In an innovative move, Vi Bilägare, a leading Swedish magazine, embarked on an extensive test of studded winter tires, specifically sized 225/45 R17. This year's evaluation included a twist: alongside seven new tire models spanning various price ranges, they introduced a set of "veteran" tires - the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8, a model eight years in service. This unique blend of new and aged tires offered insights into the perennial motorist's dilemma: invest in new tires or continue with the old?
A highlight of this study was the aged Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8. Released in 2015 and previously a winner in VB tests, these tires defied their age. Despite being eight years old, they maintained a commendable 7mm tread depth, though with naturally worn studs and reduced projection compared to their newer counterparts.
The tires underwent rigorous testing across varied landscapes. Winter handling was tested near Elvsbyn in northern Sweden. The Arctic Falls indoor complex near Piteå, Sweden, served as the stage for braking and acceleration assessments, and Tampere, Finland, hosted the asphalt tests.
The test faced a notable challenge: the absence of Pirelli and Bridgestone tires due to supply issues. This situation underscored the dynamic nature of the tire market, although Bridgestone's new Blizzak Spike 3, already tested in Teknikens Värld, did feature in the evaluation.
Ice Mastery: Traction and Control on the Slippery Surface
On ice, Michelin led the pack with superior traction, closely followed by Nokian and Goodyear. Continental and Goodride, however, lagged behind, with the latter's performance closely mirroring that of the worn tires. In braking, Nokian, Michelin, and Goodyear outperformed the rest, with Falken being the best among other competitors.
Ice Traction
- Michelin
- Nokian
- Goodyear
- Hankook
- Falken
- Goodyear
- Continental
- Nokian 8
Info! Ice Traction, s. (5-25 km/h)
Ice Braking
- Michelin
- Nokian
- Goodyear
- Hankook
- Falken
- Goodyear
- Continental
- Nokian 8
Info! Ice Braking, m. (25-5 km/h)
This phase underscored a critical insight - older tires significantly lose their grip efficiency, with used Nokian tires achieving only 67% of the grip level of their new counterparts. Handling tests crowned Nokian HKPL 10s as the top performers, demonstrating exceptional cornering capabilities.
Ice Handling
- Nokian
- Michelin
- Goodyear
- Continental
- Falken
- Hankook
- Nokian 8
- Goodride
Info! Ice Handling, s. (Circuit)
Snow Handling: Traction and Braking on the White Blanket
On snow, differences between tire performances narrowed. Goodyear emerged as the top performer in traction. Surprisingly, the budget-friendly Goodride clinched the first spot in braking tests, followed by Hankook and Falken.
Snow Traction
- Goodyear
- Michelin
- Continental
- Nokian 8
- Nokian
- Falken
- Goodride
- Hankook
Info! Snow Traction, s. (5-35 km/h)
Snow Braking
- Goodride
- Hankook
- Falken
- Nokian
- Goodyear
- Continental
- Nokian 8
- Michelin
Info! Snow Braking, m. (35-5 km/h)
Premium tires like Nokian regained their dominance in handling, exhibiting reliable cornering behavior and high speeds. Continental also impressed with its safe and predictable handling. The aged tires, while least effective, offered no unpleasant surprises to drivers.
Snow Handling
- Nokian
- Continental
- Goodyear
- Mchelin
- Falken
- Hankook
- Goodride
- Nokian 8
Info! Snow Handling, s. (Circuit)
Wet Asphalt: A Test of Grip and Control
In the wet braking category, Hankook unexpectedly outshone Goodyear. Nokian and Goodride recorded the longest braking distances. Interestingly, the older Nokian tires, with their shallower tread depth, showed better stability under hard braking than their newer versions.
Wet Braking
- Hankook
- Goodyear
- Falken
- Nokian 8
- Michelin
- Continental
- Nokian
- Goodride
Info! Wet Braking, m. (80-5 km/h)
Wet Handling
- Continental
- Goodyear
- Falken
- Nokian
- Hankook
- Michelin
- Nokian 8
- Goodride
Info! Wet Handling, s. (Circuit)
Continental excelled in wet handling, with Goodyear and Falken also showing commendable grip levels, albeit with some challenges in maintaining the right path. The worn tires, despite their age, outperformed the low-cost Goodride tires, which struggled with understeer and oversteer.
Straight Hydroplaning
- Falken
- Goodyear
- Hankook
- Nokian 8
- Goodyear
- Michelin
- Continental
- Nokian
Info! Float Speed, km/h.
Dry Asphalt: Braking and Handling Insights
On dry surfaces, the worn Nokian tires excelled in braking, demonstrating that tread wear can positively impact performance in certain conditions. Among the new tires, Goodyear, Goodride, and Michelin showed strong results, with minimal differences overall. The handling tests, assessing factors like directional stability and response to steering, highlighted Continental tires for their reliable performance under load. Michelin responded swiftly to steering inputs, while Hankook showed a tendency to skid, with Goodyear and Falken exhibiting some instability.
Dry Braking
- Nokian 8
- Goodyear
- Goodride
- Michelin
- Nokian
- Continental
- Hankook
- Falken
Info! Dry Braking, m. (80-5 km/h)
Fuel Efficiency: The Role of Rolling Resistance
Fuel consumption tests, conducted at a steady speed of 60 km/h with a VW Golf GTI, revealed that the older tires, due to reduced tread depth, offered the lowest rolling resistance. Hankook and Goodride followed suit, with Goodyear, possessing the deepest tread, coming in last. Surprisingly, despite their shallower treads, Michelin tires negatively impacted fuel efficiency.
