Just got my new 2020 Outlander PHEV. Looking into getting BIGGER tires. Would like some feed back!

[Jamesnu]

Hey everyone,

Got a few questions regarding my 2020 Outlander PHEV:

- What is the biggest tire size I can get on the stock 18’s?

- Will a BIGGER tire size give it a little lift or none at all? I need that extra couple inches for the back roads this coming spring/summer.

- looking to get off road tires put on the stock, even open to getting both off-road wheel and tire.. any suggestions?


Yes, I understand these questions might have come up before.. or my questions may sound stupid, but really need some answers. Not too worried about mileage, just really need that little lift without having to get a lift kit installed.


Thanks!

 

[jaapv]

I think you will find that there are no bigger tyres to be fitted, as these are the maximum size possible; there is barely space to use snow chains as it is. "A couple of inches" is a massive increase in size.
In many countries it is illegal to fit tyres that are outside the car maker's specification, which may lead to insurance trouble.
I fear that you will be stuck with a lift kit for the use you intend.

 

[AntsCar]

Maybe just go for the "off-road" look

If you fit smaller alloys with bigger tyres, so that the car still ends up with 18 inch wheels?

 

[ThudnBlundr]

Actually it depends on the profile of the tyre. You could in theory fit tyres that are several inches larger in diameter but are higher profile (i.e narrower). That would mess up the gearing but not the clearances. It would also look slightly weird...

 

[jaapv]

Maybe just go for the "off-road" look

If you fit smaller alloys with bigger tyres, so that the car still ends up with 18 inch wheels?

You won't get more ground clearance, which is the aim.

 

[jaapv]

Actually it depends on the profile of the tyre. You could in theory fit tyres that are several inches larger in diameter but are higher profile (i.e narrower). That would mess up the gearing but not the clearances. It would also look slightly weird...

And they would rub at maximum steering lock...

 

[KJ78]

- What is the biggest tire size I can get on the stock 18’s?

Gaustin70 on this forum has installed 225/65r18 tires on their stock height phev and claim it doesnt rub under normal city driving. They're a nominal 29.5" tall tire vs the factory 27.75", so they should have gained 0.9" of ground clearance from the larger diameter tire. But in reality it will be less due to the taller sidewall being more flexible than the shorter one but they still probably gained at least 3/4" of an inch.

- Will a BIGGER tire size give it a little lift or none at all? I need that extra couple inches for the back roads this coming spring/summer.

You will gain a little extra clearance, at most half of the difference in overall diameter, you will NOT be getting a "couple of inches" of clearance from tires alone however. To get that much you'd have to be installing 32's or larger and those aren't going to fit without extensive cutting of the wheel arches along with a suspension lift.

View attachment 32s lol.jpg

- looking to get off road tires put on the stock, even open to getting both off-road wheel and tire.. any suggestions?

If you really want the offroad tires then I'd recommend going with a smaller diameter wheel (16's or 17's) and getting the tires on those. You'll have a far greater selection, and the tires will be much cheaper.


I personally am running 225/75r16 Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S's using 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer wheels I bought off Facebook marketplace. Zero rub at full lock on street driving and I'm even using a 3/4" wheel spacer to push the wheels out further, they do get very close to the plastic fender liner however. Even though these are a 29.25" nominal diameter tire, once they're under the weight of the phev they do lose a lot of their extra height. I am still at stock height as I am still waiting for my suspension lift to arrive.

Larger diameter tires will affect your speedometer and odometer too so you will need to bear that in mind as well.

View attachment all terrains.jpg
View attachment clearance.jpg

 

[Jamesnu]

- What is the biggest tire size I can get on the stock 18’s?

Gaustin70 on this forum has installed 225/65r18 tires on their stock height phev and claim it doesnt rub under normal city driving. They're a nominal 29.5" tall tire vs the factory 27.75", so they should have gained 0.9" of ground clearance from the larger diameter tire. But in reality it will be less due to the taller sidewall being more flexible than the shorter one but they still probably gained at least 3/4" of an inch.

- Will a BIGGER tire size give it a little lift or none at all? I need that extra couple inches for the back roads this coming spring/summer.

You will gain a little extra clearance, at most half of the difference in overall diameter, you will NOT be getting a "couple of inches" of clearance from tires alone however. To get that much you'd have to be installing 32's or larger and those aren't going to fit without extensive cutting of the wheel arches along with a suspension lift.

32s lol.jpg

- looking to get off road tires put on the stock, even open to getting both off-road wheel and tire.. any suggestions?

If you really want the offroad tires then I'd recommend going with a smaller diameter wheel (16's or 17's) and getting the tires on those. You'll have a far greater selection, and the tires will be much cheaper.


I personally am running 225/75r16 Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S's using 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer wheels I bought off Facebook marketplace. Zero rub at full lock on street driving and I'm even using a 3/4" wheel spacer to push the wheels out further, they do get very close to the plastic fender liner however. Even though these are a 29.25" nominal diameter tire, once they're under the weight of the phev they do lose a lot of their extra height. I am still at stock height as I am still waiting for my suspension lift to arrive.

Larger diameter tires will affect your speedometer and odometer too so you will need to bear that in mind as well.

all terrains.jpg
clearance.jpg

Thanks! Very helpful!