The 2016 Nissan GT-R sits deep in the modern performance era, carrying forward a hard-edged all-wheel-drive formula that made the GT-R name a serious benchmark for speed and grip. It is a highly specialized car, and its tire fitment reflects that focus. This model uses a staggered radial setup with 255/40R20 up front and 285/35R20 at the rear, both on 20-inch rims. Available choices stay within that modern performance theme, with blackwall options joined by rear-fitment RWL and redline alternatives in select series. For any 2016 Nissan GT-R, the key is matching the correct front and rear sizes while confirming wheel specifications and overall setup before changing tire style.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2016 Nissan GT-R
The 2016 Nissan GT-R uses two primary tire sizes, and they serve different positions on the car rather than different trim levels. Both are radial tires for 20-inch rims, with 255/40R20 used at the front and 285/35R20 used at the rear across the covered GT-R configurations. The first step is confirming front versus rear position, since choosing the right tire is about maintaining the staggered setup and then comparing the available brands, series, and sidewall styles within each size.
Fit(s): Black Edition Front, Nismo Front, Premium Front, and Premium w/Cold Weather Pkg. Front
Construction: Radial|Rim: 20 in
In 255/40R20, the 255 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 40 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 20 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 2016 Nissan GT-R, this is the front tire size and it reflects the car's modern staggered performance layout. Available choices in this size include BFGoodrich in the g-Force Phenom T/A series with a blackwall sidewall. This size should be evaluated as the front fitment only, with attention to wheel width, tire specifications, and preserving the intended front-to-rear balance.
Fit(s): Black Edition Rear, Nismo Rear, Premium Rear, and Premium w/Cold Weather Pkg. Rear
Construction: Radial|Rim: 20 in
In 285/35R20, the 285 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 35 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 20 identifies the wheel diameter. On the 2016 Nissan GT-R, this is the rear tire size and it is part of the car's wider rear fitment strategy. This size offers more visible variety, including BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac options, along with blackwall, raised white letter, and redline sidewall treatments across several tire series. It should be chosen with the rear wheel position in mind and checked carefully against wheel width and the car's existing setup.
Fitment across the covered 2016 Nissan GT-R sub-models is straightforward because the tire sizes stay consistent by axle position. What matters is confirming whether you are selecting a front or rear tire, since the GT-R uses a staggered 20-inch radial setup throughout these configurations.
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2016 Nissan GT-R Black Edition Front
The 2016 Nissan GT-R Black Edition Front uses the same front radial size found across the covered GT-R lineup. Tire selection here centers on choosing the correct front-position tire and matching it to the wheel width and overall performance intent of the car.
The 2016 Nissan GT-R Black Edition Rear uses the shared rear radial size for this model year. That makes the decision less about trim level and more about selecting the right rear tire series, sidewall treatment, and wheel-compatible specification.
The 2016 Nissan GT-R Nismo Front follows the same front tire fitment pattern as the other covered GT-R versions. The practical task is choosing a front tire that stays true to the required size while fitting the wheel and preserving the staggered arrangement.
The 2016 Nissan GT-R Nismo Rear uses the common rear tire size for the covered model range. Selection at this position is best approached by comparing the available rear-only product options and making sure the tire suits the wheel and intended road use.
The 2016 Nissan GT-R Premium Front uses the same front radial fitment as the other covered sub-models. That keeps sizing straightforward and shifts attention toward wheel compatibility, product series, and maintaining the proper front half of the staggered setup.
The 2016 Nissan GT-R Premium Rear uses the standard rear size shared across these GT-R configurations. Choosing among the available rear tires comes down to construction details, sidewall appearance, and matching the tire to the car's rear wheel setup.
2016 Nissan GT-R Premium w/Cold Weather Pkg. Front
The 2016 Nissan GT-R Premium w/Cold Weather Pkg. Front uses the same front tire size as the rest of the covered GT-R range. Tire choice is mainly about selecting the correct front radial and confirming that wheel dimensions remain consistent with the intended fitment.
The 2016 Nissan GT-R Premium w/Cold Weather Pkg. Rear uses the same rear tire size shared by the other covered GT-R sub-models. That means rear tire selection can focus on series and sidewall preferences while still checking wheel compatibility and rear-position fitment.
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 Nissan GT-R Tires for Sale
Available 2016 Nissan GT-R tire choices stay focused on the two required radial sizes, with BFGoodrich covering both fitments and Nitto and Pro-Trac adding rear-size alternatives. Buyers can compare tire series, blackwall versus raised white letter or redline appearance, and wheel-width specifications where stated.
Owners shopping tires for a 2016 Nissan GT-R usually need to confirm the staggered front and rear sizes first, then compare available radial options by series, sidewall style, and wheel fitment. The questions below focus on those exact issues, along with setup checks and road-use inspection points.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2016 Nissan GT-R?
The 2016 Nissan GT-R uses a staggered tire setup with 255/40R20 at the front and 285/35R20 at the rear. Both are radial tires mounted on 20-inch rims, and that front-to-rear difference is part of the car's intended fitment rather than an optional alternate size choice.
That means tire selection starts with confirming position on the car, not just the model name. A front tire should not be chosen as though it were a rear tire, and any wheel changes should be checked carefully so the tire size, rim width, and clearance remain appropriate for the GT-R's current setup.
