Thinking of running 18 inch wheels

[CX-5_2025]

So I love the handling of my 2025 CX-5 Turbo, but the rough ride from the stock tire/wheel combo causes me back pain (lumbar problem). It's fine for anything under an hour, so I think I just need a bit more smoothing out. Seems like the 17s would be going too far-I want to keep some of that great handling. I have tried running the OEM Toyos a bit low, like 32 instead of the 35 of the doorjamb. It helps a bit, but I need more. I looked at 18s on tire rack, and looks like there are no 7" wide ones, just 7.5 and 8. I am new at this: Do I need to match the OEM width and offset (45mm). That would seem to make sense to me. I also assume that the tire width stays the same, and that the profile goes to something like 60 instead of the stock 55.)

I guess the options are:

-18s (but how with the lack of 7" width?)

-17s (probably the easiest thing but big handling loss.)

-Some people say that the right tires on the 19s will make a big difference, but I find that hard to believe with the same amount of sidewall. (Pirelli Scorpion, Conti Crosscontact LX25)

Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

 

[Mazdiod2]

-Some people say that the right tires on the 19s will make a big difference, but I find that hard to believe with the same amount of sidewall.

I think this is true of any size of wheel, and how stiff the sidewall is, how many/ what kind of belts, etc.
Some tires seem to be designed for light SUVs and crossovers and I wonder if they have slightly stiffer sidewalls. The LX25 for example.
Would looking at the load number be any indication? Reading lots of reviews on Tire rack?

 

[a69mach1377]

Whatever you do...keep at least the load rating as stock to prevent weird handling issues.

 

[N7turbo]

Rough ride is so subjective...

My car drove on pillows before, haha.

 

[N7turbo]

I looked at 18s on tire rack, and looks like there are no 7" wide ones, just 7.5 and 8. I am new at this: Do I need to match the OEM width and offset (45mm). That would seem to make sense to me. I also assume that the tire width stays the same, and that the profile goes to something like 60 instead of the stock 55.)

I guess the options are:

-18s (but how with the lack of 7" width?)

IMO, go with the common size of 8.5" and put a 235 or 245 tire on there.

Offset can stay at 45 so you don't poke out. If you stick with narrow wheels like 7" with 225s, a 35 offset can help flush out the wheels by bringing them out 10mm.

Some people say that the right tires on the 19s will make a big difference, but I find that hard to believe with the same amount of sidewall. (Pirelli Scorpion, Conti Crosscontact LX25)

Tires come in many flavors. High Performance tires will usually have a stiffer ride than Touring tires even if dimensions are identical.

 

[CX-5_2025]

I think this is true of any size of wheel, and how stiff the sidewall is, how many/ what kind of belts, etc.
Some tires seem to be designed for light SUVs and crossovers and I wonder if they have slightly stiffer sidewalls. The LX25 for example.
Would looking at the load number be any indication? Reading lots of reviews on Tire rack?

Thanks Mazdoid. Yeah, a good buddy suggested that. I have done exactly as you suggest re reading on Tire Rack: both the LX25 and the Scorpion have top marks for both ride comfort and noise. I would not mind selling the Toyos for 60% of cost or so to try that...I guess I would really have to buy the new tires, then try to sell on CL or something. Obviously the suspension has been tuned for the weight of the stock rims, and perhaps the offset and width matter too. Seems to me that offset might matter due to a change in leverage on the arm components, less so with wheel width, though that might affect tire characteristics. I really don't want to mess with the Mazda magic any more than needed.

Width is another thing. Another member mentioned using a wider rim with the same 225 width, but if you go wider on the wheel, that would expose the wheel edges more to curbs etc.

 

[CX-5_2025]

Whatever you do...keep at least the load rating as stock to prevent weird handling issues.

Oh yeah, crucial point. The stock wheels have a lot of burly spokes and are likely super strong. The CX-5 may not be a full-blown SUV, but it is clearly designed to handle way more surface variance than a typical car. (Like my old 2005 Acura TL- got 20 years out of it!) The more I think about it, the more I think I should avoid swapping wheels. If I have to, I will do as you suggest.

 

[Mazdiod2]

I 've got the 17 wheels and I like them ok. I always figure the OEM wheels should work well partly just because they were designed for it.

me back pain (lumbar problem)

Oh, you might want to look at the threads on seat cushions. CX 5s seem to have firmer foam than some people prefer.

Memory foam's what I use. It's a neccessity, for me anyway, for any driving longer than an hour or two.

