Michelin X Ice North 4 vs Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
In this article we will be looking at independent tire test data, and real world driver reviews of the Michelin X Ice North 4 and the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 to find out which tire is best for your own driving.
The good news is that both the Michelin X Ice North 4 and Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 are Premium Touring Winter tires designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars, which means comparing the two tires is relatively simple.
Both tires are hugely popular in the market place with drivers, and both have been featured in independent tire tests.
Test Results
Independent comparison tire tests are the best source of data to get tire information from, and the good news is there have been four tests which compare both tires directly!
| Tire | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Michelin X Ice North 4 | two | |
| Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 | one | |
| one draws in one tests | ||
While it might look like the Michelin X Ice North 4 is better than the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 purely based on the higher number of test wins, tires are very complicated objects which means where one tire is better than the other can be more important in real world use.
Let's look at how the two tires compare across multiple tire test categories.
Dry Braking
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was better during two dry braking tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 stopped the vehicle in 4.65% less distance than the Michelin X Ice North 4.
Best In Dry Braking: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 scored 15.38% more points than the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Michelin X Ice North 4
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during two wet braking tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 stopped the vehicle in 1.6% less distance than the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5.
Best In Wet Braking: Michelin X Ice North 4
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was better during two wet handling [s] tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was 1.08% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin X Ice North 4.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 scored 7.14% more points than the Michelin X Ice North 4.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during two straight aqua tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 floated at a 13.21% higher speed than the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5.
Best In Straight Aqua: Michelin X Ice North 4
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Snow Braking
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was better during one snow braking tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 stopped the vehicle in 0.83% less distance than the Michelin X Ice North 4.
Best In Snow Braking: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was better during one snow traction tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 accelerated 0.2% faster than the Michelin X Ice North 4.
Best In Snow Traction: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was better during one snow handling [s] tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was 0.79% faster around a lap than the Michelin X Ice North 4.
Best In Snow Handling [s]: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Snow Handling
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was better during one subj. snow handling tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 scored 10% more points than the Michelin X Ice North 4.
Best In Subj. Snow Handling: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
See how the Subj. Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Ice Braking
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during two ice braking tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 stopped the vehicle 22.35% shorter than the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5.
Best In Ice Braking: Michelin X Ice North 4
See how the Ice Braking winner was calculated >>
Ice Traction
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during two ice traction tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 accelerated 33.25% faster than the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5.
Best In Ice Traction: Michelin X Ice North 4
See how the Ice Traction winner was calculated >>
Ice Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was better during one ice handling [s] tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was 0.41% faster around a lap than the Michelin X Ice North 4.
Best In Ice Handling [s]: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
See how the Ice Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Ice Handling
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 and Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 performed equally well in subj. ice handling tests.
Best In Subj. Ice Handling: Both tires performed equally well
See how the Subj. Ice Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 scored 16.67% more points than the Michelin X Ice North 4.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Subj. Noise
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was better during one subj. noise tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 scored 30% more points than the Michelin X Ice North 4.
Best In Subj. Noise: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
See how the Subj. Noise winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was better during one noise tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 measured 4.16% quieter than the Michelin X Ice North 4.
Best In Noise: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was better during two fuel consumption tests. On average the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 used 3.82% less fuel than the Michelin X Ice North 4.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Michelin X Ice North 4 Driver Reviews
Drivers largely praise the Michelin X Ice North 4 for outstanding grip on ice and snow, predictable handling, and surprisingly low noise for a studded tire. Many report strong stud retention and durability over multiple winters, though one user experienced significant stud loss and another noted grip variability on loose-snow-over-ice at low speeds. Overall, the tire is viewed as a top-tier winter performer with minor, less frequent concerns about stud loss and grip predictability in specific conditions.
Based on 11 reviews with an average rating of 85%
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 Driver Reviews
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.
Based on 15 reviews with an average rating of 85%
Conclusion
In conclusion the Michelin X Ice North 4 performed better in subj. dry handling, wet braking, straight aqua, ice braking and ice traction, while the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 performed better in dry braking, wet handling [s], subj. wet handling, snow braking, snow traction, snow handling [s], subj. snow handling, ice handling [s], subj. comfort, subj. noise, noise and fuel consumption.
Interestingly, both tires performed equally well in wet handling, snow handling, ice handling and subj. ice handling, showing that they are closely matched in these areas.
Which tire is best for you depends a lot on your driving style and situation, plus what you want from the tire. Comparing all the data in the tire reviews database, on balance Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 seems to be the best tire overall.
However, it's important to note that both tires have their strengths.
Remember, the best tire for you might depend on which of these factors are most important for your specific driving needs and conditions.
Overall Winner: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
Based on the tire test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tire has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tire buying choice.Similar Comparisons
Looking for more tire comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tires:
Michelin X Ice North 4 Top Comparisons
No other comparisons available for this tire.
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 Top Comparisons
No other comparisons available for this tire.
Footnote
This page has been developed using tire industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tires in the same test.
Why is this important? Tire testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tire test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tire tests performed on different days or at different locations.
As a result you will see other tests on Tire Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.
Lots of other websites do this sort of tire comparison, Tire Reviews doesn't.