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Consumer Reports, which presumably has test driven a wider array of cars than you or me, is pretty much constantly complaining about how the trend toward larger

Consumer Reports, which presumably has test driven a wider array of cars than you or me, is pretty much constantly complaining about how the trend toward larger wheels is compromising ride quality. (In particular, when discussing trim levels they often count the larger rims you get with higher trim levels as a negative.) Given that the weight and size of vehicles has constantly been increasing (largely due to the auto co's "nice family you got, pity if something ... happened to it" marketing campaigns) some increase in size would make sense from a perf standpoint. I think the author's argument is that it's gone far beyond that. And CU, at least, seems to agree.

elmerfud 3y ago
Agreed, if you're picking the ultra sport option tires for your grocery getter then your ride will suffer, but that's not what I'm referring too. If a customer chooses that, they get what they asked for and shouldn't complain. Stock tires now days a have a lower profile from the past, and when choosing the normal wheel and tire option the ride quality will be better than the cars from days gone by. Tires for cars used to have very large sidewall ratios, 15 inch rim and 75% was common for a passenger sedan. That was a marshmallow with bad road feel and coupled with the soggy suspension setups the cars would be considered dangerous by modern standards. The 17" 50% tires that are common today provide much better handling and the unsprung weight is likely less than the past. All of this makes a better and safer car. One thing people always forget when talking tire sidewalls is that larger side wall generates more heat in a tire and can promote failure. All that sidewall flex makes heat every time it rolls around. Small rims and big sidewalls, shorten tire life and not in the way of a curb hit like the author had. It shortens it in a way of highway speed delamination which is never fun. (From personal experience). The Ford bronco rollovers had this catastrophic blowout issue as the trigger that exposed poor suspension.
- theluketaylor 3y ago
  50R17 wheels would be fine if that was what cars actually had. Instead the fitments are like 40R19 and 45R20. The trend of bigger wheels and smaller sidewalls is not going away either. 19s and 20s are giving way to 21s and 22s. Around 5-6 years ago we passed better grip and handling and moved well into harsh ride, bent wheels, and higher unsprung mass territory. I’m convinced one the the major factors driving the SUV revolution along with high driving position and CAFE light truck regs is higher aspect ratio tires compared with the equivalent sedan or wagon. The SUV has huge wheels but also has higher aspect tires, so you still get some sidewall flex and acceptable ride. The sedan equivalent has rubber band tires that crash on even reasonably maintained pavement (a bar many cities cannot reach), so of course the better ride wins even if the vehicle is far heavier and more expensive.

elmerfud 3y ago

Agreed, if you're picking the ultra sport option tires for your grocery getter then your ride will suffer, but that's not what I'm referring too. If a customer chooses that, they get what they asked for and shouldn't complain. Stock tires now days a have a lower profile from the past, and when choosing the normal wheel and tire option the ride quality will be better than the cars from days gone by. Tires for cars used to have very large sidewall ratios, 15 inch rim and 75% was common for a passenger sedan. That was a marshmallow with bad road feel and coupled with the soggy suspension setups the cars would be considered dangerous by modern standards. The 17" 50% tires that are common today provide much better handling and the unsprung weight is likely less than the past. All of this makes a better and safer car. One thing people always forget when talking tire sidewalls is that larger side wall generates more heat in a tire and can promote failure. All that sidewall flex makes heat every time it rolls around. Small rims and big sidewalls, shorten tire life and not in the way of a curb hit like the author had. It shortens it in a way of highway speed delamination which is never fun. (From personal experience). The Ford bronco rollovers had this catastrophic blowout issue as the trigger that exposed poor suspension.

theluketaylor 3y ago
50R17 wheels would be fine if that was what cars actually had. Instead the fitments are like 40R19 and 45R20. The trend of bigger wheels and smaller sidewalls is not going away either. 19s and 20s are giving way to 21s and 22s. Around 5-6 years ago we passed better grip and handling and moved well into harsh ride, bent wheels, and higher unsprung mass territory. I’m convinced one the the major factors driving the SUV revolution along with high driving position and CAFE light truck regs is higher aspect ratio tires compared with the equivalent sedan or wagon. The SUV has huge wheels but also has higher aspect tires, so you still get some sidewall flex and acceptable ride. The sedan equivalent has rubber band tires that crash on even reasonably maintained pavement (a bar many cities cannot reach), so of course the better ride wins even if the vehicle is far heavier and more expensive.