2022 Subaru Tire Fitment Guide

2022 Subaru vehicles use eleven different tire sizes across five model lines. The BRZ uses 215/45R17 and 215/40R18; the Impreza uses 205/55R16, 205/50R17, and 225/40R18; the Legacy uses 225/55R17 and 225/50R18; the Outback uses 225/65R17 and 225/60R18; and the WRX uses 235/45R17 and 245/40R18. Rim diameters across the range are 16, 17, and 18 inches. Where rim-width guidance is available, it varies by size, from 5.5-7.5 inches on some 205-series tires to as wide as 8.0-9.5 inches on some 245/40R18 applications.

The practical takeaway is that year and make alone are not enough for a 2022 Subaru tire choice. You need the exact model first, and then the exact wheel diameter already on the vehicle. Once those two points are confirmed, the size field narrows quickly and you can compare sidewall style, brand, speed rating, and load range within the correct fitment rather than sorting through the entire Subaru lineup.

On a 2022 Subaru tire, 215/45R17 is a metric radial size code. The 215 is the section width in millimeters, 45 is the aspect ratio, meaning the sidewall height is 45 percent of the section width, R identifies radial construction, and 17 is the wheel diameter in inches. In the 2022 Subaru range, this size is used on the BRZ.

That matters because a 215/45R17 tire is not interchangeable with the BRZ's 215/40R18 option without also changing the wheel diameter. It also gives you a quick way to read comparable sizes elsewhere in the Subaru lineup: the first number is width, the middle number is profile, and the last number is always the wheel size the tire mounts to. Reading the code correctly prevents accidental cross-shopping between similar-looking Subaru fitments.

No, 2022 Subaru models do not use the same tire size. Every model line has its own fitment spread, and many of those sizes are unique to a single Subaru model. The BRZ, Impreza, Legacy, Outback, and WRX all use different combinations of 16-, 17-, or 18-inch tire sizes, with no one size shared across the entire make for the year.

That means a buyer cannot safely choose a tire for a 2022 Subaru by year and make alone. A WRX owner looking at 245/40R18, for example, is in a completely different fitment category than an Outback owner using 225/65R17. If the vehicle has had wheel changes, check the sidewall of the current tire and the wheel diameter before deciding which model-specific Subaru path to follow.

Most 2022 Subaru tire sizes are offered in Blackwall form, which is the dominant look across the BRZ, Impreza, Legacy, and WRX fitments. A few sizes add visual alternatives: 205/50R17 appears with a Wide Whitewall option, 225/55R17 also has a Wide Whitewall choice, and 225/65R17 is available with an RBL sidewall. Those alternatives are tied to specific sizes rather than to the entire Subaru range.

For a factory-like late-model Subaru appearance, Blackwall is usually the natural direction. Whitewall choices on a 2022 Subaru are more of a custom styling decision than an authenticity play, while the RBL all-terrain style on the Outback's 225/65R17 points toward a more rugged visual character. The right sidewall choice comes after the fitment is settled, not before.

2022 Subaru tire coverage includes BFGoodrich, Michelin, American Classic, Nitto, and M&H Racemaster. BFGoodrich appears across the broadest spread of Subaru sizes, while Michelin is present in 205/55R16, American Classic appears in 205/50R17, Nitto covers selected 18-inch and WRX sizes, and M&H Racemaster appears in 245/40R18. Brand availability changes by size rather than by Subaru make as a whole.

That size-by-size split matters because the brand you prefer may only exist in one Subaru fitment path. A BRZ owner on 17-inch wheels sees a different mix than a WRX owner on 18-inch wheels or an Outback owner on 17-inch wheels. It is usually more productive to confirm the exact Subaru size first, then compare brand options within that one size instead of starting with the brand alone.

On several 2022 Subaru sizes, BFGoodrich offers both g-Force Sport Comp 2 and g-Force Phenom T/A versions, and the differences show up in load figures, weight, and exact sizing details. In 205/55R16, for example, g-Force Sport Comp 2 carries up to 1,356 pounds at 51 psi, while g-Force Phenom T/A reaches 1,477 pounds at 50 psi. In 225/55R17, Sport Comp 2 reaches 1,609 pounds at 51 psi, while Phenom T/A goes to 1,819 pounds at 50 psi.

For a 2022 Subaru owner, that means two tires can share the same basic size but still differ in rating emphasis and published specs. The best approach is to compare the exact size you need and then look at load capacity, weight, and rim-width compatibility within that size. That keeps the decision grounded in the actual Subaru application instead of assuming all performance-oriented tires in the same nominal size are equivalent.

Rim-width guidance for 2022 Subaru tires depends on the exact size. 205/55R16 and 205/50R17 generally fit 5.5-7.5-inch rims; 215/40R18 fits 7.0-8.5 inches; 215/45R17 fits 7.0-8.0 inches; 225/40R18 fits 7.5-9.0 inches; 225/55R17 and 225/50R18 commonly fit 6.0-8.0 inches, with one 225/55R17 whitewall extending to 9.0 inches; 225/65R17 fits 6.0-8.0 inches; 235/45R17 fits 7.5-9.0 inches; and 245/40R18 ranges from 8.0-9.5 inches, with one drag radial specified at 8.5 inches.

