2020 Subaru Tire Fitment Guide

2020 Subaru vehicles use 12 distinct sizes across six models: BRZ uses 215/45R17 or 215/40R18; Impreza uses 205/55R16, 205/50R17, or 225/40R18; Legacy uses 225/55R17 or 225/50R18; Outback uses 225/65R17 or 225/60R18; WRX uses 235/45R17 or 245/40R18; and WRX STI uses 245/35R19. Rim diameters span 16 through 19 inches, and where rim-width guidance exists it ranges from 5.5 inches on smaller Impreza fitments up to 9.5 inches on larger WRX and STI applications.

That means there is no one-size-fits-all 2020 Subaru tire. The first step is identifying the exact model, then confirming whether the car is on 16-, 17-, 18-, or 19-inch wheels before narrowing to the correct tire size. Once those two points are settled, the remaining choice is usually among available brands, sidewall looks, and the kind of driving the car actually sees.

On a 2020 Subaru, 215/45R17 is a modern metric radial size. The 215 is the section width in millimeters, 45 is the aspect ratio, R means radial construction, and 17 is the wheel diameter in inches. In this year-and-make range, that size belongs to the BRZ and mounts on a 17-inch wheel, with products covering a 7.0- to 8.0-inch rim-width range.

Reading the code correctly helps prevent one of the most common ordering mistakes: matching width while missing wheel diameter or profile. A BRZ owner comparing 215/45R17 to 215/40R18 is not choosing between interchangeable tires, but between two different wheel diameters and sidewall heights. Always match the code to the tire already on the car or to the wheel package you know is installed.

No. 2020 Subaru spreads 12 tire sizes across BRZ, Impreza, Legacy, Outback, WRX, and WRX STI, and every size is model-specific rather than shared across the entire lineup. Even closely related sport models differ: WRX uses 235/45R17 or 245/40R18, while WRX STI uses 245/35R19. The same pattern carries through the rest of the range, where each model has its own wheel-diameter and profile combinations.

That makes model identification a real fitment requirement, not just a catalog detail. If you know only that the car is a 2020 Subaru, you still have too many possible sizes to choose from. Confirm the model badge and then verify the wheel diameter or the sidewall code on the existing tire before moving on to brand, tread style, or appearance preferences.

Most 2020 Subaru sizes are available as Blackwall radials, which is the standard modern look across the BRZ, WRX, WRX STI, and most Impreza and Legacy fitments. There are a few exceptions: 205/50R17 for Impreza also appears with a Wide Whitewall, 225/55R17 for Legacy is available in both Blackwall and Wide Whitewall, and 225/65R17 for Outback appears with an RBL sidewall. Those sidewall differences depend on size rather than on the Subaru nameplate alone.

For a factory-style 2020 Subaru appearance, Blackwall is the closest visual fit for most applications because these cars were built in the modern era of low-profile radial tires. Whitewall choices lean more toward custom presentation than period authenticity on a 2020 Subaru, while the Outback's RBL option aligns better with its utility-oriented character. Choose sidewall style after the correct size is settled, not before.

2020 Subaru sizes are covered by BFGoodrich across most of the range, with Michelin appearing in 205/55R16, American Classic in 205/50R17, Nitto in 225/40R18, 235/45R17, 245/40R18, and 245/35R19, and M&H Racemaster in 245/40R18. Some sizes are concentrated around one brand, such as 215/40R18 for BRZ or 225/65R17 for Outback, while others offer a broader brand spread, especially the WRX and larger Impreza fitments.

Brand choice matters most after size and wheel diameter are confirmed. In practical terms, BFGoodrich covers the broadest share of 2020 Subaru applications, Nitto expands options in the sport-oriented sizes, and specialty brands appear where the fitment leans more custom or competition-focused. Comparing by size first will usually narrow the field faster than comparing brand first.

In shared 2020 Subaru sizes such as 225/40R18, 235/45R17, and 245/40R18, BFGoodrich g-Force and Nitto NT555 G2 are both Blackwall radials with W-rated versions up to 130 mph. Their fitment ranges are very similar, with 225/40R18 covering roughly 7.5 to 9.0-inch rims, 235/45R17 covering 7.5 to 9.0-inch rims, and 245/40R18 extending into the 8.0 to 9.5-inch range. Load figures also overlap closely in the sizes where both brands publish them.

The practical takeaway is that the choice is less about basic compatibility and more about the specific tire line that best suits the way the car is used. A WRX or 18-inch Impreza owner should compare the exact series within the correct size, then verify wheel width and any load marking on the intended tire. Once those points match the car, brand preference becomes a finer distinction rather than a fitment issue.

Rim-width guidance varies by size on 2020 Subaru. 205/55R16 and 205/50R17 generally fit 5.5- to 7.5-inch rims; 215/45R17 fits 7.0 to 8.0 inches; 215/40R18 fits 7.0 to 8.5 inches; 225/40R18 fits about 7.5 to 9.0 inches; 225/55R17 and 225/50R18 usually fit 6.0 to 8.0 inches, with one 225/55R17 whitewall extending to 9.0 inches; 225/65R17 fits 6.0 to 8.0 inches; and 235/45R17, 245/40R18, and 245/35R19 reach into the 9.0- to 9.5-inch range depending on product.

Rim width matters because the same tire size can seat on a range of wheel widths, but not every wheel falls inside that range. Before replacing tires on a modified BRZ, WRX, or STI in particular, confirm the actual wheel width stamped on the wheel or known from the wheel manufacturer. That extra check prevents choosing a tire that matches the sidewall code but not the wheel it must mount on.

