Subaru Tire Size Guide
OEM sizes for every Subaru model from Outback to WRX, the 2/32-inch AWD tread-matching rule, safe upgrade limits, lifted fitment charts, and how to verify any size change before you buy.
Quick answer
Most Subaru crossovers and SUVs use a 225/65R17 or 225/60R17 baseline size. The single most important thing to know about Subaru tires is the 2/32-inch tread depth matching rule: because Symmetrical AWD drives all four wheels permanently, mismatched tire diameters stress the drivetrain every mile. Always replace all four tires together, or shave a single replacement to match. For any size change, use the Subaru tire size calculator to check the exact diameter difference first.
Why Subaru AWD changes the tire conversation
Almost every other vehicle's tire guide can be summarised as "find the right size, choose a good brand." Subaru is different. The Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system that defines every Subaru (except the BRZ) creates specific tire requirements that can damage a drivetrain if ignored.
Symmetrical AWD permanently drives all four wheels
Unlike on-demand AWD that only engages the second axle when slip is detected, Subaru Symmetrical AWD is always active. All four wheels are rotating and contributing to drive — which means all four tires must stay matched to protect the system.
Tread depth difference rotates the AWD differentials continuously
If front tires are significantly more worn than rear tires (or vice versa), the drivetrain sees a constant rotational speed mismatch every single revolution. Over time, this stresses the viscous coupling and center differential far more than occasional off-road slip.
Subaru recommends a maximum of 2/32-inch tread depth difference across all four tires
This is tighter than the general AWD rule of 4/32 inch. It means replacing only one or two tires on a Subaru — even with the same brand and size — can still cause drivetrain stress if the remaining tires are significantly more worn.
Tire shaving is a legitimate solution when replacing one tire
If three tires still have useful tread and you must replace one due to damage, a tire shop can shave the new tire to match the tread depth of the existing three. This preserves the drivetrain while avoiding the cost of four new tires.
The Subaru 2/32-inch rule: tighter than most AWD vehicles
While many AWD manufacturers recommend keeping tires within 4/32 of an inch of each other, Subaru recommends a stricter maximum of 2/32 of an inch difference in tread depth across all four tires. This translates directly to rolling circumference: a brand-new tire paired with three tires worn to 50% tread can exceed this threshold and stress the AWD system every mile. When in doubt, replace all four — or ask your tire shop about shaving.
OEM tire sizes by model
Factory tire sizes are the most important reference point in every Subaru tire decision because they define the rolling diameter the AWD system was calibrated around and the clearance envelope the suspension was designed for.
Subaru Outback
| Years | OEM tire sizes |
|---|---|
| 2010–2014 | 225/65R17 (base/premium), 255/55R18 (Limited) |
| 2015–2019 | 225/65R17 (base/premium), 255/55R18 (Limited 3.6R) |
| 2020–2024 | 225/65R17 (base/premium), 225/60R18 (Limited), Wilderness: 225/65R17 AT |
Guide note: The Outback is one of the most popular Subaru upgrade targets. Most trims use 225/65R17 as their baseline, which makes it easy to compare upgrade sizes.
Subaru Forester
| Years | OEM tire sizes |
|---|---|
| 2009–2013 | 215/65R16 (base), 225/55R17 (XT/Limited) |
| 2014–2018 | 225/60R17 (base/premium), 225/55R18 (Touring/XT) |
| 2019–2024 | 225/60R17 (base/Sport), 225/55R18 (Touring/Limited), Wilderness: 225/60R17 AT |
| 2025+ | 225/65R17 (base/Sport/Touring), 225/55R18 (Limited) |
Guide note: The Forester Wilderness trim is the most compelling starting point for all-terrain tire upgrades thanks to its OEM all-terrain setup and extra suspension travel.
Subaru Crosstrek
| Years | OEM tire sizes |
|---|---|
| 2013–2017 | 215/60R16 |
| 2018–2023 | 225/60R17 (base/Premium/Sport), 225/55R18 (Limited) |
| 2024+ | 225/60R17 (base/Premium), 225/55R18 (Sport/Limited) |
Guide note: The Crosstrek is the most lift-and-tire-modified Subaru. It benefits more from going up one full tire-size category than almost any other model because its clearance is already oriented for that direction.
