The 1989 Subaru XT came from an era when Subaru was leaning into wedge-shaped styling, compact packaging, and a distinctly futuristic feel. That makes tire selection on this car more configuration-specific than it first appears, because the XT range uses four different radial sizes across DL, GL, and XT6 versions. Depending on the sub-model, the fitment lands on either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim. Available choices also vary by size, with some fitments offering multiple brands, series, and sidewall treatments while others stay more focused. For an XT owner, the first step is confirming the exact sub-model and wheel setup before comparing appearance, road manners, and period-appropriate tire character.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1989 Subaru XT
The 1989 Subaru XT uses four primary tire sizes, and they are tied directly to the specific sub-model. Some versions use 13-inch wheels, while others use 14-inch wheels, so wheel diameter has to be confirmed before any tire choice is made. Once that is sorted, the real decision becomes selecting the right radial tire within that exact size, along with the brand, series, and sidewall style available for your configuration.
165R13 is a Euro-metric radial size with a 165 millimeter nominal section width, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. In this format, the aspect ratio is not written into the size code and is commonly understood as an 80-series style profile. For the 1989 Subaru XT, this size stays close to the smaller-wheel character of the DL (FWD) configuration and is available in blackwall form from Michelin and Dunlop across XAS-FF, XAS, and SP Sport Aquajet lines. It is the size to evaluate when preserving the original wheel diameter and overall visual balance of that sub-model.
185/70R13 is a metric radial size with a 185 millimeter section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, and a 13-inch rim diameter. That makes it a more modern explicit metric format than 165R13, while still staying on a 13-inch wheel for the XT GL. This size brings the broadest product choice on this vehicle, including blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall options from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein across several tire series. It is the key fitment to confirm when appearance and brand variety matter as much as basic size matching.
205/60R14 is a metric radial size with a 205 millimeter section width, a 60-series profile, and a 14-inch rim diameter. The shorter sidewall and wider section place it in a different fitment category than the 13-inch XT sizes, so it should only be considered for the sub-model that uses it. On the 1989 Subaru XT, this size belongs to the XT6 (4WD), making wheel diameter and exact model identification essential before shopping further. It is the fitment to verify when the car carries the larger factory-style 14-inch wheel setup associated with that version.
195/60R14 is a metric radial size that combines a 195 millimeter section width with a 60-series aspect ratio on a 14-inch rim. For the 1989 Subaru XT, it is the primary fitment for the XT6 (FWD), placing it alongside the other 14-inch setup but in a distinct size. Available product choice is narrower here, with a blackwall Michelin MXV3-A option that suits buyers looking for a straightforward radial in the correct size format. This is the size to confirm when the car is an XT6 front-wheel-drive model and the goal is keeping the intended 14-inch fitment.
Sub-model fitment on the 1989 Subaru XT is not interchangeable, because each covered version uses its own radial tire size. Checking the exact DL, GL, or XT6 configuration matters first, and the wheel diameter needs to match before comparing brands, series, or sidewall style.
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1989 Subaru XT DL (FWD)
The 1989 Subaru XT DL (FWD) uses the 165R13 radial size on a 13-inch wheel. That keeps the tire search focused on Euro-metric blackwall options and makes it especially important to confirm that the car still has its original-style wheel diameter.
The 1989 Subaru XT GL uses the 185/70R13 radial size on a 13-inch rim. This version offers the widest product variety, so the decision usually shifts from basic fitment to choosing the right brand, tire series, and sidewall presentation.
The 1989 Subaru XT XT6 (4WD) uses the 205/60R14 radial size and moves to a 14-inch wheel. That makes wheel confirmation critical, especially on cars that may have seen aftermarket changes or wheel swaps over time.
The 1989 Subaru XT XT6 (FWD) uses the 195/60R14 radial size on a 14-inch rim. Tire selection is more focused in this fitment, so the main priority is matching the exact size and verifying that the car retains the proper wheel setup.
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 1989 Subaru XT Tires for Sale
Available 1989 Subaru XT tire choices vary notably by size, from Michelin and Dunlop options in 165R13 to a much broader 185/70R13 range that includes BFGoodrich, Avon, Michelin, Dunlop, and Vredestein. Depending on fitment, buyers can compare blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall styles across several radial tire series.
These FAQs focus on the tire sizes used across the 1989 Subaru XT range, how sub-model and rim diameter affect fitment, and how to compare the available radial tire choices for restoration-minded driving and regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1989 Subaru XT?
A 1989 Subaru XT does not use one universal tire size across the full model range. The DL (FWD) uses 165R13, the GL uses 185/70R13, the XT6 (4WD) uses 205/60R14, and the XT6 (FWD) uses 195/60R14. All of these are radial fitments.
That means the correct tire choice starts with identifying the exact sub-model and confirming whether the car carries a 13-inch or 14-inch wheel. On a surviving XT, that check is especially important because wheel changes over the years can create a mismatch between the car's configuration and the tire size currently installed.
