Best Reviewed
Snow Tires
- Best winter tire Michelin X-Ice Xi2 *Est. $100
- Budget snow tire General Altimax Arctic *Est. $80
- Studded snow tire Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 *Est. $140
- Mild-winter performance tire Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 *Est. $155
- SUV/Light truck winter tire Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1 *Est. $130
Get info about new reports and updates
- Low rolling resistance means better gas mileage
- Secure on ice and snow
- Unimpressive on wet and dry roads
- Expensive
Winter tires have traditionally contributed to poor gas mileage because their softer, grippier rubber compounds create high rolling resistance. The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R is designed to change that. Nokian claims it uses less gas than a standard all-season tire -- up to 0.21 gallons less over 100 miles. The Hakkapeliitta R does indeed display one of the lowest rolling resistances in independent winter-tire tests, although it shares that honor with the top-ranked (and less expensive) Michelin X-Ice Xi2 (*Est. $100). Testers say the Hakkapeliitta R is impressively agile and secure on ice and snow, but it gets lower marks for wet- and dry-road grip.
The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R has been thoroughly tested by all of the top review organizations. Scandinavian experts put it through its paces on every winter road surface -- icy, snowy, wet and dry -- at the auto magazines Teknikens Varld, Motor, Aftonbladet and Vi Bilagare. In the U.S., ConsumerReports.org's test is just as comprehensive.
| Featured Stores | Store Rating | Notes | Total Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  1,219 store reviews | In Stock. Earn 2% eBay Bucks on qualifying purchases! Backed by eBay Buyer Protection Program. Terms and Conditions apply. | $72.66 | See It |
| See All Stores | ||||
Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R is ranked against 16 other winter tires for passenger cars, based on expert testing. ConsumerReports.org evaluates each tire's performance on snow, ice, and dry and wet roads, along with comfort, noise and rolling resistance.
Review: Winter Tires, Editors of ConsumerReports.org
2. Teknikens VarldDetails/Subscribe
This Swedish publication runs an exhaustive test of 18 winter tires on its own test track. The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R finishes midpack among studless tires designed for severe winters, with dry-road grip as its biggest weakness.
Review: Winter Tire Test 2011, Linus Pršjtz, Sept. 2011
3. Motor
This magazine for members of the Norges Automobil Forbund (Norwegian Automobile Federation) publishes its top picks from a comprehensive, multipublication tire test. The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R performs evenly on all road surfaces (wet, dry, snowy and icy), finishing second among nine studless tires.
Review: Winter Tire Test 2011, Rune Korsvoll and Jukka Antila, Oct. 7, 2011
4. Aftonbladet.seDetails/Subscribe
In this Swedish auto magazine's test, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R finishes third among nine studless severe-winter tires. Editors say it's "logical and calm" on snow and ice, but it's slow to steer and handle on dry roads.
Review: Aftonbladet 2011 Winter Tire Test, Editors of Aftonbladet, Oct. 2011
5. Vi Bilagare
The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R leads the ratings at this Swedish auto magazine. Testers say it's the best out of five studless tires. Even when they artificially wear down the Nokians first, they still grip better than some competitors in brand-new condition.
Review: Tire Test 2011: Studless Winter Tires, Erik Ršnnblom, Oct. 28, 2011
Snow Tires Runners Up:
3 picks by top review sites.
2 picks including: Auto Motor & Sport, Automobile Protection Association…
2 picks including: Aftonbladet.se…
2 picks including: Automobile Protection Association…
2 picks including: Automobile Protection Association…
2 picks including: Automobile Protection Association, 1010Tires.com…
