Barum Polaris 5

Name: Barum Polaris 5
Brand: Barum
Rating: 3.2 (13 reviews)

The Barum Polaris 5 is a Touring Winter tyre designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars.

Tyre review data from 13 tyre reviews averaging 64% over 46,800 miles driven, and 14 tests with an average result of 14th.

Dry Grip 70%

Wet Grip 68%

Road Feedback 65%

Handling 65%

Wear 67%

Comfort 70%

Buy again 49%

Snow Grip 70%

Ice Grip 55%

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First On Market	March 2018
Wheel Size	13 - 19"
Width	135 - 255mm
Profile	35 - 80

Rolling Resistance	C - E
Wet Grip	C - C
Noise (dB)	71 - 73
Winter Rating	3PMSF Rated

The Polaris 5 is ranked 75th of 100 Winter Touring tyres.

This tyre replaced the Barum Polaris 3.

Tests Included

Best Result

4th

Worst Result

26th

Average Result

14th

Latest Tyre Test Results

2024 Winter 55 Tyre Braking Test

18th of 55 tyres

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2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test

16th of 23 tyres

Convincing winter suitability, safe driving behavior on dry roads, low rolling resistance.
Little grip in wet conditions, low reserves in danger of aquaplaning.
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 tyre might be suitable for areas with predominantly dry, cold winters but is less ideal for regions with wet winter conditions.

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2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test

12th of 16 tyres

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 tyre a barely satisfactory rating in limit behavior. Its braking distance is average and rated as good. On wet roads, the tyre 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 tyre performs well, with good projected lifespan and wear. It also scores well in weight and achieves the best fuel efficiency in the test.

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Best Result: 4th (2023)

Kleber Krisalp HP3

Best Result: 4th (2023)

Tigar Tigar Ice

Best Result: 5th (2023)

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89% 8 reviews

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89% 4 reviews

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87% 30 reviews

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86% 4 reviews

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85% 9 reviews

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Show All Winter Touring tyres

Size	Fuel	Wet	Noise
13 inch
155/80 R 13 79 T	E	C	71
14 inch
165/70 R 14 81 T	E	C	71
185/70 R 14 88 T	D	C	71
175/65 R 14 82 T	D	C	71
175/65 R 14 86 T XL	D	C	71
185/60 R 14 82 T	E	C	71
15 inch
185/65 R 15 88 T	D	C	71
185/65 R 15 92 T XL	D	C	71
195/65 R 15 91 T	C	C	72
195/65 R 15 95 T XL	C	C	72
195/65 R 15 91 H	C	C	72
195/55 R 15 85 H	D	C	72
16 inch
215/70 R 16 100 H	D	C	72
205/60 R 16 92 H	D	C	72
205/60 R 16 96 H XL	D	C	72
215/60 R 16 99 H XL	D	C	72
205/55 R 16 91 T	C	C	72
205/55 R 16 91 H	C	C	72
205/55 R 16 94 H XL	C	C	72
205/55 R 16 94 V XL	C	C	72
17 inch
235/65 R 17 108 V XL	D	C	72
225/60 R 17 103 V XL	C	C	72
215/55 R 17 98 V XL	D	C	72
205/50 R 17 93 V XL	D	C	72
225/50 R 17 98 H XL	D	C	72
225/50 R 17 98 V XL	D	C	72
225/45 R 17 91 H	D	C	72
225/45 R 17 94 V XL	D	C	72
18 inch
235/60 R 18 107 V XL	D	C	72
245/45 R 18 100 V XL	D	C	72
225/40 R 18 92 V XL	D	C	72
245/40 R 18 97 V XL	D	C	72
225/40 R 18 92 V XL	D	C	72

View All Sizes and EU Label Scores for the Barum Polaris 5 >>

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Top 3 Barum Polaris 5 Reviews

Given 52% while driving a Skoda Rapid TSI (195/55 R16) on a combination of roads for 15,000 spirited miles

I had the tyres fitted to my company car for 3 winters. They were mediocre and wore the exterior belts quite quick.

Helpful 38 - tyre reviewed on March 3, 2025

Given 25% while driving a Dacia Lodgy (185/65 R15) on mostly town for 300 easy going miles

I'm not going to buy them again cuz they're very loud inside the car, even at 10 kmh. They make a very low, base level thud and rumble as if the town fanfare beat 3 big drums... I've only driven them once, it was in the wet. They were brand new. I've driven them on my Dacia Lodgy (2013 model). I had just replaced my Semperit SpeedGrip2 with them. I had driven on Semperit SpeedGrip2 for 3 winters, those were very quiet.

Helpful 113 - tyre reviewed on October 21, 2022

Given 13% while driving a Citroën Xantia TD Estate (215/55 R16) on mostly country roads for 3,000 average miles

worst tyres ever i have. changed 7 year old michelin alpin to new barum polaris, and in all conditions it worse than old tyres was. this tyres are actually dangerous, should not allowed to sell. what they doing in wet roads is totally dangerous! in +2-5 celsius wet roads absolutely no traction.