Fuel Efficiency
- Nokian 8
- Hankook
- Goodride
- Nokian
- Falken
- Continental
- Michelin
- Goodyear
Info! Fuel Efficiency. (60 km/h)
Noise Assessment: In-Cabin Experience
Noise levels inside the cabin were measured using a decibel meter, but subjective assessments were also valued. Continental tires emerged as the quietest, creating a "pleasant soundscape." Goodride, a budget tire, performed admirably in noise reduction. In contrast, Falken and Goodyear were found to be noisier.
Noise at 70 km/h
- Continental
- Hankook
- Nokian 8
- Michelin
- Goodride
- Nokian
- Goodyear
- Falken
Info! Noise, db
NOISE at 110 km/h
- Continental
- Goodyear
- Hankook
- Nokian 8
- Goodride
- Nokian
- Michelin
- Falken
Info! Noise, db
Overall Verdict: Choosing the Right Tire
Nokian claimed the top spot in overall performance, particularly excelling in ice tests. Michelin followed, with robust performance on asphalt, and Goodyear, noted for its short braking distances on various surfaces. All top-tier tires are excellent choices, tailored to individual preferences.
Falken and Hankook, slightly more affordable, also stood out. Falken's combination of high grip in winter conditions and reasonable pricing was commendable. Last year's stud loss issue with Falken has been resolved, ensuring a more reliable performance.
As for the used tires, their results surprisingly paralleled the budget Chinese tires. The clear takeaway: investing in new, premium tires enhances safety, but if budget constraints exist, saving for a quality option is advisable for overall road safety.
Results
1st Place: Nokian / Hakkapeliitta 10 - Rated 84.0
Quick Take
Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 excels in icy conditions and showcases proficient snow handling, maintaining good control at grip limits. While it performs admirably on smooth corners in both ice and snow, its performance on wet surfaces and resistance to hydroplaning are areas of concern. The tire offers a slightly reduced wet grip, leading to longer braking distances on wet pavement. Its capabilities shine in snowy and icy terrains, making it ideal for drivers prioritizing maximum grip in these conditions.
2nd Place: Michelin / X-Ice North 4 - Rated 82.0
Quick Take
Michelin X-Ice North 4
The Michelin X-Ice North 4 ranks second, delivering high levels of grip on ice and snow, along with impressive dry pavement handling. Notable for its reduced tread depth and multitude of small studs, the tire initially stood out for its low noise levels, though it now aligns with competitors in this aspect. The tire's drawbacks include its performance in snow braking and wet pavement handling, along with considerations regarding economy.
3rd Place: Goodyear / UltraGrip Arctic 2 - Rated 81.0
Quick Take
Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
The Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2, in third place, showcases impressive ice performance and excels in snow traction, wet braking, and handling, including strong resistance to straight hydroplaning. It stands out for its very short braking distances on wet surfaces and effective performance on snow/ice. However, it falls short in dry handling, with lateral stability and steering response being less than ideal, impacting its ability to maintain the desired trajectory. Despite these drawbacks, the tire remains stable overall, ensuring a safe driving experience.
4th Place: Falken / Winterpeak F-ICE 1 - Rated 75.0
Quick Take
Falken Winterpeak F-ICE 1
The Falken Winterpeak F-Ice 1, positioned at fourth, has overcome previous issues with stud loss and now offers commendable performance in winter conditions, closely following premium brands. It boasts good grip and exceptional resistance to straight hydroplaning. However, its performance is compromised by less precise steering responses on cleared roads and an elevated noise level. The tire's braking and handling on dry pavement are additional areas of concern.
5th Place: Continental / IceContact 3 - Rated 73.0
Quick Take
Continental IceContact 3
The Continental IceContact 3, ranking fifth, excels in snow handling, wet and dry pavement handling, and maintains a low noise level. However, its performance in ice traction and braking is notably inferior, falling behind other premium tires and even comparable to lower-priced brands like Goodride. While these tires adeptly inform the driver about reaching adhesion limits and maintain control at the onset of a skid, their weak performance on ice and high price point make them a less attractive option despite their excellent asphalt performance, which includes ease of handling and stability.
6th Place: Hankook / Winter i*Pike RS2 W429 - Rated 69.0
Quick Take
Hankook Winter i*Pike RS2 W429
The Hankook Winter i*Pike RS2 W429, positioned sixth, marks a shift from its traditional winter focus, showcasing improved wet pavement grip. The tire performs exceptionally in wet braking and offers economic efficiency. However, it falls short in ice braking, snow traction, and handling, with a tendency to skid under load on all surfaces. Dry pavement performance is also compromised, evidenced by blurred responses to driver inputs and insufficient directional stability. Despite these drawbacks, the tire is notable for its low rolling resistance and noise levels, making it a viable choice for budget-conscious consumers.
7th Place: Goodride / IceMaster Spike Z-506 - Rated 57.0
Quick Take
Goodride IceMaster Spike Z-506
The Goodride IceMaster Spike Z-506, ranked seventh, offers commendable snow braking, dry pavement braking, and is economically efficient. Despite being developed in Finland and featuring 200 studs, its ice performance is disappointingly weak, with grip and cornering abilities inferior even to older tire models. This shortfall is likely attributable to the tire's excessively stiff rubber compound. While snow grip is somewhat better during braking, cornering remains poor. Surprisingly, these stiff tires also underperform on wet pavement, contradicting expectations of better asphalt handling.
8th Place: 🏁 Nokian / Hakkapeliitta 8 - Rated 56.0
Quick Take
Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8
The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8, while ranking eighth in the current test, also serves as an intriguing example of how winter-worn premium tires can perform outside of the test standings. This particular model, being eight years old, offers valuable insights into the long-term durability and evolving performance characteristics of premium winter tires. Despite its age, it demonstrates commendable dry braking efficiency and economic advantages, highlighting the potential longevity and sustained performance of quality winter tires over time.
