Barum Polaris 5 vs Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus: the full picture
This comparison is built only from published independent tests — no manufacturer claims and no sponsored reviews. Between them, the Barum Polaris 5 and Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus appear in 17 tests, 3 of which put both tires on the same track on the same day. Head-to-head results carry the most weight here, because surface, weather and test car all change between events and make raw numbers from different tests hard to compare directly.
How the Barum Polaris 5 performs. It does not lead any single category outright in this matchup. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 90/100, based on 12 tests.
How the Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus performs. It takes the win in wet, snow, ice, noise / comfort, mileage, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 91/100, based on 5 tests.
What this means for you. Category wins matter more than the overall score when your driving is weighted toward one condition — a wet-climate commuter should follow the wet braking column, while a high-mileage driver should follow wear and rolling resistance. Also check that both tires are actually offered in your size and load rating: performance can shift between sizes, and availability differs between the European and North American markets.
Verdict
The Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus is the stronger all-round choice, leading in wet and Tire Lab Score. The Barum Polaris 5 making it the right pick if that matters most to you.
Which one should you buy?
- You prefer the Barum Polaris 5's brand, sizing or price
Choose Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus if
- You prioritise wet
- You prioritise snow
- You prioritise ice
Test profile
| Metric | Barum Polaris 5 | Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Winter | Winter |
| Type | Winter | Winter |
| Tests used | 12 | 5 |
| Best rank | #1 | #1 |
| Avg rank | 13.4 | 7.0 |
| Latest test | 2024 | 2023 |
| Tire Lab Score | 89.7 | 91 |
Tire Lab Score
Barum Polaris 5
Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus
Performance overview
Category-by-category results
| Category | Barum Polaris 5 | Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💧Wet | Avg rank 14.4 11 | Avg rank 6.5 21 | Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus |
| ☀️Dry | Avg rank 10.5 2 | Avg rank 10.6 1 | Tie |
| ❄️Snow | Avg rank 12.5 1 | Avg rank 4.3 321 | Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus |
| 🧊Ice | Avg rank 8.5 | Avg rank 1.0 1 | Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus |
| 🔇Noise / Comfort | Avg rank 9.4 1 | Avg rank 6.0 3 | Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus |
| 📏Mileage | Avg rank 9.0 | Avg rank 6.3 | Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus |
| 🔋Efficiency | Avg rank 15.2 | Avg rank 11.3 | Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus |
Tests used in this comparison
Both tires were measured head-to-head in these 3 independent tests:
💧 Wet: Barum Polaris 5 vs Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus
The Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus wins this category with an average rank of 6.5, compared to 14.4 for the Barum Polaris 5.
☀️ Dry: Barum Polaris 5 vs Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus
Both tires perform similarly in dry, with average ranks of 10.5 and 10.6.
❄️ Snow: Barum Polaris 5 vs Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus
The Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus wins this category with an average rank of 4.3, compared to 12.5 for the Barum Polaris 5.
🧊 Ice: Barum Polaris 5 vs Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus
The Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus wins this category with an average rank of 1.0, compared to 8.5 for the Barum Polaris 5.
🔇 Noise / Comfort: Barum Polaris 5 vs Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus
The Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus wins this category with an average rank of 6.0, compared to 9.4 for the Barum Polaris 5.
📏 Mileage: Barum Polaris 5 vs Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus
The Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus wins this category with an average rank of 6.3, compared to 9.0 for the Barum Polaris 5.
🔋 Efficiency: Barum Polaris 5 vs Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus
The Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus wins this category with an average rank of 11.3, compared to 15.2 for the Barum Polaris 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better in the wet, Barum Polaris 5 or Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus?
Across independent wet-braking tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus ranks higher on average than the Barum Polaris 5.
Which tire is quieter and more comfortable?
On combined noise and comfort metrics, the Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus ranks better than the Barum Polaris 5.
Which tire lasts longer?
Based on wear and abrasion testing, the Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus shows better mileage performance than the Barum Polaris 5.
How many tests were used in this comparison?
Barum Polaris 5 appears in 12 independent tests, Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus in 5, with 3 head-to-head tests where both were measured.
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Data aggregated from independent testing organizations including ADAC, Auto Bild, TCS, and Auto Motor und Sport. Read our methodology →