2017 Subaru Tire Fitment Guide

2017 Subaru vehicles use 215/45R17 on the BRZ; 205/55R16, 205/50R17, and 225/40R18 on the Impreza; 225/55R17 and 225/50R18 on the Legacy; 225/65R17 and 225/60R18 on the Outback; 235/45R17 and 245/40R18 on the WRX; and 245/40R18 on the WRX STI. Rim diameters across the range are 16, 17, and 18 inches, and available rim-width ranges vary by size, including 5.5 to 7.5 inches for 205/55R16, 7.0 to 8.0 inches for 215/45R17, and 8.0 to 9.5 inches for 245/40R18.

That spread means year and make alone are not enough to choose correctly. Start by confirming the exact model, then verify whether the car has its original wheel diameter or an alternate factory-style package. Once those two points are clear, the right size usually narrows quickly, and the remaining choice becomes brand, sidewall style where offered, and the intended use of the car.

On a 2017 Subaru, 215/45R17 is a modern metric radial size. The 215 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 45 is the aspect ratio, the R identifies radial construction, and 17 is the wheel diameter in inches. Within the 2017 Subaru range, that size belongs to the BRZ and mounts on a 17-inch wheel, with available products fitting rim widths from 7.0 to 8.0 inches.

That decoding matters because 215/45R17 is not interchangeable with other 17-inch Subaru sizes such as 205/50R17, 225/55R17, 225/65R17, or 235/45R17. Even when wheel diameter matches, width and profile are different. A BRZ owner should confirm the sidewall marking on the tire already installed or the placard information before choosing among the available 17-inch performance radials.

No. 2017 Subaru uses 10 different sizes across six model lines, and most of those sizes are model-specific. The only overlap in the range is 245/40R18, which appears on both the WRX and WRX STI. Every other size is tied to a single model family, and several models such as the Impreza, Legacy, Outback, and WRX can use more than one size depending on wheel package.

That is why identifying the model first is more important here than on a year-make page where one size carries across the lineup. A BRZ, Outback, and WRX are all 2017 Subarus, but they do not belong in the same tire category. If the car has changed wheels since new, confirm the actual mounted size before using the model range as your only guide.

Most 2017 Subaru sizes here are offered as Blackwall radials, which is the natural look for a modern Subaru application. Two sizes add visual alternatives: 205/50R17 includes a Wide Whitewall option, 225/55R17 includes both Blackwall and Wide Whitewall versions, and 225/65R17 appears with an RBL sidewall. The BRZ, WRX, WRX STI, and 18-inch Impreza and Legacy sizes stay focused on black sidewalls.

For a factory-appearing 2017 Subaru, Blackwall is the most era-appropriate direction. Whitewall options are more of a custom styling choice than an originality play on a late-model Subaru, while an RBL treatment on the Outback leans toward a utility look. If appearance matters as much as fitment, choose the size first and then narrow the sidewall style available within that exact size.

2017 Subaru coverage here comes from BFGoodrich, Michelin, American Classic, Nitto, and M&H Racemaster, depending on size. BFGoodrich covers the broadest spread, appearing in nearly every supported size from 16-inch Impreza fitments through WRX and Outback applications. Michelin appears in 205/55R16, American Classic appears in 205/50R17, Nitto appears in 225/40R18, 235/45R17, and 245/40R18, and M&H Racemaster appears in 245/40R18.

Brand choice often follows the role of the car. A standard Impreza or Legacy owner may be deciding among conventional street-oriented radials, while a WRX or WRX STI owner may compare a broader mix of performance-focused choices in shared sizes. Once the correct size is confirmed, compare the available brands within that size instead of assuming a brand offered for one Subaru fitment carries across the entire 2017 lineup.

On 2017 Subaru applications where both appear, BFGoodrich g-Force and Nitto NT555 G2 overlap in 225/40R18, 235/45R17, and 245/40R18. In 225/40R18, the Nitto carries a 1,389-pound load figure at 50 psi and fits a 7.5 to 9.0-inch rim range, closely matching BFGoodrich fitment dimensions. In 235/45R17 and 245/40R18, Nitto also fits the same general wheel-width span as BFGoodrich, with 1,609-pound load figures at 50 psi on the Nitto versions shown here.

