The 2016 Lexus IS350 sits in the modern sport-sedan world where sharp handling, balanced proportions, and refined road manners all play a role in how the car feels from behind the wheel. That makes tire fitment especially important, because this IS350 can use either a 225/45R17 setup or an 18-inch staggered arrangement with 225/40R18 front and 255/35R18 rear sizes. All of these are radial fitments, but the real choice depends on whether the car has the 17-inch wheel package or the staggered 18-inch setup. From there, sidewall style, tire series, and intended street use become the key factors in selecting the right replacement.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2016 Lexus IS350
The 2016 Lexus IS350 uses three primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the wheel package and position on the car. A 17-inch setup uses 225/45R17, while the 18-inch arrangement uses 225/40R18 in front and 255/35R18 in the rear. Before choosing a tire, confirm whether the car is on 17-inch wheels or the staggered 18-inch setup, since rim diameter and front-to-rear sizing both matter here.
In 225/45R17, the 225 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 45 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 17 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 2016 Lexus IS350, this size serves the 17-inch wheel setup and keeps the selection focused on modern radial performance and street use. Available choices include BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac, with blackwall, raised white letter, and redline sidewall treatments across several tire series. This size is the right place to start when the car uses 17-inch wheels and a non-staggered fitment.
Fit(s): (AWD) Front, (RWD) Front, and F Sport Front
Construction: Radial|Rim: 18 in
In 225/40R18, the 225 indicates nominal section width in millimeters, the 40 is the aspect ratio, R marks radial construction, and 18 identifies the wheel diameter. On the 2016 Lexus IS350, this size is used on the front of the staggered 18-inch setup rather than across every configuration. Product choices center on blackwall radial performance tires from BFGoodrich and Nitto, with series such as g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Sport Comp 2, g-Force Phenom T/A, and NT555 G2. This is the size to evaluate when confirming the front fitment on an 18-inch car.
In 255/35R18, the 255 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 35 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 18 is the rim diameter in inches. For the 2016 Lexus IS350, this is the rear tire size on the staggered 18-inch arrangement, paired with a narrower 225/40R18 front tire. Available options include blackwall radial designs from BFGoodrich and Nitto across g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Sport Comp 2, g-Force Phenom T/A, and NT555 G2 series. This rear size should be chosen only after confirming that the car uses the staggered 18-inch setup.
Sub-model fitment on the 2016 Lexus IS350 depends less on drivetrain name alone and more on whether the car uses the 17-inch package or the staggered 18-inch front-and-rear arrangement. Checking the exact sub-model and wheel setup prevents mixing the 17-inch single-size fitment with the 18-inch staggered combination.
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2016 Lexus IS350 (AWD)
The 2016 Lexus IS350 (AWD) uses a 225/45R17 radial tire as a complete fitment rather than a staggered front-and-rear arrangement. Tire selection here centers on choosing the right 17-inch radial by series, sidewall style, and wheel compatibility.
The 2016 Lexus IS350 (AWD) Front uses 225/40R18 as part of the staggered 18-inch setup. Front tire selection should stay matched to the proper rear size and should be confirmed against the actual wheel package on the car.
The 2016 Lexus IS350 (AWD) Rear uses 255/35R18 in the staggered 18-inch configuration. Rear tire choice should be made alongside the front size so the car keeps the intended front-to-rear sizing relationship.
The 2016 Lexus IS350 (RWD) uses 225/45R17 radial tires in its 17-inch configuration. The main decision is not a change in construction, but which 17-inch radial best suits the car's wheel width, appearance preference, and street use.
The 2016 Lexus IS350 (RWD) Front uses 225/40R18 when equipped with the staggered 18-inch setup. Choosing this size means confirming that the car is on the 18-inch front wheel arrangement and not the 17-inch package.
The 2016 Lexus IS350 (RWD) Rear uses 255/35R18 on the staggered 18-inch setup. This rear fitment should be selected with the matching front size in mind and verified against the actual wheel diameter on the car.
The 2016 Lexus IS350 F Sport Front uses 225/40R18 as the front tire size. Tire choice here stays within modern radial performance options, so the main concerns are correct wheel fitment and pairing with the proper rear tire.
The 2016 Lexus IS350 F Sport Rear uses 255/35R18 at the rear of the staggered setup. Selecting the right rear tire means keeping the size relationship with the front axle intact and confirming the car still has the intended 18-inch wheel package.
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 2016 Lexus IS350 Tires for Sale
Available 2016 Lexus IS350 tire choices cover 17-inch and 18-inch radial fitments from BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac. The main differences in the product grid are tire series, wheel-width compatibility, and sidewall presentation, with blackwall options throughout plus raised white letter and redline choices in 225/45R17.
The most useful questions for the 2016 Lexus IS350 usually come down to confirming the correct size, understanding the 17-inch versus staggered 18-inch setups, and comparing radial tire choices by series, sidewall style, wheel fitment, and real-world road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2016 Lexus IS350?
The 2016 Lexus IS350 uses 225/45R17 in its 17-inch configuration, and it also uses a staggered 18-inch setup with 225/40R18 in front and 255/35R18 in the rear. All of these are radial tire sizes. The correct fitment depends on the actual wheel package and whether the car uses a square or staggered arrangement.
Start by checking the wheels currently on the car, because the 17-inch size and the 18-inch staggered sizes are not interchangeable choices. Matching the tire to the actual front and rear wheel diameters is the first step, especially if the IS350 has had wheels replaced or upgraded since new.
What size rim does a 2016 Lexus IS350 use?
