Barum Polaris 5 vs Semperit Speed Grip 5: 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 Semperit Speed Grip 5 appear in 24 tests, 5 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, noise / comfort, mileage. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 90/100, based on 12 tests.
How the Semperit Speed Grip 5 performs. It takes the win in wet, dry, snow, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 90/100, based on 12 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 Barum Polaris 5 and Semperit Speed Grip 5 are closely matched. Pick based on the category that matters most to your driving — wet, dry, comfort, mileage, or price.
Which one should you buy?
- You prioritise ice
- You prioritise noise / comfort
- You prioritise mileage
- You prioritise wet
- You prioritise dry
- You prioritise snow
Test profile
| Metric | Barum Polaris 5 | Semperit Speed Grip 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Winter | Winter |
| Type | Winter | Winter |
| Tests used | 12 | 12 |
| Best rank | #1 | #1 |
| Avg rank | 13.4 | 11.0 |
| Latest test | 2024 | 2025 |
| Tire Lab Score | 89.7 | 89.7 |
Tire Lab Score
Barum Polaris 5
Semperit Speed Grip 5
Performance overview
Category-by-category results
| Category | Barum Polaris 5 | Semperit Speed Grip 5 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💧Wet | Avg rank 14.4 11 | Avg rank 9.3 221 | Semperit Speed Grip 5 |
| ☀️Dry | Avg rank 10.5 2 | Avg rank 9.6 12 | Semperit Speed Grip 5 |
| ❄️Snow | Avg rank 12.5 1 | Avg rank 11.1 112 | Semperit Speed Grip 5 |
| 🧊Ice | Avg rank 8.5 | Avg rank 12.7 | Barum Polaris 5 |
| 🔇Noise / Comfort | Avg rank 9.4 1 | Avg rank 10.6 1 | Barum Polaris 5 |
| 📏Mileage | Avg rank 9.0 | Avg rank 10.6 1 | Barum Polaris 5 |
| 🔋Efficiency | Avg rank 15.2 | Avg rank 12.1 | Semperit Speed Grip 5 |
Tests used in this comparison
Both tires were measured head-to-head in these 5 independent tests:
💧 Wet: Barum Polaris 5 vs Semperit Speed Grip 5
The Semperit Speed Grip 5 wins this category with an average rank of 9.3, compared to 14.4 for the Barum Polaris 5.
☀️ Dry: Barum Polaris 5 vs Semperit Speed Grip 5
The Semperit Speed Grip 5 wins this category with an average rank of 9.6, compared to 10.5 for the Barum Polaris 5.
❄️ Snow: Barum Polaris 5 vs Semperit Speed Grip 5
The Semperit Speed Grip 5 wins this category with an average rank of 11.1, compared to 12.5 for the Barum Polaris 5.
🧊 Ice: Barum Polaris 5 vs Semperit Speed Grip 5
The Barum Polaris 5 wins this category with an average rank of 8.5, compared to 12.7 for the Semperit Speed Grip 5.
🔇 Noise / Comfort: Barum Polaris 5 vs Semperit Speed Grip 5
The Barum Polaris 5 wins this category with an average rank of 9.4, compared to 10.6 for the Semperit Speed Grip 5.
📏 Mileage: Barum Polaris 5 vs Semperit Speed Grip 5
The Barum Polaris 5 wins this category with an average rank of 9.0, compared to 10.6 for the Semperit Speed Grip 5.
🔋 Efficiency: Barum Polaris 5 vs Semperit Speed Grip 5
The Semperit Speed Grip 5 wins this category with an average rank of 12.1, compared to 15.2 for the Barum Polaris 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better in the wet, Barum Polaris 5 or Semperit Speed Grip 5?
Across independent wet-braking tests, the Semperit Speed Grip 5 ranks higher on average than the Barum Polaris 5.
Which has shorter dry braking distance?
The Semperit Speed Grip 5 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 Barum Polaris 5 ranks better than the Semperit Speed Grip 5.
Which tire lasts longer?
Based on wear and abrasion testing, the Barum Polaris 5 shows better mileage performance than the Semperit Speed Grip 5.
How many tests were used in this comparison?
Barum Polaris 5 appears in 12 independent tests, Semperit Speed Grip 5 in 12, with 5 head-to-head tests where both were measured.
Also compare
Barum Polaris 5 vs…
Semperit Speed Grip 5 vs…
Data aggregated from independent testing organizations including ADAC, Auto Bild, TCS, and Auto Motor und Sport. Read our methodology →