The 1988 Subaru XT came from a period when Subaru was experimenting with sharp wedge styling, advanced dashboards, and a more futuristic take on the compact sport coupe. Tire fitment on this car is more configuration-specific than it first appears, with four primary radial sizes used across the XT range: 165R13, 185/70R13, 205/60R14, and 195/60R14. That means the real starting point is identifying whether the car is a DL, GL, XT6 4WD, or XT6 FWD, and then matching the correct wheel diameter. From there, the choice shifts to sidewall presentation, tire series, and a road-use approach that suits either preservation-minded ownership or regular vintage driving.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1988 Subaru XT
The 1988 Subaru XT uses four primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model as well as wheel diameter. Two sizes fit 13-inch rims and two fit 14-inch rims, so confirming the car's actual wheel setup is the first step before comparing tread style, tire series, and period-appropriate radial options.
A 165R13 size uses a 165-millimeter nominal section width, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. In this format, the aspect ratio is not stated in the size itself, and it is commonly treated as a traditional Euro-metric radial layout. For the 1988 Subaru XT, this size suits a narrower-wheel configuration and is available in blackwall form from Michelin and Dunlop across series such as XAS-FF, XAS, and SP Sport Aquajet. It is the size to evaluate when maintaining the lighter, narrower fitment used on the applicable XT sub-model.
A 185/70R13 size indicates a 185-millimeter section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim. On the 1988 Subaru XT, it represents a wider 13-inch fitment than 165R13 while keeping the same wheel diameter. Product choice is broader here, with blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall options, plus tire series from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. This size deserves a closer look when the goal is to stay with the proper 13-inch fitment while choosing a more specific appearance or touring-oriented tire character.
A 205/60R14 size uses a 205-millimeter section width, a 60-series profile, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim. For the 1988 Subaru XT, this is one of the 14-inch fitments and carries a lower-profile look than the 13-inch tire sizes used elsewhere in the range. Its role is tied to a specific XT6 configuration, so it should be selected only after confirming the exact sub-model and wheel setup on the car. This is the size to examine when preserving the intended 14-inch XT6 stance rather than converting to a different wheel and tire package.
A 195/60R14 size means a 195-millimeter section width, 60-series profile, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter. On the 1988 Subaru XT, it is another sub-model-specific 14-inch fitment, distinct from the wider 205/60R14 used elsewhere in the lineup. The available product selection shown here centers on a blackwall Michelin MXV3-A, which gives this size a more focused replacement path than some of the 13-inch options. It is the right size to evaluate when the car retains its correct 14-inch wheels and the aim is to stay close to the intended fitment envelope.
Sub-model fitment on the 1988 Subaru XT is not interchangeable across the range, because each covered version uses its own primary tire size. Checking whether the car is a DL, GL, XT6 4WD, or XT6 FWD matters before comparing tires, especially since both 13-inch and 14-inch wheel diameters are involved.
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1988 Subaru XT DL
The 1988 Subaru XT DL uses the narrower 165R13 radial fitment on a 13-inch wheel. That makes tire selection less about choosing among multiple primary sizes and more about staying with the proper wheel diameter while comparing available blackwall radial series.
The 1988 Subaru XT GL uses 185/70R13 radial tires on a 13-inch rim. This opens up more variety in sidewall treatment and tire series, so the decision becomes balancing the correct size with the appearance and road-use character that best suits the car.
The 1988 Subaru XT XT6 (4WD) uses 205/60R14 radial tires, moving this version into a 14-inch wheel fitment. Tire selection starts with confirming that wheel diameter and then preserving the intended 14-inch XT6 configuration rather than assuming a 13-inch XT tire will use the same setup.
The 1988 Subaru XT XT6 (FWD) uses 195/60R14 radial tires on a 14-inch wheel. Because this size differs from the XT6 4WD fitment, the owner should confirm the exact drivetrain version and wheel package before choosing a replacement tire.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1988 Subaru XT Tires for Sale
Available 1988 Subaru XT tire choices are all radial, with the broadest variety in 185/70R13. Depending on size, options include Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, Avon, and Vredestein tires in blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall styles across several distinct tire series.
1988 Subaru XT tire questions usually come down to exact sub-model fitment, 13-inch versus 14-inch wheel diameter, radial size interpretation, and choosing among blackwall or specialty sidewall options for the correct size.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1988 Subaru XT?
The 1988 Subaru XT uses four different radial tire sizes depending on sub-model: 165R13, 185/70R13, 205/60R14, and 195/60R14. The DL uses 165R13, the GL uses 185/70R13, the XT6 4WD uses 205/60R14, and the XT6 FWD uses 195/60R14.
That means there is no single tire size for every 1988 XT. The first step is confirming the exact sub-model and checking whether the car still has its proper 13-inch or 14-inch wheels, since many older cars have been changed over the years. Once that is settled, the right comparison becomes tire series, sidewall style, and overall presentation within the correct size.
What size rim does a 1988 Subaru XT use?
A 1988 Subaru XT uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on the sub-model and tire size. The 165R13 and 185/70R13 fitments use 13-inch rims, while the 205/60R14 and 195/60R14 fitments use 14-inch rims.
