The 2004 Subaru Impreza sits in a generation known for blending compact practicality with all-wheel-drive confidence, and in WRX and WRX STI form it also carries strong enthusiast appeal. That matters when choosing tires, because this Impreza range does not use one universal fitment across every version. Depending on the sub-model, the primary radial tire size is 195/60R15, 205/55R16, or 225/45R17, each tied to a different rim diameter. Available choices also vary by brand, sidewall treatment, and tire series, from blackwall performance-oriented options to whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styles. The right decision starts with the exact sub-model and the wheels currently on the car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2004 Subaru Impreza
The 2004 Subaru Impreza uses three primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. TS models use a 15-inch setup, Outback, RS, and WRX models use a 16-inch setup, and WRX STI models use a 17-inch setup. Before comparing brands or sidewall styles, confirm the specific trim and make sure the car still has the correct wheel diameter.
225/45R17 is a metric radial size with a 225-millimeter nominal section width, a 45-series profile, radial construction, and a 17-inch rim diameter. On the 2004 Subaru Impreza, this size belongs to the WRX STI, separating it from the smaller-wheel fitments used on other sub-models. Available options include blackwall, raised white letter, and redline tires from BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac in several performance-oriented series. This size is the one to evaluate when the car is an STI or when wheel changes need to be checked carefully against the intended 17-inch setup.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 2004 Subaru Impreza because the range uses three different tire sizes tied to three different wheel diameters. Identifying whether the car is a TS, Outback, RS, WRX, or WRX STI is the first step before comparing tires.
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2004 Subaru Impreza Outback
The 2004 Subaru Impreza Outback uses the 205/55R16 radial fitment shared with the RS and WRX. Tire selection then comes down to choosing the right 16-inch radial by brand, series, and sidewall style while confirming the car still has the correct wheel setup.
The 2004 Subaru Impreza RS also uses the 205/55R16 radial size, so its fitment path is straightforward when the original 16-inch wheel diameter is still in place. The next decision is whether a blackwall or wide whitewall presentation better suits the car's intended use and appearance.
The 2004 Subaru Impreza TS uses 195/60R15 radial tires, making it the 15-inch fitment within the Impreza lineup for this year. That makes wheel confirmation especially important, then the choice shifts to blackwall, whitewall, redline, or raised white letter options within the correct size.
The 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX shares the 205/55R16 radial size with the Outback and RS. Once that 16-inch fitment is confirmed, the real comparison is among available tire series and sidewall treatments that match the way the car is driven and presented.
The 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STI uses the larger 225/45R17 radial fitment. That places tire selection around the correct 17-inch wheel, with choices that include blackwall, raised white letter, and redline styles across several radial series.
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 2004 Subaru Impreza Tires for Sale
Available 2004 Subaru Impreza tires span 15-inch, 16-inch, and 17-inch radial fitments from BFGoodrich, Michelin, American Classic, Nitto, and Pro-Trac. Depending on size, the product grid includes blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter options across several distinct tire series.
These 2004 Subaru Impreza tire FAQs focus on the three correct fitment sizes, how those sizes change by sub-model, what the size codes mean, and what to inspect before putting a TS, WRX, or WRX STI back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2004 Subaru Impreza?
The 2004 Subaru Impreza uses three primary tire sizes: 195/60R15, 205/55R16, and 225/45R17. The TS uses 195/60R15, the Outback, RS, and WRX use 205/55R16, and the WRX STI uses 225/45R17, with all of these fitments using radial construction.
The most important step is matching the tire size to the exact sub-model and wheel diameter rather than treating every 2004 Impreza the same. If the car has changed wheels at some point, check the actual rim diameter on the vehicle before choosing tires, because a 15-inch, 16-inch, or 17-inch fitment changes the correct size completely.
What size rim does a 2004 Subaru Impreza use?
A 2004 Subaru Impreza may use a 15-inch, 16-inch, or 17-inch rim depending on the sub-model. The TS uses a 15-inch rim with 195/60R15 tires, the Outback, RS, and WRX use a 16-inch rim with 205/55R16 tires, and the WRX STI uses a 17-inch rim with 225/45R17 tires.
Rim diameter is the first fitment checkpoint because the tire size must match it exactly. A tire designed for a 15-inch wheel cannot be mounted on a 16-inch or 17-inch rim, so checking the wheel before comparing brands, sidewall styles, or tire series avoids choosing the right tire size for the wrong version of the car.
Do all 2004 Subaru Impreza sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 2004 Subaru Impreza range splits across three tire sizes, with the TS using 195/60R15, the Outback, RS, and WRX using 205/55R16, and the WRX STI using 225/45R17. That means the full model line does not share one universal wheel-and-tire fitment.
