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Just got '23 Niro HEV SX Touring with 18" wheels but want to swap for smaller wheels

747 Views 17 Replies 9 Participants Last post by moshe1436, 3 d ago

2023caliniro

Discussion Starter · 13 d ago

Hi! I just got the 2023 Kia Niro Hybrid SX Touring Trim, which comes with 18" wheels that look amazing, but I'd rather have the 16" wheels that come with the lower trims. Anyone in California willing to swap (I don't want to just buy the 16's and then end up with 18" rims sitting around not being used - what a waste!)

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Lamagyar

· #2 · 13 d ago

The advantages of the 16" wheels are obvious.
But can you actually change 18" to 16" on the new Niro?
Did anybody successfully do that?
I asked KIA Hungary about this, and they replied it is not possible. The 16" does not go up because of the brakes, according to them.

Techy

· #3 · 13 d ago

Lamagyar said:
The advantages of the 16" wheels are obvious.
But can you actually change 18" to 16" on the new Niro?
Did anybody successfully do that?
I asked KIA Hungary about this, and they replied it is not possible. The 16" does not go up because of the brakes, according to them.

In North America, you can certainly put the 16's on a Niro HEV that came with 18's.
@2023caliniro should be able to find someone that likes the "nice wheels" to trade with and certainly the person that swaps will be getting a very good deal.

moshe1436

· #4 · 13 d ago

Lamagyar said:
The advantages of the 16" wheels are obvious.
But can you actually change 18" to 16" on the new Niro?
Did anybody successfully do that?
I asked KIA Hungary about this, and they replied it is not possible. The 16" does not go up because of the brakes, according to them.

Okay - I'm not a techie -- tell me what's the advantages of 16" wheels over 18" wheels?

Techy

· #5 · 13 d ago

moshe1436 said:
Okay - I'm not a techie -- tell me what's the advantages of 16" wheels over 18" wheels?

The 18's are low profile, so will tend to be harsher ride, more noise and fuel economy will be affected. They are obviously more expensive and will not last as long.
The positive is that the low profile with the larger rims makes for a nice looking wheel and the car will handle better - respond to changes in steering very quickly.

Reactions: 5

Johnxyz

· #6 · 13 d ago (Edited)

Some additional advantages to 16" - they cost less - larger wheels are heavier, much more difficult to rotate yourself, much better ride.

There is currently a regrettable trend to larger wheels for styling.

Personally, for me the 16 inch wheel look much more appropriate, practical and stylish on the NIRO.

We have another vehicle (Santa FE SEL FWD) with 17 inch wheels and it almost takes a professional weightlifter to rotate the wheels. Would much prefer 16-inch wheels on this vehicle.

Wait till you have to buy a 4 set replacement for low profile tires - holy cow -$$$$.

What Are Low-Profile Tires? Understanding The Pros And Cons | CarBuzz

Reactions: 1

2023caliniro

Discussion Starter · #7 · 13 d ago

Techy said:
In North America, you can certainly put the 16's on a Niro HEV that came with 18's.
@2023caliniro should be able to find someone that likes the "nice wheels" to trade with and certainly the person that swaps will be getting a very good deal.

That's what I'm thinking: whoever gets my 18" wheels will be getting the better deal, so if anyone knows anyone in California who wants my 18s, please let me know

sc489

· #8 · 12 d ago

I hate this trend towards low profile tyres. In the UK changing the wheel size will be classed as a modification resulting in a hike in insurance.

EdnasDriver

· #9 · 10 d ago

In the Hyundai Ioniq 6 the top trim comes with 20” wheels that cost 60 miles of range compared to the regular 18” wheels (360 to 300 miles).

moshe1436

· #10 · 7 d ago

Johnxyz said:
Some additional advantages to 16" - they cost less - larger wheels are heavier, much more difficult to rotate yourself, much better ride.

There is currently a regrettable trend to larger wheels for styling.

Personally, for me the 16 inch wheel look much more appropriate, practical and stylish on the NIRO.

We have another vehicle (Santa FE SEL FWD) with 17 inch wheels and it almost takes a professional weightlifter to rotate the wheels. Would much prefer 16-inch wheels on this vehicle.

Wait till you have to buy a 4 set replacement for low profile tires - holy cow -$$$$.

What Are Low-Profile Tires? Understanding The Pros And Cons | CarBuzz

I've been doing quite a bit of research in my quest to switch my 18" Alloy's to 16" Alloy's. I saw a beautiful set of Alloy's on a new Kia Forte that are exactly what I want for my Niro. I'm not sure if they were 16" or 17" but they were the same design and color.

If you order the 16" Alloy's that fit the Forte everything is the same except the offset. The OE Niro 16" rim is 6.5Jx16 ET46 with an offset range of 44-48mm and a tire size of tire size: 205/60R16. The OE Forte 16" rim is 6.5x16 ET50 with an offset range of 48-52mm and a tire size of 205/55R16.

It appears to me that the max. offset on the Niro wheel is 48mm and the minimum offset of the Forte is 48mm, which seems to be compatible.

