The R17 tires are not that often offered by the carmakes in the standard trim level, however many vehicles feature R17 tires in more upscale trim levels. When R17s are fitted instead of R16 wheels, such tires take slimmer profile, which is better for fast and precise cornering. On the other hand, the slimmer tire profile is, the easier tires can get damaged due to road obstacles. So when you decide to go with lower profile tires, always keep in mind the road conditions where you plan driving.
According to the recent research conducted among the car enthusiasts early 2018, 82% of respondents noted, that vehicles with larger rims and slimmer tires look more attractive. If that’s what you are into, keep in mind, that this appealing look will cost you some extra money. And it’s not just because the best tires are always expensive. To maintain or even change bigger tires you will have to pay more.
When car owners make a decision to spend some money and get bigger wheels and slimmer tires, they expect better handling and cornering. We have compared three most common sizes American drivers usually upgrade to (R17, R18, R19) and compared the performance gains. Here are the specs of the wheels that we compared on a compact-size passenger sedan:
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225/45 R17
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225/40 R18
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225/35 R19
R17 vs R18 vs R19 Tires: Comparison
| CONDITIONS | R17 | R18 | R19 |
|---|---|---|---|
| WHEEL SPECS | 225/45 R17 | 225/40 R18 | 225/35 R19 |
| Dry Handling | 1.39:30 | 1.38:07 | 1.37:90 |
| Wet Handling | 1.05:05 | 1.05:34 | 1.05:60 |
| Dry Braking | 99.6% | 100.0% | 99.4% |
| Wet Braking | 99.5% | 100.0% | 98.7% |
| Curved Aqua | 98.8% | 100.0% | 98.7% |
| Subjective impressions | Comfortable drive | Road bums feel more than with R18s in the rear | Harsh drive, faster cornering |
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R17 Tires Reviews
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I've always been a fan of Toyo tires, yet now I feel there are more important things I can invest into, rather than wheels. I'm already used to Capitol tires and they are pretty cool imo. The main benefits - a. they last. b. they don't break the bank.
I am pretty happy about Capitol tires I've got. Nothing special, I haven't noticed better handling or something. Yet I like the price, that's why I've got them.
I recommend everyone to pick R17s if you've got R16s from stock. You will feel better cornering right away! Well, at least if you like that way of drive.
