Barum Polaris 3 vs Firestone Winterhawk 3
In the 11 independent tests that ran both tires, the Barum Polaris 3 finished ahead 9 times and the Winterhawk 3 twice. The Polaris 3 was stronger in snow and value, the Winterhawk 3 in comfort.
Performance profile
10 measurements from the 11 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Polaris 3
Winterhawk 3
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 96%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow.
Where each scores higher
Polaris 3
Winterhawk 3
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
Polaris 3
Winterhawk 3
Not ahead in any category
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the Polaris 3 86% from 18 reviews and the Winterhawk 3 69% from 8. 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 | Polaris 3 | Gap | Winterhawk 3 | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Level | ||||
| Dry Braking ft | 152 | 1.5% | 150 | 0-2 |
| Dry Handling mph | 67 | 0.7% | 66.5 | 2-0 |
| Wet Level | ||||
| Wet Braking ft | 119 | 2.7% | 122 | 2-0 |
| Wet Handling mph | 43.7 | 0.8% | 43.4 | 1-1 |
| Straight Aqua mph | 50 | 2.8% | 51.4 | 0-2 |
| Snow Polaris 3 ahead | ||||
| Snow Braking ft | 91 | 0.5% | 91 | 1-0 |
| Snow Handling mph | 32.5 | 2.4% | 31.8 | 2-0 |
| Comfort Winterhawk 3 ahead | ||||
| Noise dB | 70.65 | 0.9 dB | 69.75 | 0-2 |
| Value Polaris 3 ahead | ||||
| Wear miles | 23,814 | 3.7% | 24,816 | 1-1 |
| Rolling Resistance kg / t | 7.82 | 9.5% | 8.64 | 2-0 |
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 11 tests, 2013 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 | Winterhawk 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test | P16 of 20 | P19 of 20 | |
| 2018 51 Winter Tire Shootout | P12 of 52 | P19 of 52 | |
| 2017 50 Winter Tire Shoot Out | P13 of 50 | P18 of 50 | |
| 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test | P16 of 20 | P19 of 20 | |
| 2016 Winter Tire Market Overview | P8 of 49 | P24 of 49 | |
| 2016 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 185/65 R15 | P12 of 15 | P14 of 15 | |
| 2015 Auto Bild Top 18 Winter Tire Test | P3 of 18 | P14 of 18 | |
| 2015 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 165/70 R14 | P11 of 16 | P12 of 16 | |
| 2015 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 205/55 R16 | P10 of 19 | P8 of 19 | |
| 2015 Winter Tire Market Overview | P9 of 51 | P16 of 51 | |
| 2013 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 185/60 R15 | P9 of 17 | P3 of 17 |
Polaris 3 vs Winterhawk 3: your questions
Is the Barum Polaris 3 or the Firestone Winterhawk 3 the better tire?
In the 11 independent tests that ran both tires, the Barum Polaris 3 finished ahead 9 times and the Winterhawk 3 twice. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Polaris 3 scores 7.2 and the Winterhawk 3 6.5 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Polaris 3 or the Winterhawk 3?
Across the shared tests the wet measurements are split 3-3 between the Polaris 3 and the Winterhawk 3.
Which is better in the dry?
Across the shared tests the dry measurements are split 2-2 between the Polaris 3 and the Winterhawk 3.
Which is better in snow?
The Polaris 3 led 3 of the 4 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it averaged a 2.4% higher speed on the snow handling course across 2 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Polaris 3 had 9.5% lower rolling resistance (2 tests). Owners rate wear 8.7/10 for the Polaris 3 and 7.5/10 for the Winterhawk 3.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The Winterhawk 3 was 0.9 dB quieter (2 tests). Owners rate comfort 8.6/10 for the Polaris 3 and 7.3/10 for the Winterhawk 3.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Polaris 3 86% from 18 reviews and the Winterhawk 3 69% from 8. 94% of Polaris 3 owners would buy it again, against 57% for the Winterhawk 3.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Polaris 3 is made in 6 sizes (13 to 16 inch) and the Winterhawk 3 in 42 (13 to 18 inch). 0 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 Winterhawk 3 C and D.
Which is the newer tire?
The Winterhawk 3 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2013, the Polaris 3 in 2011. The Polaris 3 replaced the Barum Polaris 2. The Winterhawk 3 replaced the Firestone Winterhawk 2 EVO.
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.