Barum Polaris 6 vs Kumho WinterCraft WS71: 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 Kumho WinterCraft WS71 appear in 4 tests, though they have not yet met head-to-head in the same test. 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 wet, dry, snow, noise / comfort, mileage, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 92/100, based on 3 tests.
How the Kumho WinterCraft WS71 performs. It does not lead any single category outright in this matchup. 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 Kumho WinterCraft WS71 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 wet
- You prioritise dry
- You prioritise snow
- You prefer the Kumho WinterCraft WS71's brand, sizing or price
Test profile
| Metric | Barum Polaris 6 | Kumho WinterCraft WS71 |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Touring Winter | Touring Winter |
| Type | Winter | Winter |
| Tests used | 3 | 1 |
| Best rank | #1 | #20 |
| Avg rank | 9.6 | 25.2 |
| Latest test | 2025 | 2020 |
| Tire Lab Score | 91.8 | — |
Tire Lab Score
Barum Polaris 6
Kumho WinterCraft WS71
Performance overview
Category-by-category results
| Category | Barum Polaris 6 | Kumho WinterCraft WS71 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💧Wet | Avg rank 8.7 | Avg rank 21.0 | Barum Polaris 6 |
| ☀️Dry | Avg rank 7.5 1 | No data | Barum Polaris 6 |
| ❄️Snow | Avg rank 8.1 1 | Avg rank 30.0 | Barum Polaris 6 |
| 🔇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 |
💧 Wet: Barum Polaris 6 vs Kumho WinterCraft WS71
The Barum Polaris 6 wins this category with an average rank of 8.7, compared to 21.0 for the Kumho WinterCraft WS71.
☀️ Dry: Barum Polaris 6 vs Kumho WinterCraft WS71
The Barum Polaris 6 wins this category with an average rank of 7.5, compared to no data for the Kumho WinterCraft WS71.
❄️ Snow: Barum Polaris 6 vs Kumho WinterCraft WS71
The Barum Polaris 6 wins this category with an average rank of 8.1, compared to 30.0 for the Kumho WinterCraft WS71.
🔇 Noise / Comfort: Barum Polaris 6 vs Kumho WinterCraft WS71
The Barum Polaris 6 wins this category with an average rank of 8.6, compared to no data for the Kumho WinterCraft WS71.
📏 Mileage: Barum Polaris 6 vs Kumho WinterCraft WS71
The Barum Polaris 6 wins this category with an average rank of 13.0, compared to no data for the Kumho WinterCraft WS71.
🔋 Efficiency: Barum Polaris 6 vs Kumho WinterCraft WS71
The Barum Polaris 6 wins this category with an average rank of 13.0, compared to no data for the Kumho WinterCraft WS71.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better in the wet, Barum Polaris 6 or Kumho WinterCraft WS71?
Across independent wet-braking tests, the Barum Polaris 6 ranks higher on average than the Kumho WinterCraft WS71.
Which has shorter dry braking distance?
The Barum Polaris 6 averages a better dry-braking rank than the Kumho WinterCraft WS71 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 Kumho WinterCraft WS71.
Which tire lasts longer?
Based on wear and abrasion testing, the Barum Polaris 6 shows better mileage performance than the Kumho WinterCraft WS71.
How many tests were used in this comparison?
Barum Polaris 6 appears in 3 independent tests, Kumho WinterCraft WS71 in 1.
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Data aggregated from independent testing organizations including ADAC, Auto Bild, TCS, and Auto Motor und Sport. Read our methodology →
