Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 vs Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2: After checking out Goodyear’s UltraGrip Ice 2 against the best Nordic tire aka Continental Viking Contact 7, we were wondering whether the UltraGrip Ice 2 has what it takes to go toe to toe with another Nordic specialist Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3. The UltraGrip 2 was launch in 2014 which was more than 7 year ago. In comparison to the recent launch of the Hakkapeliitta R3 in 2018, it is definitely a really long time. We will use the test magazine results of 2020 Vi Bilagare Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test as our basis for comparison.
The graph above shows the comparison between Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 vs Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2. The Hakkapeliitta R3 was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark. Note that for handling evaluation, we equate 1 point as 5%. Hence for example if the tire A is graded 4 while tire B is graded 3, A is better than B by 5%. The natural scaling does not really make sense in evaluation whereby the max number is 5. The tire size chosen for the test is a 205/60R16 which is commonly used by Mazda 3 and Ford Focus.
Table of Contents
Ice
When it comes to Nordic tires, ice is the main requirements as the usage temperature is normally lower than -10 °C. The UltraGrip Ice 2 could match the Hakkapeliitta R3 in ice braking but fair badly in ice handling by being down almost 8% compared to the UltraGrip Ice 2. Something particular about this results showing that a good ice braking tire does not necessarily provides a good ice handling tire as the traction and cornering forces also yield a high dominance.
UltraGrip Ice 2 :
- -0.3% in ice braking
- -8.2% in ice handling
Snow
Things are quite equal in the snow with the UltraGrip Ice 2 just lacking a minor bit in both braking and handling on snow.
UltraGrip Ice 2 :
- -0.3% in snow braking
- -1.0% in snow handling
Wet
From the previous comparsion, we know that the UltraGrip Ice 2 is really strong in “summer” performances. This also holds true in this case as UltraGrip Ice 2 beats the Hakkapeliitta R3 badly in all wet categories. The UltraGrip Ice 2 even managed to out ranked the Pirelli Ice Zero FR which was also beating the competition in wet. Both wet braking and aquaplaning were more than 10% better while the wet handling was at 3.9%.
UltraGrip Ice 2 :
- +10.9% in wet braking
- +3.9% in wet handling
- +17.3% in aquaplaning
Dry
While at dry braking, the UltraGrip Ice 2 managed to squeeze a big enough margin @ 2.9% better than the Hakkapeliitta R3. While for dry handling the UltraGrip Ice 2 managed a perfect subjective handling score of 5/5 while Hakkapeliitta R3 was one level behind with a score of 3/5.
UltraGrip Ice 2 :
- +2.9% in dry braking
- +10% in dry handling
Rolling Resistance
With Hakkapeliitta R3 having a rolling resistance label “B“, we would expect it to be beat the label “C” UltraGrip Ice 2. However the results was quite shocking as UltraGrip Ice 2 managed to edge the Hakkapeliitta R3 by 1.9%.
UltraGrip Ice 2:
- +1.9% in rolling resistance
Noise & Comfort
UltraGrip Ice 2 is 2 points ahead of Hakkapeliitta R3 in the subjective noise & comfort test with a score of 4/5
UltraGrip Ice 2:
- +10% in noise & comfort
Price
Based on the test report, the prices of the tires were also noted down.
Tire size: 205/60 R16
UltraGrip Ice 2 : € 131
Hakkapeliitta R3 : € 145
Difference: -10% cheaper for UltraGrip Ice 2
Summary
Apart from a big deficit in ice handling, UltraGrip Ice 2 is able to match Hakkapeliitta R3 in other winter performances while it totally dominates in wet, dry, rolling resistance and noise/comfort. It is also comes with 10% cheaper price tag. Hence from our humble opinion, the clear winner here is Goodyear’s UltraGrip Ice 2