Over 20 test wins for Nokian winter tires in the Nordic countries and Europe

The Nokian Hakkapeliitta winter tires, designed for the demanding Northern winter, have reigned supreme in the motoring magazines in the Nordic countries. The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 studded tire and the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 Nordic non-studded tire have won all the most important winter tire tests in Finland, Sweden, Norway, and even Russia.

- Our excellent success in tests is proof of our unique expertise in developing even safer winter tires for demanding and varying winter weather. The new innovations can be felt and seen in the everyday lives of all road users. During the year, we test over 20,000 winter tires at our own Ivalo Testing Center, north of the Arctic Circle, says Product Development Manager Juha Pirhonen from Nokian Tyres.

In total, the winter tires built by the inventor of the winter tire and the world's northernmost tire manufacturer have achieved over 20 test wins during this autumn.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 - Amazing studded tire on ice and snow

According to Tekniikan Maailma (17/2014), the studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 remains the best tire on the market for consumers looking for the best possible winter grip. It has excellent grip on ice and braking distances remain short. On icy and slippery roads, the high number of studs makes the Nokian easy to drive, maintaining control even under difficult conditions. “Even on snow, the Nokian grips very well and behaves logically and calmly”, TM writes. In the final evaluation, the Hakkapeliitta 8 received a perfect ten for all the subtests that were run on ice and snow. The studded tire test included a total of 13 winter tires. The tested size was 205/55 R16.

The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 was the supreme champion of winter conditions in the winter tire test for Tuulilasi magazine (12/2014). In the ice tests, the Hakkapeliitta 8 had the shortest braking distance. On the ice track, the multiple test winner felt quick and balanced, and the behaviour was very predictable. The Hakkapeliitta 8 was also the best in the snow tests, and Tuulilasi states that it can also manage slush very well.

The Hakkapeliitta 8, which features a unique stud concept and a massive number of studs (190), also received positive feedback for its low noise level on dry roads. The fuel efficient Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 also had the lowest fuel consumption in the test.

An important finding in Tuulilasi's test was that stud protrusion tends to increase during the tests. Increased stud protrusion has a negative effect on the service life of the studded tire. The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 showed the smallest increase in stud protrusion during the test, which guarantees a long service life and low road wear. The comparison test included eight studded tires of the size 205/55 R16.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 – Excellent grip, reliable and silent, and the lowest fuel consumption

Excellent winter grip gave the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 shared first place in the non-studded tire comparison test of Tekniikan Maailma (17/2014). “The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 is easy to drive on ice, and the tire has excellent grip on snow. It feels especially reliable and calm to drive”, Tekniikan Maailma writes. Safe and comfortable driving are emphasised by the tire's low rolling noise and the lowest rolling resistance in the entire test. The comparison test included 12 non-studded tires of the size 205/55 R16.

In the comparison test by Tuulilasi (13/2014), the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 took shared first place due to its excellent winter properties. According to Tuulilasi, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 provides good grip on ice. The Hakkapeliitta R2 receives special praise for its cornering grip and steering response on roughened ice. “The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 is a top tire on snow: it feels logical and easy to drive,” Tuulilasi states.

Comfortable driving is assisted by the low rolling noise combined with the lowest fuel consumption in the test. The difference in fuel economy between the safe and fuel efficient Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 and the weakest non-studded tire in the test was 0.053 gallons (0.2 litres) / 60 miles (100 km). Based on this fuel savings, using Hakkapeliitta R2 could save you up to $100USD[1] ($150CAD[2]) over the life of your tire.[3]

The Hakkapeliittas also took test wins in Sweden, Norway and Russia

The legendary winter road champions also continued to triumph in Sweden, Norway, and Russia. The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 took first place in the comparison tests by Sweden's best-known motoring magazine Vi Bilägare (13/2014), the Norwegian Motor magazine (5/2014), and Russia's largest motoring magazine Za Rulem (9/2014).

Za Rulem writes that the Hakkapeliitta 8 is supreme on snow and ice. The magazine states that the new studded tire is comfortable to drive, durable, and that it had the lowest fuel consumption in the test. The Nokian Nordman 5 took a solid third place in the same test. The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 SUV, intended for sports utility vehicles, also won the SUV winter test in Za Rulem (10/2014). In the comparison test by the Russian Autoreview (19/2014), the Nokian winter tires won in all categories: best studded tire (Hakkapeliitta 8), best Nordic non-studded tire (Hakkapeliitta R2), and best Central European non-studded winter tire (Nokian WR A3).

The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 took a great shared first place in the comparison test by Motor, Norway's most important motoring magazine. This was repeated in the large test of non-studded tires in the Swedish magazine Vi Bilägare (14/2014). According to Vi Bilägare, the Hakkapeliitta R2 features excellent winter characteristics, and the lightly rolling non-studded tire is also safe in every weather.

Read more about our test success

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8

Product photos

View the product video

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2

Product photos

View the product video

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 SUV

Product photos

View the product video

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 SUV

Product photos

How was the world's first winter tire invented?

Comparing the world's first winter tire to the state-of-the-art non-studded winter tire

Tire evaluations in the Hakkapeliitta Test Driver blog