Founded in 1988, Nokian Tyres is a Finnish tire brand and based in Nokia, Finland. Having tires from all-season, all-weather, and all-terrain to UHP and winter tires in its portfolio, Nokian rolls out tires for passenger cars, SUVs, CUVs, light trucks, and EVs. The only manufacturer in the world to have a permanent winter tire testing facility, its winter tires have earned a reputation for being go-to tires for drives in freezing temperatures. The Hakkapeliitta R5 is one such tire line from its long range of winter tires.

Engineered for sedans, coupes, and minivans, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 is a studless winter tire that offers superior grip and traction in slushy, wet, snowy, and freezing conditions. The tire features special sharp biting edges that act as studs and provide improved grip and traction on snowy and icy surfaces. It is available in a wide range of tire sizes between 14 and 20 inches. It features a large amount of natural rubber that keeps the tread flexible in freezing temperatures.

So, how does it perform in winter? Let’s find out in this Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 tire review.

Features and Benefits

Winter tires are designed to withstand freezing conditions while delivering consistent traction and grip in moderate to severe winter weather conditions. The Hakkapeliitta R5 ticks all the boxes required to qualify for a capable winter tire.

• High grip and traction – The Double Block Grip design results in enhanced grip and stability while the unique Arctic Grip Crystals act as studs by providing extra biting edges for enhanced grip and traction. These are microscopic crystals that work as built-in studs and emerge as the tread wears to provide much-needed grip. Deep grooves extending into shoulders allow quick dispersal of water and slush to avoid the risk of hydroplaning.
• Quiet and comfortable ride – While most winter tires aren’t the quietest, the Hakkapeliitta R5 is slightly different in this aspect as its Silent Touch tread design ensures the new tread block distribution is highly optimized to minimize noise. Lower noise levels make the drive less stressful and more comfortable.
• Eco-friendly material – Every Hakkapeliitta R5 tire is manufactured to leave a minimal carbon footprint. The use of Green Trace compound utilizing natural rubber, plant-derived oils, recycled steel, and pine resins reduces heat generation within the tire, leading to low rolling resistance that ultimately, promotes higher fuel efficiency.

Pros and Cons

The Nokian tire certainly has a lot of positives to its sides, but then, there are some negatives as well. Let's have a look at its pros and cons before having our final say.

Pros

• Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified for use in severe winter weather
• Arctic Grip Crystals for extra biting edges for improved grip and traction
• Double Block Grip design for better handling and grip on slippery roads
• Directional tread pattern with angled grooves flush water quickly to resist hydroplaning
• Use of natural rubber for minimal carbon footprint
• Flexible rubber compound for uninterrupted performance resisting low temperatures
• Available in a wide range of tire sizes

Cons

• No manufacturer’s tread life warranty
• It cannot be driven in warm conditions where the temperatures are constantly above 45 Fahrenheit

SimpleTire’s view on Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 tires

In a nutshell, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 (starts around $132) is a good option if you are looking for a winter tire with enhanced grip and traction, better handling and stability, adequate longevity, and environment-friendly.

It competes with the likes of Falken Winterpeak F-Ice 1 (starts around $94), Hankook Winter i*Pike RS2 (W429) (starts around $93), and Nexen Winguard Ice Plus (starts around $90).

Vehicles the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 is a good replacement tire for

The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 is a great replacement tire option for owners of vehicles such as Toyota Camry, Honda Civic, Mazda 3, Subaru Impreza, Volkswagen Golf, and many more.