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Home » Comparisons & Reviews » Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV Review

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV Review

January 6, 2023 by Emrecan Gurkan Leave a Comment

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV is a winter tire that is specified for SUVs and Crossovers. This tire is modified by Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV. Well, if you take a look at the available sizes, you can easily see that Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV offers wider tire sizes which are extremely sufficient for winter usage of SUVs and CUVs. However, being a winter tire bring along with slight disadvantages. Let’s dig into it and see if it meets your expectations!

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV and Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 SUV

At a Glance

Nokian Hakkapelliitta R5 SUV
Best forSnow belt regions,
regions have huge temperature differences in winter
(stiff compound can handle the warm weather better than other winter tires)
ProsWet grip,
ice grip,
fuel economy,
smooth ride
ConsSlightly noisy
VehicleSUV/CUV
Available Sizes (Rim)16”, 17”, 18”, 19”, 20”, 21”, 22”
Made InFinland
Labels3PMSF
WarrantyN/A
PricesSimpleTire:
Check Price

PriorityTire:
Check Price

Amazon:
Check Price

As a former Bridgestone engineer, from my standpoint, Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV is a winter tire that provides excellent fuel economy. Besides that, its compact pattern and unique compound can grip the ice like no other tire. Furthermore, Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV is a cozy but slightly noisy tire. Last but not least, Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV offers one of the longest mileage of its segment.

Note: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV is a recommended tire for electric and hybrid vehicles.

I highly recommend checking the below pages out before making any purchase:

  • DiscountTire Deals:
    https://www.discounttire.com/promotions
  • TireRack Deals:
    https://www.tirerack.com/specialoffers
  • SimpleTire Deals:
    https://simpletire.com/tire-deals

Table of Contents

Winter Performance

Alright, fellows, Nokian is a Finnish tire manufacturer that is located in the northmost part of Europe. You may think that this manufacturer may not understand the severe winter conditions of the US. Let me tell you something, I’ve been there for a couple of months, and the temperature was around -4°F (-20°C). So, if we’re talking about the winter they’re experts.

So, the most important duty of winter tires is grip. To achieve better grip quality, soft compound and notched rubber are musts. Therefore, the compound and the tread will be my ovulation points for the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV.

To provide more understanding of outputs, I’m going to divide this section into three. Light snow, deep snow, and ice. Let’s move on to the sections.

Light Snow

A decent light snow performance can be obtained with only the well-notched rubber. For instance, let’s think about all-season tires that perform well on light snow. Unlike you think these tires have stiff compounds. However, the sipe intensity can handle the light-snow traction on its own.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV provides a good amount of sipe density even too much for icy surfaces. It handles light snow with ease.

Breaking distance, starting, and acceleration, Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV can handle it all on light snow. I strongly recommend it.

Deep Snow

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV's relatively smaller lugs provide decent loose ground grip

Deep snow traction is generally directly proportional to tread depth. In other words, it’s inverse proportional to handling.

So, the manufacturers have two options in this case:

  • Decrease the tread depth but increase the void ratio of the tread. This option increases the road noise. Since Nokian’s priority is comfort, they didn’t choose this option
  • Increase the tread depth but decrease the void ratio. This option can slightly decrease handling capability. Yet, it’s a huge improvement in comfort

Apparently, Nokian chose the second option. This option also gives you a chance to decrease compound stiffness which is a great advantage for winter traction.

What I like most about this tire is its snow claws on the shoulder blocks. These claws increase the deep and relatively soft snow grip.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV is a great tire for severe winter conditions and deep snow. I strongly recommend it if you’re living in the snow belt region.

Ice

As I’ve mentioned in the previous section, Nokian doesn’t use the void areas to get loose ground traction for this tire. Hence, they can get better contact patch for icy and dry grounds.

In this case, tons of sipes and a compact tread pattern work perfectly. Though, the ‘Arctic Grip Crystal’ inside of the compound does the magic trick. These microscopic crystals work like a stud and provide unique grip and handling on icy surfaces. 

