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Nokian is based in Finland, and Finland sees a lot of snow. Snow is kind of a way of life in Finland, really. Not surprisingly, Nokian’s strong suit is winter tires.
The Hakkapeliitta R3 (“Hakkapeliitta” is derived from the term for Finnish cavalry soldiers from the 17th century) from Nokian is one of their best offerings in winter tires. The Hakkapeliitta R3 is a studless winter tire that’s designed for a perfect balance of relentless winter traction with premium touring-tire comfort and handling. The result is a tire that delivers low rolling resistance for improved fuel economy, low noise, a comfortable, forgiving ride, and responsive handling – along with top-notch braking and performance in snow, slush, freezing rain and ice.
So does this tire from Nokian really live up to the hype? Let’s take a closer look with this Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 review.
Nokian has a reputation for real innovation in winter tires; here’s some of the features and advantages you can expect to find with the Hakkapeliitta R3:
So, is this the right tire for your budget and ride? Before you decide, let’s take a look at the Hakkapeliitta R3’s strengths:
PROS
Unfortunately, no tire is perfect and that’s true for this Nokian tire too:
CONS
There are a lot of design considerations to be taken into account when it comes to winter tires. First and foremost, they need to offer traction and braking performance that outclasses all-season tires, but they also need to be civilized in terms of noise levels, ride quality, and handling. They also need to be durable enough to withstand rough roads or the occasional hit from a pothole without the tire failing.
Nokian has managed to hit all those performance targets with the Hakkapeliitta R3. Winter traction is second to none, even in deep snow and un-plowed or poorly-plowed roads, and it’ll get you to the top of a summit for a snowboarding excursion when other winter tires just can’t get the job done. Ride quality and noise levels are great, and the Aramid-reinforced casing is tougher than a lot of light truck tires. The Hakkapeliitta R3’s low rolling resistance makes it a good candidate for EV’s, and you have the peace of mind of knowing that the Hakkapeliitta R3 (like all Nokian tires) is made using sustainable, green materials for a lower carbon footprint.
As for the cons…no, it’s not pre-drilled for installation of studs, but honestly you don’t really need studs with this tire. A word about studs: studded tires are really hard on pavement surfaces, and aren’t legal in many states. The states where studded tires are legal usually restrict the months of the year when they can be used, so check local and state laws. No, it doesn’t come with treadwear warranty (most winter tires don’t), and no, the Hakkapeliitta R3 isn’t great on dry pavement or in warmer weather. Tire manufacturers advise against using winter tires if temperatures are above 45 degrees Fahrenheit, since the pliable, flexible rubber formulation will wear quickly in warmer weather.
The Hakkapeliitta R3 isn’t an inexpensive tire, but it’s really worth it if you need a 3PMS-rated winter tire that can get through deep snow or slush safely. It’s that good.
The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 is a good fit for coupes, sedans, CUVs, and minivans such as the:
overall rating
Would you buy again?
4.5
4.9
5
4.7
4.1
4
I like the tires but on a previous purchase I opted for the road hazard warranty. I've been over a month trying to get it taken care of. I keep getting asked for the same things I sent them. Would not recommend the road hazard warranty warranty
Almost put on studs I have, but found these worked great, just had to brake sooner.
I lived at the Alpental ski area while communiting to Seattle for 8 years and drove up to 40,000 a year for 8 years so I've tried lots of snow tires on 2 wheel drive cars where you need all the help you can get. I pooh-poohed the fancier snow tires because they mostly looked alike and I was convinced studded tires fixed everything. But in my quest to keep successfully commuting up mountian passes in my 2 wheel drive diesel car I tried the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3's and am Super Impressed and they are the best rain tire ever also. They even will take more power than my good summer tires that would spin the during roll on power in 1-3rd gears in my moded Jetta TDI, but they didn't corner or brakes as well when pushed but in rain or snow they were unmatched. Plus they lasted way longer than I expected.
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 tires are THE best I've ever had. They are fantastic on dry, wet, snowy/icy roads. I've marveled at the quiet, comfortable ride and the treadwear has been minimal. I am thoroughly satisfied with them. You will not find a better tire out there. I've tried more than a few different tires and Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3s are far and away the best. Do yourself a favor and invest in the best -- Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3.
Loud compared to all seasons, as expected. Soft so wear faster than all seasons, also expected for a winter tire. But damn if these don't get you through a blizzard confidently and safely. Love 'em.
Better than any other winter tire I've tried. They are noticeably softer. So they may not last as long as blizzaks or similar. But they will be better throughout their life.
Great winter tires. Driving in mid-Michigan, between two small cities with semi-rural country in the middle. City streets are usually plowed and salted, but the county road in between sometimes has hard-packed snow. Weather is usually between 0 and 20F, but occasionally in the 30-40F range, just long enough to create water puddles. These tires have performed well in all those conditions: dry (bare, salted pavement), hard-packed snow, and wet. Acceleration, turning, and braking all feel crisp and confident in all conditions. Have not yet driven at highway speeds. My top speed has been 55 mph on county roads. Have only owned for 2 months, so cannot comment on treadwear.
Tires arrived 4 years old, would like to see them newer if possible. Maybe this is an old model.
I am writing this review after driving in some hardpack snow and slush after our recent storm in the northeast. The best way to describe these tires in bad winter weather conditions is like a high-performance summer tire in the rain. I can break them loose, but only for a moment, and I have to try. I've driven on older WinterForce 2's, and those were great. However, these Nokians are an entirely different league. Suppose you want a comfortable, predictable, confidence-inspiring tire to get you through winter weather and even cold, dry roads. Look no further. Acceleration, cornering, and braking are all phenomenal in harmful conditions. Minimal noise for a snow tire, and they ride better than my dealer installed Ironmans. 5/5 would buy again and recommend everyone else too as well