Subaru Impreza Tires

Subaru Impreza uses 13 distinct tire sizes across 1993 through 2026: 165/80R13 for 1993-1995, 175/70R14 for 1993-1997, 185/70R14 for 1995-1996, 195/60R15 for 1995-2004, 205/60R15 for 1997-2001, 205/55R16 for 1998-2025, 225/45R17 for 2004-2010, 215/45R17 for 2006-2007, 205/50R17 for 2008-2023, 235/45R17 for 2011-2014, 195/65R15 for 2012-2016, 245/40R18 for 2008-2014, and 225/40R18 for 2017-2026. Those correspond to 13-, 14-, 15-, 16-, 17-, and 18-inch rim diameters depending on year and configuration.

The practical takeaway is that Subaru Impreza fitment cannot be chosen by model name alone. Start with the exact year, then confirm the wheel diameter actually on the car, and only then match the tire size. Years with three, four, or five listed sizes need extra care because the split usually reflects different wheel packages rather than a simple running change.

Subaru Impreza uses several rim diameters across this production span: 13 inches, 14 inches, 15 inches, 16 inches, 17 inches, and 18 inches. Early 1993-1994 applications are 13- and 14-inch, 15-inch fitments appear in 1995, 16-inch fitments begin in 1998, 17-inch fitments begin in 2004, and 18-inch fitments begin in 2008. There is no single wheel diameter that covers the entire Subaru Impreza range here.

That makes wheel measurement one of the most important checks before choosing a tire. A Subaru Impreza may share the same model year with several other sizes, so the actual rim diameter on the car matters more than assumptions about trim or appearance. If the car has changed hands or been modified, inspect the wheel itself before selecting a replacement tire.

A 2012 Subaru Impreza has five listed sizes because that year spans several wheel-diameter configurations: 195/65R15, 205/55R16, 205/50R17, 235/45R17, and 245/40R18. The split is primarily a wheel-diameter and configuration split rather than one universal fitment. Subaru Impreza applications in that year range could be equipped with 15-, 16-, 17-, or 18-inch wheels, and the correct tire follows the wheel size.

For a 2012 Subaru Impreza, the fastest way to avoid a mistake is to read the size from the current tire or verify the wheel diameter directly. If the car has aftermarket wheels, the original year-based size may no longer apply. Once the wheel diameter is confirmed, the year listing becomes a much more reliable way to narrow the correct section width and profile.

On a Subaru Impreza, 165/80R13 means the tire has a nominal section width of 165 millimeters, an 80-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and fits a 13-inch rim. This size appears on certain 1993 through 1995 Subaru Impreza applications. It is one of the earliest and smallest overall fitments in the full Subaru Impreza range listed here.

That code matters because a 13-inch Subaru Impreza wheel cannot use the 14-, 15-, 16-, 17-, or 18-inch sizes listed for other years and configurations. When replacing an early tire, check both the size on the sidewall and the wheel diameter, since those first production years overlap with another early size. Whitewall style can then be chosen after the fitment itself is settled.

A 2009 Subaru Impreza can use 205/50R17, 205/55R16, 225/45R17, or 245/40R18 depending on configuration. The key facts are the model year and the wheel diameter already on the car, because 2009 spans 16-, 17-, and 18-inch fitments. The correct tire size is the one that matches both the wheel diameter and the specific setup the car carries.

Begin by reading the full size from the current sidewall, then compare it to the year listing for 2009. If the car has been fitted with different wheels over time, prioritize the actual wheel and existing correct-size tire over assumptions about factory trim. This is especially important on Subaru Impreza models that may have been modified for appearance or performance.

Subaru Impreza tire offerings here include blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, RWL, and redline sidewall styles. Blackwall choices are the most common across the later 16-, 17-, and 18-inch performance-oriented sizes, while whitewall, RWL, and redline options appear in several 13-, 14-, 15-, 16-, 17-, and 18-inch sizes. The sidewall choice depends on both tire size and the look the owner wants.

For a stock modern-era Subaru Impreza, blackwall is usually the most natural visual match. Whitewall, RWL, or redline styles may appeal more to custom builds or owners intentionally creating a period-inspired or personalized look. Once the correct size and wheel diameter are settled, sidewall style becomes a styling decision rather than a fitment decision.

Brands represented for Subaru Impreza sizes here include Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, Michelin, Avon, Dunlop, Vredestein, American Classic, Coker Classic, Nitto, Pro-Trac, and M&H Racemaster. Some brands concentrate on whitewall or classic-style radials, while others focus on blackwall performance sizes in the later 16-, 17-, and 18-inch applications. Brand availability changes substantially from one Subaru Impreza size to another.

