Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 vs Bridgestone Blizzak WS90

Canada is subject to harsh winters. On any given day in Canada during wintery you can wake up to snow, slush, ice that can make your drive to work or to drop off the kids dangerous. Many Canadians prepare for driving in winter by outfitting their vehicle with snow tires. Snow tires are specifically designed and manufactured to give drivers better traction on snowy and icy conditions, through a variety of technologies including the tread pattern and compound (what makes up the tire), and other specialized features that offer extra grip – and extra safety – in the winter

Two brands that consistently produced well proven winter tires are Bridgestone – with their popular Blizzak model leading the pack – as well as Nokian, offers its Hakkapeliitta model. Both tire brands have been sold in Canada for a number of years, with each company regularly making improvements to the models year over year.

Blizzak tires are manufactured in Canada by Bridgestone., with the majority of the models being produced at the facility in Joliette, Quebec. The original Blizzak tire was produced for Japan, and quickly became one of the top selling winter tires internationally. The model became popular in Canada due to drivers wanting tires that had been rigorously tested under driving conditions that are common during Canadian winter, such as snow, slush and ice.

Nokian tires were introduced in Finland at the turn of the century, as this country is also subject to harsh winter conditions. The Nokian Hakkapeliitta tires are manufactured in their home country and then shipped to the various distributors worldwide. The model, the Hakkapeliitta R3 was first introduced in 2018 and is best suited for SUVs.

These well-known and popular snow tires, the Blizzak WS90 are manufactured by Bridgestone, an internationally recognized tire manufacturer. This tire, which is suitable for passenger vehicles and SUVs, has been manufactured by Bridgestone specifically to tackle the extreme conditions that drivers face in countries with harsh winters, such as Canada. The most important factor to the Bridgestone manufacturing and engineering team, when making the Blizzak WS90 tire was to ensure the highest-level safety features to ensure driver and passenger safety in dangerous winter driving conditions.

• A non-directional winter tire that has been rigorously tested in winter driving conditions
• Great for coupes, sedans, cars, crossovers, and minivans
• Rated highly in these four categories: Traction, durability, comfort, and value
• A winter performance driving tire that helps keep the vehicle in control even in the harshest winter driving conditions
• Three peak mountains certified, meaning this tire meets a specific set of tests on winter roads and harsh condition
• Delivers long lasting performance that should see drivers through an additional winter season as compared to similar tires from both this manufacturer and others (if maintenance schedule is followed)
• Excellent and tested performance on both snow and ice
• With 51 sizes ranging from 15 to 19 inches the Blizzak WS90 tire has a model that can fit almost 90 per cent of all sedans and minivans on the road today.

Drivers in Finland, much like in Canada, are also subject to hazardous driving conditions in the snow and ice, and thus, Nokian created a line of winter tires called Hakkapeliitta. The R3 model is suitable for both passenger cars, SUVs and CUVs, and you can find them at a smaller number of retailers in Canada. The tire has performed admirably in terms of traction, grip and comfort on winter roads.

• The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 winter tire also provides excellent grip, traction and superb handling on ice and snow
• This tire is Three Peak Mountain certified, meaning it has passed several tests for winter driving and safety
• Through a specially manufactured tire compound, this tire can help save with fuel efficiency in some driving conditions
• A good choice for anyone driving an electric car, as the tires have been manufactured to manage the heavier weights that come with the electric car batteries (this feature is not as needed on regular gas combustion engines)

• Introduced in 2019, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 tire features a new tread compound that features Bridgestone’s patented Multi-Cell technology. This technology has helped improve stopping distance on ice. The Blizzak’s Multi-Cell technology incorporates hydrophilic properties ( which means water loving) that attract water and then draw it into the tread and away from where the tire sits on the road
• The tire tread features Bridgestone’s EdgePerformance Technology package with interlocking sipes within the tread design, providing gripping edges for added traction in both snow and on wet roads
• Extra durability through design that may see you last one more season with your winter tires before having to purchase a new set
• Backed by Bridgestone’s winter tire warranty

Some of the more interesting features on the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 tires include:

• Technology to improve the resistance of the side wall. Strong fibres support the sidewall if your daily winter drive takes you through tight streets where you often can’t see the curbs or if there is built up snow on the sides of roads
• A tread that features excellent grip through a compound that includes crystal particles that help grab onto slippery and icy roads

If you are in the market for a new set of winter tires and are looking at both the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 vs the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3, one easy way to get information on all the features and benefits of the Blizzak tires is to check them out at blackcircles.ca. You can easily find information on the Blizzak tires on the website, however, the Hakkapeliitta R3 tires do require a bit more research to find.

Of course, if you are looking for the very best price for winter tires, and the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 tires have piqued your interest, then the experienced and knowledgeable team at blackcircles.ca – the best place to buy tires online in Canada – can answer all your questions.

All you have to do is either call a member of the blackcircles team, or send us an email or join the online chat, and one of our friendly team members can help you with all your questions about warranty, features, and what size fits your current vehicle. Give us a call and we will be happy to help you.