Those ranges show why the wheel matters almost as much as the tire size on a 2022 Subaru. Even if the sidewall size is correct, the wheel still needs to fall inside the acceptable rim-width range for that specific product. Confirm the actual wheel width before ordering, especially on cars that may have aftermarket wheels or on WRX and BRZ applications where wider wheel packages are common.

2022 Subaru tires are primarily modern radial designs, and tube use does not appear to be a standard requirement for these fitments. One 205/55R16 Michelin tire is explicitly marked TL for tubeless use, and one 245/40R18 BFGoodrich marking also includes TL. Other sizes do not consistently carry tube-type markings, and none of these Subaru fitments are presented as dedicated tube-type applications.

For a late-model Subaru, the more important step is confirming the wheel itself is appropriate for tubeless radial service and that the valve stems are in good condition. If a particular tire's sidewall marking includes a tubeless designation, follow that marking. On modified cars or specialty wheel setups, verify the wheel and tire combination together instead of assuming every 2022 Subaru wheel has been kept in original form.

A 2022 Subaru that sits for long periods should be stored away from direct sunlight, standing moisture, and ozone sources such as electric motors, battery chargers, and welders. Keep the tires properly inflated, move the car occasionally so the contact patch changes, and if storage will be very long, consider stands or tire cradles to reduce prolonged loading in one spot. These are all radial fitments, so they generally tolerate storage better than older bias-ply tires, but they still age from environment and inactivity.

Good storage habits matter even on newer enthusiast vehicles because sidewall cracking and flat spotting can begin long before tread wears out. A BRZ or WRX that is used seasonally, or a second-car Legacy or Outback that sits through long stretches, benefits from regular pressure checks and a clean, climate-stable storage area. Tire condition on a stored Subaru is driven more by time and exposure than by mileage alone.

On a 2022 Subaru, tire life should be judged by age as much as by wear. A practical collector-and-enthusiast guideline is to start evaluating tires closely once they reach about five to seven years of age, and to treat around ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall is the key reference for age.

That guideline is especially useful for Subarus that see irregular use, such as a lightly driven BRZ, a weekend WRX, or a spare family Outback that accumulates little mileage. A tire can look acceptable at a glance yet still be aging internally. Use the date code, the tire's storage history, and a close inspection of sidewalls and tread area together when deciding whether a 2022 Subaru tire has reached the end of its service life.

Tires on a 2022 Subaru should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer trip. Look for cuts, bulges, punctures, uneven tread wear, embedded debris, and early sidewall cracking, and make sure the pressures are stable across all four tires. Because these are modern radial fitments, consistent tread wear can also reveal alignment or suspension issues before they become more expensive problems.

That routine matters whether the Subaru is a daily Impreza, a highway Legacy, or a performance WRX. A quick visual check catches the obvious, while a more thorough inspection every few weeks can catch gradual issues such as shoulder wear, aging rubber, or a slow leak. Include the spare if the vehicle still carries one, since a neglected spare is often discovered only when the main tire has already failed.

Most 2022 Subaru tire options here are modern radial designs with W or Y speed ratings, which correspond to 168 mph and 186+ mph ceilings respectively. The Outback's 225/65R17 all-terrain option carries an S rating, which corresponds to 112 mph, and that is still well above normal U.S. highway speeds. One 245/40R18 option is a drag radial, so its intended use should be considered more carefully than a conventional street-oriented radial.

For real-world driving, the Subaru's condition, alignment, suspension, and braking system matter as much as the tire's published speed symbol. A healthy late-model Subaru on the correct size and a properly maintained radial tire is entirely different from forcing a specialty tire into an everyday use pattern it was not built for. Match the tire type to the car's actual use, not just the size printed on the sidewall.

Inflation pressure on a 2022 Subaru should start with the factory recommendation for the exact model and wheel package, then be checked against the tire's own maximum load and pressure marking where one is given. Published load-and-pressure figures vary by size and product: examples include 1,279 pounds at 50 psi for some 215/40R18 tires, 1,477 pounds at 50 psi for some 205/55R16 tires, 1,819 pounds at 50 psi for some 225/55R17 tires, and 2,150 pounds at 65 psi for the 225/65R17 all-terrain option.

Those figures are not a blanket recommendation to run every 2022 Subaru tire at its maximum pressure. They are rated limits tied to load-carrying capacity. Use the Subaru placard or owner's manual for the vehicle's baseline setting, then verify that the chosen tire is appropriate for that use. Never transfer a pressure figure from a WRX tire to an Outback tire, or from one wheel diameter to another, simply because both came on a 2022 Subaru.

Before a longer drive in a 2022 Subaru, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, punctures, and uneven wear, and verify cold inflation pressure with an accurate gauge. Check that valve stems are sound, the tread is wearing evenly, and the spare is inflated if the vehicle still carries one. On performance-oriented Subaru applications, also make sure there is no evidence of inner-edge wear that might point to alignment issues.

Tires are only one part of the trip-prep picture on a 2022 Subaru, but they are the part in continuous contact with the road. A BRZ or WRX with aggressive fitments deserves extra attention to wear and pressure consistency, while an Outback headed onto rougher surfaces should be checked for sidewall damage and impact-related issues. Catching a problem in the garage is far easier than discovering it at highway speed.