Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 review
The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 is widely regarded as a premier choice for extreme winter conditions, particularly where ice and deep snow are prevalent. While users consistently praise its class-leading traction and confidence-inspiring performance in sub-zero temperatures, the tire is frequently noted for its significant road noise and handling characteristics that may feel 'floaty' on dry pavement.
Owners rate it 19.9 points higher than the instrumented road tests do — see the two score breakdowns below for where they disagree.
Two scoring systems, side by side
Owner scores come from reviews on retailer and review sites; road-test scores come from instrumented tests. Where they disagree, it is usually a discipline owners rarely push to the limit.
By owner reviews
82%By road tests
62.1%What owners like and dislike
Themes extracted from 10 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.
The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 is widely regarded as a premier choice for extreme winter conditions, particularly where ice and deep snow are prevalent. While users consistently praise its class-leading traction and confidence-inspiring performance in sub-zero temperatures, the tire is frequently noted for its significant road noise and handling characteristics that may feel 'floaty' on dry pavement.
Pros
- Exceptional ice and packed snow traction
- High level of driver confidence on steep, icy inclines
- Strong durability and tread life over multiple seasons
- Superior performance in extreme sub-zero temperatures
Cons
- Noticeable road noise due to the studded design
- Soft sidewalls leading to a 'floating' sensation in dry conditions
- Reduced performance in deep, wet slush
- Poor handling and stability in warmer, non-winter temperatures
Worth knowing
- Drivers of heavier vehicles like Range Rovers report excellent 'snow plow' capability, while lighter vehicles like the Mazda MX-5 experience more pronounced handling instability.
- Rear-wheel-drive vehicle owners appreciate the tire's ability to maintain traction on icy hills, though they note the sidewall flex is more apparent in these setups.
6 published test appearances
Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.
2020 Studded Winter tire Test · 205/60 R16
3rd of 8
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Handling | 4th of 8 | |
| Snow Traction | 5th of 8 | |
| Snow Handling | 1st of 8 | |
| Ice Handling | 2nd of 8 | |
| Straight Aqua | 6th of 8 | |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 3rd of 8 | |
| Ice Traction | 2nd of 8 | |
| Subj. Noise | 5th of 8 | |
| Fuel Consumption | 6th of 8 |
The Best Winter tires for 2020 · 205/55 R16
9th of 19
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2020 Nordic and Studded Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16
3rd of 20
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 8th of 20 | |
| Wet Handling | 15th of 20 | |
| Dry Braking | 10th of 20 | |
| Snow Braking | 6th of 20 | |
| Snow Traction | 4th of 20 | |
| Snow Handling | 8th of 20 | |
| Ice Braking | 1st of 20 | |
| Ice Handling | 3rd of 20 | |
| Ice Traction | 2nd of 20 | |
| Subj. Noise | 20th of 20 |
2019 Studded Winter tire Test · 225/50 R17
4th of 8
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 3rd of 8 | |
| Wet Handling | 1st of 8 | |
| Dry Braking | 5th of 8 | |
| Snow Braking | 4th of 8 | |
| Snow Traction | 5th of 8 | |
| Snow Handling | 4th of 8 | |
| Ice Braking | 3rd of 8 | |
| Ice Handling | 4th of 8 | |
| Straight Aqua | 7th of 8 | |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 4th of 8 | |
| Ice Traction | 2nd of 8 |
2018 Vi Studded Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16
2nd of 8
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 5th of 8 | |
| Dry Braking | 7th of 8 | |
| Snow Braking | 2nd of 8 | |
| Snow Traction | 2nd of 8 | |
| Snow Handling | 2nd of 8 | |
| Ice Braking | 2nd of 8 | |
| Ice Handling | 1st of 8 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 6th of 8 | |
| Ice Traction | 1st of 8 |
Summer, All Season, All Weather, Winter, Nordic Winter and Studded tires Tested · 205/55 R16
6th of 6
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 5th of 6 | |
| Wet Handling | 6th of 6 | |
| Dry Braking | 6th of 6 | |
| Dry Handling | 6th of 6 | |
| Snow Braking | 1st of 6 | |
| Snow Handling | 2nd of 6 | |
| Ice Braking | 1st of 6 |