Most 2020 Subaru applications here are modern radial tires that are effectively treated as tubeless fitments, and at least some products are explicitly marked TL, such as a Michelin 205/55R16 and a BFGoodrich 245/40R18. Tube status can vary by product within a given size because not every tire carries the same sidewall marking in the size string. No 2020 Subaru size in this range points toward a traditional tube-type collector tire format.

The safest approach is to check the actual sidewall marking on the product you intend to use rather than assuming every tire in the same size is marked the same way. On a modern Subaru wheel, that usually means confirming a tubeless radial intended for the correct rim. If the car has aftermarket wheels or an unusual use case, match the tire's construction and marking to the wheel design before installation.

No, because 2020 Subaru tire sizes span 16-, 17-, 18-, and 19-inch rim diameters. A BRZ 17-inch tire cannot mount on an 18-inch BRZ wheel, an Impreza 16-inch fitment cannot mount on its 17- or 18-inch wheels, and the WRX STI's 245/35R19 is exclusive to a 19-inch wheel. Original wheels can only be reused within the exact rim diameter that matches the tire code.

That is why the wheel itself is the first checkpoint when moving between trim levels, upgrading wheels, or buying a replacement set for a used 2020 Subaru. Once the diameter matches, rim width still needs to fall inside the acceptable range for the chosen tire. Treat the sidewall code and the wheel dimensions as a pair, not as separate decisions.

A 2020 Subaru should be stored on clean, properly inflated tires in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, or other ozone-producing equipment. Seasonal-use cars such as BRZs or WRXs often sit for long periods, so periodic movement helps reduce flat-spotting and keeps the contact patch from resting in one position for months at a time. If the car will sit for an extended period, some owners also use stands to reduce tire loading.

Good storage habits matter even on relatively modern radials because time and environment age the rubber whether the miles accumulate or not. Check pressure before the car goes into storage and again before it returns to the road, especially on lower-profile 18- and 19-inch fitments where underinflation is easier to miss visually. Keeping the car and tires clean also helps reveal cracking or damage early.

On a 2020 Subaru, tire life should be judged by age and condition as much as by tread depth. A useful collector and enthusiast guideline is to begin evaluating tires closely once they reach about five to seven years from the DOT date code, with replacement becoming a serious consideration as they approach roughly ten years regardless of remaining tread. That principle applies especially to lower-mileage cars that may look fine but spend long periods parked.

A lightly driven BRZ, Legacy, or WRX can age out a tire before it wears one out. Heat cycles, sunlight, storage conditions, and inflation history all affect longevity, so the calendar matters. If you are buying a 2020 Subaru secondhand, check each tire's age before assuming a good-looking set is still suitable for regular road use.

Tires on a 2020 Subaru should be inspected before every drive and more carefully before any longer trip. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, embedded objects, and any sign that a tire has been run low. Pressure should also be checked regularly, because profile and wheel diameter changes across the Subaru lineup make some fitments, especially lower-profile sport sizes, less forgiving of pressure neglect.

A quick walkaround catches many problems before they become roadside problems. On a car that sits for weeks at a time, include the spare in the inspection routine and make sure the valve stems remain sound and dry-rot free. If the vehicle shows pulling, vibration, or rapid shoulder wear, inspect the tires immediately and then move on to alignment and suspension checks if needed.

Yes, the radial tires used on 2020 Subaru applications here are highway-capable when they are in good condition, correctly inflated, and matched to the right wheel. Most carry W speed ratings, which correspond to 130 mph, while some sizes also reach Y, which is rated for 186 mph or higher, and the Outback's 225/65R17 carries an S rating at 112 mph. Those ratings are well above normal U.S. highway speeds when the tires are fresh and the vehicle is mechanically sound.

In real use, a 2020 Subaru's overall condition matters as much as the speed symbol on the sidewall. Alignment, brake health, suspension wear, and tire age all influence highway confidence more than the difference between one high-speed rating and another at legal road speeds. Focus first on using the correct size, then on condition, pressure, and even wear across the set.

Inflation pressure for a 2020 Subaru should follow the vehicle's factory recommendation for the exact model and tire size, while also respecting the maximum pressure and load figures marked on the tire itself. Several sizes here include product-specific maximum load and pressure examples, such as 1,356 pounds at 50 psi in 215/45R17, 1,819 pounds at 50 psi in some 225/55R17 tires, and 2,150 pounds at 65 psi in the 225/65R17 Outback application. Those figures are tire capacity limits, not blanket running pressures.

The key is not to transfer one pressure figure from one Subaru size to another or from one tire line to the next. A BRZ, Outback, and WRX operate in very different size ranges, and their recommended service pressures can differ accordingly. Use the door-jamb or owner's manual specification as the starting point, then confirm the tire itself is appropriate for that intended pressure and load.

Before a longer trip in a 2020 Subaru, inspect every tire for cracking, cuts, punctures, bulges, and uneven wear, then verify pressure when the tires are cold. Check tread depth across the full width, confirm the spare is serviceable, and make sure the wheel and tire size actually match the car's current setup. On performance-oriented cars such as BRZ, WRX, and WRX STI, pay extra attention to shoulder wear because aggressive driving can hide issues until the car is loaded on the highway.

Tires are only one part of a sound pre-drive routine on a modern enthusiast or utility Subaru. A longer outing is also a good time to confirm alignment feel, braking behavior, and whether the car tracks straight without vibration. Catching a pressure loss or a damaged sidewall at home is much easier than discovering it after the car is fully packed and already on the road.