Barum Polaris 5 vs Sava Eskimo HP2: 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 Sava Eskimo HP2 appear in 22 tests, 6 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 wet, dry, noise / comfort, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 90/100, based on 12 tests.
How the Sava Eskimo HP2 performs. It takes the win in snow, ice, mileage. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 90/100, based on 10 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 Sava Eskimo HP2 is the stronger all-round choice, leading in snow and Tire Lab Score. The Barum Polaris 5 still wins on wet, making it the right pick if that matters most to you.
Which one should you buy?
- You prioritise wet
- You prioritise dry
- You prioritise noise / comfort
Choose Sava Eskimo HP2 if
- You prioritise snow
- You prioritise ice
- You prioritise mileage
Test profile
| Metric | Barum Polaris 5 | Sava Eskimo HP2 |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Winter | Winter |
| Type | Winter | Winter |
| Tests used | 12 | 10 |
| Best rank | #1 | #1 |
| Avg rank | 13.4 | 14.4 |
| Latest test | 2024 | 2025 |
| Tire Lab Score | 89.7 | 90 |
Tire Lab Score
Barum Polaris 5
Sava Eskimo HP2
Performance overview
Category-by-category results
| Category | Barum Polaris 5 | Sava Eskimo HP2 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💧Wet | Avg rank 14.4 11 | Avg rank 19.2 1 | Barum Polaris 5 |
| ☀️Dry | Avg rank 10.5 2 | Avg rank 15.7 | Barum Polaris 5 |
| ❄️Snow | Avg rank 12.5 1 | Avg rank 7.1 22 | Sava Eskimo HP2 |
| 🧊Ice | Avg rank 8.5 | Avg rank 6.0 | Sava Eskimo HP2 |
| 🔇Noise / Comfort | Avg rank 9.4 1 | Avg rank 9.6 2 | Barum Polaris 5 |
| 📏Mileage | Avg rank 9.0 | Avg rank 7.0 | Sava Eskimo HP2 |
| 🔋Efficiency | Avg rank 15.2 | Avg rank 16.3 | Barum Polaris 5 |
Tests used in this comparison
Both tires were measured head-to-head in these 6 independent tests:
💧 Wet: Barum Polaris 5 vs Sava Eskimo HP2
The Barum Polaris 5 wins this category with an average rank of 14.4, compared to 19.2 for the Sava Eskimo HP2.
☀️ Dry: Barum Polaris 5 vs Sava Eskimo HP2
The Barum Polaris 5 wins this category with an average rank of 10.5, compared to 15.7 for the Sava Eskimo HP2.
❄️ Snow: Barum Polaris 5 vs Sava Eskimo HP2
The Sava Eskimo HP2 wins this category with an average rank of 7.1, compared to 12.5 for the Barum Polaris 5.
🧊 Ice: Barum Polaris 5 vs Sava Eskimo HP2
The Sava Eskimo HP2 wins this category with an average rank of 6.0, compared to 8.5 for the Barum Polaris 5.
🔇 Noise / Comfort: Barum Polaris 5 vs Sava Eskimo HP2
The Barum Polaris 5 wins this category with an average rank of 9.4, compared to 9.6 for the Sava Eskimo HP2.
📏 Mileage: Barum Polaris 5 vs Sava Eskimo HP2
The Sava Eskimo HP2 wins this category with an average rank of 7.0, compared to 9.0 for the Barum Polaris 5.
🔋 Efficiency: Barum Polaris 5 vs Sava Eskimo HP2
The Barum Polaris 5 wins this category with an average rank of 15.2, compared to 16.3 for the Sava Eskimo HP2.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better in the wet, Barum Polaris 5 or Sava Eskimo HP2?
Across independent wet-braking tests, the Barum Polaris 5 ranks higher on average than the Sava Eskimo HP2.
Which has shorter dry braking distance?
The Barum Polaris 5 averages a better dry-braking rank than the Sava Eskimo HP2 across the tests where both appeared.
Which tire is quieter and more comfortable?
On combined noise and comfort metrics, the Barum Polaris 5 ranks better than the Sava Eskimo HP2.
Which tire lasts longer?
Based on wear and abrasion testing, the Sava Eskimo HP2 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, Sava Eskimo HP2 in 10, with 6 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 →