Rim diameter should be confirmed before anything else, because a 13-inch tire and a 14-inch tire are not interchangeable. It also helps to check the wheel width and make sure the car has not been fitted with aftermarket wheels, since that can change how well a tire suits the car even when the diameter appears correct. Starting with the wheel removes a lot of avoidable fitment confusion.
Why does the 1988 Subaru XT have more than one tire size?
The 1988 Subaru XT has more than one tire size because different sub-models used different wheel and tire packages. The DL, GL, XT6 4WD, and XT6 FWD each have their own primary radial fitment, which is why both 13-inch and 14-inch rim diameters appear in the XT range.
That matters because tire selection is tied to the specific configuration, not just the model name on the badge. An XT owner should verify the exact version of the car and inspect the wheels currently installed before choosing a replacement. On a collector-era Subaru, that extra check is worthwhile because wheels and suspension parts may have been changed long after the car left its original setup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1988 Subaru XT?
Start with the correct tire size for the exact sub-model, since the 1988 Subaru XT uses four different radial fitments. After that, compare wheel diameter, the tire's intended visual style, and the product's general character, especially if the choice is between a narrow Euro-metric size and a more modern metric size.
It also helps to look at brand, tire series, rim-width compatibility where shown, and sidewall style where those options exist. A GL owner shopping 185/70R13 has more appearance choices than an XT6 FWD owner shopping 195/60R14, so the right tire often depends on whether the priority is preserving a certain look, maintaining the original wheel format, or simply matching the proper sub-model fitment.
What sidewall styles are available for 1988 Subaru XT tires?
Sidewall style depends on the tire size. Blackwall options appear across the available 165R13, 185/70R13, and 195/60R14 products, while the 185/70R13 size also includes redline and wide whitewall choices for owners who want a more distinctive appearance.
That variety makes the GL fitment especially flexible from a styling standpoint, while other XT sizes lean more toward a straightforward blackwall presentation. Sidewall treatment should always come after confirming the correct size and rim diameter, because appearance options only matter once the basic fitment is right. For a restoration-minded car, the sidewall choice can noticeably change how formal, sporty, or custom the finished car looks.
What brands offer tires for the 1988 Subaru XT?
Available 1988 Subaru XT tire brands include Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, Avon, and Vredestein, depending on the size. Brand choice is strongest in 185/70R13, while other sizes have a narrower selection tied to the specific sub-model fitment.
That means the best way to compare brands is within the exact size your XT uses rather than across the entire model range. A DL owner looking at 165R13 will be choosing from a different set of products than a GL owner shopping 185/70R13. Once the size is settled, compare series, sidewall treatment, and wheel compatibility details rather than assuming every brand offers the same style of tire in every XT fitment.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1988 Subaru XT?
A period-style 1988 Subaru XT should start with the correct sub-model tire size and wheel diameter, because the car's visual stance depends heavily on that fitment. The 165R13, 185/70R13, 205/60R14, and 195/60R14 sizes each give the XT a different look tied to its original configuration.
After size is confirmed, the appearance choice usually comes down to whether a simple blackwall presentation suits the car best or whether a more expressive sidewall treatment is appropriate in sizes where those options exist. Buyers pursuing exact originality should compare the finished look against marque references or period photos, since a tire can be restoration-oriented in size and style without being proven factory-correct.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1988 Subaru XT?
All of the primary 1988 Subaru XT fitments here are radial, so the main appearance differences come from sizing format, profile, and sidewall style rather than from a bias-ply-versus-radial decision. A 165R13 has a different visual character than a 185/70R13, and the 14-inch XT6 sizes create their own lower-profile presentation.
That makes it especially important to avoid choosing by appearance alone without confirming the sub-model. A restored XT can look noticeably different if it ends up on the wrong wheel diameter or on a tire size intended for another version of the car. Once the fitment is correct, sidewall treatment and tire series become the better tools for shaping the final look.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1988 Subaru XT?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1988 Subaru XT. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, altered ride height, or bodywork differences can all change the space available around the tire, even when the car is still being considered for one of its original-size radial fitments.
That is why an older XT should be checked as it sits today, not just by model name. Wheel diameter and width matter first, but steering clearance, fender room, and overall tire position also deserve attention before installation. A car that has been lowered or converted to different wheels may need closer measurement and a more careful comparison than a stock example.
What should I inspect before driving a 1988 Subaru XT on new tires?
Before driving a 1988 Subaru XT on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm the tire size matches the sub-model, and make sure the tires are seated and inflated properly. It is also wise to look over valve stems, lug hardware, and basic suspension condition.
A short clearance check can prevent surprises once the car is back on the road, especially on an XT that may have had wheel or suspension changes during its life. Turning the steering from lock to lock and checking for rubbing is a smart step. On a low-use collector car, a brief road test followed by another visual inspection helps confirm everything is settling normally.
How should tires on a collector 1988 Subaru XT be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1988 Subaru XT should be kept at appropriate pressure, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and protected from long periods of harsh sun, moisture, and ozone exposure. Even a lightly driven car benefits from routine visual checks and occasional movement to avoid long-term flat spotting.
Storage habits matter as much as mileage on a collector Subaru. A car that sits for extended stretches can age its tires without adding many road miles, so tread depth alone is not enough to judge condition. Regular inspections, a clean storage area, and attention to slow air loss help preserve both the tire and the driving feel of an XT that only comes out occasionally.
