Nokian Tires Review: Best Tires for Snow Driving
Nokian Tires are an excellent option for snow driving. Their flexible tread compounds, aggressive biting edges, and deep treads allow them to provide better traction on snow and ice than rival tires, regardless of whether the competitor is Michelin or Bridgestone.
Hence the reason why North-Pole expeditions almost always use Nokian tires. Drivers brave enough to drive in such frigid conditions are aware of one universal truth: when it comes to offering traction in extreme wintry conditions, Nokian tires are unbeatable.
All of this is not to say that Nokian has only one ace up its sleeve. Over the past few years, the Finnish tire brand has made several forays into the all-season and summer tires segments. In both categories, Nokian tires compete with models from premium tire manufacturers.
Read on to know more in this comprehensive Nokian tires review.
Nokian Tires Review
Here are the best Nokian tires currently on the market:
#1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
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The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 has everything drivers look for in snow tires.
This tire’s rubber compound features enough silica to not stiffen up in deep snow. At the same time, its tread has a good amount of sipe density to handle light snow with ease. As such, this tire can handle mild to extreme wintry conditions with ease.
What’s more, thanks to its extensively notched rubber and a relatively compact pattern for a winter tire, the Hakkapeliitta R5 provides an excellent wet grip. And its V-shaped grooves perform an excellent job of directing water out of the tread to reduce the risk of aquaplaning.
Pros
- Offers excellent wet and ice grip
- Provides high fuel economy for a winter tire
- Carries the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMS) emblem
Cons
- Slightly noisy
#2. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
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The Hakkapeliitta 10 is currently the market’s leading studded winter tire.
Despite featuring a lower stud count than its rival model from Michelin, this model delivers an equally excellent grip. In doing so, it has demolished the idea long cherished by the drivers’ community that a higher tread count always translates into better performance on the ice.
Another highlight of this model is the precise and grippy front, which lets you keep the desired driving lane for longer periods. The Double Stud Technology (this tire has center and side studs) allows for improved acceleration, short braking distances, and enhanced cornering grip.
Pros
- Allows quick lane changes on icy roads
- Offers confident grip on slippery surfaces
- Much cheaper than competition
Cons
- Aren’t the quietest
#3. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
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The Hakkapeliitta R3 is one of those winter tires that offer safety and comfort without sacrificing on performance.
This model comes with what Nokian refers to as ‘Snow Claws’ to offer excellent acceleration and braking on snow and ice. A V-shaped pattern allows quick water evacuation while expanding this model’s contact patch, which should help with comfort.
The R3 can cope with minor road imperfections pretty easily. This is due to the softer sidewall that doesn’t let disturbances created by potholes from getting to the cabin. As for road noise, this model is exceedingly quiet, especially for a winter tire.
Pros
- Excellent snow and ice performance
- Offers a wide range of size options
- Usable in slightly warmer weather
Cons
- Wet breaking distances could be better
#4. Nokian Nordman 7
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The Nokian Nordman 7 combines the qualities of touring and winter tires.
This tire boasts the directional tread pattern common on all-season touring tires to offer excellent ride comfort and low noise. At the same time, its tread pattern has a detailed siping pattern for enhanced traction on snow- and ice-covered roads.
Provided you find the traction on offer inadequate, Nokian lets you insert studs into this tire’s tread for even better grip and winter performance. As such, if you’re looking for the best winter and snow tires on the market, the Nordman 7 should be on your shortlist.
Pros
- Offers brilliant grip on snow-covered roads
- Delivers high driving comfort levels
- Boasts enhanced controllability at the limit
Cons
- Dry grip isn’t the best in class
#5. Nokian eNTYRE 2.0
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The Nokian eNTYRE 2.0 shows that the Finish tire brand knows a thing or two about manufacturing premium all-season touring tires.
Like its competitors from premium brands, the eNTYRE offers a comfortable ride and an equally impressive fuel economy. A combination of circumferential and lateral grooves enhances its wet performance, especially when compared with its predecessor.
Also, since this model has fewer sipes than the one it replaced, you can count on it to be quieter on dry tarmac. And the usage of two technologies for the noise levels – the silent sidewall and silent groove design – has made this model even quieter.
Pros
- Delivers premium comfort levels
- Boasts excellent aquaplaning resistance
- High levels of traction and grip for everyday driving
Cons
- Wet handling could do with an improvement
#6. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 SUV
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The Hakkapeliitta 8 SUV has multiple features to convince you to take out the chequebook.
Take, for instance, its Cryo-silane Gen 2 tread compound. A mixture of silica, rapeseed oil, and natural rubber, it stays flexible at temperatures where this tire’s rivals freeze, giving the Hakkapeliitta 8 SUV unrivaled traction in extreme wintry conditions.
Next comes the saw-tooth design which improves this tire’s traction and grip on deep snow and ice, respectively. Another notable feature is the presence of aramid fibers in its sidewall, which boosts this model’s ability to resist scrapes, cuts, and punctures.
