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Barum Polaris 5 Test Results

Tested 2019 to 2024 3 publications

Tested 14 times by independent publications, the Barum Polaris 5 averages a finish of 14th. Its strongest discipline is Rolling Resistance, beating 84% of the field across 5 tests; its weakest is Straight Aqua, at 23% across 6 tests.

  • 14Independent tests
  • 0Test wins
  • 0Podium finishes
  • 14thAverage finish
  • 45%Field beaten on average
  • 3Publications
Barum Polaris 5

14 tests, 2019 to 2024

0%50%100%201920202021202220232024Average 45%2019 Winter Tire Test Market Overview (2019): P21 of 53, Beat 57% of the field2019 Auto Center Winter Tire Test (2019): P4 of 10, Beat 33% of the field2020 Winter Tire Market Overview - 52 Tire Braking Test (2020): P11 of 51, Beat 79% of the field2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tire Test (2020): P15 of 20, Beat 26% of the field2021 Winter Tire Market Overview (2021): P15 of 50, Beat 71% of the field2021 ADAC 15 Inch Winter Tire Test (2021): P12 of 16, Beat 27% of the field2021 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2021): P15 of 20, Beat 26% of the field2022 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 185/65 R15 (2022): P14 of 15, Beat 7% of the field2022 Winter Tire Market Overview (2022): P26 of 56, Beat 55% of the field2023 Winter Tire Test 54 Set Braking Test (2023): P14 of 54, Beat 75% of the field2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tire Test (2023): P12 of 16, Beat 27% of the field2023 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2023): P9 of 20, Beat 58% of the field2024 Winter 55 Tire Braking Test (2024): P18 of 55, Beat 69% of the field2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2024): P16 of 20, Beat 16% of the field
Share of the field beaten in each test, oldest to newest. Hover or tap a point for the test.
  • Test win
  • Second
  • Third
  • Average 45%
The latest test

2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test P16 of 20

The Barum Polaris 5 performs well in winter conditions and on dry roads, offering safe driving behavior. Its low rolling resistance is a plus for fuel efficiency. However, its poor performance in wet conditions and low resistance to aquaplaning are significant concerns. This tire might be suitable for areas with predominantly dry, cold winters but is less ideal for regions with wet winter conditions.

Strong: Snow Traction, Rolling Resistance Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 870

Record by discipline

Where the Barum Polaris 5 finished in each measured discipline, across every test that measured it against at least two other tires. Field beaten is the share of the other tires it outranked in that measurement.

Discipline Tests Avg finish Field beaten Firsts
Dry
Dry Braking 6 P14 of 19 28% -
Dry Handling 4 P8.8 of 22 63% -
Subj. Dry Handling 1 P8 of 10 22% -
Wet
Wet Braking 12 P16.2 of 35.2 50% -
Wet Braking - Concrete 1 P13 of 16 20% -
Wet Handling 4 P16.8 of 22 25% -
Subj. Wet Handling 1 P2 of 10 89% -
Wet Circle 3 P13 of 22.3 44% -
Straight Aqua Weak 6 P14.7 of 19 23% -
Curved Aquaplaning 4 P17.3 of 20.8 18% -
Snow
Snow Braking 12 P14.5 of 25.3 43% -
Snow Traction 6 P11.2 of 19 42% -
Snow Handling 4 P8 of 21.3 65% -
Subj. Snow Handling 1 P9 of 10 11% -
Snow Slalom 2 P11 of 23 55% -
Ice
Ice Braking 2 P8.5 of 13 37% -
Ice Traction 1 P7 of 10 33% -
Comfort
Subj. Comfort 1 P4 of 10 67% -
Noise 5 P14 of 20.8 33% -
Value
Wear 5 P9.2 of 19.2 56% -
Value 4 P3.8 of 20 86% 2
Rolling Resistance Strong 5 P4 of 18.8 84% 4
Fuel Consumption 1 P1 of 16 100% 1
Abrasion 1 P9 of 16 47% -

Head-to-head record

Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Barum Polaris 5. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.