Subaru Impreza
| Years | OEM tire sizes |
|---|---|
| 2010–2011 | 205/55R16 (base/sedan), 205/50R17 (Sport) |
| 2012–2016 | 195/65R15 (base), 205/55R16 (mid), 215/45R17 (Sport/Limited) |
| 2017–2023 | 205/55R16 (base), 205/50R17 (Sport/Limited) |
| 2024+ | 205/55R16, 215/45R18 |
Guide note: Impreza tire upgrades are less common than on the SUV models, but going one size up on the base trims is a popular move for a more planted look and feel.
Subaru WRX
| Years | OEM tire sizes |
|---|---|
| 2015–2021 (VA) | 235/45R17 (base/Premium), 245/40R18 (Limited) |
| 2022+ (VB) | 235/45R18 (base/Premium), 245/40R18 (GT), 235/40R19 (GT Sport) |
Guide note: WRX tires are driven by performance rather than off-road clearance. The biggest practical upgrade is choosing better-quality summer or ultra-high-performance tires within the OEM diameter envelope.
Subaru WRX STI
| Years | OEM tire sizes |
|---|---|
| 2015–2021 | 245/40R18 (standard), 245/35R19 (some trims) |
Guide note: The STI spec is already at the high-performance end of the Subaru lineup. Most owners focus on tire compound and brand rather than size changes.
Subaru Legacy
| Years | OEM tire sizes |
|---|---|
| 2010–2014 | 215/55R17 |
| 2015–2019 | 225/55R17 (base/2.5i), 225/50R18 (3.6R/Limited) |
| 2020–2024 | 225/55R17 (base/Premium), 225/50R18 (Sport/Limited) |
Guide note: Legacy tire upgrades are typically conservative because the car is road-oriented. Matching the OEM diameter closely is more important here than on the SUV/crossover models.
Subaru Ascent
| Years | OEM tire sizes |
|---|---|
| 2019–2023 | 245/60R18 (base/Premium/Sport/Touring/Limited), 245/50R20 (Onyx) |
| 2024+ | 245/60R18 or 245/50R20 depending on trim |
Guide note: The Ascent is Subaru's three-row SUV. Its larger footprint means tire upgrades are physically simpler than on the Crosstrek, but the AWD matching rules apply with equal force.
Subaru BRZ
| Years | OEM tire sizes |
|---|---|
| 2013–2021 (ZC6) | 215/45R17 (base), 215/40R18 (Limited/Series.HyperBlue) |
| 2022+ (ZD8) | 215/40R18 (base/Premium), 235/35R18 (tS) |
Guide note: The BRZ is rear-wheel drive — so AWD matching rules do not apply. Tire width and compound choices dominate BRZ tire conversations.
Year-based quick reference
A cross-model reference by year group — covering the most common Subaru tire size years: 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
| Year group | Outback | Forester | Crosstrek | Impreza | Legacy | WRX | Ascent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010–2011 | 225/65R17 | 215/65R16 or 225/55R17 | N/A (first Crosstrek: 2013) | 205/55R16 or 205/50R17 | 215/55R17 | 235/45R17 | N/A (first Ascent: 2019) |
| 2013 | 225/65R17 or 255/55R18 | 215/65R16 or 225/55R17 | 215/60R16 | 195/65R15 or 205/55R16 | 215/55R17 or 225/50R18 | 235/45R17 | N/A |
| 2014–2015 | 225/65R17 or 255/55R18 | 225/60R17 or 225/55R18 | 215/60R16 | 195/65R15 or 205/55R16 | 225/55R17 or 225/50R18 | 235/45R17 | N/A |
| 2016–2017 | 225/65R17 or 255/55R18 | 225/55R18 | 215/60R16 | 195/65R15 or 215/45R17 | 225/55R17 or 225/50R18 | 235/45R17 | N/A |
| 2018–2019 | 225/65R17 or 255/55R18 | 225/60R17 or 225/55R18 | 225/60R17 or 225/55R18 | 205/55R16 or 205/50R17 | 225/55R17 or 225/50R18 | 235/45R17 or 245/40R18 | 245/60R18 or 245/50R20 |
* Sizes shown are representative base/mid trims. Higher trim levels and sport packages often use a larger wheel diameter. Always verify against your door-jamb placard for the definitive answer for your specific vehicle.
Lifted Subaru tire size charts
Subaru lift and tire upgrade content is one of the most popular topics in the space and one of the most poorly answered. This chart translates general lift guidance into specific tire sizes that have actually been tested on each platform.
