Continental VikingContact 8 vs Nokian Hakkapeliitta 01: This is one of the most exciting winter tire battles we can have: the Continental VikingContact 8, one of the best studless Nordic winter tires, against the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 01, a revolutionary studded tire featuring retractable stud technology.
So the question is simple: can one of the very best studless tires really take on a studded tire when the conditions get serious? Studless versus studded. Continental versus Nokian. Let’s see just how close this battle really is.
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Results : Continental VikingContact 8 vs Nokian Hakkapeliitta 01
The results were taken from Teknikens Värld 2026 studded, studless & middle Europe winter tire test. The graph below shows the comparison between Continental VikingContact 8 vs Nokian Hakkapeliitta 01 based on the relevant performance category. The Continental VikingContact 8 was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark. The handling criteria shown in the test are evaluated objectively through lap times except for dry handling.
Note that for subjective evaluations, each 1-point difference is treated as 5%, regardless of whether the scoring scale is 10/10 or 20/20.For example, if Tire A scores 5 points and Tire B scores 4 points, Tire A is considered 5% better. Similarly, a 2-point advantage would equal 10%.. The tire size of interest is 235/45R18 which is a common tire size for Audi A3 and the BMW 3 series. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle of choice is a Volvo V60.
Ice
In ice braking, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 01 scored 16 points compared with 14 points for the Continental VikingContact 8. That 2-point advantage gives the studded Nokian a 10% edge, which is exactly where you would expect the studs to make the biggest difference.
But ice handling is where the VikingContact 8 feels almost magical. Despite having no studs at all, the Continental scored a perfect 20/20, beating the Nokian’s 18/20 by 10%. For a studless tire to dominate the handling test against a studded rival is seriously impressive, and it shows just how exceptional the VikingContact 8 is on ice.
Hakkapeliitta 01 :
- +10% in ice braking
- -10% in ice handling
Snow
On snow braking, this is where we expect the studless VikingContact 8 to shine. The Continental scored a perfect 20/20, compared with 18/20 for the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 01. That 2-point advantage means the VikingContact 8 is 10% better in snow braking.
In snow handling, both tires were exceptional, with both scoring a perfect 20/20. So there is no difference between them here. Overall, snow is where the VikingContact 8 shows exactly why it is one of the best studless winter tires available. It beats the studded Nokian in braking and still matches it perfectly in handling — a dominant snow performance from the Continental.
Hakkapeliitta 01 :
- -10% in snow braking
- 0% in snow handling
Wet
In wet braking, the Continental VikingContact 8 scored 5/10 compared with 4/10 for the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 01, giving the Continental a 10% advantage. The same trend continues in wet handling, where the VikingContact 8 scored 6/10 against 5/10, again making it 10% better.
But in aquaplaning, the Nokian fights back. It reached 57.9 km/h compared with 54.9 km/h for the Continental, a clear 3.0 km/h advantage, or 5% better. So in the wet, the VikingContact 8 is clearly stronger in braking and handling, while the Nokian’s studded design still manages to deliver the better aquaplaning resistance.
Hakkapeliitta 01 :
- -10% in wet braking
- -10% in wet handling
- +5% in aquaplaning
Dry
In dry braking, the Continental VikingContact 8 scored 6/10 compared with 5/10 for the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 01, giving the Continental a 10% advantage. So even on dry roads, the VikingContact 8 keeps the upper hand, showing that its strong performance is not limited to snow and ice.
Hakkapeliitta 01 :
- -10% in dry braking
Comfort
In damping and noise, the Continental VikingContact 8 scored 10/10 compared with just 4/10 for the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 01, giving the Continental a huge 60% advantage. The gap is also massive in stability, where the VikingContact 8 scored 8/10 against 3/10, making it 50% better.
This is where the studless Continental really pulls away. The VikingContact 8 is dramatically quieter, smoother and more stable, while the studded Nokian pays a clear comfort penalty for its extra hardware.
Hakkapeliitta 01 :
- -60% in Comfort – Damping & Noise
- -50% in Comfort – Stability
Fuel Consumption
In fuel consumption, the Continental VikingContact 8 used 0.5843 L/10 km compared with 0.6283 L/10 km for the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 01. That is a difference of 0.044 L/10 km, giving the Continental a 7% advantage in fuel efficiency. So once again, the studless VikingContact 8 comes out ahead, using less fuel while also delivering the stronger overall comfort performance.
Hakkapeliitta 01 :
- -7% in fuel consumption
Price
For 235/45 R18, the Continental VikingContact 8 costs $241, while the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 01 costs $361. That is a $120 difference, with the Nokian being 33% more expensive. So the Hakkapeliitta 01 comes with a substantial premium, while the VikingContact 8 offers a much lower purchase price.
Tire size: 235/45 R18
- VikingContact 8 : $ 241
- Hakkapeliitta 01 : $ 361
Difference: +33% more expensive for Hakkapeliitta 01.
Conclusion
From my perspective, this test raises a simple question: why would you buy a studded tire? The Hakkapeliitta 01 still has a clear advantage where studs matter most — ice braking — and for drivers who regularly face polished ice, that extra stopping grip can be worth paying for.
But everywhere else, the VikingContact 8 is incredibly hard to ignore. It matches or beats the Nokian across snow, wet, dry, comfort and efficiency, while also costing much less. Unless maximum ice braking is your absolute priority, I would choose the VikingContact 8. It shows just how far the best modern studless winter tires have come.
Dr Edwin Pang