 

[Lazy2.5]

17s shouldn't sacrifice handling.

you can play around with this:

Alloy Wheel & Tyre Fitment Calculator. Offset, Tyre Stretch and Speedo Error | Will They Fit

Alloy Wheel & tyre fitment calculator - it calculates inset, poke, speedo error, tyre stretch and loads more.

www.willtheyfit.com

according to this link:

Mazda CX-5 II (KF) Facelift [2021 .. 2026] - Wheel Fitment Data and Specs for Canada

Mazda CX-5 II (KF) Facelift [2021 .. 2026] has some differences in wheel parameters for the region of Canada. See OE wheel size, manufacturer optional sizes, ET, PCD, center bore, and max wheel load for Mazda CX-5 II (KF) Facelift [2021 .. 2026] (Canada)

www.wheel-size.com

Your Mazda was fitted OEM with 7, 7.5, or 8" wheels, all at an offset of 45mm.

So, whether you go for 17's or 18's any of those width's with an ET of 45mm is what i'd aim for.

225/65-r17
or
225/60-r18

 

[sm1ke]

Guys, we can participate in these discussions and contribute our opinions without tearing others down. If you don't agree with a suggestion or opinion, at least explain why before you dismiss it completely. That way we can have a healthy discussion/debate, with the goal of keeping an open mind and learning from each other. If you cant do that, it may be best to simply ignore the comment.

 

[ZooMazda24]

I am in a similar situation to the OP. I would not mind a better ride, but I really would like the steering to be a bit less heavy/dead feeling. My initial move was to simply replace the OEM tires with a good all season tire, I chose the Goodyears with the tread pattern like the Michelin CC2. As the TireRack testing predicted, the ride was improved and the handling was a little sharper. I think I want to use the Goodyears as the foul weather tire and replace them in drier months with a more performance capable tire, on a smaller rim.

EDIT: ok, so I went too far with the Goodyear tires, I think. They are big, burly, snow-approved and must weigh a ton, also the gas mileage on them is not impressing me at all.
That is why I want to use them when I need them-winter.
I should have gotten spring/summer tires on my 19" rims and a smaller winter wheel/tire.
I would like to get a lightweight 18" rim and I am leaning to the Pirelli P Zero AS+3.
I wonder about that line of Pirelli as they come in a variety of flavors: Scorpion AS+3,
P Zero AS+3 100SL or 104XL. I have seen a lot of CX-5 folks using Scorpions, as they are the 'SUV' tire, and some folks are using the XL version of the P Zero (which I think is eCar focused).
A TireRack guy suggested that the SL version is fine, it is the rating of the OEM tires after all.

I liked the suggestion above:
whether you go for 17's or 18's any of those width's with an ET of 45mm is what i'd aim for.
225/65-r17
or
225/60-r18

 

[GTXT23]

So I love the handling of my 2025 CX-5 Turbo, but the rough ride from the stock tire/wheel combo causes me back pain (lumbar problem). It's fine for anything under an hour, so I think I just need a bit more smoothing out. Seems like the 17s would be going too far-I want to keep some of that great handling. I have tried running the OEM Toyos a bit low, like 32 instead of the 35 of the doorjamb. It helps a bit, but I need more. I looked at 18s on tire rack, and looks like there are no 7" wide ones, just 7.5 and 8. I am new at this: Do I need to match the OEM width and offset (45mm). That would seem to make sense to me. I also assume that the tire width stays the same, and that the profile goes to something like 60 instead of the stock 55.)

I guess the options are:

-18s (but how with the lack of 7" width?)

-17s (probably the easiest thing but big handling loss.)

-Some people say that the right tires on the 19s will make a big difference, but I find that hard to believe with the same amount of sidewall. (Pirelli Scorpion, Conti Crosscontact LX25)

Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

Im not totally clear on your needs -you may not BE either I say see the doc 1st -- then go with some 17s and if that works then your on the right track for peanuts and minimal cost - + your handling wont be bad + reversable investment if sale is needed - the 17s can be fitted with a harder sidewall and meet you 1/2 way ........- because you have convicted the "' stock tire / Wheel Combo - being the cause of back pain --- again ---That said you might consider a physician first -- then realize that the 25 suspension was changed yet has the same handling if not better- as I had a 22 . 23 and now a 25 pp - The 25 is smoother -and all around much more sophisticated- in its preload / soaks up small road imperfections with less noise and jarring u[- Has G- vectoring and more -- I still dont get why you would choose the highest tightest sprung x-over in this segment ? knowing yuou situation --You want your cake and eat it too maybe ???- also dont see tires changing this issue + not designed for that tire - I dont have another suggestion as its a new vehicle- try the 17 - theN you can find a tire

 

[FerrariF1]

I have 18" rims for both winter and summer sets. I sold the 19" OEM wheels and tires. The 18"s ride well, no issues.

