TopTire Review

    Barum Polaris 5 vs Kumho WinterCraft WP71

    2026 test data · 18 independent tests · 1 head-to-head

    → See full Barum vs Kumho brand comparison

    Barum Polaris 5 vs Kumho WinterCraft WP71: 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 Kumho WinterCraft WP71 appear in 18 tests, 1 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 takes the win in ice, mileage. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 90/100, based on 12 tests.

    How the Kumho WinterCraft WP71 performs. It takes the win in wet, dry, snow, noise / comfort, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 91/100, based on 6 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 Kumho WinterCraft WP71 is the stronger all-round choice, leading in wet and Tire Lab Score. The Barum Polaris 5 still wins on ice, making it the right pick if that matters most to you.

    Which one should you buy?

    Choose Barum Polaris 5 if

    • You prioritise ice
    • You prioritise mileage

    Choose Kumho WinterCraft WP71 if

    Overall winner
    • You prioritise wet
    • You prioritise dry
    • You prioritise snow

    Test profile

    MetricBarum Polaris 5Kumho WinterCraft WP71
    SegmentWinterWinter
    TypeWinterWinter
    Tests used126
    Best rank#1#1
    Avg rank13.49.1
    Latest test20242019
    Tire Lab Score89.790.6

    Tire Lab Score

    89.7
    Very Good · Winter
    90.6
    Excellent · Winter

    Performance overview

    Category-by-category results

    CategoryBarum Polaris 5Kumho WinterCraft WP71Winner
    💧Wet
    Avg rank 14.4
    11
    Avg rank 8.4
    Kumho WinterCraft WP71
    ☀️Dry
    Avg rank 10.5
    2
    Avg rank 9.0
    21
    Kumho WinterCraft WP71
    ❄️Snow
    Avg rank 12.5
    1
    Avg rank 10.0
    11
    Kumho WinterCraft WP71
    🧊Ice
    Avg rank 8.5
    		No data
    Barum Polaris 5
    🔇Noise / Comfort
    Avg rank 9.4
    1
    Avg rank 7.7
    11
    Kumho WinterCraft WP71
    📏Mileage
    Avg rank 9.0
    Avg rank 12.5
    Barum Polaris 5
    🔋Efficiency
    Avg rank 15.2
    Avg rank 6.0
    2
    Kumho WinterCraft WP71

    Tests used in this comparison

    Both tires were measured head-to-head in these 1 independent test:

    💧 Wet: Barum Polaris 5 vs Kumho WinterCraft WP71

    The Kumho WinterCraft WP71 wins this category with an average rank of 8.4, compared to 14.4 for the Barum Polaris 5.

    ☀️ Dry: Barum Polaris 5 vs Kumho WinterCraft WP71

    The Kumho WinterCraft WP71 wins this category with an average rank of 9.0, compared to 10.5 for the Barum Polaris 5.

    ❄️ Snow: Barum Polaris 5 vs Kumho WinterCraft WP71

    The Kumho WinterCraft WP71 wins this category with an average rank of 10.0, compared to 12.5 for the Barum Polaris 5.

    🧊 Ice: Barum Polaris 5 vs Kumho WinterCraft WP71

    The Barum Polaris 5 wins this category with an average rank of 8.5, compared to no data for the Kumho WinterCraft WP71.

    🔇 Noise / Comfort: Barum Polaris 5 vs Kumho WinterCraft WP71

    The Kumho WinterCraft WP71 wins this category with an average rank of 7.7, compared to 9.4 for the Barum Polaris 5.

    📏 Mileage: Barum Polaris 5 vs Kumho WinterCraft WP71

    The Barum Polaris 5 wins this category with an average rank of 9.0, compared to 12.5 for the Kumho WinterCraft WP71.

    🔋 Efficiency: Barum Polaris 5 vs Kumho WinterCraft WP71

    The Kumho WinterCraft WP71 wins this category with an average rank of 6.0, compared to 15.2 for the Barum Polaris 5.

    Frequently asked questions

    Which is better in the wet, Barum Polaris 5 or Kumho WinterCraft WP71?

    Across independent wet-braking tests, the Kumho WinterCraft WP71 ranks higher on average than the Barum Polaris 5.

    Which has shorter dry braking distance?

    The Kumho WinterCraft WP71 averages a better dry-braking rank than the Barum Polaris 5 across the tests where both appeared.

    Which tire is quieter and more comfortable?

    On combined noise and comfort metrics, the Kumho WinterCraft WP71 ranks better than the Barum Polaris 5.

    Which tire lasts longer?

    Based on wear and abrasion testing, the Barum Polaris 5 shows better mileage performance than the Kumho WinterCraft WP71.

    How many tests were used in this comparison?

    Barum Polaris 5 appears in 12 independent tests, Kumho WinterCraft WP71 in 6, with 1 head-to-head tests where both were measured.

    Also compare

    Data aggregated from independent testing organizations including ADAC, Auto Bild, TCS, and Auto Motor und Sport. Read our methodology →