The 2013 Mazda 3 sits in the compact sport-sedan and hatchback world where responsive handling, everyday drivability, and trim-specific character matter just as much as economy. In this generation, the difference between a Mazdaspeed model and the more comfort-oriented i and S trims shows up clearly at the tire level. The 2013 Mazda 3 uses radial tires only, but it does not use just one size, with 225/40R18, 205/50R17, and 205/55R16 fitments tied to specific sub-models. Available choices also vary by brand, tire series, and even sidewall treatment in some sizes. The right selection starts with confirming the exact trim and wheel diameter already on the car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2013 Mazda 3
The 2013 Mazda 3 uses three primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the specific sub-model and wheel diameter. All three are radial fitments, but they are spread across 16-inch, 17-inch, and 18-inch rims, so confirming the exact trim and the wheels currently on the car is the first step before comparing brands, series, or sidewall styles.
A 225/40R18 tire uses a 225 millimeter section width, a 40-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and an 18-inch rim. On the 2013 Mazda 3, this is the larger-diameter wheel fitment used for the Mazdaspeed model, giving the buyer a lower-profile radial format than the 16-inch and 17-inch alternatives. Available choices in this size center on blackwall performance-oriented lines from BFGoodrich and Nitto, including several g-Force series and the NT555 G2. This size makes the most sense when the car already has the correct 18-inch wheel setup and the goal is to stay with the trim's intended tire profile.
A 205/50R17 tire is a metric radial size with a 205 millimeter section width, a 50-series profile, and a 17-inch rim diameter. For the 2013 Mazda 3, this size belongs to the S sub-model, placing it between the lower-profile 18-inch fitment and the taller 16-inch setup used on several i trims. Product choice is broader than just one look, with blackwall options from BFGoodrich and Vredestein as well as a wide whitewall American Classic radial. This size is worth evaluating carefully if appearance matters as much as everyday road use, especially on a car with 17-inch wheels already installed.
Fit(s): i Grand Touring, i SV, i Sport, and i Touring
Construction: Radial|Rim: 16 in
A 205/55R16 tire combines a 205 millimeter section width with a 55-series profile, radial construction, and a 16-inch rim. On the 2013 Mazda 3, this is the fitment shared by the i Grand Touring, i SV, i Sport, and i Touring sub-models, making it the most widely used size in the lineup. Buyers can choose among blackwall performance-style offerings from BFGoodrich and Michelin, along with a wide whitewall American Classic radial for a different visual presentation. This size is the right place to focus when the car retains its 16-inch wheels and the goal is to balance proper fitment with the preferred look and tire series.
Tire fitment on the 2013 Mazda 3 varies by sub-model, so trim identification matters before anything else. Several i models share the same size, while the S and Mazdaspeed versions move to different wheel and tire combinations.
1
2013 Mazda 3 Mazdaspeed
The 2013 Mazda 3 Mazdaspeed uses the 225/40R18 radial fitment, which places it on an 18-inch wheel setup distinct from the rest of the lineup. Tire selection here centers on choosing among the available blackwall performance-style series while confirming that the car still retains the proper 18-inch wheels.
The 2013 Mazda 3 S uses the 205/50R17 radial size, giving it a fitment separate from both the Mazdaspeed and the 16-inch i models. Choosing tires for this trim means starting with the 17-inch wheel diameter, then comparing blackwall and wide whitewall options within the correct size.
The 2013 Mazda 3 i Grand Touring shares the 205/55R16 radial fitment with several other i trims. That makes tire selection more about comparing available brands, series, and sidewall appearance than sorting through multiple primary sizes.
The 2013 Mazda 3 i SV uses the 205/55R16 radial size on a 16-inch setup shared across multiple i sub-models. Buyers can stay focused on the correct size first, then decide whether a blackwall or wide whitewall presentation better suits the car's intended look.
The 2013 Mazda 3 i Sport also uses the 205/55R16 radial fitment, keeping selection straightforward as long as the car still has its 16-inch wheel arrangement. Once that is confirmed, the main decision becomes tire series, brand preference, and sidewall style rather than overall size.
The 2013 Mazda 3 i Touring uses the same 205/55R16 radial size found on several other i trims. That shared fitment simplifies the size question, but wheel condition, intended road use, and visual preference still matter when choosing among the available tire lines.
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 2013 Mazda 3 Tires for Sale
Available 2013 Mazda 3 tire choices span 16-inch, 17-inch, and 18-inch radial sizes from BFGoodrich, Nitto, Michelin, Vredestein, and American Classic. Buyers can compare blackwall and wide whitewall options, along with several g-Force series and other performance-oriented radial lines.
These 2013 Mazda 3 tire FAQs focus on the trim-specific size differences, wheel diameter, radial fitment, sidewall choices, and the checks that matter before replacing tires on a daily driver or enthusiast-owned car.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2013 Mazda 3?
The 2013 Mazda 3 uses three different tire sizes depending on sub-model: 225/40R18, 205/50R17, and 205/55R16. The Mazdaspeed uses 225/40R18, the S uses 205/50R17, and the i Grand Touring, i SV, i Sport, and i Touring use 205/55R16.
The size question starts with identifying the exact trim and confirming the wheel diameter already on the car. A Mazda 3 that has been fitted with different wheels over time may no longer match its original trim-based setup, so checking the current wheel and tire combination before replacement helps avoid choosing the wrong size.
What size rim does a 2013 Mazda 3 use?
A 2013 Mazda 3 can use 16-inch, 17-inch, or 18-inch rims, depending on sub-model. The 205/55R16 fitment uses a 16-inch rim, the 205/50R17 fitment uses a 17-inch rim, and the 225/40R18 fitment uses an 18-inch rim.
