Barum Polaris 6 vs Royal Black Royal Winter UHP
In the 2 independent tests that ran both tires, the Barum Polaris 6 finished ahead 2 times and the Royal Winter UHP not once. The Polaris 6 was stronger in wet.
Performance profile
Their shared tests recorded too few of the same measurements to chart, so the chart starts from each tire's Tire Reviews Score categories: its whole record, not shared tests.
Where each scores higher
Polaris 6
Royal Winter UHP
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 6 | Gap | Royal Winter UHP | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Polaris 6 ahead | ||||
| Wet Braking ft | 120 | 17.2% | 146 | 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 2 tests, 2025 to 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 | Polaris 6 | Field | Royal Winter UHP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Winter Tire Braking Test - 50 Sets | P7 of 50 | P49 of 50 | |
| 2025 Winter Tire Braking Test - 52 Sets! | P10 of 51 | P36 of 51 |
Polaris 6 vs Royal Winter UHP: your questions
Is the Barum Polaris 6 or the Royal Black Royal Winter UHP the better tire?
In the 2 independent tests that ran both tires, the Barum Polaris 6 finished ahead 2 times and the Royal Winter UHP not once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Polaris 6 scores 8.6 and the Royal Winter UHP 6.8 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Polaris 6 or the Royal Winter UHP?
The Polaris 6 led 2 of the 2 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 17.2% shorter in the wet across 2 tests.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 8.5/10 for the Polaris 6 and 9/10 for the Royal Winter UHP.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Polaris 6 81% from 6 reviews and the Royal Winter UHP 78% from 1.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Polaris 6 is made in 92 sizes (14 to 20 inch) and the Royal Winter UHP in 58 (15 to 21 inch). 38 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Polaris 6 is graded C for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Royal Winter UHP B 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.