Barum Polaris 3 vs Semperit Master Grip 2
In the 3 independent tests that ran both tires, the Semperit Master Grip 2 finished ahead 3 times and the Polaris 3 not once. The Polaris 3 was stronger in dry, the Master Grip 2 in wet, snow and comfort.
Performance profile
10 measurements from the 3 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Polaris 3
Master Grip 2
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 95%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow.
Where each scores higher
Polaris 3
Master Grip 2
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.
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 | Polaris 3 | Gap | Master Grip 2 | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Polaris 3 ahead | ||||
| Dry Braking ft | 155 | = | 155 | 0-0 |
| Dry Handling mph | 66 | 1.3% | 65.1 | 1-0 |
| Wet Master Grip 2 ahead | ||||
| Wet Braking ft | 120 | 2.2% | 118 | 0-1 |
| Wet Handling mph | 43.2 | 3.7% | 44.8 | 0-1 |
| Straight Aqua mph | 47 | 5.2% | 49.4 | 0-1 |
| Snow Master Grip 2 ahead | ||||
| Snow Braking ft | 91 | 1.4% | 90 | 0-1 |
| Snow Handling mph | 32.3 | = | 32.3 | 0-0 |
| Comfort Master Grip 2 ahead | ||||
| Noise dB | 68.2 | 2.6 dB | 65.6 | 0-1 |
| Value Level | ||||
| Wear miles | 24,327 | 17.2% | 28,521 | 0-1 |
| Rolling Resistance kg / t | 8.11 | 4.5% | 8.49 | 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 3 tests, 2015 to 2018
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 | Polaris 3 | Field | Master Grip 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test | P16 of 20 | P12 of 20 | |
| 2018 51 Winter Tire Shootout | P12 of 52 | P8 of 52 | |
| 2015 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 165/70 R14 | P11 of 16 | P10 of 16 |
Polaris 3 vs Master Grip 2: your questions
Is the Barum Polaris 3 or the Semperit Master Grip 2 the better tire?
In the 3 independent tests that ran both tires, the Semperit Master Grip 2 finished ahead 3 times and the Polaris 3 not once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Polaris 3 scores 7.2 and the Master Grip 2 7.9 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Polaris 3 or the Master Grip 2?
The Master Grip 2 led 3 of the 3 wet measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which is better in the dry?
The Polaris 3 led 1 of the 2 dry measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which is better in snow?
The Master Grip 2 led 1 of the 2 snow measurements the shared tests recorded.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Polaris 3 86% from 18 reviews; the Master Grip 2 has no owner reviews yet.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Polaris 3 is made in 6 sizes (13 to 16 inch) and the Master Grip 2 in 50 (13 to 18 inch). 1 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Polaris 3 is graded C for wet grip and E for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Master Grip 2 C and D.
Which is the newer tire?
The Master Grip 2 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2014, the Polaris 3 in 2011. The Polaris 3 replaced the Barum Polaris 2. The Master Grip 2 replaced the Semperit Master Grip.
More comparisons with these tires
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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.