Ride Quality 19" vs 17 - 18" What is your experience?

[Mean Green BP]

I currently have the factory 19" wheels and tires, and a lot of 19" tires are designed for electric vehicles (I have a 2025 Hybrid). But if you have changed to 17 or 18" setups has the ride quality changed that much? MPG loss? What is your experience? Thanks

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[Aaron F]

I thought the ride on my 25 Lariat was going to be worse than my 23 (with 18" BAP wheels) due to the larger 19"wheels. To my surprise, I feel like the 25 rides nicer. It could be the extra 30k miles on the 23, but I don't find it bad at all.

 

[Ddough56]

I think ride quality for '25 is improved due to new independent rear suspension.

 

[jcs]

I traded the stock 17" wheels on my '25 XLT for 19" ones from a Lariat and there is absolutely 0 difference in ride quality. I mean, is not like you are riding on a Civic with rubber bands for tires.

 

[hdave]

Between my stock 225/65/17 and my winter 235/60/18 I don't remember a difference which means it wasn't really there or too small to notice.

When I went from the 235/60/18 winter to 235/70/17 all season I definitely noticed the difference when rolling over cracks in the road and small things like that.

 

[colinl]

It actually has very little to do with wheel size and everything to do with the tire's construction, aspect ratio and sidewall height. For off-road tires, it can be easy to identify a stiff/tough tire carcass because the weight will be higher, and often the load rating higher.

The Maverick factory 19s ride pretty well because they are still 55-series tires, and they're a regular all-season tire, not an ultra-high performance variant.

Here are some screenshots to demonstrate each of those points I made above.

sidewall height of the 19" oem tire vs 17". yes, it's less, but a 4.9" tall sidewall is not that bad.

sidewall height of the 19" oem size vs an appealing alternative, 245/50-19. virtually the same sidewall, so would a 245/50-19 ride the same as the oem tire? maybe, but maybe not depending on the specific tire chosen.

I've put this tire on 2 previous vehicles I owned and it's a fairly decent do-it-all tire with sporty performance, but it's definitely not near the traction and handling capabilities of a summer tire. (it also wears fast in my experience, btw.) but I'd expect it to ride a little firmer than the OEM tires, but still not punishing.

conversely, if you pick this tire in a 245/50-19:
1) harsher ride because it's a max performance summer tire. the sidewall construction is firm and it's made to handle. it probably will be louder on the road also, but tread block design has something to do with that.

2) way more traction in warm weather, and zero usability not only in wintry conditions. it'll also be slick any time the weather is below 40 until the tire warms up. you just can't use a summer tire in winter if your region has real winter. if you have a lobo and you're going to autocross or do hpde events, you want a summer tire. (I'd scoop up these cheap ones while you can lol.)

so, then, how far can we take it with the stock 19x7.5 wheels? probably no farther than this, 265/45-19. it's only 0.2" less sidewall so it shouldn't ride too bad right? I'd actually expect it to ride considerably harsher than OEM because of the change from 55 to 45 series.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

I think ride quality for '25 is improved due to new independent rear suspension.

I bought Continental Tour 54 in 225/18/60 for my 22 hybrid and really like them. Low rolling resistance 80k tires. $175/tire. Consider them.

 

[Gray Goose]

I miss the old school 15" from the 80's-90's F-150s and Rangers. A lot of farm equipment has 15" to re-use worn out truck tires.

 

[tlhmav]

I currently have the factory 19" wheels and tires, and a lot of 19" tires are designed for electric vehicles (I have a 2025 Hybrid). But if you have changed to 17 or 18" setups has the ride quality changed that much? MPG loss? What is your experience? Thanks

Have had all 4 years all Hybrid and all different sizes 17/18/19 AWD now I can't tell any difference.The only issue is on delivery of all of em dealer left tires from factory at 45 psi.Drop down to 35 and a much better ride on all.

 

[WJOHNM]

I thought the ride on my 25 Lariat was going to be worse than my 23 (with 18" BAP wheels) due to the larger 19"wheels. To my surprise, I feel like the 25 rides nicer. It could be the extra 30k miles on the 23, but I don't find it bad at all.

I like the ride on My new Lariat with the 19" wheels, drove a 22FX4 for 3 years 25 rides more truck like but not rough, vehicle is also 1.5" higher with taller tires, I always felt I was looking up at other trucks and larger SUVs.

 

[Mabcim]

I had a ‘22 with 18” and now a ‘25 with 19”. Both Eco AWD, so same power train and suspension.
I feel differences. However, besides having a shorter sidewall, they are a different brand. So it is hard to know which of those is causing it.
I would say after sitting, and it is cold outside, the tires are rougher. I feel that is more of them ‘flat spot’, which is more tire make up then sidewall height. They also seem to wonder more, but that is more trend pattern, or a difference in lane keeping; I‘m not sure.

All I know, is that I miss the 18” Michelins. They never ‘flat spotted’ after sitting; not on my Maverick nor on my wife’s Escape (same 18” tire).

Is all of that ’bad’ enough to want to spend the money to swap the tries? No.

 

[Bobby Chapman]

I have 20's and the ride is better than factory 17" and mileage is 24-29 in city with 2.0 eco.

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