Nokian is a reliable tire manufacturers when it comes to offering tires for passenger cars, CUVs, SUVs, 4x4s, pickups, and vans, and especially in the winter tire segment, this Finland-headquartered tire maker gives some of the top tire brands in the world a run for their money. Featuring cutting-edge technology, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV Studded is a studded winter tire that’s designed for use on SUVs, Jeeps, and pickups. It is optimized to offer a balanced grip, stability, and durable driving performance. The tire is Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified and has everything that compliments driving in extreme winter weather conditions.

In this Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV Studded tire review, we have covered the features and benefits, pros and cons, our thoughts about this tire, and vehicle compatibility to help you make an informed decision.

Features and Benefits

Coming from the world’s northernmost tire manufacturer, the Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV Studded is dedicated to withstanding extreme winter weather conditions, when the temperature goes below 45 degrees and offers an exceptional grip on curves and straightways. The manufacturer has offered some very innovative and noteworthy features that return some really impressive benefits. Let’s discuss them all:

• Enhanced braking, acceleration, and cornering in winter conditions – The tire is built utilizing functional stud technology, which features a dedicated, tailored stud for the center of the tread and a separate stud for the shoulder areas. These different studs not only boost longitudinal grip but also enhance braking, acceleration, and cornering abilities by offering superior lateral grip on icy and snowy surfaces.
• Excellent grip on snow – The tire features snow grip boosters in the form of cuts present on both sides of the middle blocks on the center of the tread that creates sharper biting edges for improved grip on snow.
• Precise handling and solid durability – The Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV Studded’s reinforced, high tensile steel belt construction provides dual benefits. It keeps the tire lightweight and also provides the required rigidity. This ultimate combination ensures precise handling during lane changes even at higher speeds and provides solid durability to ensure improved cut and puncture resistance and longer service life.
• Better dry performance – The larger shoulder blocks, interlocking sipes, and solid center ribs of the Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV offer better control on dry surfaces.
• Environment-friendly production – Nokian has ensured that this tire not only sets a benchmark with its innovative technologies and features but also earns huge respect in terms of sustainability. The use of low aromatic and purified oils in production makes the Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV Studded an environment-friendly tire.

Nokian doesn’t offer any limited manufacturer tread life warranty on the Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV Studded, but there is a standard warranty coverage in case of defects in materials and workmanship, subject to terms and conditions. Additionally, this studded winter tire is offered in 15- to 20-inch rim sizes, making it compatible with a majority of SUVs and pickups in the country. Some of the available sizes of the Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV Studded include:

• 225/50R17
• 265/65R17
• 225/50R18
• 265/35R18
• 245/40R19
• 255/40R19
• 235/35R20
• 275/35R20

Before you buy these studded tires, it is necessary to check your local regulations as some states may either not allow their usage or permit them for use only for specific periods.

Pros and Cons

Let’s find out what are positives and negatives of the Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV Studded, starting with the positives first:

• Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified
• Reinforced construction ensures better durability
• Innovative tread and sturdy compound provide better longevity than its peers
• Excellent traction and grip on icy and snowy surfaces
• Environment-friendly tire manufacturing process
• Better wet braking performance than most competitors
• Top-notch braking performance on snow and ice-covered surfaces
• More affordable than other similar winter tires in the segment

The tire also has certain drawbacks which a purchaser must be aware of. We’ve listed them below so that the buyers can judge if the tire is really worth buying for them or not.

• Not offered with any limited manufacturer tread life warranty
• Handling performance isn’t as great as some of its rivals
• Noisy while driving on snow or dry pavement
• Dry braking performance isn’t the best in the category

SimpleTire’s view on Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV Studded tires

The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV Studded is one of the revolutionary offerings by the manufacturer at a very reasonable price. This Three Peak Mountain Snowflake tire can be admired for its exceptional grip and traction on snow and ice-covered surfaces. The braking performance of the tire on these surfaces doesn’t disappoint as well and similarly, the braking performance on wet roads is remarkably good. However, the handling performance and dry braking of the tire aren’t as great as some of its counterparts.

The tread noise levels of this tire are higher, especially when you drive on snow or on dry pavement. The purchasers may like the tire’s robust construction quality and praise the optimized tread compound that guarantees extended tire life. Environment lovers will like the fact that the tire symbolizes the brand’s sustainable product development approach and is eco-friendly. Purchasers must keep in mind that this tire isn’t offered with any warranty like most winter tires.

The Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV Studded competes against the likes of General Altimax Arctic 12, Hankook Winter i* Pike X (W429A) Studded, Yokohama BluEarth Winter V906 SUV, Kumho Wintercraft SUV ICE WS31, Falken Espia EPZ II SUV, and Firestone Winterforce 2 UV.

Vehicles the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV Studded is a good replacement tire for

Designed for use on SUVs, Jeeps, and light trucks, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV Studded can be used as a replacement tire on vehicles like Chevrolet Trailblazer, Jeep Cherokee, Hyundai Tucson, Mitsubishi Outlander, Subaru Forester, Ford F-150, Dodge Dakota, GMC Canyon, and Toyota Tacoma.