That means brand choice should come after the size has been confirmed. A Subaru Impreza owner looking at a 195/60R15 tire will see a very different brand and sidewall mix than someone shopping for 225/40R18 or 245/40R18. Once the size is fixed, compare brand offerings by appearance, approved rim-width range, and intended use.

Subaru Impreza sizes here are offered across many series, including Silvertown Radial, Classic Whitewall MA-1, Radial TA, Michelin Primacy 3, CR6ZZ, Sport Classic, Michelin XAS, Sprint Classic, American Classic Radial, Star Series, g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Sport Comp 2, g-Force Phenom T/A, Nitto NT555 G2, Street Pro III, Drag Radial, Sprint Plus, Michelin SX MXX3 N2, and UN106. Those series differ mainly in styling, tread intent, and performance character rather than basic fitment. Some are classic-style whitewall or redline radials, while others are blackwall performance or specialty-use radials.

For a Subaru Impreza owner, the best way to use series information is to decide how the car will be driven and how it should look. A restored or customized street car may suit a whitewall, redline, or RWL radial, while a later sporty application may be better matched visually by a blackwall performance series. Always keep the correct size and wheel diameter as the non-negotiable starting point.

A Subaru Impreza that sits for long periods should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, and ozone-producing equipment. Clean tires and proper inflation help prevent flat-spotting and sidewall stress during storage. Collector-minded owners should also avoid leaving the car parked for months on one exact footprint if possible.

Moving the Subaru Impreza periodically or supporting it in a way that reduces constant load can help preserve the shape of the tires, especially on low-profile later sizes. Before returning the car to regular driving, check inflation and inspect the sidewalls and tread surfaces carefully. Good storage habits matter just as much on a lightly used modern classic as they do on an older collector car.

Tires on a Subaru Impreza should be inspected regularly, with a close visual check before any longer drive and a more thorough inspection at routine service intervals. Look for cracking, bulges, punctures, irregular shoulder wear, and signs of underinflation or overinflation. On an all-wheel-drive Subaru Impreza, even subtle differences in wear deserve attention because tire uniformity matters.

Low-use cars often age out their tires before they wear them out, so a Subaru Impreza that spends much of its life in the garage still needs scheduled inspections. Include the inner sidewall and the full tread surface rather than checking only what is visible from the outside. If anything appears questionable, have the tires evaluated before highway use.

A Subaru Impreza tire should be replaced when age, cracking, impact damage, irregular wear, or hardening of the rubber makes continued use questionable, even if tread depth still appears acceptable. Tread alone is not the whole story on a collector-driven or lightly used car. Time, storage conditions, and heat cycles can all affect the condition of a tire long before the grooves look worn out.

The practical rule is to treat aging tires as service items, not permanent equipment. If a Subaru Impreza has sat for years or shows visible weathering, plan on a careful evaluation before resuming normal road use. Matching replacement as a full set is often the cleanest approach when wear or age differs significantly from one corner to another.

The listed Subaru Impreza tires are modern radial products intended for real road use when they are the correct size for the wheel and are in proper condition. Safety depends on choosing the right size for the exact Subaru Impreza configuration, keeping inflation correct, and avoiding aged or damaged tires. A tire that fits the wheel and matches the car’s intended use is far safer than a size chosen only because it looks close.

Before regular road driving, make sure all four tires on the Subaru Impreza are compatible in size and condition, especially on all-wheel-drive applications. Check for old repairs, sidewall damage, and uneven wear that could point to alignment or suspension issues. If the car has aftermarket wheels, confirm that the tire size still falls within an appropriate fitment range for those rims.

Before driving a Subaru Impreza, check tire pressure, sidewall condition, tread surface, valve stems, and overall consistency across the set. Verify that the tire size matches the wheel diameter and that there is no obvious rubbing, bulging, or uneven wear. On later Subaru Impreza applications with lower-profile 17- and 18-inch tires, wheel damage and curb impact deserve extra attention.

A short pre-drive inspection is especially worthwhile on a Subaru Impreza that has been parked for extended periods. Look closely at the inside shoulders if the car has a performance-oriented alignment or wide wheel package. Any vibration, pull, or sudden change in steering feel on the road should be treated as a reason to stop and recheck the tires immediately.

The appropriate speed for a Subaru Impreza depends on the exact tire fitted, its condition, and the way the car is being used. Even when the size is correct, real-world safe speed is governed by the age of the tire, inflation, load, road conditions, and whether the set is a normal street radial or a more specialized performance-oriented product. No single speed answer covers every Subaru Impreza size on this page.

The sensible approach is to drive within the limits of the specific tire and the actual condition of the car rather than assuming every Subaru Impreza should be driven the same way. Fresh, properly matched street radials in the correct size support normal use far better than aged, mismatched, or damaged tires. If the car is newly acquired, conservative speeds are wise until the tires and chassis have both been fully evaluated.