The issue I have run across is the need to have your odometer (and other systems) calibrated to accommodate the difference in diameter of the 18" and 16" tire sizes. The low profile 18" tire size is 225/45R18 and the desired 16" tire size is 205/60R16.

Googling: 225/45R-18 vs 205/60R-16 you will find the information below:

The difference is the 205 tire vs the 225 tire is
-1.1% less diameter;
-1.1% less circumference;
+21/5% more height;
-1.1% less revolutions per mile;
-8.9% less width.

Speedometer difference with the 205 tire:
20 mph speedo reading vs actual speed 19.78 mph
50 mph speedo reading vs actual speed 49.45 mph
75 mph speedo reading vs actual speed 74.17 mph
100 mph speedo reading vs actual speed 98.89 mph

My conclusion is if you can find a wheel with the correct offset, swapping a 18" 225 with a 16" 205 will work. But don't take my assumption without checking thoroughly with a tire expert, of which I am not.

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Reactions: 1

Techy

· #11 · 7 d ago

There is nothing wrong with those numbers.
Go with it!

moshe1436

· #12 · 6 d ago

Techy said:
There is nothing wrong with those numbers.
Go with it!

I'm finding it impossible to find a 16" alloy wheel that fits these specs. Even Kia dealers are not able to provide information on this alloy wheel. This makes me wonder if the 16" alloy wheel for the Niro HEV was ever a reality and if not, is this why they substituted the 18" alloy in place of the 16" alloy? Maybe a steel wheel with a hub cap is available but that is a poor substitute for the alloy I'm looking for. Frustrated!

SDeemer

· #13 · 6 d ago

moshe1436 said:
I'm finding it impossible to find a 16" alloy wheel that fits these specs. Even Kia dealers are not able to provide information on this alloy wheel. This makes me wonder if the 16" alloy wheel for the Niro HEV was ever a reality and if not, is this why they substituted the 18" alloy in place of the 16" alloy? Maybe a steel wheel with a hub cap is available but that is a poor substitute for the alloy I'm looking for. Frustrated!

That is bizarre, since all non-touring 2023 HEV and PHEV Niros come with 16" wheels. I can't believe that Kia doesn't have them for order. What is an owner supposed to do if there is a catastrophic wheel failure, or if someone wants to replace an OEM 16" wheel after a bad curb scrape?

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Techy

· #14 · 6 d ago

moshe1436 said:
I'm finding it impossible to find a 16" alloy wheel that fits these specs. Even Kia dealers are not able to provide information on this alloy wheel. This makes me wonder if the 16" alloy wheel for the Niro HEV was ever a reality and if not, is this why they substituted the 18" alloy in place of the 16" alloy? Maybe a steel wheel with a hub cap is available but that is a poor substitute for the alloy I'm looking for. Frustrated!

I am not understanding your issue.
If you like the Forte alloys why don't you purchase them and use as the offset is not going to be a problem.
The 16" on the Niro is an alloy wheel with a wheel cover.

SDeemer

· #15 · 6 d ago

Techy said:
I am not understanding your issue.
If you like the Forte alloys why don't you purchase them and use as the offset is not going to be a problem.
The 16" on the Niro is an alloy wheel with a wheel cover.

I think the pre-2023 models had covers; as far as I can see, the 16" wheels on my 2023 SX are solid.

Techy

· #16 · 6 d ago

SDeemer said:
I think the pre-2023 models had covers; as far as I can see, the 16" wheels on my 2023 SX are solid.

I am sure that @moshe1436 can find a 16" alloy wheel with the specs required to fit a 2023 Niro HEV unless it has to be an actual OEM Kia rim.
There is lots of aftermarket available and the wheel specs are quite common with many models of Kia & Hyundai and many Mazda as well.

XJCasper

· #17 · 6 d ago

I am a car guy. On my Jeeps? Went with larger tires. On all of my other cars went with larger wheels and lower profiled for tires. For my Mustsng? I kept with factory diameter since I found a phenomenal price on a used set of RaceStars (17x7/17x8); years back. For the mustang? I am in current debate since i now the style i am chasing 17x4.5/15x10 or 17x4.5/18x10.5) Back story complete.

My Niro is a different story. I stayed with the EX trim level that had the 17's due how I felt with which trim levels was the best ratio of options:$. And the 17's have less rolling resistance for better mpg than 18's. I have debated 16's due to even less rolling resistance. BUT if I do gob16's or any aftermarket wheel? Will be going Sparco, Ray's, etc... to find a particular style if its possible anybody the companies have a lighter wheel available.

For your needs? If you want to continue to look for a tradable option? Figure out everything that might work for what you want and post to Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, and Craigslist. Specifically Facebook, considering the others are dying.

If you were closer I would take you up on the trade and also purchase 16' wheels. I am a person who usually has winter and summer wheels.

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moshe1436

· #18 · 3 d ago

I've decided to not do any changing of wheel size, despite the advantages of a 16" wheel. My decision is based on comparing $ for new wheels + tires + possible messing with my tire warranty + screwing up the Kia app + the agony of having to sell the bigger tires. Most of you probably won't agree with this, but my 18" Continental's are a 55K mile tire and they will probably get dry rot before I reach that mileage! Thanks for all the good advice!

Reactions: 1

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