The practical takeaway is that both brands serve the same general 17-inch and 18-inch Subaru performance fitments, but the comparison should happen within the exact size you need. Weight, load figure, and wheel-width range can differ slightly between products even when the sidewall size matches. A WRX or WRX STI owner should compare those details size by size rather than treating every 245/40R18 or 235/45R17 as interchangeable.

Rim-width ranges for 2017 Subaru tires vary by size. 205/55R16 and 205/50R17 fit 5.5 to 7.5-inch rims; 215/45R17 fits 7.0 to 8.0 inches; 225/40R18 fits 7.5 to 9.0 inches; 225/55R17 and 225/50R18 generally fit 6.0 to 8.0 inches, with one 225/55R17 whitewall version reaching 6.0 to 9.0 inches; 225/65R17 fits 6.0 to 8.0 inches; 235/45R17 fits 7.5 to 9.0 inches; and 245/40R18 fits 8.0 to 9.5 inches, with one drag radial specified at 8.5 inches.

That range is why matching sidewall size alone is not enough. If a car has aftermarket wheels, confirm the wheel width before ordering, especially on the WRX, WRX STI, and 18-inch Impreza sizes where the fitment window is narrower. Staying within the approved rim-width span helps preserve intended tire shape and avoids the guesswork that comes from stretching or pinching a tire onto the wrong wheel.

Most 2017 Subaru tires in these sizes are modern radial products, and tubeless marking appears on at least some applications, such as the Michelin 205/55ZR16 91Y TL and the BFGoodrich 245/40ZR18 97Y XLTL. At the year-make level, tube status can vary by product because not every sidewall marking is expressed the same way across every size. None of these 2017 Subaru fitments are vintage tube-type bias-ply applications.

The best practice is to confirm the exact sidewall marking on the product you choose and make sure the wheel itself is appropriate for tubeless service. On a 2017 Subaru with original late-model wheels, that is usually straightforward, but the check still matters if the car has replacement wheels or if you are comparing specialty products within the 245/40R18 performance category.

A 2017 Subaru should be stored on clean, properly inflated tires in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment. Because every size in this Subaru range is radial, long static storage is generally easier on the tire than it would be with an older bias-ply design, but pressure loss and sidewall aging still occur over time.

If the car sits for extended periods, move it occasionally to change the tire's contact patch or use stands if the storage interval is very long. Keep the tires off damp soil, avoid petroleum contamination, and check inflation before returning the car to service. Those basic steps matter just as much on a BRZ or WRX as they do on a lower-mileage Legacy or Outback.

For a low-use 2017 Subaru, tire age is usually more important than mileage. A sound rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they are around five to seven years old and to give serious replacement consideration by about ten years from the DOT date code, even if tread depth still looks usable. Heat cycles, storage conditions, inflation habits, and exposure to sun all influence aging.

That matters because a collector-kept or seldom-driven Subaru can wear out chemically before it wears out mechanically. A WRX STI on older 245/40R18 tires may still have tread, but age-related hardening or cracking can make the tire a poor choice for spirited use. Check the full date code on each tire, not just appearance, before planning another season of driving.

Tires on a 2017 Subaru should be inspected before every drive and given a more careful check before any long outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, punctures, and any sign that one tire is losing pressure more quickly than the others. On modern radial Subaru applications, valve stems and bead sealing are also part of the inspection because pressure retention matters as much as tread condition.

A quick walk-around catches problems before they become roadside issues, especially on cars that are driven intermittently. Performance-oriented sizes such as 225/40R18, 235/45R17, and 245/40R18 deserve extra attention because shorter sidewalls can hide impact damage from potholes. If anything looks questionable, have the tire removed and inspected internally before relying on it for regular highway use.

