Why are minivans going to lower profile tires?

[rslifkin]

Going from a 215/65R16 to a 235/60R17 doesn't really reduce the sidewall significantly, but it does increase the overall diameter. And judging by other offerings with the Camry platform the Sienna is based on, it likely needs 17s on the new version to fit over the larger brakes.

At this point, with cars getting heavier due to safety standards, 17s are pretty much the new 15s (allows for bigger brakes, sometimes more tire load rating, etc.)

Also, if they put wider, better performing tires on a vehicle, that's a good thing in my mind. More braking grip and more cornering grip give you a better chance of avoiding an accident when stuff goes bad. Personally, I cringe every time I see a car on some super-skinny cheap all seasons, as I know they've got very little excess grip to work with.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Blame the swagger wagon pheomenon. Trying to get street cred and be sporty with those lo-pro tires

 

[Johnny2Bad]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: VeeDubb
I noticed the MPG is worse now (they didn't change the engine). Old one pulled 26-28 on highway. New one barely gets 25.

Looking at fueleconomy.gov, EPA figures for 2016 Sienna FWD are 18 city / 25 hwy. EPA figures for 2010 Sienna FWD are 17 city / 23 hwy.



Between 2010 and 2016 the EPA changed the mileage test cycle; the numbers are not comparable.

 

[UG_Passat]

Originally Posted By: VeeDubb
I noticed the latest Sienna uses 235/60/17 tires as compared to 215/65/16 in the previous generation. Why? We are talking about a minivan here so carving corners through mountain roads is not exactly a priority. Plus you give up ride comfort, better winter traction, better MPG, and cheaper tire replacements. Somebody explain the logic to me.


235/60 has a taller sidewall than 215/65.

Do the math.
235*.6 = 141mm
215*.65 = 139.75mm

Toyota markets the SE trim as the "swagger wagon" and it gets "sports suspension" and 235/50R19 tires.

 

[JHZR2]

Ours use 235/65-17. Of course theyre not claiming to be a "swagger wagon" (LOL).

 

[Lolvoguy]

Originally Posted By: rslifkin

Personally, I cringe every time I see a car on some super-skinny cheap all seasons, as I know they've got very little excess grip to work with.


I applaud the owners of such cars for seeing past the vanity and choosing a wiser choice that will yield better, fuel economy, ride quality, cheaper replacement tires etc. I mean honestly, unless you are constantly driving at higher speeds with more obstacles, there's really no reason to have all that extra grip

 

[VeeDubb]

One surprising thing is that on some sedans like my VW Passat, the wheel sizes are actually reversing. For example, the B6 Passat (2006-2010) ran 215-55-16 or 235-45-17. The new B7 runs 215-60-16 or 215-55-17.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: VeeDubb
One surprising thing is that on some sedans like my VW Passat, the wheel sizes are actually reversing. For example, the B6 Passat (2006-2010) ran 215-55-16 or 235-45-17. The new B7 runs 215-60-16 or 215-55-17.


Tires are getting ever better and the utility of wider tires is dubious in many situations, like standing water and snow.

Im surprised that my hybrid comes with 225 width tires! Id have thought 205 would be more suitable...

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Johnny2Bad
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: VeeDubb
I noticed the MPG is worse now (they didn't change the engine). Old one pulled 26-28 on highway. New one barely gets 25.

Looking at fueleconomy.gov, EPA figures for 2016 Sienna FWD are 18 city / 25 hwy. EPA figures for 2010 Sienna FWD are 17 city / 23 hwy.



Between 2010 and 2016 the EPA changed the mileage test cycle; the numbers are not comparable.

EPA changed the MPG test methodology in 2007.

The numbers I posted are for the new test cycle for both cars.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: VeeDubb
One surprising thing is that on some sedans like my VW Passat, the wheel sizes are actually reversing. For example, the B6 Passat (2006-2010) ran 215-55-16 or 235-45-17. The new B7 runs 215-60-16 or 215-55-17.


Tires are getting ever better and the utility of wider tires is dubious in many situations, like standing water and snow.

Im surprised that my hybrid comes with 225 width tires! Id have thought 205 would be more suitable...

OEM of 2014 Accord LX is 205/65-16, you hybrid is heavier because of extra weight of electric motor, battery and other components so that Honda engineer thinks that 225 is appropriate for hybrid.

 

[dan_erickson]

If you do not like big wheels with low pro tires then don't buy it and stop complaining. Pretty darn simple.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: VeeDubb
Soon, those of us who are cheapskates and bought minivans for practicality reasons will have no more options

I'm sure when 14" or 15" wheels stopped being available on minivans, people were complaining, too. Time marches on. Eventually, those newer larger tire sizes become more common and more reasonably priced. I remember years ago when 205/55/16 tires used to be thought of as very exclusive, high performance, expensive option. Today, they are one of the most common and reasonably priced sizes.