Pros
- Top-of-the-line thick snow traction
- Better fuel economy than its predecessor
- Offers excellent grip on snow and ice
Cons
- Zero mileage warranty
#7. Nokian WR G4
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All-weather tires share various similarities with all-season tires, with the exception of better performance in the snow. Nokian was one of the first brands to mass-produce these tires, and its latest model gives you plenty of reasons why.
As you might expect from a Nokian tire, the W4 G4 performs reliably in wintry conditions. The grip on snow is outstanding, and you can even ride this tire through a snowstorm. That is something you cannot say about the majority of all-weather tires out there.
Sure, this tire has as many or as few shortcomings as its rivals. For instance, its steering responsiveness could do with a slight upgrade. However, when you take the 60,000-mile treadwear warranty into account, the above flaw can be ignored.
Pros
- Backed by a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty
- Works very well in slush and wet conditions
- Usable on snow and ice
Cons
- Isn’t the most responsive
#8. Nokian Rotiiva AT
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The Nokian Rotiiva AT ticks multiple boxes for highway drivers.
This model not only offers good cornering grip and short braking distances in the rain. It also possesses the unique ability to deal with minor road imperfections pretty well. Even when it hits large potholes, this model won’t let many vibrations in the cabin.
All of this is not to say that the Rotiiva AT ranks among the best all-terrain tires. One reason for that is its treadlife, which is average for an AT tire. Another is its lacklustre performance in mud, though that is something you can say about 8 out of 10 all-terrain tires.
Pros
- Boosts very short braking distances
- Offers excellent traction on hardpacked surfaces
- Delivers very good high speed stability
Cons
- Treadlife is average for an all-terrain tire
Nokian Tires Buying Guide
What is there to like about Nokian tires? What is it that distinguishes these tires from the chasing pack? Are there areas where Nokian tires could or should have done better? Any shortcomings that could potentially be deal-breakers? This section has all the answers.
Why Should You Buy Nokian Tires?
Here’s why Nokian tires should be on your short list of tire brands to buy next:
High-Quality Winter Tires
Did you know that Nokian was the first tire brand to introduce studs that can offer extreme traction without damaging the road surface? The company’s winter tires undergo extensive testing in the northern regions to ensure their winter driving credentials are genuine.
Small wonder, then, that Nokian is the market’s favorite brand for winter tires. Whether you drive a passenger car, SUV, or a light truck, there’s a set of tires from the Finnish brand that can safely carry you the distance in extreme wintry conditions.
Care for Environment
Nokian was among the first tire companies to eliminate the use of harmful oils in its tread compounds. That was way back in 2005. Since then, the company has taken several initiatives that show its concern for the environment.
The most notable of which is a highly ambitious target: Nokian has committed that by the year 2030, 50% of all the raw materials used in its tires will be renewable or recycled. Thus, anyone who cares about the environment has an extra incentive to opt for Nokian tires.
Excellent Durability
Anyone who has ever installed this brand’s tires can attest to their durability. The use of high-quality materials and state-of-the-art technologies allows Nokian tires to keep going year after year after year, which is surprising given the extreme conditions they have to deal with.
Why Should You Not Buy Nokian Tires?
Here’s why Nokian tires may not fit the bill for you:
Limited Tire Options
Unless you’re looking for a dedicated winter tire, it’s likely that Nokian may not be able to provide the desired tire. True, the Finnish brand has released several types of tires in the past decade. But its lineup (other than that of winter tires) is dwarfed by that of rival brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes Nokian tires?
Nokian Tyre manufactures these models for worldwide markets.
Where are Nokian tires made?
Nokian tire production facilities in Finland, Russia, and USA. The company manufactures passenger car tires in its facilities in Nokia (Finland) and Dayton (US). While its tires for trucks and buses are also designed in Finland, off-take contract manufacturers in the European Union manufacture them.
How long do Nokian tires last?
Although they don’t come with market-leading treadwear warranties, Nokian tires should still last you 6 to 7 years.
That is because these tires use Aramid fiber in their sidewalls which enables them to delay the replacement date for longer periods.
Is Nokian a good brand?
Nokian is the world’s premium brand for winter tires. Its winter tires can safely carry you from point A to point B in extreme wintry conditions, regardless of whether you’re driving a passenger car, SUV, or light truck.
Are Nokian tires noisy?
Nokian tires tend to be quieter, especially in the first few years. While they may become a bit noisy as their tread wears down, that is something you can say about almost every other brand’s tires.
Are Nokian tires good for snow?
Yes, Nokian tires are ideal for snow driving. This shouldn’t come as a surprise given that the Finnish brand has been making high-quality winter tires since 1932.
Conclusion
Nokian is the world’s leading brand for high-performance winter tires. However, as its all-season and all-weather offerings show, the Finnish tire brand isn’t a one-trick pony. As such, if you’re looking for high-quality, long-lasting and high-performing tires, Nokian is a name you can trust.
