Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV review
Relative score 60% tests + 40% owners
Owners 78 · 18 reviews analysed Road tests 71 · 3 tests
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The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV is widely praised as a top-tier non-studded winter tire, offering exceptional grip on snow and ice alongside superior noise comfort compared to both its predecessors and studded alternatives. Drivers across mountainous and heavy-winter regions highlight its predictable handling, refined dry-pavement manners, and overall safety confidence, though some note a higher price point.
Two scoring systems, side by side
Owner scores come from reviews found online; road-test scores come from instrumented tests. Where they disagree, it is usually a discipline owners rarely push to the limit.
How scores work
- Relative score
- 0–100. Blends road tests (60%) and owner reviews (40%) category by category, the same way on every TireWheelGuide page. With only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from it, so the score stays closer to average. It needs at least one road test or five owner reviews.
- Road tests
- 0–100 per score, from published tests, newer tests counting more. Each result is compared with every other tire in the same test, so a win against a strong field counts for more. The average tested tire gets 70, the best 100; with only one or two tests a tire stays nearer 70. The discipline rows show % of the best tire in that test.
- Owner reviews
- 0–100 from the owner reviews we found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates and scaled like the road tests: the average tested tire gets 70. With only a few reviews a tire stays near the average.
By owner reviews
78/100From 18 owner reviews analysed, scaled like the road tests: the average tested tire gets 70.
By road tests
71/100Scaled across every tested tire: the average gets 70, the best 100.
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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What owners like and dislike
Themes extracted from 18 owner reviews found online.
The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV is widely praised as a top-tier non-studded winter tire, offering exceptional grip on snow and ice alongside superior noise comfort compared to both its predecessors and studded alternatives. Drivers across mountainous and heavy-winter regions highlight its predictable handling, refined dry-pavement manners, and overall safety confidence, though some note a higher price point.
Pros
- Exceptional traction and braking performance on snow and ice
- Unusually quiet and comfortable ride quality for a dedicated winter tire
- Better dry and wet pavement handling compared to many traditional winter tires and competitors like Blizzaks
- Provides a secure, stable feel with less 'boat-like' body roll than typical winter compounds
Cons
- Premium price point compared to lesser winter tire options
- Softer compound requires slightly less aggressive driving in warmer or dry conditions
- Minor trade-off in ultimate ice grip compared to studded tires like the Hakkapeliitta 10 SUV (though offset by being much quieter)
Worth knowing
- Heavier vehicles like the Ford Expedition and Tesla Model X maintain strong stability and reduced road noise, with the 20-inch size on the Model X proving to be a successful upgrade from the older R3 model.
- Mid-size and full-size SUVs such as the Subaru Outback Wilderness, Volvo XC90, and Ford Explorer benefit greatly from the confident handling on snowy mountain passes and high-elevation routes.
Reviews from our readers
Drivers who have these tires on their car, in their own words. We check every review before it goes live.
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3 published test appearances
Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.
2027 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 · 215/65R17
4th of 6
Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.
Source: NAF Motor
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 |
Source: Vi Bilägare
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 |
Source: Vi Bilägare
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV compared
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