Helpful 100 - tyre reviewed on December 31, 2022

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Latest Barum Polaris 5 Reviews

Given 60% while driving a BMW (205/60 R15) on a combination of roads for 2,000 spirited miles

Surprisingly quiet, good snow traction, but quite a lot of wear and higgh fuel consumption, thats dissapointing because these two parameters were important for me and i guess for everybody who buys budget tyres..

Helpful 100 - tyre reviewed on March 7, 2021

Given 79% while driving a Volkswagen Golf R estate (225/40 R18 W) on a combination of roads for 6,000 spirited miles

As an update to my initial impressions review from just over 12 months ago I can only say am more impressed with these tyres as time goes on. When pushing on in dry and wet conditions at freezing to well above that they grip excellently and as a result my driving style hasn't needed to be adjusted (which is why I choose to use the right tyres in the right season). Snow performance is excellent, but I never push on in those conditions so have been nowhere near the limit.

In summary, they're safe, predictable and you've got to push very hard to get them to break away in UK winter conditions. Let's me just focus on enjoying the driving. Glad I broke clear of the more expensive brands given my experience with them, and these - every bit as good.

Helpful 120 - tyre reviewed on December 17, 2019

There's a new all season tire, can it be best?!

Given 90% while driving a Skoda Rapid TSI (185/60 R15 T) on a combination of roads for 5,000 easy going miles

Brilliant Winter tyre, truly suited to frequent snow and ice.
They have so much grip in fact the only limiting factor is the ground clearance of the vehicle.
Dry grip is good and wet grip is impressive. Braking on wet roads, snow and ice is incredible. Better than the previous Polaris 3 tyres. These tyres are certainly for below 7 degrees, when the temperature gets above this the turn in handling and braking reduces quite quickly. The tyres are reasonably quiet and offer decent fuel economy. Only 5-6 mpg less that the summer tyres @ 25c deg .
Value wise there excellent, i got a set of 5x from my tyres .com for Â£58 fitted and balanced each at a local tyre shop.
If you live in the countryside or have a family or commuter car then these would be ideal, there designed really for proper winter conditions. If you have a sportier car like a jaguar or Maserati then I would advise you look at something like Pirelli sottozero winter or Goodyear Ultragrip Performance as these will perform better at higher speeds. But for the money you will not be disappointed at the winter grip and safety.

Helpful 129 - tyre reviewed on February 4, 2019

Given 78% while driving a Honda Accord (195/60 R15 H) on a combination of roads for 6,000 spirited miles

In this size very good.
Solid dry and wet grip, at temperatures below 5 degrees Celsius better than summer tyres.
As the temperature goes down the tyres work better even on snow and ice.
Excellent snow and ice grip, except wet ice of course (there is no grip without spikes on wet ice).
This is not a tyre to drive at the limit, but is excellent for the price.
After 6000km (at temperatures under 10 degrees Celsius) on front wheel drive car, front tyres wear is under 1mm, rear tyres as new.
Very comfortable, and very silent but Accords have good noise insulation so can't say for other cars.

Helpful 116 - tyre reviewed on February 3, 2019

Given 54% while driving a BMW E60 530d xDrive LCI (225/50 R17 W) on mostly town for 800 easy going miles

Fitted Barum Polaris 5 after owning Sava. The car even being an awd is almost unusable during the snow, even cars with rwd on michelin alpin are doing better. Certainly not reccomended as winter tyre.

Helpful 158 - tyre reviewed on January 25, 2019

Given 82% while driving a Kia Motors Sportage (225/60 R17 V) on a combination of roads for 2,000 spirited miles

I've had them on an AWD small SUV for almost 3000 km so far. They are very comfortable compared to the 19inch Continental Sport Contact 5 that I have for summer, but that might be due to the size difference as well. Traction in the snow is very good, as well as handling.

I even pushed them on a winding mountain road, in the wet, and the grip was very good, though I wouldn't say they were made for this type of driving.

Considering the very low price, they're a great buy is your a normal, everyday driver and won't push them to the limits all the time.

Helpful 105 - tyre reviewed on January 15, 2019

Given 74% while driving a Volkswagen Golf R estate (225/40 R18 W) on a combination of roads for 1,000 spirited miles

Living in north of the UK. Oddly asymmetrical for a winter tyre, but not to detriment of performance. Dry grip at extreme lacking compared to summer tyres, as expected, but decent performance in wet and icy weather. This is from 'spirited' driving in all conditions. Unable to comment on wear at this stage. Having used Dunlop Wintersport, Michelin Crossclimate, Vredenstein Wintrac Xtreme and Hankook IceBear in the past these rate well with all, currently - but early days!

Will update more once we've had decent snow but happy so far @ Â£70 a corner.