Are big wheels not just for toys? Any advantages for big tires / wheels?

[jwanderson88]

This is a new Kia design. We're seeing oversized tires on some new cars. Do big tires have an advantage or are they just for looks. I like Kia's new designs.

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[Donald Stanfield]

If by big wheels you're talking about big rims as in the picture, the advantage is better handling characteristics, but the disadvantage is worse ride quality. Less rubber and more metal make the sidewall stiffer for cornering, but the less rubber also doesn't absorb bumps.

 

[jwanderson88]

What I mean is the wheels look big compared to the size of the car. I'm talking about looks. I wasn't referring to the technical aspects of the size of the rims versus the size of the tires, although that's a good point. I'd also like to say that I like the looks of Kia's latest EV models. I think they have car design figured out. If I didn't have a Rivian, it would be a tossup between a Cadillac and a Kia.

 

[Cycliste]

A bigger diameter wheel-tire rolls over obstacles better. Larger diameters are better off road. Compare rollerblade wheels and 34 inch wheels

 

[Zoidz]

IMO *for the typically driven street car* any advantages (if there are any) are outweighed by downside factors.

Advantages (not considering tire aspect):
The tire contact patch is a bit bigger so traction is a bit better - but is that a significant gain?

Disadvantages:
Increase in mass = worse efficiency
Increase in unsprung weight = worse ride
Tires cost more
Increase rolling resistance

Formula 1 cars use 18" (not 22" or 25") wheels for a reason......

Not my thing....

 

[ksurfier]

Test drove a Kia many years ago, it bounced around like a clown car…thinking that they must be better by now…
Filling up the wheel well may have some aero benefits…but as far as performance goes, ideal tire is 18” (at least for F1), so likely just for locks and maybe some efficiency benefits:

 

[mpshizzle]

For an on road vehicle it's definitely an aesthetics thing. Consumers like big wheels.

Some manufacturers use it to manipulate perception of the size of the vehicle too. In a recent interview the head of design at Rivian mentioned this with regard to the R2. They pushed the wheels to the corners and made them bigger to make the vehicle feel smaller. My guess is that this is because the boxy shape makes it feel big, so they did that to counteract that effect. Thus differentiating from R1S, and making it feel like it fits the midsize segment

 

[Nixapatfan]

It's mostly for looks to hide how tall and slab sided new vehicles have become, also fills the wheel well gap on CUV's which are essentially hatchbacks on stilts.

 

[RivAW]

A bigger diameter wheel-tire rolls over obstacles better. Larger diameters are better off road. Compare rollerblade wheels and 34 inch wheels

You are confusing two different things. Both the wheel size and the tire size affect the ride and are different things. For offloading or obstacles, you want smaller wheels, with more rubber (sidewall). For road use (efficiency/performance) you get bigger diameter wheels, with less rubber (less sidewall, not necessarily less width)

 

[lefkonj]

I am always shocked at how big the R1S 22s are. Can't imagine how the 23s would ride.

 

[CarGuyCarl]

More sidewall is important for off roading, and in general for comfort on most vehicles. Large wheels are almost always an aesthetic thing.

 

[s0ysauce]

I prefer a more comfortable ride in an SUV. It's not a track car, so I don't need low profile tires just to fit 22's.

 

[elektrode]

Came here hoping that the ALSO spinoff was making electric Big Wheels.

Color me disappointed.

 

[CrazyOne]

Big wheel + tire reduces body roll. It increases the unsprung mass though. There is a sweet spot for every vehicle

 

[beatle]

Filling up the wheel well may have some aero benefits…but as far as performance goes, ideal tire is 18” (at least for F1), so likely just for locks and maybe some efficiency benefits:

They just changed to 18" wheels so the trickle down technology from racing to street would be more relevant. They used small wheels before to limit the brake size. Smaller wheels are lighter, all other things equal.

Large wheels allow you to run larger brakes, which are needed to slow down heavier vehicles and take advantage of improvements to tire technology so you can stop in shorter distances which is good for safety. Larger brakes also absorb more energy, so you're less likely to experience brake fade while going down a mountain.

Generally, larger wheels mean reduced range.

A larger tire doesn't really have anything to do with body roll; that's a function of the suspension. A shorter/stiffer sidewall can make the steering more "crisp"

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