Besides that, these crystals can activate themself as the tire wear down. Thus, the ice grip capability of your tire doesn’t decrease with wear.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV is one of the best winter tires you can get for icy surfaces. I strongly recommend it.

Wet Performance

Wet performance can be evaluated under two different subtitles.

Wet grip and hydroplaning resistance.

While a wet grip is more important for breaking and starting, hydroplaning resistance is your life savior in downpours.

Let’s evaluate them one by one.

Wet Grip

In this case, softer compounds and sipes work best.

As I’ve mentioned before, Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV has a relatively compact pattern for a winter tire. The more rubber touch the ground, the more wet grip you get.

Due to its exceedingly notched rubber, new double block tread design, and compact pattern, Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV provides a great wet grip.

Hydroplanning Resistance

Hydroplaning resistance is basically the water evacuation capability of the tire.

On this score, the ‘V-shaped grooves work perfectly. These grooves can direct the water out of the tread because of their directional array and the reverse angle on the shoulder section.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV offers a unique hydroplaning resistance.

Note: Hydroplaning is vital for a safe ride under the pouring rain. However, it might occur even with the best tire. Maybe you can’t prevent it but if you know what it is and how to deal with it, you can easily stay on the safe side.

Here is an extremely efficient guide about ‘How to Deal with Hydroplaning?‘ –> https://www.discounttire.com/learn/hydroplaning

Dry Performance

Since Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV is a dedicated winter tire, it must be used under 7-celsius degrees or 45 Fahrenheit. Hence, in this section, I’ll evaluate the dry performance in cold weather.

In this matter, the game changers are steering response, cornering stability, and dry traction. Since these features are affected by different metrics, I’m going to separate this section into three.

Note: Using winter tires in warm weather is dangerous. Your braking distance will increase, your tires will wear rapidly and the responsiveness of your tire will draw back significantly.

Dry Traction

Dry traction isn’t something you have to worry about due to its compact pattern. However, in this matter, I wanna talk about a couple of things.

  • Compared to your all-season tires, you’ll get slow starting and acceleration
  • I don’t recommend aggressive breaking with winter tires. Winter compounds generally have a slow slick on dry surfaces.

Steering Response

Because of their lug-type patterns and fluffy compounds, winter tires generally provide a slow steering response. Unlike Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 SUV, this dude has a relatively stiffer compound. Yet, manufacturers have nothing to do with the matter of compound stiffness. Winter tires should have softer and slicker compounds. 

On the other hand, Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV doesn’t have a continuous center rib as Hakkapeliitta R3 SUV has. Its center rib is a bit more notched. It seems like a wavy center rib going through the all tread. Normally, that might decrease the responsiveness. However, as I’ve mentioned above its relatively stiffer compound is an advantage.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV is one of the best in this case. Its continuous and wavy center rib is relatively stiffer than the rest of the compound and helps it to decrease response time.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV offers a quick steering response for a winter tire.

Cornering Stability

Cornering stability is related to strong sidewalls. 

In this case, Nokian uses aramid fibers to strengthen sidewalls. The good news is these fibers are extremely durable and solid. Hence, Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV has strong sidewalls.

Due to its strong sidewalls, Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV offers stable cornering no matter how fast you are.

Comfort & Road Noise

Dealers started to stock up

A smooth drive is the priority of the Nokian. Hence, they prefer a relatively compact pattern for this tire.

As I mentioned early in this article, the void area of this tire is relatively lower than other winter tires. Yet, its continuous center rib is wavy. Moreover, in our matter, stiff shoulder blocks create slight road noise but compared to other winter tires, this is probably beneath notice.

Nokian Hakkapelliitta R5 SUV is a quiet tire.

A side note here: Even though some tires tend to make noise because of their tread patterns, it’s still possible to keep your tire noise down.

I’m leaving a perfect explanation below from DiscountTire for those who need it;

How to Keep Tire Noise Down? –>
https://www.discounttire.com/learn/tire-noise

Regarding comfort, things are quite the same. Because of the aramid fiber technology on the sidewall, Nokian can decrease the weight of this tire. So, they have an extra place to use polyester casing. This casing limits the deformation of the tire while wheeling and offers a cozier ride. Though worth reminding, its fluffy compound absorbs the road impact pretty well also.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV is a cozy tire. 

