Ice Handling, Ice Traction, Snow Handling
1
of 4
Nokian Outpost nAT vs Hakkapeliitta R5 vs WRG4 vs One

2023

The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 is totally joyful tyre to drive on snow, and proof that a good winter tyre can make anything fun in the snow as it made the test Toyota Hilux exceptional fun! Compared t...
Strong:
Snow Braking, Snow Handling, Snow Traction
2
of 8
2023 Studless vs Studded Snow Tyre Test

2023
Winner: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3

Ice and Snow: Best control, excellent grip on snow, good braking grip; Wet Conditions: Excellent extreme situation behavior, good driving characteristics on dry surfaces, oversteers in wet conditi...
Strong:
Ice Braking, Ice Handling, Snow Braking, Snow Handling
Weak:
Wet Braking
1
of 9
2022/23 Tyre Reviews Studless Winter Tyre Test

2022

The Nokian ever so slightly edged the Michelin in the dry, matched it in the wet grip tests but was the worst in hydroplaning resistance, but then was the best in the snow overall. It had the best ...
Strong:
Noise, Subj. Comfort, Subj. Dry Handling, Ice Traction, Subj. Ice Handling, Snow Circle, Snow Handling, Snow Traction, Subj. Snow Handling, Rolling Resistance
Weak:
Curved Aquaplaning, Straight Aqua