Continental VikingContact 8 vs Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
- TR Score
- 9.2/10
- Owners say
- 83% · 8
- TR Score
- 8.7/10
- Owners say
- 86% · 17
In the 6 independent tests that ran both tires, the Continental VikingContact 8 finished ahead 6 times and the Hakkapeliitta R5 not once. The VikingContact 8 stopped 3.2% shorter on ice; the Hakkapeliitta R5 stopped 3.6% shorter in the wet.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Continental VikingContact 8 if you want the most well-rounded Nordic friction winter tire-top ice/snow security with notably better stability, comfort, low noise and strong efficiency. Choose the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 if your winter is heavy on wet, above-freezing asphalt and you prioritize wet braking/handling (and can accept that its overall class placement and stability/aquaplaning results are less consistently class-leading).
Where the VikingContact 8 is stronger
- More consistent class-leading results across the shared tests (e.g., 1/5 in 2026 TV; 1/7 in 2025 TV; multiple overall wins)
- Top-tier ice and snow capability with particularly strong traction metrics (e.g., 205/55 R16: ice braking 7.31 m vs 8.41 m; ice traction 6.48 s vs 7.54 s)
- Refined road manners: repeatedly rated calmer/more stable and very comfortable (e.g., 2026 TV comfort 10 vs 7; 2025 TV comfort 9 vs 6)
Where the Hakkapeliitta R5 is stronger
- Can be outstanding on wet asphalt in some test regimes (e.g., 205/55 R16 wet braking 37.7 m vs 42.4 m, plus faster wet handling and stronger aquaplaning results)
- Often strong in dry metrics versus the Continental (multiple wins in dry braking; small but repeatable advantages in dry handling in some sizes)
- Very capable winter performer overall, with good controllability at/over the limit and strong lateral grip noted in qualitative feedback
The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.
VikingContact 8 vs Hakkapeliitta R5 at a glance
| Category | VikingContact 8 | Gap | Hakkapeliitta R5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won6 shared tests | 6 | 0 | |
| Dry9 measurements | 4 | 3 | |
| Wet16 measurements | 5 | The Hakkapeliitta R5 stopped 3.6% shorter in the wet (3 tests) | 7 |
| Snow12 measurements | 6 | The VikingContact 8 was 2.6% quicker in the snow traction test (3 tests) | 3 |
| Ice11 measurements | 7 | The VikingContact 8 stopped 3.2% shorter on ice (3 tests) | 3 |
| Comfort6 measurements | 4 | The VikingContact 8 was 1.3 dB quieter (2 tests) | 2 |
| Value4 measurements | 3 | The VikingContact 8 used 0.6% less fuel (3 tests) | 0 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.2/10 | The VikingContact 8 by 0.5 | 8.7/10 |
| Owner rating8 and 17 reviews | 83% | The Hakkapeliitta R5 by 3 points | 86% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 88% | Too close to call | 88% |
| Pricein the 4 tests that listed prices | +3.1% | The VikingContact 8 was dearer in 2 of 4 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 123 | 39 sizes made in both | 60 |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tires; a tick marks the tire ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.
Head to head in 6 tests, 2024 to 2026
Each row is one published test in which both tires ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | VikingContact 8 | Field | Hakkapeliitta R5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tire Test | P1 of 5 | P4 of 5 | |
| 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tire Test | P1 of 7 | P4 of 7 | |
| The Best Snow Tires for 2025/26 | P1 of 5 | P3 of 5 | |
| 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tire Test | P1 of 7 | P2 of 7 | |
| 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test | P2 of 8 | P3 of 8 | |
| The Best Studded / Friction Winter Tires for 2024 | P1 of 6 | P4 of 6 |
Performance profile
17 measurements from the 6 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
VikingContact 8
Hakkapeliitta R5
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 118 ft stop against 112 ft is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. The scale stops at 92%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 8 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
VikingContact 8
Hakkapeliitta R5
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Where owners rate each higher
VikingContact 8
Hakkapeliitta R5
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the VikingContact 8 83% from 8 reviews and the Hakkapeliitta R5 86% from 17. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tires posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
| Measurement | VikingContact 8 | Gap | Hakkapeliitta R5 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 118 | 0.7% | 118 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 58.5 | 0.7% | 58.1 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 11.1% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 60% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 43.5 | 1.4% | 42.9 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 133 | 3.6% | 129 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 58.21 | 0.2% | 57.65 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 1.3% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 13.44 | 3.1% | 13.02 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 35.4 | = | 35.4 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 5 | 7.9% | 5.3 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 87 | 1% | 86 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 4.33 | 2.6% | 4.44 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 79.95 | 0.3% | 80.17 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 3.7% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 11.1 | 4.3% | 10.7 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 73 | 3.2% | 74 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 7.07 | 5% | 7.42 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 59.8 | 0.1% | 59.88 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 8.5% | scored | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 30.1% | scored | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 11.1% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 70.45 | 1.3 dB | 71.7 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 7.29 | 2.5% | 7.48 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 5.62 | 0.6% | 5.66 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tires shared. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.