For a 2017 Subaru BRZ, the fitment covered here is 215/45R17, and the construction type is radial. That aligns with what buyers would expect from a modern 2017 sports coupe, since radial construction was standard practice long before this model year. Original-equipment branding can vary by market and package, so the most important originality points are the correct size, radial construction, and an appropriate contemporary sidewall appearance.

A buyer restoring or preserving a BRZ for factory appearance should begin with the exact sidewall size on the car's placard and compare that against the tire currently installed. If there is any doubt about market-specific or package-specific original fitment, a Subaru marque specialist or owner community is the right place to confirm details before narrowing among the 215/45R17 choices.

Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 2017 Subaru if the goal is factory-style presentation or judged display. Even on a newer vehicle, judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts will notice the wrong size, an incorrect wheel diameter, or a sidewall style that does not suit the era. A whitewall tire on a 2017 Legacy or Impreza, for example, reads more as custom styling than as stock-appearing fitment.

For most 2017 Subaru show use, the safest route is to match the proper size for the exact model and wheel package, then keep the appearance contemporary to the period of the car. Event standards vary, so owners aiming at marque-level judging should confirm any appearance details with the hosting club or class rules rather than assuming every acceptable road fitment will score the same.

For 2017 Subaru sizes where both appear, BFGoodrich g-Force Comp 2 A/S and BFGoodrich g-Force Phenom T/A often share the same basic fitment while differing in load figure and weight. In 205/55R16, for example, the Phenom T/A reaches 1,477 pounds at 50 psi, while the Comp 2 A/S is also available in the same size but without the same load figure presentation here. Similar pairings appear in 205/50R17, 225/40R18, 225/55R17, 225/50R18, and 245/40R18.

That means the comparison should be made within the exact Subaru size you need, not across the whole brand family. A Legacy owner comparing 225/55R17 options and a WRX owner comparing 245/40R18 options are looking at different fitment demands even if the product families overlap. Check the size, load figure where shown, and wheel-width compatibility before deciding which version best suits the car.

Yes, these 2017 Subaru tire sizes are highway-capable when the tire is in sound condition, properly inflated, and appropriate for the car. Most supported sizes carry W ratings to 168 mph, and 205/55R16 and 245/40R18 also include Y-rated versions to 186 mph and above. The utility-oriented 225/65R17 Outback size carries an S rating to 112 mph, which still exceeds normal U.S. highway speeds.

Real-world safety depends on more than the speed letter. Age, impact damage, alignment condition, and inflation pressure matter every bit as much, and a performance Subaru can overwhelm an old or neglected tire long before it approaches the sidewall's theoretical speed ceiling. For highway use, match the exact size and maintain the tires properly rather than focusing only on the highest available rating.

Inflation pressure on a 2017 Subaru should follow the vehicle placard or owner's manual for normal service, because factory pressure targets are set for the specific model, axle load, and tire size. Tire load-pressure figures here show the upper-rated capability of certain products, such as 1,356 pounds at 50 psi for some 215/45R17 versions, 1,819 pounds at 50 psi for some 225/55R17 versions, and 2,150 pounds at 65 psi for the 225/65R17 all-terrain application.

Those numbers are not universal inflation instructions, and they should not be transferred from one Subaru size to another. A BRZ, Outback, and WRX have different fitments and different service needs. Use the car's placard as the starting point, then confirm that the selected tire's pressure range and load capacity are appropriate for the intended application.

Before a longer drive in a 2017 Subaru, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, punctures, and proper inflation, and do not forget the spare if the car still carries one. Pay close attention to shorter-profile performance sizes such as 225/40R18 and 245/40R18 because pothole damage can be easy to miss. Confirm that valve stems are sound and that no tire has an age issue that makes it questionable for sustained highway heat.

The tire check should be part of a broader pre-trip inspection on any modern aging vehicle. Brake condition, fluid levels, alignment, and suspension health all affect how the tire performs once the car is loaded and running at speed. Taking a few extra minutes before departure is especially worthwhile on a WRX, WRX STI, or BRZ where sharper handling can mask a problem until it becomes more serious.