This matters because a tire search based only on year, make, and model can be too broad for an Impreza with several trims. The safest path is to confirm the exact sub-model and then check that the current wheels still match that setup, especially on cars that may have been modified or fitted with take-off wheels from another Impreza version.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 2004 Subaru Impreza tire?
Start with the correct size for the specific sub-model, since a 2004 Subaru Impreza may use 195/60R15, 205/55R16, or 225/45R17. After size, compare radial construction details such as rim-width compatibility, load figures where stated, tire series, and whether the intended look calls for blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, or raised white letter styling.
The right choice depends on how the car is used and presented. A daily-driven Impreza, a weekend WRX, and a more appearance-focused build may all call for different priorities even within the same size, so it helps to compare wheel specs, sidewall style, and the character of each tire series before making a final decision.
What sidewall styles are available for 2004 Subaru Impreza tires?
Sidewall choices for the 2004 Subaru Impreza include blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and RWL, depending on the tire size. Blackwall options appear across all three primary sizes, while wide whitewall is available in 195/60R15 and 205/55R16, and redline or raised white letter options appear in 195/60R15 and 225/45R17.
That variety means sidewall appearance can noticeably change the personality of the car without changing the underlying fitment. The key is to choose the style only after confirming the correct tire size for the sub-model, since not every sidewall treatment is offered in every Impreza fitment used for 2004.
What brands offer tires for the 2004 Subaru Impreza?
Tires for the 2004 Subaru Impreza are available from BFGoodrich, Michelin, American Classic, Nitto, and Pro-Trac across the applicable sizes. Brand availability changes by fitment, with 205/55R16 and 195/60R15 offering different mixes than 225/45R17, so the exact sub-model still shapes the final set of choices.
Brand is best used as one comparison factor rather than the only one. Once the correct size is confirmed, it helps to compare the tire series offered by each brand, along with sidewall style, rim-width specification, and any stated load information, so the selection matches both the wheel setup and the intended appearance of the car.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2004 Subaru Impreza?
A period-style 2004 Subaru Impreza starts with using the correct sub-model tire size: 195/60R15 for TS, 205/55R16 for Outback, RS, and WRX, or 225/45R17 for WRX STI. From there, the choice depends on whether the goal is a more understated blackwall presentation or a more distinctive look using whitewall, redline, or raised white letter styling where available.
For appearance-focused builds, keeping the correct wheel diameter and tire proportions usually matters as much as the brand name on the sidewall. If originality is especially important, compare the chosen tire's presentation with period photos, marque references, or other vehicle-specific historical sources before settling on a sidewall treatment.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 2004 Subaru Impreza?
On the 2004 Subaru Impreza, the primary fitments are all radial, so construction changes are less about bias-ply versus radial appearance and more about how each radial tire is styled. The visible difference comes mainly from the sidewall treatment and the overall presentation of the tire series rather than from a change in basic construction type.
That makes sidewall choice especially important on a restoration-oriented or nostalgic build. A blackwall keeps the look restrained, while whitewall, redline, or raised white letter options create a more deliberate visual statement, but each should still be chosen in the proper size and on the proper wheel diameter for the specific Impreza sub-model.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2004 Subaru Impreza?
Yes. Modifications such as aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, lowering, or altered alignment settings can affect tire fitment on a 2004 Subaru Impreza even when the tire size matches one of the original sub-model sizes. Wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance around the fenders and suspension all matter once the car departs from its stock setup.
That is especially important on an Impreza because the model line already spans 15-inch, 16-inch, and 17-inch fitments. A car wearing wheels from another trim level may no longer match the original size for its sub-model, so check the actual wheel dimensions and available clearance before treating a factory size as automatically suitable.
What should I inspect before driving a 2004 Subaru Impreza on new tires?
Before driving a 2004 Subaru Impreza on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the wheel diameter matches the chosen tire size, and make sure there is no rubbing at the struts, fenders, or steering components. It also helps to verify inflation pressure, lug torque, valve stem condition, and overall tire seating after installation.
A short test drive is a useful final check. Listen for rubbing, watch for vibration, and recheck pressure after the car has been driven, especially if the Impreza has aftermarket wheels or has been sitting for long periods, since older suspension parts or alignment issues can show up quickly once new tires are installed.
How often should tires on a 2004 Subaru Impreza be inspected?
Tires on a 2004 Subaru Impreza should be inspected regularly, not just when tread looks low. A collector-driven or low-mileage car should still have its tires checked for air loss, cracking, bulges, cuts, and uneven wear, because age and storage conditions can affect tire condition even when the car is not driven often.
Monthly pressure checks are a smart routine, and a more thorough inspection before longer drives adds another layer of protection. It also helps to look at the spare if one is carried, and to keep the car away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, and ozone sources during storage so the tires remain in sound road-going condition.