Remember one of the best sport car, if not the best, of 1991 ? Acura NSX had 15" front tire and 16" on rear.

And 2000 Honda S2000 had 16" tires all around.

Most family sedan now has at least 16" tire and larger up to 19" as option.

Sure, 18-19" may look good but it doesn't look good at all when time for a new set.

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted By: VeeDubb
One surprising thing is that on some sedans like my VW Passat, the wheel sizes are actually reversing. For example, the B6 Passat (2006-2010) ran 215-55-16 or 235-45-17. The new B7 runs 215-60-16 or 215-55-17.

It is not reversing.
B6 model was same for Europe and US.
US Passat is downgraded now. It does not look nothing like European version (unfortunately).
VW decided to go after Camry, Accord etc. customers, so it put Passat on Skoda Superb platform, cheapened it, and decided to make ride less sporty, hence choice of tire size is according to those decisions.
In Europe new Passat is much sportier then B6.

 

[SatinSilver]

The standard tire size on a 2014 Toyota Avalon Limited is 225/45VR18 with a 225/40VR19 as the optional wheel. Then for 2015 to address ride complaints instead of the 19 inch wheel being optional the new optional wheel became a 215/55VR17. Which is what the base Avalon comes with.

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted By: SatinSilver
The standard tire size on a 2014 Toyota Avalon Limited is 225/45VR18 with a 225/40VR19 as the optional wheel. Then for 2015 to address ride complaints instead of the 19 inch wheel being optional the new optional wheel became a 215/55VR17. Which is what the base Avalon comes with.

Most of drivers who drive AValaon do not need four wheels, not 19 inches!

No offense, but that is kind of situation on the road.

 

[UG_Passat]

Originally Posted By: edyvw
Originally Posted By: VeeDubb
One surprising thing is that on some sedans like my VW Passat, the wheel sizes are actually reversing. For example, the B6 Passat (2006-2010) ran 215-55-16 or 235-45-17. The new B7 runs 215-60-16 or 215-55-17.

It is not reversing.
B6 model was same for Europe and US.
US Passat is downgraded now. It does not look nothing like European version (unfortunately).
VW decided to go after Camry, Accord etc. customers, so it put Passat on Skoda Superb platform, cheapened it, and decided to make ride less sporty, hence choice of tire size is according to those decisions.
In Europe new Passat is much sportier then B6.


Actually, the B7 Passat, NMS Passat and Skoda Superb are all on the B6 Passat PQ46 platform, which itself is derivative of the PQ35 platform

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: dan_erickson
If you do not like big wheels with low pro tires then don't buy it and stop complaining. Pretty darn simple.


Easier said than done. It is reasonably easy to avoid 18-19" wheels, but in some trims to get a vehicle outfit with other items that are desired, you have to take the obnoxious and expensive wheel and tire options too...

No choice.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: VeeDubb
One surprising thing is that on some sedans like my VW Passat, the wheel sizes are actually reversing. For example, the B6 Passat (2006-2010) ran 215-55-16 or 235-45-17. The new B7 runs 215-60-16 or 215-55-17.


Tires are getting ever better and the utility of wider tires is dubious in many situations, like standing water and snow.

Im surprised that my hybrid comes with 225 width tires! Id have thought 205 would be more suitable...

OEM of 2014 Accord LX is 205/65-16, you hybrid is heavier because of extra weight of electric motor, battery and other components so that Honda engineer thinks that 225 is appropriate for hybrid.


Are you saying that there is no 205 size tire that meets a load spec of 94 or better?

I find that dubious.

 

[UG_Passat]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: dan_erickson
If you do not like big wheels with low pro tires then don't buy it and stop complaining. Pretty darn simple.


Easier said than done. It is reasonably easy to avoid 18-19" wheels, but in some trims to get a vehicle outfit with other items that are desired, you have to take the obnoxious and expensive wheel and tire options too...

No choice.


When I bought my 2016 Tiguan.... I didn't want the 19" wheels on the mid-trim R-line and top-trim SEL.

So, I bought a SE, which was upper mid-trim, in between the R-line and SEL, and got me 18" wheels.... yeah, I had to sacrifice dual-zone automatic climate control, leather trim interior, upgraded stereo and power folding mirrors....

I had a choice.... and I made my choice.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Quote:


When I bought my 2016 Tiguan.... I didn't want the 19" wheels on the mid-trim R-line and top-trim SEL.

So, I bought a SE, which was upper mid-trim, in between the R-line and SEL, and got me 18" wheels.... yeah, I had to sacrifice dual-zone automatic climate control, leather trim interior, upgraded stereo and power folding mirrors....

I had a choice.... and I made my choice.

There are plenty of vw fanboys just waiting to gobble up these large oem wheels. So buy the car with the options that you want, and if it happens to come with huge rims, sell them and buy yourself smaller ones. You will probably still come out ahead.