Winter: 18x8.0 ET+45 with 225/60-18 tires
Summer: 18x8.0 ET+45 with 245/55-18 tires

 

[N7turbo]

I am in a similar situation to the OP. I would not mind a better ride, but I really would like the steering to be a bit less heavy/dead feeling. My initial move was to simply replace the OEM tires with a good all season tire, I chose the Goodyears with the tread pattern like the Michelin CC2 (I forget the name of the Goodyears). As the TireRack testing predicted, the ride was improved and the handling was a little sharper. I think I want to use the Goodyears as the foul weather tire and replace them in drier months with a more performance capable tire, on a smaller rim. I would like to get a lightweight 18" rim and a tire like the Conti LX25 or the Pirelli AS+3. I had thought of using a high performance summer tire, but that does not seem to be something that I can do.
I liked the suggestion above:
whether you go for 17's or 18's any of those width's with an ET of 45mm is what i'd aim for.
225/65-r17
or
225/60-r18

If you're looking for performance tires, skip the Touring category and look under High Performance All-Season.

 

[ScottSt]

I run 18s as well on our new Turbo, and we run 17s on our 2020 Sport. I've had a mix of 17, 18 and 19 (OEM and high end Enkei) and think that 18" is a good compromise though honestly for the car and its usage for us 17 might actually be ideal (bad road absorption and lighter weight).

Keep an eye on weight as it effects ride just as much as sidewall height.

The 19" OEMs on our Turbo were >60lbs for the wheel and tire and I took 14lbs per corner off with these Enkei PF01s. They are ET40 and you can feel it in the steering (more torque steer). While it's fine for my needs I agree with folks that you should ideally go ET45 all else equal.

 

[N7turbo]

I think +40 is fine if you are narrower than 8.5" 245.

 

[ScottSt]

Et40 "fits" just fine. I'm just talking about the steering and torque steer impact of shifting the center of the contact patch "out" from factory spec. I can definitely feel it. Don't get me wrong, I'm sticking with it, but I'd personally go ET45 if I had the option with the same wheel.

 

[SKL]

I'm also considering downsizing to 17" or 18" wheels since our new CX-5 has replaced our previous camping car ('05 Outback) so she'll see some light dirt road usage and also serve as the winter car.

I'm leaning towards 17" since both wheels and tires are both cheaper compared to 18's. And I actually want taller sidewalls.
As for tires, most likely going with Falken Wildpeak's as they served me well on the Outback. They're pretty good on-road with negligible noise for a mild all-terrain tire.

 

[ZooMazda24]

I am in a similar situation to the OP. I would not mind a better ride, but I really would like the steering to be a bit less heavy/dead feeling. My initial move was to simply replace the OEM tires with a good all season tire, I chose the Goodyears with the tread pattern like the Michelin CC2. As the TireRack testing predicted, the ride was improved and the handling was a little sharper. I think I want to use the Goodyears as the foul weather tire and replace them in drier months with a more performance capable tire, on a smaller rim.

EDIT: ok, so I went too far with the Goodyear tires, I think. They are big, burly, snow-approved and must weigh a ton, also the gas mileage on them is not impressing me at all.
That is why I want to use them when I need them-winter.
I should have gotten spring/summer tires on my 19" rims and a smaller winter wheel/tire.
I would like to get a lightweight 18" rim and I am leaning to the Pirelli P Zero AS+3.
I wonder about that line of Pirelli as they come in a variety of flavors: Scorpion AS+3,
P Zero AS+3 100SL or 104XL. I have seen a lot of CX-5 folks using Scorpions, as they are the 'SUV' tire, and some folks are using the XL version of the P Zero (which I think is eCar focused).
A TireRack guy suggested that the SL version is fine, it is the rating of the OEM tires after all.

I liked the suggestion above:
whether you go for 17's or 18's any of those width's with an ET of 45mm is what i'd aim for.
225/65-r17
or
225/60-r18

I did the Pirelli P Zero AS+3 / Enkei Triumph.
Steering is much less heavy and is more accurate.
Ride is just slightly less cushy than the Goodyears (great riding tires).
Handling is very nice.