Crosstrek (2013–2023)
OEM stock size
215/60R16 or 225/60R17
~27.0–28.6 inch
With leveling kit (0.5–1 inch lift)
215/75R15 (27.7"), 215/70R16 (27.9"), 225/60R17 (27.6")
With 2-inch lift kit
225/65R17 (28.5"), 215/75R15 (27.7")
Real-world note
2-inch lift plus minor trimming opens up 225/65R17 as a popular real-world max for most Crosstreks.
Forester (2014–2018)
OEM stock size
225/60R17 or 225/55R18
~28.2–28.5 inch
With leveling kit (0.5–1 inch lift)
225/70R16 (28.4"), 225/65R17 (28.5")
With 2-inch lift kit
225/70R16 (29.5" with 2" lift), 235/65R17 (29.0")
Real-world note
A 2-inch lift is the sweet spot for most non-Wilderness Foresters wanting meaningful size gains.
Forester (2019–2024)
OEM stock size
225/60R17 or 225/55R18
~28.2–28.5 inch
With leveling kit (0.5–1 inch lift)
225/65R17 (28.5")
With 2-inch lift kit
245/65R17 (29.5")
Real-world note
The Wilderness edition starts with an all-terrain tire from factory, giving a strong stock baseline.
Outback (2020–2024)
OEM stock size
225/65R17
~28.5 inch
With leveling kit (0.5–1 inch lift)
235/65R17 (29.0") or 245/65R17 (29.5") with rally wheel
With 2-inch lift kit
245/65R17 is popular; bumper trim may need attention at the extreme end
Real-world note
Many Outback owners run 245/65R17 on rally-style wheels without a lift. Going beyond that usually means permanent bumper work.
Impreza / WRX (2008+)
OEM stock size
205/55R16 or 225/55R17
~26.3–27.0 inch
With leveling kit (0.5–1 inch lift)
225/55R17 (27.0"), 215/65R17 (28.0")
With 2-inch lift kit
215/65R17 at +35mm offset
Real-world note
Impreza and WRX lift builds are less common, but the platform supports modest upgrades with careful offset selection.
6 safe upgrade rules for Subaru tires
These rules apply to every Subaru AWD model. Breaking them usually does not cause immediate failure — it causes slow, expensive drivetrain damage.
Keep diameter within ~1 inch of OEM on a stock vehicle
A larger diameter changes your rolling radius, which affects speedometer accuracy, gear feel, and — critically for Subaru AWD — the rotational speeds the drivetrain expects. Stay within approximately 1 inch overall diameter unless you have a lift and are comfortable with the consequences.
Always replace all four tires at the same time
The 2/32-inch Subaru tread depth rule means mismatching worn tires with new ones strains the AWD system every mile. Replacing all four ensures matched diameter and matched tread depth from day one.
If replacing one damaged tire, measure remaining tread depth first
If the other three tires are well-worn, a brand-new tire of the same size will have meaningfully more diameter. Ask your tire shop about shaving the new tire to match the remaining tread depth. This is a legitimate, cost-effective way to protect the drivetrain.
Avoid LT (Light Truck) rated tires on Subaru passenger vehicles
LT tires have stiffer sidewalls designed for truck loads. On a Subaru, they reduce suspension compliance, can stress wheel hubs and bearings over time, and are heavier — which increases unsprung mass and can reduce AWD response. Stick with P-metric or Euro-metric tires.
Match wheel offset carefully when changing tire width
Going significantly wider on the same stock wheels can change the effective track width and force the tire into the wheel arch. Subaru stock offsets are typically +48 to +55mm, which is quite high. If you use aftermarket wider tires, an offset of +35 to +40mm is usually more appropriate.
Use the tire size calculator before every size change
Calculating the actual diameter difference between OEM and proposed upgrade tells you the speedometer deviation, the rolling radius change, and how far outside Subaru's safe AWD window you are moving. Never estimate this by eye.
Best tire type by Subaru use case
One of the biggest gaps in most Subaru tire guides is that they tell you the size but not which type of tire to choose for your actual driving mix. This section connects tire type to real use cases.
Year-round street driving
All-season passenger (P-metric)Example tires
Michelin CrossClimate 2, Continental CrossContact LX25, Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack
Why
Subaru SUVs and crossovers are disproportionately popular in snow-prone regions. A quality all-season that performs well below 7°C covers the vast majority of Subaru owners's actual needs without the cost of a two-tire-set rotation.
