Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 review
Relative score 60% tests + 40% owners
Owners 73 · 22 reviews analysed Road tests 69 · 19 tests
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The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 is widely praised for its exceptional grip, control, and composure in severe winter conditions such as deep snow, packed snow, and glare ice, while offering remarkable quietness and comfort compared to studded alternatives. However, a minority of drivers noted shortcomings in specific scenarios, pointing to squirrelly dry-pavement handling at high speeds, unexpected sliding in slush, or weakened durability against potholes.
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
73/100From 22 owner reviews analysed, scaled like the road tests: the average tested tire gets 70.
By road tests
69/100Scaled across every tested tire: the average gets 70, the best 100.
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 specs & sizes
Prices vary by size, so each one links out separately.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Tread depth | 10.5/32″ |
| Sidewall | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | 51 psi |
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What owners like and dislike
Themes extracted from 22 owner reviews found online.
The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 is widely praised for its exceptional grip, control, and composure in severe winter conditions such as deep snow, packed snow, and glare ice, while offering remarkable quietness and comfort compared to studded alternatives. However, a minority of drivers noted shortcomings in specific scenarios, pointing to squirrelly dry-pavement handling at high speeds, unexpected sliding in slush, or weakened durability against potholes.
Pros
- Outstanding traction and braking on snow and packed ice
- Significantly lower road noise and higher comfort than traditional studded tires
- Good fuel efficiency and low rolling resistance
- Confident handling on wet, slushy, and variable winter roads
Cons
- Reduced stability and wandering feel at high speeds on dry pavement
- Occasional unexpected sliding or lack of confidence in heavy slush
- Potential concerns regarding sidewall strength or vulnerability to pothole damage
- Softer compound feel can lead to a less responsive steering experience in dry conditions
Worth knowing
- Drivers pairing the tires with all-wheel-drive crossovers and SUVs (like Subarus and Toyota Highlanders) report transformational winter capabilities and luxury-level ride comfort.
- A user running a staggered rear-wheel-drive BMW setup experienced significant dry-pavement wandering and traction control issues at highway speeds above 80 mph.
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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19 published test appearances
Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.
2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter tire Test · 235/45 R18
10th of 18
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Straight Aqua | 11th of 18 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 10th of 18 | |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 7th of 18 | |
| Subj. Road Score | 10th of 18 | |
| Fuel Consumption | 9th of 18 | |
| Subj. Snow Handling | 10th of 18 | |
| Dry Lane Change | 11th of 18 | |
| Subj. Ice Handling | 9th of 18 |
Source: Teknikens Värld
2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter tire Test · 235/45 R18
10th of 20
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Straight Aqua | 20th of 20 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 12th of 20 | |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 6th of 20 | |
| Fuel Consumption | 5th of 20 | |
| Subj. Snow Handling | 1st of 20 | |
| Subj. Ice Handling | 7th of 20 |
2025 Friction and Studded Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16
2nd of 14
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 4th of 14 | |
| Wet Handling | 4th of 14 | |
| Dry Braking | 1st of 14 | |
| Snow Braking | 1st of 14 | |
| Snow Traction | 3rd of 14 | |
| Ice Braking | 3rd of 14 | |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 1st of 14 | |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 2nd of 14 | |
| Ice Traction | 2nd of 14 | |
| Subj. Noise | 2nd of 14 |
Source: Tekniikan Maailma
2025 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 · 225/45R17
3rd of 7
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 3rd of 7 | |
| Longitudinal Aquaplaning | 5th of 7 | |
| Dry Braking | 6th of 7 | |
| Dry Handling | 4th of 7 | |
| Snow Braking | 2nd of 7 | |
| Snow Traction | 3rd of 7 | |
| Snow Handling | 2nd of 7 | |
| Ice Braking | 2nd of 7 | |
| Ice Handling | 2nd of 7 | |
| Exterior Noise | 4th of 7 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 6th of 7 | |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 6th of 7 | |
| Ice Traction | 2nd of 7 |
Source: NAF Motor
2025 NAF Motor Studded Winter Tire Test R17 · 225/45R17
7th of 6
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 8th of 6 | |
| Wet Circle | 5th of 6 | |
| Longitudinal Aquaplaning | 8th of 6 | |
| Dry Braking | 1st of 6 | |
| Snow Braking | 6th of 6 | |
| Snow Traction | 1st of 6 | |
| Ice Braking | 8th of 6 | |
| Ice Handling | 2nd of 6 | |
| Exterior Noise | 1st of 6 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 8th of 6 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 8th of 6 | |
| Ice Traction | 8th of 6 | |
| Snow Dry Circle | 3rd of 6 |
Source: NAF Motor
2025 Teknikens Värld Winter Tire Test R17 · 225/50R17
4th of 15
Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.
