Matador MP93 Nordicca vs Barum Polaris 6
In the 2 independent tests that ran both tyres, 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 tyre 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 tyres' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 36 m stop against 34.2 m 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 tyres' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre 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 tyres' 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 tyres 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 tyre did better.
| Measurement | MP93 Nordicca | Gap | Polaris 6 | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry MP93 Nordicca ahead | ||||
| Dry Braking m | 46.3 | 1.1% | 46.8 | 1-0 |
| Dry Handling km/h | 110.5 | 1.2% | 109.2 | 1-0 |
| Wet Level | ||||
| Wet Braking m | 51.25 | 5% | 48.7 | 0-2 |
| Wet Handling km/h | 76.8 | 1.7% | 78.1 | 0-1 |
| Wet Circle s | 12.83 | 0.5% | 12.89 | 1-0 |
| Straight Aqua km/h | 89.9 | 0.6% | 89.4 | 1-0 |
| Curved Aquaplaning m/sec2 | 2.65 | 12.3% | 2.36 | 1-0 |
| Snow Polaris 6 ahead | ||||
| Snow Braking m | 29.5 | 1.4% | 29.1 | 0-2 |
| Snow Traction N | 4,982 | 2.8% | 5,122 | 0-1 |
| Snow Handling km/h | 54.7 | 2.6% | 56.1 | 0-1 |
| Snow Slalom m/sec2 | 3.34 | 3.9% | 3.47 | 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 km | 54,450 | 6.8% | 51,000 | 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 tyres shared.
Head to head in 2 tests in 2026
Each row is one published test in which both tyres 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 Tyre Test | P16 of 20 | P10 of 20 | |
| 2026 Winter Tyre 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 tyre?
In the 2 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Barum Polaris 6 finished ahead 2 times and the MP93 Nordicca not once. On the Tyre 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 tyre 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 tyres 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 Tyre Reviews Score rates each tyre out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tyres can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tyre Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tyres independently since 2007.