Scores beyond the shared tests
On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the VikingContact 8 scores 9.2 and the Hakkapeliitta R5 8.7 out of 10.
| VikingContact 8 | Category | Hakkapeliitta R5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 77 | Dry | 56 | ||
| 47 | Wet | 33 | ||
| 92 | Comfort | 28 | ||
| 85 | Value | 88 | ||
| 81 | Snow | 88 | ||
| 91 | Ice | 81 | ||
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
What owners say
| VikingContact 8 | Category | Hakkapeliitta R5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.7 | Dry Grip | 8.3 | ||
| 8.5 | Wet Grip | 7.7 | ||
| 7.4 | Road Feedback | 8.7 | ||
| 7.5 | Handling | 8.6 | ||
| 7.8 | Wear | 8.3 | ||
| 9.1 | Comfort | 8.9 | ||
| 8.6 | Snow Grip | 9 | ||
| 9 | Ice Grip | 8.5 | ||
Owners rate the VikingContact 8 83% from 8 reviews and the Hakkapeliitta R5 86% from 17. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Continental VikingContact 8
- 83%from 8 reviews
- 88%would buy again
- 33,500 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers overwhelmingly rate the Continental VikingContact 8 as an excellent Nordic-style winter tire, praising exceptional grip and confidence on ice and snow along with strong handling and braking in harsh conditions. Multiple reviews also highlight a quiet, comfortable ride with little to no tramlining. A minority view reports underwhelming stability/traction, suggesting performance may vary by vehicle or conditions.
- Exceptional ice and snow grip
- Confidence-inspiring handling and stability in winter conditions
- Quiet ride
- High comfort/impact absorption
Summarised by AI from 6 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 8 VikingContact 8 reviewsVery good grip in the snow and ice though cornering they did feel rather soft but that is expected of winter tires. I have no complaints as they handled the conditions I threw at them flawlessly. Drove through snow and ice covered roads in a snow storm with zero signs of losing grip during acceleration or through corners. They also handled slush covered roads excellently.
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
- 86%from 17 reviews
- 88%would buy again
- 117,745 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers largely praise the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 for exceptional winter capability, with standout grip and braking on snow and strong confidence on ice, plus a very quiet and comfortable ride. A minority report weaknesses in wet conditions and aquaplaning resistance, and some note slush performance can be shaky around 0°C. Overall sentiment is strongly positive, with most users finding it a top-tier studless winter tire for harsh climates.
- outstanding snow traction and handling
- strong ice grip and braking for a studless winter tire
- very quiet and comfortable ride
- confidence-inspiring winter performance
- wet grip and aquaplaning resistance
- slush performance around 0°C
Summarised by AI from 13 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 17 Hakkapeliitta R5 reviewsGood Tires in almost all conditions. Feels better in try and wet than previous version r2 or r3. Good on wear. Could be better on ice and snow braking. Continental vikingcontact 7 feels better on ice and snow braking.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 123 sizes of the VikingContact 8 and 60 of the Hakkapeliitta R5, 39 of them made in both.
| Category | VikingContact 8 | Hakkapeliitta R5 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 123 sizes, 15 to 22 inch | 60 sizes, 14 to 20 inch |
| Made in both | 39 sizes 185/65 R15195/65 R15195/55 R16205/55 R16205/60 R16215/55 R16215/60 R16175/65 R17205/50 R17205/55 R17215/45 R17215/50 R17and 27 more | |
| EU label wet grip | D100% | D100% |
| EU label rolling resistance | B65%A21%C14% | B76%C17%D5%A3% |
| EU label noise | 68-72 dB A99%B1% | 67-71 dB B71%A29% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 159 of 159 | 66 of 66 |
| On the market since | - | 2021 |
| Replaced | Continental VikingContact 7 (2018) | Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 (2018) |
| Price in the shared tests | The VikingContact 8 was the dearer tire in 2 of the 4 tests that listed prices, by 3.1% on average. Each test priced the tires in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
Label grades are shown as the share of registered sizes carrying each grade, so "B (88%), C (12%)" means most sizes are B. Grades vary by size; check the label for yours.