Rival Shared tests Ahead Behind Level Finished ahead
BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2 13 shared: 0 ahead, 13 behind Compare with gForce Winter 2 13 0 13 - 0%
Fulda Kristall Control HP2 11 shared: 6 ahead, 4 behind 11 6 4 1 60%
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 11 shared: 2 ahead, 9 behind 11 2 9 - 18%
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 11 shared: 1 ahead, 10 behind 11 1 10 - 9%
Kleber Krisalp HP3 11 shared: 1 ahead, 10 behind 11 1 10 - 9%
Michelin Alpin 6 10 shared: 0 ahead, 10 behind 10 0 10 - 0%
Firestone Winterhawk 4 9 shared: 2 ahead, 7 behind 9 2 7 - 22%
Laufenn I Fit+ 8 shared: 5 ahead, 3 behind 8 5 3 - 63%
Vredestein Wintrac 7 shared: 1 ahead, 6 behind 7 1 6 - 14%
General Altimax Winter 3 6 shared: 6 ahead, 0 behind 6 6 0 - 100%
Yokohama BluEarth Winter V906 6 shared: 4 ahead, 2 behind 6 4 2 - 67%
Sava Eskimo HP2 6 shared: 3 ahead, 3 behind 6 3 3 - 50%
Falken Eurowinter HS01 6 shared: 3 ahead, 3 behind 6 3 3 - 50%
Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6 6 shared: 3 ahead, 3 behind 6 3 3 - 50%
Semperit Speed Grip 5 6 shared: 2 ahead, 4 behind 6 2 4 - 33%
Uniroyal WinterExpert 6 shared: 2 ahead, 4 behind 6 2 4 - 33%
Uniroyal MS+ 77 6 shared: 1 ahead, 5 behind 6 1 5 - 17%
Vredestein Wintrac Pro 6 shared: 1 ahead, 5 behind 6 1 5 - 17%
Radar Dimax Alpine 5 shared: 5 ahead, 0 behind 5 5 0 - 100%
Nokian WR Snowproof 5 shared: 3 ahead, 2 behind 5 3 2 - 60%

Against its own line

The same record for the tire it replaced and the tire that replaced it.

Tire Tests Wins Avg finish Field beaten
Barum Polaris 3 Predecessor 18 0 10th 56%
Barum Polaris 5 This tire 14 0 14th 45%

Performance Analysis

Drawn from 14 tests. Updated October 13, 2025.

Across 14 winter-focused tests, the Barum Polaris 5 shows a clear value/efficiency profile with standout rolling resistance and fuel economy, plus decent durability and acceptable snow capability. However, it consistently lags in wet grip (braking/handling/aquaplaning) and often in dry braking, which depresses its average ranking (14.4) despite occasional mid-pack or better results in handling and snow.

The tire repeatedly earns praise for low running costs (top-tier rolling resistance, fuel use, strong value scores) and respectable wear, with some competitive snow handling/traction results. Its primary weakness is wet safety performance, where it frequently sits bottom-third, including aquaplaning, and is coupled with below-average dry braking in several tests.

Performance Strengths

  • Efficiency & Rolling Resistance Strong
    Details
    • 1st place rolling resistance in 2024 Auto Bild (205/55 R16)
    • 1st place rolling resistance in 2023 Auto Bild (225/45 R18)
    • 1st place fuel consumption in 2023 ADAC 16" test (205/60 R16)
    • 1st place rolling resistance in 2021 Auto Bild (205/55 R16)
    • 1st place rolling resistance in 2019 Auto Center (205/55 R16)
  • Value for Money & Cost of Ownership Strong
    Details
    • 1st place value in 2023 Auto Bild (10.5 Price/1000)
    • 1st place value/price in 2021 Auto Bild (6.89 Price/1000; lowest price)
    • Article mentions: "ranks first due to good lifespan and low cost" (2023 Auto Bild)
  • Wear/Longevity Moderate
    Details
    • 4th/20 wear (42401 km) in 2023 Auto Bild
    • 5th/20 wear (37000 km) in 2021 Auto Bild
    • 4th/16 wear (46900 km) in 2023 ADAC
  • Snow Performance Moderate
    Details
    • 2nd/23 snow traction (+1.7% from best) in 2024 Auto Bild
    • Top-7 snow handling in 2021 (7/21, +1.7%) and 2024 (7/22, +2.1%) Auto Bild
    • Consistently within ~3-7% of best in snow braking across multiple years
  • Dry Handling (not braking) Minor
    Details
    • 5th/23 dry handling (+4.4%) in 2024 Auto Bild
    • 4th/22 dry handling (+3.1%) in 2023 Auto Bild
    • 13th/22 dry handling (+3.2%) in 2021 Auto Bild (mid-pack speed close to best)
  • Snow traction Strong in 6 of 7 tests
    Details
  • Rolling resistance Strong in 4 of 7 tests
    Details
  • Tread life Strong in 4 of 7 tests
    Details
  • Aquaplaning resistance Moderate in 2 of 7 tests
    Details