Mileage

Mileage was the issue of the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 SUV. It was performing very well but doesn’t last long.

So, the Nokian make a great update in this case and changed the all-tread design of the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV. They didn’t expand the void area significantly but by the virtue of double grip tread design, they increase the stiffness of the compound. In my point of view, this is one of the biggest updates you can make on a winter tire.

This stiff Green Trace compound works on a wider temperature range and wears slower than most winter tire compounds.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV provides great mileage.  I can confidently say that you have at least one extra winter with this tire.

Getting maximum wear life from a tire is related to you as well as your tire,

If you’d like to learn how to get maximum tread life:

https://tireterrain.com/how-to-make-tires-last-longer/

Mileage Warranty

Nokian doesn’t offer any mileage warranty for this product.

Note: Only one winter tire has a mileage warranty in the market

  • Michelin X-Ice3

Fuel Efficiency

Fuel efficiency is related to tire weight and rolling resistance.

While stiff compounds provide better rolling resistance, lightweight tires consume less fuel.

In our matter, Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV is one of the best tires in the market in both cases.

If fuel efficiency is your priority, Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV is your tire.

A side note here: As fuel prices fluctuate, I know you guys looking for a way to save money. You don’t have to consider a more efficient gas-powered or electric vehicle if you’ll going to purchase a low-rolling resistance tire.

If you’d like to learn more about rolling resistance and find the trending low-rolling resistance tires;

https://www.discounttire.com/learn/rolling-resistance

Sizes

16”17”18”19”20”21”22”
215/65 R 16 102R XL 215/60 R 17 100R XL 215/55 R 18 99R XL 225/55 R 19 103R XL 235/50 R 20 104T XL 275/40 R 21 107T XL 275/50 R 22 115R XL
215/70 R 16 100R 215/65 R 17 103R XL 215/60 R 18 102R XL 235/50 R 19 103R XL 235/55 R 20 102R 275/45 R 21 110T XL 285/40 R 22 110T XL
265/70 R 16 112R 225/60 R 17 103R XL 225/55 R 18 102R XL 235/55 R 19 105R XL 245/45 R 20 103T XL 275/50 R 21 113R XL 285/45 R 22 114T XL
225/65 R 17 106R XL 225/60 R 18 104R XL 245/50 R 19 105R XL 245/50 R 20 105R XL 285/40 R 21 109T XL
235/60 R 17 106R XL 235/50 R 18 101R XL 245/55 R 19 107R XL 245/50 R 20 105R XL 315/35 R 21 111T XL
235/65 R 17 108R XL 235/55 R 18 104R XL 255/50 R 19 107R XL 255/50 R 20 109R XL
245/65 R 17 111R XL 235/60 R 18 107R XL 255/55 R 19 111R XL 255/55 R 20 110R XL
245/70 R 17 110R 235/65 R 18 110R XL 265/50 R 19 110R XL 265/45 R 20 108T XL
255/65 R 17 114R XL 245/60 R 18 109R XL 265/50 R 19 110R XL FLAT RUN 265/50 R 20 111R XL
265/65 R 17 116R XL 255/55 R 18 109R XL 275/40 R 20 106T XL
265/70 R 17 115R 255/60 R 18 112R XL 275/45 R 20 110T XL
255/70 R 18 116R XL 275/50 R 20 113R XL
265/60 R 18 114R XL 275/55 R 20 117R XL
265/65 R 18 114R 275/60 R 20 115R
275/65 R 18 116R XL 285/40 R 20 108T XL
285/45 R 20 112T XL
285/50 R 20 116R XL
305/40 R 20 112T XL

Most tire sizes begin with modifier letters(P, LT, etc.) that identify the type of vehicle or type of service for which they were designed. Here is a perfect guide for reading tire size –> https://tireterrain.com/how-to-read-tire-size/

A side note here: If you are planning to upsize or downsize from your original equipment size (changing tire size with a smaller or bigger size), or if you have already done, it’s crucial to remember that changing tire size will decrease the accuracy of your speedometer. If this is the case, I strongly recommend checking DiscountTire Speedometer Guide.

