Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV review
The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV is widely regarded as a premium winter tire that excels in severe snow and ice conditions while offering superior refinement compared to its competitors. Users consistently praise its quiet operation and improved dry-road handling, noting that it provides a more stable, less 'floaty' driving experience than previous generations or rival studless winter tires.
Owners rate it 26.2 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
95.1%By road tests
68.9%What owners like and dislike
Themes extracted from 26 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.
The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV is widely regarded as a premium winter tire that excels in severe snow and ice conditions while offering superior refinement compared to its competitors. Users consistently praise its quiet operation and improved dry-road handling, noting that it provides a more stable, less 'floaty' driving experience than previous generations or rival studless winter tires.
Pros
- Exceptional traction and braking performance on snow and ice
- Significantly quieter than many competing winter tires and studded alternatives
- Improved handling and stability on dry and wet pavement
- High level of driver confidence in varied winter mountain conditions
Cons
- Premium price point compared to other winter tire options
- Softer rubber compound requires more cautious driving during warmer spells
- Some users report a firmer ride quality compared to other soft-compound winter tires
Worth knowing
- Drivers of heavy SUVs like the Ford Expedition and Tesla Model X report that the tire provides a more planted, secure feel than factory all-season tires.
- Users transitioning from the previous Hakkapeliitta R3 model note a tighter tread pattern that maintains snow grip while reducing road noise.
2 published test appearances
Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.
2025 Friction Winter tire Test · 235/60 R18
4th of 8
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 1st of 8 | |
| Wet Handling | 3rd of 8 | |
| Dry Braking | 5th of 8 | |
| Snow Traction | 6th of 8 | |
| Snow Handling | 4th of 8 | |
| Ice Handling | 6th of 8 | |
| Straight Aqua | 4th of 8 | |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 6th of 8 | |
| Noise | 5th of 8 | |
| Ice Traction | 1st of 8 | |
| Fuel Consumption | 5th of 8 |
2022 ViBilagare Nordic SUV Winter tire Test · 235/55 R18
1st of 8
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Handling | 3rd of 8 | |
| Snow Traction | 2nd of 8 | |
| Snow Handling | 1st of 8 | |
| Ice Handling | 1st of 8 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 1st of 8 | |
| Straight Aqua | 8th of 8 | |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 4th of 8 | |
| Noise | 6th of 8 | |
| Ice Traction | 1st of 8 | |
| Price | 7th of 8 |
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV specs & sizes
Prices vary by size, so each one links out separately.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Tread depth | 12/32″ |
| Sidewall | Black Side Wall |
| Max pressure | 47 - 51 psi |
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