Performance Weaknesses

  • Wet Grip & Aquaplaning Strong
    Details
    • 19/23 wet braking (+11.3%), 19/23 wet handling (+5.5%), 20/23 wet circle (+9.3%), and 20/23 straight aqua (+10.8%) in 2024 Auto Bild; curved aquaplaning 20/23 (+26.7%)
    • 13/22 wet braking (+13.2%), 18/22 wet handling (+6.2%), 17/22 curved aquaplaning (+26.7%) in 2023 Auto Bild
    • 10/16-15/16 wet metrics with straight aquaplaning 15/16 (+11.6%) in 2023 ADAC
    • 15/21-16/21 wet metrics in 2020 Auto Bild (+16.3% wet braking)
  • Dry Braking Strong in 1 of 7 tests
    Details
    • 19/23 dry braking (+17.9%) in 2024 Auto Bild
    • 13/22 dry braking (+20.1%) in 2023 Auto Bild
    • 19/22 dry braking (+29.6%) in 2021 Auto Bild
    • 14/21 dry braking (+21.5%) in 2020 Auto Bild
  • Noise/Comfort Moderate
    Details
    • 16/23 noise (+2.6%) in 2024 Auto Bild
    • 15/22 noise (+3.0%) in 2023 Auto Bild
    • 15/16 noise (+3.4%) in 2023 ADAC
  • Overall Ranking Consistency Moderate
    Details
    • Average overall position 14.4 across 14 tests
    • Bottom third finishes: 2024 Auto Bild full test 16/23; 2023 ADAC 12/16; 2021 ADAC 12/16; 2020 Auto Bild 15/21
  • Wet grip Strong in 3 of 7 tests
    Details
  • Wet braking Strong in 3 of 7 tests
    Details
  • Aquaplaning resistance Moderate in 2 of 7 tests
    Details
  • Dry grip Moderate in 2 of 7 tests
    Details

Do owners agree with the tests?

Every tester write-up on the Barum Polaris 5 (7 tests) and 13 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.

Where owners and testers agree

  • Snow traction strength in 6 of 7 tests 6 praise, 2 criticise of 13 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Tread life strength in 4 of 7 tests 3 praise, 1 criticise of 13 reviews · Read those reviews

Where they disagree

  • Wet grip weakness in 3 of 7 tests 5 praise, 2 criticise of 13 reviews · Read those reviews

Every test, newest first 14

Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.

2024 2 tests
P16 of 20 Beat 16% of the field

2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test

Auto Bild 205/55 R16

The Barum Polaris 5 performs well in winter conditions and on dry roads, offering safe driving behavior. Its low rolling resistance is a plus for fuel efficiency. However, its poor performance in wet conditions and low resistance to aquaplaning are significant concerns. This tire might be suitable for areas with predominantly dry, cold winters but is less ideal for regions with wet winter conditions.

StrongSnow TractionRolling Resistance WinnerContinental WinterContact TS 870

2023 3 tests
P12 of 16 Beat 27% of the field

2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tire Test

ADAC 205/60 R16

The Barum POLARIS 5 provides inadequate steering feedback and precision on dry roads, requiring frequent corrections. The vehicle tends to oversteer during dynamic evasive maneuvers, earning the tire a barely satisfactory rating in limit behavior. Its braking distance is average and rated as good. On wet roads, the tire achieves a satisfactory overall rating, excelling only in longitudinal aquaplaning. It falls short in braking, lateral aquaplaning, and handling due to early understeer or oversteer. On winter roads, it also receives a satisfactory rating, narrowly missing good scores in traction and handling. Its ice braking performance is average. Environmentally, the tire performs well, with good projected lifespan and wear. It also scores well in weight and achieves the best fuel efficiency in the test.

StrongFuel Consumption WeakStraight AquaNoise WinnerDunlop Winter Sport 5

2022 2 tests
P14 of 15 Beat 7% of the field

2022 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 185/65 R15

ADAC 185/65 R15

The BARUM Polaris 5 shows weaknesses in dry, wet and on ice. While it is still rated as satisfactory in the wet and on ice, it does not get more than a sufficient result in the dry. Despite the good snow and wear properties, the recommendation for the POLARIS 5 is only "conditionally recommended".

WinnerContinental WinterContact TS 870

2021 3 tests
P15 of 20 Beat 26% of the field

2021 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test

Auto Bild 205/55 R16

StrongValueRolling Resistance WinnerContinental WinterContact TS 870

2020 2 tests
2019 2 tests
P4 of 10 Beat 33% of the field

2019 Auto Center Winter Tire Test

AutoCentrum 205/55 R16

StrongSubj. Wet HandlingRolling Resistance WeakSubj. Snow Handling WinnerNokian WR Snowproof

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