tire upgrade for 2025 Elantra Limited

F

flinter

Joined
Jan 7, 2003
Messages
657
Location
New Jersey
Hi,

I am considering purchasing a 2025 Hyundai Elantra Limited. The car comes with tire size 225/45/17, and I believe that is considered high profile. I would like to be able to switch out this size for one with a bit more higher/taller side wall for a bit more smoother, comfortable ride. What size, if any, that I can move up to
that will NOT negatively effect my speedometer?
Or if this is not possible, what more premium touring tire of the same size would be a huge upgrade from the HORRIBLE low end Kumho Solus Majesty tires than come on the car. Tire Rack has them ranked at the absolute bottom of the barrel in their category!

Thanks
Michael in NJ
 
225/45r17 have a 4" sidewall that would be low profile to me.. but not bad compared to a GTI on 19" wheels.
only so much tire fits in the wheelwell so,

Also you mention speedo.. the only way to get more sidewall and keep the overall size the same is a smaller wheel.

I believe most 15" wheels still fit over the brakes so that might be an option.. to get more sidewall.

the 2020 elantra came with 205/55r16 and the winter set is 195/65r15

The second number is the aspect ratio so a bigger number means more sidewall height % vs the tread section width.
 
As Rand said, you can't keep the speedometer accurate without changing wheel size. To find out what is possible, go to Tire Rack's website and look up their winter tire/wheel packages. That will tell you the wheel and tire sizes that will work.
 
Tire Rack says you can go down to 15 inch wheels and tires in the size 195/65-15. On TR, you can buy a tire and wheel package pre-mounted and shipped to your door :)

Since you're in NJ, I'd suggest all-weather tires such as the Toyo Celsius II, which is a very nice riding tire that you would be happy with.

Another option is to use 15 inch wheels from a base model Elantra. You can get those from the junkyard or perhaps on eBay or FBM. Then get some all weather tires at the shop of your choice. Besides the Toyos I suggested earlier, you might also like the Nokian WRG5 or the Nordman Solstice 4 (TR doesn't carry those).

If you don't have a full-size spare, you could also get an additional wheel/tire to use as a full-size spare.
 
There's not much you can do with the factory 17 inch rims and even if it's a small change the speed will always change but not by a lot. I understand you want to keep them but the ride won't be as great as the 15's. Ask the dealer if they can swap out the 17's for 15's and give you a discount.
 
Again, I do NOT want to change the factory 17" wheels!! There most be some choices for the 225/45/17 tire that is MUCH better ride quality and comfort than these HORRID OEM Kumhos! Like I said, Tire Rack has them ranked totally the bottom and close to being "unsafe"!
 
flinter said:
I don't want to change the wheel size! I just want possible options for a better riding, more comfortable 17" tire that will work fine
with the 17" factory wheels!
Click to expand...
Thats quite abit different than your first post.
flinter said:
Again, I do NOT want to change the factory 17" wheels!! There most be some choices for the 225/45/17 tire that is MUCH better ride quality and comfort than these HORRID OEM Kumhos! Like I said, Tire Rack has them ranked totally the bottom and close to being "unsafe"!
Click to expand...
again thats not what you said to start the thread.

you said
flinter said:
I would like to be able to switch out this size for one with a bit more higher/taller side wall for a bit more smoother, comfortable ride. What size, if any,?
Click to expand...
Which is why you got the responses you did.

Goto tire rack and research standard or grand touring tires.
 
I NEVER said I wanted to change wheel size, ONLY a tire size that will be more smoother and comfortable than the crappy OEM Kumho
Solus Majesty tire.
 
flinter said:
I NEVER said I wanted to change wheel size, ONLY a tire size that will be more smoother and comfortable than the crappy OEM Kumho
Solus Majesty tire.
Click to expand...
but its impossible to change tire size for bigger sidewalls as you requested and keep the wheel size the same and an accurate speedometer
.. so its inferred.

Bad question gets you bad answers would be my summary

Now that you have clarified what you were asking. "I need better replacement tires"

I'd start your tire research by viewing tirerack tests
such as
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testDisplay.jsp?ttid=330
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testDisplay.jsp?ttid=336

Generally, I'd stay away from pirellis I had 2 sets on 2 vehicles and they hit bumps hard.
 
flinter said:
I don't want to change the wheel size! I just want possible options for a better riding, more comfortable 17" tire that will work fine
with the 17" factory wheels!
Click to expand...

You won't get much improvement that way, since the problem is the size itself :sneaky:

You will get MUCH better results by swapping the wheels to something smaller, and once you do, you will be so happy :D
 
I see the General Altimax RT45 is available in the size I need...225/45/17. Which Tire Rack is showing as one of the higher ranked grand touring tire which I would think would be a huge improvement from the OEM Kumhos.
 
Another option might be if I can convince a dealer to swap out the 205/55/16 wheel and tire set that comes standard on the Elantra SEL
trim. In my opinion, 16" wheel/tire is the sweet spot for smoothness and ride comfort.
 
flinter said:
I see the General Altimax RT45 is available in the size I need...225/45/17. Which Tire Rack is showing as one of the higher ranked grand touring tire which I would think would be a huge improvement from the OEM Kumhos.
Click to expand...

The RT45 is a quality tire, but the 365AW is probably better for your conditions. I can vouch for the 365AW. They are good tires.

flinter said:
Another option might be if I can convince a dealer to swap out the 205/55/16 wheel and tire set that comes standard on the Elantra SEL
trim.
Click to expand...

This is a better option, and they'll probably do it :)

205/55-16 is a good tire size with lots of options, and of course, more sidewall.

The base model was available with 195/65-15 for an even better ride, but 205/55-16 is a good compromise between ride and handling.
 
Did you drive it and find the ride terrible or just looking at reader opinion on TireRack?

Did you try lower level Elantra with 16” wheels to see if more pleasant a ride ? If not comfortable tires will never matter.
 
Oillover said:
Words of wisdom.

My Honda went from 17s to 15s and I've never looked back.
Not only is the ride more comfortable, but the replacement tires are far cheaper than the stock 17s
Click to expand...
Don't have to worry about rim shatter from potholes or curb rash as much since fatter tires tend to stick out and the rim edge is higher up so it's protected better.
 
May want to bring a T.P. gauge when test driving the ELANTRA to check / set the tire pressure . Should be able to see the T.P. on the display after driving a mile or more . If at around 44 P.S.I. from the factory you may want to pull into a near by parking area ( longer you drive , higher the pressure ) and let the T.P. down to 37 or so . This will give a better idea of how the car rides and handles .
 
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