Jack Rabbit
Banned
- :
- 18 Mazda CX5 AW
The following post is based on my experience with the CX5.
Have ran 19 inch, 17 inch and 16 inch rims/tires so far and these are results on fuel efficiency, handling and comfort. Appearance is subjective so left that out.
19 inch rims/toyo tire combo-
Fuel efficiency was so-so highway avg @ 32 mpg and city avg @ 23 mpg even with barely any tread left. Heavier wheel/tire combo made acceleration very sluggish. Responsive handling. Very uncomfortable bumpy ride. No one would ride in the vehicle as passengers.
17 inch rim/tire combo .
Ran nokian winters.
Fuel efficiency highway was 37 to 38 mpg (however this was towards end of tire life with little rolling resistance.) City mpg avg 24 to 25 mpg.
Fair acceleration with
very responsive handling. Nicer ride but still not ideal comfort.
16 inch rims with firestone all terrains.
Fuel efficiency dropped to 33 mpg highway assuming due to AT tread. City mpg dropped to a whopping 18 mpg. Upon less spirited driving, city mpg at 23 mpg. Very quick acceleration however reduced mpg due to easy acceleration. Need to exercise self control and easy on the pedal for better mpg. Still decent handling but slightly reduced from 17 inch. Very comfortable ride that was ideal and
Offroad was great.
Aside from curb appeal , the bigger 19 inch rims felt very sluggish and were very uncomfortable.
17 inch rims appear to be ideal balance between fuel economy, handling and comfort.
16 inch rims sacrifice some handling and fuel efficiency but increase acceleration, comfort and offroad performance.
My preference is the 16 inch but it seems the ideal rim/tire combo would be the 17 inch.
Have ran 19 inch, 17 inch and 16 inch rims/tires so far and these are results on fuel efficiency, handling and comfort. Appearance is subjective so left that out.
19 inch rims/toyo tire combo-
Fuel efficiency was so-so highway avg @ 32 mpg and city avg @ 23 mpg even with barely any tread left. Heavier wheel/tire combo made acceleration very sluggish. Responsive handling. Very uncomfortable bumpy ride. No one would ride in the vehicle as passengers.
17 inch rim/tire combo .
Ran nokian winters.
Fuel efficiency highway was 37 to 38 mpg (however this was towards end of tire life with little rolling resistance.) City mpg avg 24 to 25 mpg.
Fair acceleration with
very responsive handling. Nicer ride but still not ideal comfort.
16 inch rims with firestone all terrains.
Fuel efficiency dropped to 33 mpg highway assuming due to AT tread. City mpg dropped to a whopping 18 mpg. Upon less spirited driving, city mpg at 23 mpg. Very quick acceleration however reduced mpg due to easy acceleration. Need to exercise self control and easy on the pedal for better mpg. Still decent handling but slightly reduced from 17 inch. Very comfortable ride that was ideal and
Offroad was great.
Aside from curb appeal , the bigger 19 inch rims felt very sluggish and were very uncomfortable.
17 inch rims appear to be ideal balance between fuel economy, handling and comfort.
16 inch rims sacrifice some handling and fuel efficiency but increase acceleration, comfort and offroad performance.
My preference is the 16 inch but it seems the ideal rim/tire combo would be the 17 inch.