Specs

Nokian Hakkapelliitta R5 SUV
CategoryWinter Tire
VehicleSUV/CUV
Available Sizes (Rim)16”, 17”, 18”, 19”, 20”, 21”, 22”
Made InFinland
Snow RatedYes
WarrantyN/A
PricesCheck the price section to see the possible best prices

Price

The tire market has a dynamic price policy. Hence, in my point of view, sharing tire price is pointless.

Though, I’ve analyzed the top 10 brands of most popular tire brands.

Here are the dealers with a reasonable price range,

SimpleTire

  • Free shipping
  • Delivered in 2 days
  • Verified shops near you(for mount and balance)
  • Mobile installation option
  • 7 million customers since 2021
  • 4.7/5 points on Google rate
  • Top-notch customer service, you may even request a price match

Nokian Hakkapellitta R5: https://simpletire.com/brands/nokian-tires/hakkapeliitta-r5

Nokian Hakkapellitta R5 SUV: https://simpletire.com/brands/nokian-tires/hakkapeliitta-r5-suv

Amazon

  • Fast and free shipping (mostly in a day)
  • Get your tires shipped to a selected service center or get them installed at home or work (how does it work?)
  • Installation on Mavis Discount Tire (15$ per tire) 
  • Installing new stem valves supplied by pro
  • Balancing your tires
  • Road/safety test
  • Since Amazon provides wholesale and affordable prices, they don’t offer a road hazard warranty

Nokian Hakkapellitta R5: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Nokian+hakkapeliitta+r5&ref=nb_sb_noss

Nokian Hakkapellitta R5 SUV: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Nokian+hakkapeliitta+r5+suv&ref=nb_sb_noss

PriorityTire

  • Local installer and mobile installer options
  • Huge product range(you may find any tire you want)
  • 4.8 overall satisfaction rate
  • Always have a good deal to find
  • 90 days money-back guarantee
  • Free FedEx shipping

Nokian Hakkapellitta R5: https://www.prioritytire.com/by-brand/nokian/hakkapeliitta-r5-tires/

Nokian Hakkapellitta R5 SUV: https://www.prioritytire.com/by-brand/nokian/hakkapeliitta-r5-suv-tires/

While choosing dealers, I especially pay attention to reliability. All of the dealers on this list have 15-20 years of experience in the online tire business. Therefore, I can guarantee a smooth and fast tire-buying process.

Conclusion

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV is a very-well optimized winter tire. In my point of view, it’s one of the best winter tires for its price.

Nokian Hakkapelliitta R5 SUV
Best forSnow belt regions,
regions have huge temperature differences in winter
(stiff compound can handle the warm weather better than other winter tires)
ProsWet grip,
ice grip,
fuel economy,
smooth ride
ConsSlightly noisy
VehicleSUV/CUV
Available Sizes (Rim)16”, 17”, 18”, 19”, 20”, 21”, 22”
Made InFinland
Labels3PMSF
WarrantyN/A
PricesSimpleTire:
Check Price

PriorityTire:
Check Price

Amazon:
Check Price

Take-Home Points,

  • XL sizes tend to carry more load and offer better handling. Hence, they might be a better pick for bigger vehicles( XL vs SL tires)
  • Please pay attention to the load range and speed index. These metrics are essential if you expect decent tread life
  • There isn’t a bad tire in the market right now, you should just know what to expect from tires

A side note here: If you’d like to get local advice and find the best fit for your driving habits, location, and road conditions DiscountTire – Treadwell Tire Guide can give you masterpiece recommendations.

I hope the article was helpful. If you have any further questions, please leave them below section. Have a safe ride folks!

Filed Under: Winter Tires Tagged With: nokian, Winter

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Hey, It's Emre. Industrial and Civil Engineer, former Bridgestone field test inspector. In love with being an overlander. Bigger is better moonie! Read More…

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