Source: Teknikens Värld
2025 UTAC Ivalo Studless Winter Tire Test R16 · 205/55R16
2nd of 7
Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.
Source: UTAC Ivalo
2025 Moottori Studless Winter Tire Test R16 · 205/55R16
2nd of 7
Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.
Source: Moottori
2024 Nordic Friction Winter tire Test · 225/45 R17
3rd of 8
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Handling | 5th of 8 | |
| Snow Traction | 4th of 8 | |
| Snow Handling | 2nd of 8 | |
| Ice Handling | 2nd of 8 | |
| Straight Aqua | 6th of 8 | |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 6th of 8 | |
| Noise | 5th of 8 | |
| Ice Traction | 2nd of 8 | |
| Fuel Consumption | 2nd of 8 |
Source: Vi Bilägare
2024 Studded tire Test · 225/45 R17
7th of 8
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Handling | 6th of 8 | |
| Snow Traction | 1st of 8 | |
| Snow Handling | 3rd of 8 | |
| Ice Handling | 2nd of 8 | |
| Straight Aqua | 8th of 8 | |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 8th of 8 | |
| Noise | 1st of 8 | |
| Ice Traction | 8th of 8 | |
| Fuel Consumption | 1st of 8 |
Source: Vi Bilägare
The Best Studded / Friction Winter tires for 2024 · 225/50 R17
10th of 17
Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.
2024 Moottori Winter Tire Test R16 · 205/55R16
2nd of 8
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 1st of 8 | |
| Wet Handling | 4th of 8 | |
| Dry Braking | 6th of 8 | |
| Snow Braking | 7th of 8 | |
| Snow Traction | 6th of 8 | |
| Snow Handling | 8th of 8 | |
| Ice Braking | 7th of 8 | |
| Ice Handling | 7th of 8 | |
| Ice Traction | 5th of 8 |
Source: Moottori
2024 Aftonbladet Winter Tire Test R16 · 205/55R16
10th of 15
Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.
Source: Aftonbladet
2024 Teknikens Värld Big Winter Tire Test R17 · 225/50R17
11th of 16
Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.
Source: Teknikens Värld
2023 Studless Friction Winter tire Test · 225/45 R17
3rd of 8
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Handling | 3rd of 8 | |
| Snow Traction | 5th of 8 | |
| Snow Handling | 1st of 8 | |
| Ice Handling | 2nd of 8 | |
| Straight Aqua | 4th of 8 | |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 5th of 8 | |
| Noise | 5th of 8 | |
| Ice Traction | 2nd of 8 | |
| Fuel Consumption | 3rd of 8 |
Source: Vi Bilägare
2023 Studless vs Studded Snow tire Test · 205/55 R16
2nd of 8
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Handling | 5th of 8 | |
| Snow Braking | 2nd of 8 | |
| Snow Traction | 3rd of 8 | |
| Snow Handling | 1st of 8 | |
| Ice Handling | 2nd of 8 | |
| Ice Traction | 4th of 8 |
2023 UTAC Large Winter Tire Test R16 · 205/55R16
10th of 17
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 18th of 17 | |
| Wet Handling | 7th of 17 | |
| Dry Braking | 3rd of 17 | |
| Snow Braking | 2nd of 17 | |
| Snow Traction | 7th of 17 | |
| Snow Handling | 7th of 17 | |
| Ice Braking | 8th of 17 | |
| Ice Handling | 8th of 17 | |
| Exterior Noise | 1st of 17 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 1st of 17 | |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 9th of 17 | |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 5th of 17 | |
| Ice Traction | 9th of 17 |
Source: UTAC
2023 Autoreview Studless Winter Tire Test R16 · 215/60R16
3rd of 5
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 2nd of 5 | |
| Longitudinal Aquaplaning | 2nd of 5 | |
| Dry Braking | 1st of 5 | |
| Snow Braking | 1st of 5 | |
| Snow Traction | 4th of 5 | |
| Snow Handling | 1st of 5 | |
| Ice Braking | 1st of 5 | |
| Ice Handling | 2nd of 5 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 1st of 5 | |
| Ice Traction | 1st of 5 | |
| Deep Snow Traction | 4th of 5 |
Source: Autoreview
2023 Moottori Studless Winter Tire Test R16 · 205/55R16
1st of 6
Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.
Source: Moottori
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 compared
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