Barum Polaris 6 vs Dunlop Winter Response 2: the full picture
This comparison is built only from published independent tests — no manufacturer claims and no sponsored reviews. Between them, the Barum Polaris 6 and Dunlop Winter Response 2 appear in 4 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 6 performs. It takes the win in dry, noise / comfort, mileage, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 92/100, based on 3 tests.
How the Dunlop Winter Response 2 performs. It takes the win in wet, snow. It has limited comparative test data, so treat its results as indicative.
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 6 and Dunlop Winter Response 2 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 dry
- You prioritise noise / comfort
- You prioritise mileage
- You prioritise wet
- You prioritise snow
Test profile
| Metric | Barum Polaris 6 | Dunlop Winter Response 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Touring Winter | Touring Winter |
| Type | Winter | Winter |
| Tests used | 3 | 1 |
| Best rank | #1 | #1 |
| Avg rank | 9.6 | 10.7 |
| Latest test | 2025 | 2025 |
| Tire Lab Score | 91.8 | — |
Tire Lab Score
Barum Polaris 6
Dunlop Winter Response 2
Performance overview
Category-by-category results
| Category | Barum Polaris 6 | Dunlop Winter Response 2 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💧Wet | Avg rank 8.7 | Avg rank 3.0 1 | Dunlop Winter Response 2 |
| ☀️Dry | Avg rank 7.5 1 | No data | Barum Polaris 6 |
| ❄️Snow | Avg rank 8.1 1 | Avg rank 3.0 1 | Dunlop Winter Response 2 |
| 🔇Noise / Comfort | Avg rank 8.6 1 | No data | Barum Polaris 6 |
| 📏Mileage | Avg rank 13.0 | No data | Barum Polaris 6 |
| 🔋Efficiency | Avg rank 13.0 | No data | Barum Polaris 6 |
Tests used in this comparison
Both tires were measured head-to-head in these 1 independent test:
💧 Wet: Barum Polaris 6 vs Dunlop Winter Response 2
The Dunlop Winter Response 2 wins this category with an average rank of 3.0, compared to 8.7 for the Barum Polaris 6.
☀️ Dry: Barum Polaris 6 vs Dunlop Winter Response 2
The Barum Polaris 6 wins this category with an average rank of 7.5, compared to no data for the Dunlop Winter Response 2.
❄️ Snow: Barum Polaris 6 vs Dunlop Winter Response 2
The Dunlop Winter Response 2 wins this category with an average rank of 3.0, compared to 8.1 for the Barum Polaris 6.
🔇 Noise / Comfort: Barum Polaris 6 vs Dunlop Winter Response 2
The Barum Polaris 6 wins this category with an average rank of 8.6, compared to no data for the Dunlop Winter Response 2.
📏 Mileage: Barum Polaris 6 vs Dunlop Winter Response 2
The Barum Polaris 6 wins this category with an average rank of 13.0, compared to no data for the Dunlop Winter Response 2.
🔋 Efficiency: Barum Polaris 6 vs Dunlop Winter Response 2
The Barum Polaris 6 wins this category with an average rank of 13.0, compared to no data for the Dunlop Winter Response 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better in the wet, Barum Polaris 6 or Dunlop Winter Response 2?
Across independent wet-braking tests, the Dunlop Winter Response 2 ranks higher on average than the Barum Polaris 6.
Which has shorter dry braking distance?
The Barum Polaris 6 averages a better dry-braking rank than the Dunlop Winter Response 2 across the tests where both appeared.
Which tire is quieter and more comfortable?
On combined noise and comfort metrics, the Barum Polaris 6 ranks better than the Dunlop Winter Response 2.
Which tire lasts longer?
Based on wear and abrasion testing, the Barum Polaris 6 shows better mileage performance than the Dunlop Winter Response 2.
How many tests were used in this comparison?
Barum Polaris 6 appears in 3 independent tests, Dunlop Winter Response 2 in 1, with 1 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 →