What size rim does a 1989 Subaru XT use?
The 1989 Subaru XT uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on sub-model. The DL (FWD) and GL are paired with 13-inch tire sizes, while the XT6 (4WD) and XT6 (FWD) use 14-inch sizes. Tire selection has to match that wheel diameter first.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it also helps to confirm wheel width before choosing among available products. If the car has been modified with different wheels, the tire size tied to the original sub-model may no longer match the wheel currently on the car.
Do all 1989 Subaru XT sub-models use the same tire size?
No, the 1989 Subaru XT sub-models use different tire sizes. The DL (FWD), GL, XT6 (4WD), and XT6 (FWD) each have their own primary radial fitment, and those sizes span both 13-inch and 14-inch wheel diameters.
That variation makes sub-model identification more than a trim detail; it is the first step in getting the tire choice right. A buyer comparing tires for an XT should confirm the exact version of the car and check the wheel already on it before narrowing the search to brand, sidewall style, or tire series.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1989 Subaru XT tire?
Start with the exact sub-model and the wheel diameter on the car, because the 1989 Subaru XT uses four different radial sizes. After size is confirmed, the next considerations are the available tire series in that fitment, sidewall appearance where applicable, and whether the wheel width matches the tire's intended range.
A DL owner shopping 165R13 will be making a different decision than a GL owner shopping 185/70R13, where product variety is much broader. The most useful comparison points are correct size, wheel compatibility, sidewall style, and the kind of driving or presentation the car is meant to have.
What sidewall styles are available for 1989 Subaru XT tires?
Sidewall style depends on the tire size used by the specific 1989 Subaru XT sub-model. Blackwall options appear across the applicable sizes, while 185/70R13 also includes redline and wide whitewall choices. Those appearance differences can change the car's look even when the size stays correct.
That makes sidewall selection especially relevant for an XT GL owner, since 185/70R13 has the widest style range. Buyers focused on a restrained original-era look often stay with blackwall, while a more customized or period-inspired presentation may point toward redline or wide whitewall within that exact size.
What brands offer tires for the 1989 Subaru XT?
Brands available across 1989 Subaru XT tire sizes include Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, Avon, and Vredestein. The exact brand selection depends on the size, with 165R13 centered on Michelin and Dunlop, 185/70R13 offering the broadest mix, and 195/60R14 represented by Michelin.
Brand choice should come after the fitment basics are settled, not before. Once the right size is confirmed, it becomes easier to compare the available tire series, sidewall treatments, and rim-width requirements in that size without drifting into options intended for a different XT sub-model.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1989 Subaru XT?
A period-style 1989 Subaru XT tire choice starts with using the exact size tied to the car's sub-model, since the DL, GL, and XT6 versions do not share one common fitment. From there, the visual character comes from the tire series and sidewall style available within that correct size.
For a restrained late-1980s presentation, blackwall options are the most natural place to begin. If appearance authenticity matters at a very detailed level, it helps to compare the car against period photos, owner literature, or model-specific enthusiast references before choosing a particular brand or sidewall treatment.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1989 Subaru XT?
Construction changes are less of a concern here because the 1989 Subaru XT fitments covered here are already radial sizes. The visual difference comes more from the profile and sidewall treatment of the chosen tire, especially on 185/70R13 where blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall options create noticeably different presentations.
A restoration-minded owner should think about how the tire complements the XT's sharply styled body and intended era feel. Matching the proper size and wheel diameter preserves the car's stance more effectively than chasing an aggressive appearance with a tire intended for another sub-model or wheel setup.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1989 Subaru XT?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1989 Subaru XT even when the tire size sounds close to the original specification. Different wheels, altered ride height, suspension work, or body changes can influence clearance at the fender, strut, and steering components on a car with compact dimensions.
That matters even more on the XT because the model range already spans both 13-inch and 14-inch fitments. A changed wheel diameter or width can shift the tire choices that make sense, so checking the actual wheel on the car is the safest first step before selecting a replacement size.
What should I inspect before driving a 1989 Subaru XT on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the car's sub-model, and check that the tires seat properly and hold pressure. It is also smart to look over suspension and steering condition, since worn components can affect how a freshly mounted tire behaves on an older car.
A closer walkaround should include tread and sidewall checks for cuts, bulges, or signs of interference once the car is on the ground. After installation, turn the steering through its range and look for rubbing, especially if the XT has aftermarket wheels or a different stance than stock.
How should tires on a collector 1989 Subaru XT be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1989 Subaru XT should be checked regularly for pressure loss, sidewall cracking, uneven wear, and signs of aging that may not show up in tread depth alone. Because many XTs see limited mileage, condition and storage history can matter as much as the miles actually driven.
Good maintenance also means keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources during storage. On a low-use XT, a brief inspection before every drive is worthwhile, especially after long parked periods, since an older tire can look acceptable at a glance but still deserve closer attention.