What size rim does a 2016 Nissan GT-R use?
The covered 2016 Nissan GT-R tire sizes both use a 20-inch rim diameter. The front 255/40R20 and rear 285/35R20 share that same wheel diameter, which simplifies diameter matching even though the car still requires two different tire widths and profiles.
Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture on a GT-R. Wheel width also matters, especially on a staggered performance car, so the safest approach is to confirm the actual front and rear wheel dimensions before selecting a tire, particularly if the car has aftermarket wheels or previous setup changes.
Do all 2016 Nissan GT-R sub-models use the same tire size?
The covered 2016 Nissan GT-R sub-models share the same axle-based fitment pattern: 255/40R20 in front and 285/35R20 in the rear. Black Edition, Nismo, Premium, and Premium with Cold Weather Package all follow that same staggered radial arrangement on 20-inch rims.
That consistency makes shopping easier, but position still matters. A buyer still needs to select the correct front or rear size and confirm that the wheels on the car match the intended setup, since replacement wheels, altered offsets, or suspension changes can affect how a tire sits and clears.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 255/40R20 or 285/35R20 tire for a 2016 Nissan GT-R?
Start with the correct position-specific size, since the 2016 Nissan GT-R uses 255/40R20 in front and 285/35R20 in the rear. From there, compare radial construction details, wheel-width compatibility where stated, sidewall style, tire series, and any load or weight figures that are relevant to the exact tire being considered.
The right choice depends on how the car is used and how closely the owner wants to keep the visual presentation aligned with the current setup. Staying organized by front versus rear tire first helps avoid common mistakes, especially on GT-Rs that may have non-original wheels or other performance-oriented modifications.
What sidewall styles are available for 2016 Nissan GT-R tires?
Sidewall style varies by size and product. Blackwall choices are available in both GT-R sizes, while the rear 285/35R20 fitment also includes raised white letter and redline sidewall treatments through select Pro-Trac Street Pro III options.
That means appearance choice is broader at the rear than at the front. Anyone trying to create a specific visual theme should compare the front and rear offerings together, since a staggered car can easily end up with mismatched presentation if sidewall style is chosen one axle at a time.
What brands offer tires for the 2016 Nissan GT-R?
BFGoodrich offers both front and rear fitment options for the 2016 Nissan GT-R. The rear 285/35R20 size also includes Nitto and Pro-Trac choices, giving that position a wider mix of brands and series than the front 255/40R20 fitment.
Brand comparison is most useful after the correct axle position and size have been confirmed. Once that is settled, the buyer can compare each tire's series, sidewall style, and wheel-width specification where available, rather than assuming every brand offers the same type of tire in both GT-R sizes.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2016 Nissan GT-R?
A period-style approach for a 2016 Nissan GT-R usually starts by keeping the original staggered sizing format intact, with 255/40R20 in front and 285/35R20 in the rear. Since this is a modern performance-era car, the visual character comes more from maintaining the correct low-profile radial proportions than from vintage construction choices.
The final look can still vary by tire series and sidewall treatment, especially at the rear where blackwall, raised white letter, and redline options exist. Owners seeking a highly specific showroom-era presentation should compare those details against original vehicle documentation and period photography before making a final appearance decision.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 2016 Nissan GT-R?
On a 2016 Nissan GT-R, construction is straightforward because the primary fitment is radial. That keeps the car visually aligned with the modern low-profile, high-performance look expected from a 20-inch staggered setup, rather than introducing an older-style sidewall shape or vintage tire profile.
Appearance differences are more likely to come from the exact tire series and sidewall style than from switching construction type. A buyer focused on preserving the GT-R's model-year character should pay close attention to front and rear proportions and avoid choices that disrupt the balanced, purposeful stance of the original staggered arrangement.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2016 Nissan GT-R?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2016 Nissan GT-R even when the tire size itself appears correct. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width or offset, suspension alterations, or body clearance differences can all change how a 255/40R20 front or 285/35R20 rear tire sits on the car.
That is especially important on a staggered performance car, where front and rear fitments serve different roles. Anyone buying replacement tires for a modified GT-R should verify actual wheel dimensions and inspect clearance at steering lock and normal ride height before assuming the standard size choice will behave the same way.
What should I inspect before driving a 2016 Nissan GT-R on new tires?
Before driving a 2016 Nissan GT-R on new tires, inspect the tire size and position, confirm proper inflation, and look over each wheel for damage or irregular seating. It is also smart to check for obvious interference near the fenders, suspension components, and steering range, especially if the car does not sit at a stock ride height.
A careful first inspection helps catch problems before they become wear or handling issues. After the first miles, recheck pressure and look for any signs of rubbing, unusual tread contact, or uneven stance, since a staggered setup can react differently front to rear if wheel specifications are not matched properly.
How often should tires on a 2016 Nissan GT-R be inspected?
Tires on a 2016 Nissan GT-R should be inspected regularly, not just when the tread looks worn. A visual check for cuts, bulges, cracking, punctures, and uneven wear is worthwhile before routine use, and pressure should be monitored consistently because low-profile performance tires can show problems quickly.
Cars that spend long periods parked still need attention, since age, storage conditions, and slow air loss matter even when mileage is low. A GT-R that sees spirited road use or has aftermarket setup changes deserves even closer observation, with front and rear tires checked separately because they do not share the same size or duty.
