Why the switch to big rims?

bryan8252 said:

Does anyone have any insight into why there seems to be a push by automakers to have their big SUVS rolling on 20" and 22" rims? I don't have them, never drove on them, nor do I want them. A few people I've talked to aren't happy with the ride quality of them.

I am looking to replace my current Lexus GX 460 with a larger SUV and the Yukon is one I am looking at, but it seems the lowest rim size is 20". I don't really want to spend $75k and then another $3k for rims/tires.

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How much do you want to sell the lexus for?

lots of folks who played with Hot Wheels cars as kids, are driving full sized real cars now, and want to get back to the look of their childhood toys

Very happy to have 18s but I've also got the lowest trim package. When it comes time to replace the tires I also should have lots of options at lots of price points.

Honestly most of those trims will take smaller rim sizes within reason, shouldn't be hard to downsize your 20s to 18s or your 22s to 18s.

Yes brake clearance will be the deciding factor but there are lots of vehicles on large factory wheels making their factory brakes look dinky when glimpsed through those same wheels.

For years I longed for the looks of 22s on my Suburban LT with 18s. Weeks after I got my Denali with the 22s, I couldnt sell them fast enough to get back to 18s. Function > form...

Lots of great replies. Thank you all.

Hobert said:

I was at an Firestone/Bridgestone dealers conference and had dinner with a number of dealers. They love the low profile tires. Half the tire life $$$. Also in the northern pothole states, many cracked rims.

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Was unaware of the rims cracking. Maybe there will be enough that they decide to move away from them.

Several mentions of the rims needed to clear larger brakes. I'm curious if making the brakes larger is the lazy way to do it. I'm not an engineer but when a lot of things get smaller and better/more powerful, I'm surprised the response to get better braking is to increase the brake size that would then necessitate having to increase the rims to the ridiculous (my opinion) proportions they are.

blackelky said:

How much do you want to sell the lexus for?

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I haven't gotten there yet. I really like it except I need more room.

Better breaking means more heat and the larger rotors dissipate the heat more.

I'm sure there are brakes made with better materials that dissipate heat well and could perform as well while being smaller but they'd be pricey and probably wouldn't last as long.

bryan8252 said:

Does anyone have any insight into why there seems to be a push by automakers to have their big SUVS rolling on 20" and 22" rims? I don't have them, never drove on them, nor do I want them. A few people I've talked to aren't happy with the ride quality of them.

I am looking to replace my current Lexus GX 460 with a larger SUV and the Yukon is one I am looking at, but it seems the lowest rim size is 20". I don't really want to spend $75k and then another $3k for rims/tires.

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Looks, better high-speed handling due to less sidewall, being able to fit larger brake rotors and calipers.

bryan8252 said:

Lots of great replies. Thank you all.



Was unaware of the rims cracking. Maybe there will be enough that they decide to move away from them.

Several mentions of the rims needed to clear larger brakes. I'm curious if making the brakes larger is the lazy way to do it. I'm not an engineer but when a lot of things get smaller and better/more powerful, I'm surprised the response to get better braking is to increase the brake size that would then necessitate having to increase the rims to the ridiculous (my opinion) proportions they are.



I haven't gotten there yet. I really like it except I need more room.

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They could do a dual-caliper with smaller calipers I suppose rather than one large caliper, not sure about heat dissipation with a smaller rotor though.

Because the vehicle looks better, and it will also corner and turn slightly better with the bigger wheels.

I have had factory 22" on my last 4 vehicles and I really like them I did not notice any comfort drop off from 15 Suburban that had 18".

My 2 current Yukons have 22" and also air ride suspension which makes my ride feel like a 75 Caddy with red velour interior!