SUV and Crossover Wheels

SUVs and crossovers sit between cars and trucks in almost every respect, and their wheels have to reflect that. They carry more weight than a sedan, they have a higher center of gravity, and most of them are used as family vehicles where ride comfort and noise matter more than outright aggression. A load rating suitable for a passenger car is not enough for a three-row SUV loaded with people and cargo.The most common upgrade path is a plus-size: going up in wheel diameter while dropping tire sidewall to keep overall diameter close to stock. Going from a 20 inch to a 22 inch wheel on a Tahoe, for example, means moving from a 275/60R20 to a 285/45R22 to keep the rolling diameter within a couple of percent. Staying close to stock rolling diameter keeps your speedometer accurate, keeps the transmission shifting where it was calibrated, and keeps ABS and stability control reading correct wheel speeds.Be honest about the tradeoff. Every inch of wheel diameter you add takes sidewall away, and sidewall is what absorbs impact. A 22 inch wheel looks excellent and rides noticeably firmer than the 20 it replaced, and it is more vulnerable to pothole damage.