Matador MP93 Nordicca vs Barum Polaris 6
In the 2 independent tests that ran both tires, the Barum Polaris 6 finished ahead 2 times and the MP93 Nordicca not once. The MP93 Nordicca was stronger in dry and value, the Polaris 6 in snow and comfort.
Performance profile
15 measurements from the 2 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
MP93 Nordicca
Polaris 6
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.
Where each scores higher
MP93 Nordicca
Polaris 6
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
MP93 Nordicca
Not ahead in any category
Polaris 6
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the MP93 Nordicca 82% from 8 reviews and the Polaris 6 81% from 6. 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. Wins count the tests in which each tire did better.
| Measurement | MP93 Nordicca | Gap | Polaris 6 | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry MP93 Nordicca ahead | ||||
| Dry Braking ft | 152 | 1.1% | 154 | 1-0 |
| Dry Handling mph | 68.7 | 1.2% | 67.9 | 1-0 |
| Wet Level | ||||
| Wet Braking ft | 168 | 5% | 160 | 0-2 |
| Wet Handling mph | 47.7 | 1.7% | 48.5 | 0-1 |
| Wet Circle s | 12.83 | 0.5% | 12.89 | 1-0 |
| Straight Aqua mph | 55.9 | 0.6% | 55.6 | 1-0 |
| Curved Aquaplaning ft/s² | 8.7 | 12.3% | 7.7 | 1-0 |
| Snow Polaris 6 ahead | ||||
| Snow Braking ft | 97 | 1.4% | 95 | 0-2 |
| Snow Traction lbf | 1,120 | 2.8% | 1,151 | 0-1 |
| Snow Handling mph | 34 | 2.6% | 34.9 | 0-1 |
| Snow Slalom ft/s² | 11 | 3.9% | 11.4 | 0-1 |
| Comfort Polaris 6 ahead | ||||
| Subj. Comfort pts | scored | 7.7% | scored | 0-1 |
| Noise dB | 71.8 | 0.7 dB | 71.1 | 0-1 |
| Value MP93 Nordicca ahead | ||||
| Wear miles | 33,834 | 6.8% | 31,690 | 1-0 |
| Rolling Resistance kg / t | 8.35 | 3.7% | 8.67 | 1-0 |
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.
Head to head in 2 tests in 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 | MP93 Nordicca | Field | Polaris 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test | P16 of 20 | P10 of 20 | |
| 2026 Winter Tire Braking Test - 50 Sets | P17 of 50 | P7 of 50 |
MP93 Nordicca vs Polaris 6: your questions
Is the Matador MP93 Nordicca or the Barum Polaris 6 the better tire?
In the 2 independent tests that ran both tires, the Barum Polaris 6 finished ahead 2 times and the MP93 Nordicca not once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the MP93 Nordicca scores 7.9 and the Polaris 6 8.6 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the MP93 Nordicca or the Polaris 6?
Across the shared tests the wet measurements are split 3-3 between the MP93 Nordicca and the Polaris 6.
Which is better in the dry?
The MP93 Nordicca led 2 of the 2 dry measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which is better in snow?
The Polaris 6 led 5 of the 5 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 1.4% shorter on snow across 2 tests.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 8.3/10 for the MP93 Nordicca and 8.5/10 for the Polaris 6.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the MP93 Nordicca 82% from 8 reviews and the Polaris 6 81% from 6. 100% of MP93 Nordicca owners would buy it again, against 60% for the Polaris 6.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The MP93 Nordicca is made in 81 sizes (13 to 20 inch) and the Polaris 6 in 92 (14 to 20 inch). 68 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the MP93 Nordicca is graded C for wet grip and D for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Polaris 6 C and C.
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.