Dedicated winter driving (below 7°C / 45°F)
Winter / snow tire on a separate 16 or 17-inch steel wheel setExample tires
Michelin X-Ice Snow, Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5, Bridgestone Blizzak WS90
Why
Subaru AWD is better than two-wheel drive in winter, but it does not make summer or worn all-season tires acceptable. A dedicated winter set provides a step-change improvement in cold-weather braking and cornering, and a smaller steel wheel set saves on the cost per season.
Mixed on-road / light off-road (Outback, Forester, Crosstrek)
All-terrain tire in OEM or mild upgrade sizeExample tires
BF Goodrich KO2, Falken WildPeak AT3W, General Grabber ATX
Why
For Subarus that see gravel, forest roads, or moderate trails alongside regular highway driving, an all-terrain tire in OEM diameter is often the best single-tire compromise. Going up one tire size on a lifted Outback or Forester extends trail capability meaningfully.
Performance / spirited driving (WRX, STI, BRZ)
Ultra-high-performance summer or all-season within OEM diameterExample tires
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02, Bridgestone Potenza Sport
Why
The WRX and STI platforms are designed around precise handling response. Tire compound and tread design matter far more than diameter here. Prioritise lateral grip and wet performance within the OEM size spec.
Adventure / overland build (Outback Wilderness, Forester Wilderness)
All-terrain tire in a mild upgrade size with a lift kitExample tires
BF Goodrich KO2, Yokohama Geolandar AT G015, Nitto Ridge Grappler
Why
The Wilderness editions come from factory with all-terrain rubber and extra clearance. They are the best base for meaningful size upgrades. Even a small lift of 1.5–2 inches opens up 225/65R17 to 245/65R17 territory comfortably.
Subaru AWD tire health checklist
Use this checklist every time you rotate tires, replace a tire, or suspect drivetrain binding.
Common Subaru tire mistakes
Most Subaru drivetrain damage from tires comes not from a single catastrophic error but from a series of small, ignored mismatches. These are the six most common.
Replacing only the flat tire with a new one
Why it damages the drivetrain: If the other three tires are worn, the new one will have a meaningfully larger rolling circumference. On a Subaru, this mismatch is seen by the AWD system as constant slip and stresses the viscous coupling every mile.
What to do instead: Either replace all four, or have the new tire shaved to match the tread depth of the remaining three.
Using a full-size spare of a different tire model or depth
Why it damages the drivetrain: Even if the spare is the same size code, a tire with significantly more tread depth changes the rolling radius. Use a spare only to get to a shop — not for extended driving.
What to do instead: Fit the spare, drive directly to a tire shop, and replace with a matched set.
Going up in diameter without accounting for speedometer error
Why it damages the drivetrain: A larger tire makes your speedometer read lower than your actual speed and can affect odometer-based service intervals. It also changes the effective gear ratio slightly.
What to do instead: Use the Subaru tire size calculator to measure the exact diameter difference before committing to an upgrade.
Buying LT-rated tires for an Outback or Forester because "they look tough"
Why it damages the drivetrain: LT tires require higher inflation pressure to carry their rated load and have stiffer sidewalls than P-metric tires. On a Subaru, they increase noise, reduce comfort, and can over-stiffen the ride on paved roads.
What to do instead: Choose P-metric all-terrain tires in the upgrade size. They provide the off-road capability without the truck-tire penalties on road.
Running different brands on the same axle
Why it damages the drivetrain: Even with the same size code, two different tire models can have different actual diameters due to manufacturing tolerances. On a permanently active AWD system, this matters more than on part-time AWD.
What to do instead: Keep all four tires as the same brand, model, and size. Replace as a set whenever possible.
Ignoring the 2/32-inch rule when rotating
Why it damages the drivetrain: Rotating a tire that has significantly more wear from a different position can create front-to-rear tread depth mismatches that stress the AWD system.
What to do instead: Measure all four tires before and after rotation. Subaru recommends a maximum 2/32-inch tread depth variation across all four tires.
Always verify with your door-jamb placard and the tire size calculator
Subaru tire sizes can vary by trim level within the same model year. The sizes in this guide reflect representative configurations. For your specific vehicle, the most authoritative source is always the tire placard on the inside of the driver's door jamb, which lists the exact OEM size, load rating, and recommended cold inflation pressure for your trim. Use the Subaru tire size calculator to verify the diameter difference before any upgrade.
Try the Subaru Tire Size Calculator
Compare any two Subaru tire sizes and see diameter change, speedometer deviation, and sidewall difference.