Reading the results
Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.
Continental's VikingContact 8 and Nokian's Hakkapeliitta R5 sit at the very top of the Nordic friction (studless) winter-tire category: both are designed primarily for long winters with frequent snow/ice, but still need to cope with wet and dry tarmac. On paper they're direct rivals-premium touring winter tires for passenger cars-yet the shared tests show they reach “Nordic excellence” via slightly different priorities.
Across six shared professional comparisons, the VikingContact 8 is the more consistently highly-rated package overall, repeatedly topping its Nordic friction class (including 1/5 in 2026 Teknikens Värld and 1/7 in 2025) and collecting every overall win in this data set. The Hakkapeliitta R5 is often very competitive in core winter conditions and can be notably strong on wet and dry asphalt in some tests, but it tends to give back points in stability/road manners and-depending on the test-aquaplaning or smooth-ice performance.
Conclusion
Looking across the shared results, the Continental VikingContact 8 is the safer “default choice” because it combines elite winter performance with calmer, more stable road behavior and very strong refinement. In Teknikens Värld's Nordic friction class rankings it decisively leads the R5 (1st vs 4th in both 2026 and 2025), and it's repeatedly praised for a settled, confidence-inspiring feel and top comfort. It also tends to be the efficiency pick: fuel use is slightly lower in both TV tests (e.g., 5.843 vs 5.856 l/100km in 2026; 5.726 vs 5.82 in 2025) and it posts lower rolling resistance where measured (7.29 vs 7.48 kg/t in the 205/55 R16 test).
The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 remains a strong winter tire, but it's more “situationally brilliant” than universally dominant in this head-to-head. In the 205/55 R16 test it is clearly superior on wet asphalt (wet braking 37.7 m vs 42.4 m, plus stronger wet handling and aquaplaning metrics), and it also nicks small wins in dry braking/handling in multiple runs. The trade-off is that the R5's behavior is more often described as less settled, and its water/slush security and/or smooth-ice performance can be the weak link depending on conditions-while the Continental's standout is its ability to deliver high ice/snow grip without the classic “spongy Nordic friction” feel.
Practical takeaway: if you want the most complete Nordic studless winter tire-especially for drivers who value stability, quiet comfort, and predictable control on real winter roads-the VikingContact 8 is the more consistently top-ranked choice. If your winter involves lots of wet, above-freezing asphalt and you want sharper wet braking and wet handling, the Hakkapeliitta R5 can make sense, but it's a more condition-dependent pick and typically doesn't match the Continental's all-round composure.
VikingContact 8 vs Hakkapeliitta R5: your questions
Is the Continental VikingContact 8 or the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 the better tire?
In the 6 independent tests that ran both tires, the Continental VikingContact 8 finished ahead 6 times and the Hakkapeliitta R5 not once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the VikingContact 8 scores 9.2 and the Hakkapeliitta R5 8.7 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the VikingContact 8 or the Hakkapeliitta R5?
The Hakkapeliitta R5 led 7 of the 16 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3.6% shorter in the wet across 3 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The VikingContact 8 led 4 of the 9 dry measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which is better in snow?
The VikingContact 8 led 6 of the 12 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it was 2.6% quicker in the snow traction test across 3 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The VikingContact 8 used 0.6% less fuel (3 tests). Owners rate wear 7.8/10 for the VikingContact 8 and 8.3/10 for the Hakkapeliitta R5.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The VikingContact 8 was 1.3 dB quieter (2 tests). Owners rate comfort 9.1/10 for the VikingContact 8 and 8.9/10 for the Hakkapeliitta R5.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the VikingContact 8 83% from 8 reviews and the Hakkapeliitta R5 86% from 17. 88% of VikingContact 8 owners would buy it again, against 88% for the Hakkapeliitta R5.
Which is more expensive?
In the 4 tests that listed prices, the VikingContact 8 was the dearer tire in 2 of them, by 3.1% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The VikingContact 8 is made in 123 sizes (15 to 22 inch) and the Hakkapeliitta R5 in 60 (14 to 20 inch). 39 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the VikingContact 8 is graded D for wet grip and B for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Hakkapeliitta R5 D and B.
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Run either of these?
Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tire wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tires ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tire Reviews Score rates each tire out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tires can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tire Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tires independently since 2007.
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