Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 vs Continental VikingContact 8: The newly launched 2024 Continental VikingContact 8 is here, following in the footsteps of its highly acclaimed predecessor, the multiple press test winner VikingContact 7. But can this new generation tire withstand the challenge from its arch-rival, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5? Both tires are at the pinnacle of winter performance, and the battle between these two titans is about to heat up as they go head-to-head in the ultimate winter studless showdown.
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Results: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 vs Continental VikingContact 8
Results below were taken from 2024 Vi Bilagare Friction Tire Test with a total of 7 tires tested. The graph below shows the comparison between Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 vs Continental VikingContact 8 based on the relevant performance category. The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 being the older tire was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
Note that for subjective ratings, 1 point is equivalent to 10%. So if tire A has a 4 point rating & tire B has a 3 point rating, tire A is better than tire B by 10%. The tire size of interest is a 225/45 R17 which is a common tire size for Audi S3 and BMW 1 series. The testing vehicle is a Volkswagen Golf.
Ice
When comparing the ice performances of the Continental VikingContact 8 and the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5, the Nokian shows a slight edge in ice braking, stopping 0.6 meters shorter at 11.37 meters compared to the VikingContact 8’s 11.97 meters. In ice acceleration, the Nokian again leads, completing the test in 8.01 seconds, which is 0.43 seconds faster than the Continental at 8.44 seconds. However, when it comes to ice handling, the VikingContact 8 finishes the lap slightly faster at 64.6 seconds, 0.4 seconds ahead of the Hakkapeliitta R5’s 65 seconds.
VikingContact 8 :
- -5% in ice braking
- -5% in ice traction
- +1% in ice handling (lap time)
Snow
When comparing the snow performances of the Continental VikingContact 8 and the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5, the Nokian slightly outperforms in snow braking, stopping 0.26 meters shorter at 12.46 meters compared to the VikingContact 8’s 12.72 meters. In snow acceleration, both tires are almost identical, with the VikingContact 8 completing the test in 4.19 seconds, just 0.01 seconds faster than the Hakkapeliitta R5’s 4.2 seconds. For snow handling, both tires deliver an exact match, with a lap time of 79.7 seconds each, making it a tie in this aspect.
VikingContact 8 :
- -2% in snow braking
- ~0% in snow traction
- ~0% in snow handling (lap time)
Wet
When comparing the wet performances of the Continental VikingContact 8 and the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5, the VikingContact 8 has a clear advantage in wet braking, stopping 1.82 meters shorter at 40.1 meters compared to the Nokian’s 41.92 meters. In wet handling, the Continental also finishes the lap faster, with a time of 41.2 seconds, 0.5 seconds quicker than the Hakkapeliitta R5’s 41.7 seconds. However, both tires are evenly matched in aquaplaning resistance, maintaining a top speed of 59.8 km/h.
VikingContact 8 :
- +5% in wet braking
- +1% in wet handling (average lap speed)
- ~0% in straight aquaplaning
Dry
In terms of dry performance, the Continental VikingContact 8 slightly outperforms the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 in dry braking, stopping 0.15 meters shorter at 31.2 meters compared to the Nokian’s 31.35 meters. For dry handling, the VikingContact 8 is rated higher with a subjective score of 4 out of 5, while the Hakkapeliitta R5 scores 3 out of 5, indicating a noticeable difference in handling feel.
VikingContact 8 :
- ~0% in dry braking
- +10% in dry handling (subjective)
Noise
When comparing the exterior noise performances, the Continental VikingContact 8 is slightly quieter, producing 67.4 decibels compared to the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5’s 68.1 decibels. This makes the VikingContact 8 0.7 decibels quieter, offering a marginally more comfortable ride in terms of noise.
VikingContact 8 :
- +1% in exterior noise (-0.7 dB)
Fuel Consumption
When it comes to fuel consumption, both the Continental VikingContact 8 and the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 perform equally, with each tire consuming 5.3 liters per 100 kilometers. There is no difference in fuel efficiency between the two.
VikingContact 8 :
- 0% in fuel consumption
Price
In the 235/55 R17 tire size, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 is priced at €256, while the Continental VikingContact 8 costs €258, making the VikingContact 8 €2 more expensive than the Hakkapeliitta R5.
Tire size: 235/55 R17
- VikingContact 8 : € 258
Difference: +1% more expensive for VikingContact 8
Conclusion
As a tire expert, I can confidently say that both the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 and the Continental VikingContact 8 have their distinct advantages depending on what you prioritize. The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 truly excels in ice braking, ice traction, and snow braking, making it an excellent choice for those who often face harsh winter conditions. On the other hand, the Continental VikingContact 8 stands out with superior ice handling, as well as stronger wet and dry performance, which makes it a more versatile option if you need balanced performance across varying conditions. Both tires are top-tier, and the choice ultimately depends on your specific driving needs and environment.
Dr Edwin Pang