A 2016 Lexus IS350 uses either 17-inch or 18-inch rims, depending on the configuration. The 225/45R17 tire fits a 17-inch wheel, while the staggered setup uses 18-inch rims with 225/40R18 in front and 255/35R18 in the rear. Rim diameter is built into the final number of each size code.
Wheel diameter should be confirmed before looking at tread pattern or brand. A 17-inch tire cannot be mounted on an 18-inch wheel, and the staggered 18-inch setup also requires attention to front-versus-rear sizing so the car keeps the proper tire relationship across both axles.
Why does the 2016 Lexus IS350 have more than one tire size?
The 2016 Lexus IS350 has more than one tire size because it was fitted in more than one wheel arrangement. Some configurations use a 17-inch setup with 225/45R17, while others use staggered 18-inch sizing with 225/40R18 front and 255/35R18 rear. That creates different fitment paths within the same model year.
The important step is identifying the exact wheel package on the car rather than assuming every IS350 uses the same tire. Looking at the current wheel diameter and checking whether the car has matching tires all around or a wider rear tire will quickly narrow the correct replacement size.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 2016 Lexus IS350 tire?
The first consideration is using the correct size for the wheel package on the car: 225/45R17 for the 17-inch setup, or 225/40R18 front and 255/35R18 rear for the staggered 18-inch arrangement. After that, compare radial tire series, sidewall treatment, and wheel-width compatibility to find a tire that suits the car's intended use.
A daily-driven IS350 may lead you toward one style of radial, while a more appearance-focused build may place more emphasis on sidewall presentation. It also helps to confirm the actual wheel widths before choosing among products, since the available tires do not all share the same rim-width ranges.
What sidewall styles are available for 2016 Lexus IS350 tires?
Sidewall style depends on the size. Blackwall choices are available across all three primary sizes, while 225/45R17 also includes raised white letter and redline options through the Pro-Trac Street Pro III series. That makes the 17-inch fitment the only one here with a broader visual sidewall selection.
For most 18-inch IS350 applications, the decision is centered on blackwall radial performance tires. On a 17-inch car, sidewall appearance can play a larger role if the owner wants a more customized look rather than the understated appearance that usually comes with a blackwall tire.
What brands offer tires for the 2016 Lexus IS350?
Tires for the 2016 Lexus IS350 are available from BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac, depending on the size. BFGoodrich appears across all three primary fitments, Nitto is available in each size as well, and Pro-Trac options appear in 225/45R17. The available series also vary by brand and wheel package.
Brand choice should be weighed alongside the exact size, sidewall style, and wheel-width fitment rather than treated as a shortcut. A useful approach is to confirm the car's wheel setup first, then compare the available series within that size to see which product characteristics best match how the IS350 is used.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2016 Lexus IS350?
A period-style approach for a 2016 Lexus IS350 still starts with the correct modern radial size for the wheel package on the car. That means 225/45R17 for the 17-inch configuration, or 225/40R18 front and 255/35R18 rear for the staggered 18-inch setup. From there, the visual tone comes more from sidewall treatment and wheel presentation than from construction type.
On a 17-inch IS350, blackwall keeps the look restrained, while redline or raised white letter creates a more personalized appearance. Since this is a modern performance sedan rather than a classic-era restoration, the best visual result usually comes from keeping the proportions and wheel setup appropriate to the car.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 2016 Lexus IS350?
Construction is straightforward on the 2016 Lexus IS350 because its primary fitments are all radial. That means the appearance difference comes less from bias-ply versus radial considerations and more from size, wheel diameter, sidewall profile, and whether the tire uses a blackwall, redline, or raised white letter presentation.
Keeping the intended wheel package intact has a bigger effect on the car's visual balance than changing between construction types. An IS350 on 17-inch wheels presents differently from one on the staggered 18-inch setup, so maintaining the correct front and rear sizing relationship is an important part of preserving the car's look.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2016 Lexus IS350?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2016 Lexus IS350. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel widths, suspension changes, and changes in ride height can all influence whether 225/45R17 or the staggered 225/40R18 and 255/35R18 sizes remain appropriate. Even when the rim diameter stays the same, fitment can still change.
A modified IS350 should be checked for wheel width, front-to-rear setup, and clearance at the fenders and suspension before replacement tires are chosen. That matters most on staggered 18-inch cars, where the wider rear size already creates a more setup-specific fitment than a square 17-inch arrangement.
What should I inspect before driving a 2016 Lexus IS350 on new tires?
Before driving a 2016 Lexus IS350 on new tires, inspect wheel condition, confirm the correct tire size at each position, and verify that inflation pressure is appropriate for the tire and vehicle setup. It is also wise to look for rubbing points, loose suspension components, and any sign that previous tire wear was uneven or abnormal.
A short recheck after the first miles is helpful, especially on staggered 18-inch cars where front and rear sizes differ. Watching for vibration, steering pull, air loss, or contact at full lock can catch a mismatch early and helps confirm that the tire choice suits the actual wheel and suspension condition.
How often should tires on a 2016 Lexus IS350 be inspected?
Tires on a 2016 Lexus IS350 should be inspected regularly, not just when tread looks worn. Check for cuts, punctures, sidewall damage, cracking, uneven wear, and pressure loss, and pay attention to whether the car is on the 17-inch setup or the staggered 18-inch arrangement so each position gets the correct replacement size.
Frequent inspection becomes even more important when the car is driven hard, stored for long periods, or fitted with aftermarket wheels. A quick routine check of pressure and visible condition helps protect ride quality and handling, and it can reveal suspension or alignment issues before they shorten tire life.