Rim diameter should be confirmed before comparing any tire choices, because all three tire sizes are built around different wheel diameters. It also helps to verify the actual wheel on the car rather than relying only on trim name, especially if the Mazda 3 has seen aftermarket wheel changes or has been purchased used.
Do all 2013 Mazda 3 sub-models use the same tire size?
No, 2013 Mazda 3 sub-models do not all use the same tire size. The Mazdaspeed, S, and the various i trims are split across three different radial fitments, so the model range is not uniform at the tire level.
That matters because selecting by year, make, and model alone is not enough on this car. Tire replacement should follow the exact sub-model and wheel setup, since a 16-inch i trim, a 17-inch S, and an 18-inch Mazdaspeed call for different sizes and cannot be treated as one-size-fits-all applications.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 2013 Mazda 3?
Start with the correct trim-specific size: 225/40R18, 205/50R17, or 205/55R16. From there, compare the available radial options by wheel compatibility, tire series, brand, sidewall style, and details such as load figures or product weight when those specifications matter to how the car is used.
The best comparison is usually between products within the correct size rather than across the whole Mazda 3 range. A Mazdaspeed on 18-inch wheels has a different selection path than an i Touring on 16-inch wheels, and a buyer focused on appearance may also weigh blackwall versus wide whitewall presentation in the sizes where both are available.
What sidewall styles are available for 2013 Mazda 3 tires?
Blackwall is the main sidewall style offered across the 2013 Mazda 3 sizes, and wide whitewall options are also available in 205/50R17 and 205/55R16 through American Classic Radial. The 225/40R18 choices shown for the Mazdaspeed fitment are blackwall only.
Sidewall style is mostly an appearance decision once the correct size and wheel diameter are established. On a Mazda 3 with 16-inch or 17-inch wheels, the choice between blackwall and wide whitewall changes the car's visual character noticeably, while the 18-inch Mazdaspeed fitment stays focused on a more modern blackwall presentation.
What brands offer tires for the 2013 Mazda 3?
Tires for the 2013 Mazda 3 are available from BFGoodrich, Nitto, American Classic, Vredestein, and Michelin, depending on size. BFGoodrich appears across all three primary sizes, while Nitto is present in 225/40R18, Vredestein in 205/50R17, Michelin in 205/55R16, and American Classic in the 16-inch and 17-inch sizes.
Brand comparison only becomes useful after the exact tire size is confirmed, because not every brand appears in every Mazda 3 fitment. Once the correct size is set, the buyer can narrow the choice by tire series, sidewall appearance, and any specification differences that matter for the car's intended use and wheel setup.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2013 Mazda 3?
A period-style 2013 Mazda 3 tire choice still starts with the correct trim-based size, since this car uses three different radial fitments. Within the 16-inch and 17-inch sizes, wide whitewall American Classic Radial options are available, while the 18-inch Mazdaspeed fitment stays within blackwall performance-oriented radial choices.
Appearance goals should be balanced with the way the car is actually driven and the wheels that are on it now. A more traditional sidewall treatment can change the look significantly, but buyers seeking strict originality should compare their preferred tire style against model-specific photos, brochures, or marque references before making a restoration-minded decision.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 2013 Mazda 3?
Tire construction is less of a visual dividing line on a 2013 Mazda 3 because all primary fitments here are radial. The appearance difference comes more from sidewall style, tire series, and profile, especially when comparing a low-profile 225/40R18 Mazdaspeed setup with the taller-looking 16-inch and 17-inch fitments.
On this generation of Mazda 3, the overall look is influenced heavily by wheel diameter and sidewall presentation rather than bias-ply versus radial choices. Keeping the correct size for the sub-model preserves the intended stance more effectively, while blackwall or wide whitewall selection can move the car toward a more contemporary or more stylized finished appearance.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2013 Mazda 3?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2013 Mazda 3. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, lowering, altered offset, or body modifications can change the space available for the tire, even when the car still appears to match one of the original 16-inch, 17-inch, or 18-inch size groups.
A modified Mazda 3 should be checked at the wheel and fender level before replacement tires are chosen. Clearance at full steering lock, ride height, and the actual wheel dimensions matter just as much as the nominal tire size, especially on the lower-profile 225/40R18 fitment where small setup changes can have a greater visual and clearance effect.
What should I inspect before driving a 2013 Mazda 3 on new tires?
Before driving a 2013 Mazda 3 on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the correct trim or current wheel setup, and make sure inflation is set properly. It also helps to look over suspension and steering components so the new tires are not being asked to compensate for worn hardware.
Road use is smoother and more predictable when the basics are checked early. Uneven old tire wear, vibration, pulling, or rubbing marks around the fender and inner wheel area can point to issues that should be addressed before putting miles on a new set, whether the car uses 16-inch, 17-inch, or 18-inch tires.
How often should tires on a 2013 Mazda 3 be inspected?
Tires on a 2013 Mazda 3 should be inspected regularly for tread condition, air loss, cuts, bulges, and sidewall damage. Cars that see frequent commuting benefit from routine checks, and enthusiast-owned examples that are driven less often still need inspection because age and storage conditions can affect tire condition even with low mileage.
A quick visual inspection becomes especially important when the Mazda 3 sits for longer periods or changes seasonally between daily use and weekend use. Catching pressure loss, cracking, or irregular wear early helps protect wheel finish and ride quality, and it also gives the owner a chance to address alignment or suspension issues before they shorten tire life.
