Why the switch to big rims?

[bryan8252]

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.

 

[15burban]

Mainly for looks is my guess. We have 18s on our suburban and they look a little small compared to the rest of the vehicle. I do like the 18s though for more sidewall since we live on a gravel road and the country roads are pretty bad in our area.

If buying from a dealer you could see if they would swap out the 20s or 22s for 18s if they have another vehicle on the lot with on. Or some dealers by me have factory take offs for sale that might be able to be worked into your deal for little or no cost.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

In my opinion, the reason is two-fold.

(1) @15burban covered the aesthetics reason for you already, and from the many threads in this Forum on wheel looks and preferences, this is important to many SUV owners.

(2) When SUVs first came out decades ago, they were used primarily for off-road adventures. Lots of tire height was preferred on overland terrains to avoid damage to the SUV, and at that time 15" wheels were the standard, and the high side-walled tires worked out very well for those purposes. Fast forward to a decade ago, SUVs became popular for on paved road purposes and ultimately a family vehicle. As a result, quality of ride became a priority, and safety of handling became an issue for these top heavy trucks. Using a tire with a shorter height sidewall took out the bounciness of the high height sidewalls (had to be balanced so the ride did not become too firm) and improved handling of paved roads, and since the overall height of the wheel/tire combination had already been established, a shorter height tire sidewall necessitated a larger diameter wheel.

Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[swathdiver]

Some of the newest suvs and trucks have 24s now!

 

[jmzvet]

Purely aesthetics. Im sure you would have no problem finding someone to trade their 18s for your 22s

 

[B-train]

Look on the interwebs, or FB marketplace for a set of take-offs. Usually can find decent deals. Then sell yours to someone who's all about dem dubs.....

 

[Hobert]

Purely aesthetics. Im sure you would have no problem finding someone to trade their 18s for your 22s

I custom ordered a 2019 suburban (I Know not a 2021+). Papers signed deposit down I leave. A few days later I get a call, we can't place your order. It has the wrong wheels and will not look "right". I go in explain the Z71 off rad package and the reason for 18's. They tell me they have never seen 18's on a suburban. I take them out to there lot, show them a blacked out Z71 with 18's. DUH order placed.

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.

 

[Sparksalot]

For the rougher ride of course. Can't help that with rubber band tires.

 

[gooffeyguy]

I hate large wheels/low profile tires on trucks/SUVs, but I know as the brakes get bigger the wheels need to get bigger to clear them. That being said, I think 18s are like the minimum to clear current brake setups. My 20s don't ride bad and have a decent amount of sidewall. I'd probably never go bigger unless the rubber/sidewall is bigger also.

My 2001 came with 17s, which was big for back then

 

[Marky Dissod]

I was at a 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.

For the rougher ride of course. Can't help that with rubber band tires.

I remember when unnecessarily large (HEAVY) wheels first came into fashion.
94-96 Impala SS came with 17" wheels. (Was than when the whole metrozekzual thing was born?)
It's not like an Impala SS could measurably outhandle a Caprice 9C1 without aftermarket mods anyway.
So what were the 17" wheels for, really, except aesthetics?
Today's 255/50R17 tires barely perform any better than they did back then ...

Then came the Tahoe Limited, which used the Z56 suspension, except with different wheels (255/70R16?) ...
much like the Impala SS.

When did the Cadillac Escalade first go from 265/70R17 to 265/60R18?
By that time, idjitards and schmuckbeciles rollin' on dubbadubdubs (20+2+2); spinners were becoming a thing.

You know what else was becoming a thing at the same time?
Never saw more cars / trucks on two or three aftermarket wheels ... and one or two rusty spares ...
Never saw more vehicles on milkcrates with wheels & tires GONE; someone wanted them even more badly I guess ...

 

[blackelky]

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.

How much do you want to sell the lexus for?

 

[jforb]

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

 

[EducatorDan]

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.

 

[K2 Kaiju]

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...

 

[bryan8252]

Lots of great replies. Thank you all.

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.

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.

How much do you want to sell the lexus for?

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

 

[gooffeyguy]

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.

 

[BlaineBug]

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.

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

 

[BlaineBug]

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.

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.

 

[malba2366]

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

 

[tjs3922]

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!