Which size should you run?
Pick by how you travel, then check the details further down the page.
Weekend trails, mostly tarmac
215/75R15, no regearFits without a lift and adds a little clearance. The gearing stays close to stock, so the engine feels the same.
Loaded long-distance overlanding
225/75R15 all-terrain, no regearThe best balance for a heavy 5-door. Choose a reinforced or C-load tire and keep an eye on your weight.
Serious off-road build
30 in and up, lift and regearNeeds a lift, arch trimming, the right wheel offset and a regear to roughly 4.8:1, front and rear together.
Where the 5-door starts
The 5-door shares the 3-door's 1.5 L engine, stock tire and drivetrain ratios. It is roughly 100 to 150 kg heavier before you add any gear, and it has a longer wheelbase of about 2,590 mm against 2,250 mm. That extra weight is why it is more sensitive to tire diameter and load.
- Stock tire
- 195/80R15, about 27.3 in (693 mm)
- Final drive
- about 4.3:1
- Low range
- about 2:1
- Crawl ratio
- roughly 31:1 on the 5-speed manual
Verify the exact ratios for your market and transmission before doing any regearing math.
Common upgrade sizes
| Tire size | Diameter | Versus stock | Fitment on the 5-door |
|---|---|---|---|
| 195/80R15 (stock) | 27.3 in / 693 mm | - | Fits as is |
| 215/75R15 | 27.7 in / 704 mm | +1.5% | Fits with no lift. The sensible first upgrade. |
| 225/75R15 | 28.3 in / 719 mm | +3.7% | Usually fits. Check for rubbing at full lock. |
| 235/75R15 | 28.9 in / 734 mm | +5.8% | Needs a lift and some trimming. |
| 245/75R16 | 30.5 in / 774 mm | +11.7% | Needs a lift, trimming and the right wheel offset. |
Fitment depends on wheel width, offset, suspension height and local rules. Test-fit before you buy a full set.
What a bigger tire changes
- Speedometer. Your real speed is higher than indicated by about the same percentage as the size change. With a tire 5.8% larger, a reading of 100 km/h means roughly 106 km/h.
- Crawl ratio. It falls in proportion. A tire 11.7% larger gives up about 10% of your crawl ratio.
- Highway driving. The engine works harder in top gear, so fuel use and heat go up.
- Weight. Larger tires are heavier. Acceleration and braking both dull, and a loaded 5-door shows this sooner than a 3-door.
Work out your own tire
Enter the size printed on the sidewall. The results compare it with the stock 195/80R15.
Stock figures used: 693 mm diameter, 4.3:1 final drive, 31:1 crawl ratio.
- Diameter
- -
- Versus stock
- -
- Real speed at 100 km/h indicated
- -
- Crawl ratio
- -
- Regear target (final drive)
- -
When to regear
- Up to 225/75R15. No regear needed, even when loaded.
- 235/75R15 up to about 29 in. Worth considering if you carry a full load or drive a lot of highway or mountain roads.
- 30 in and above. Regear. Do the front and rear together.
To find a target ratio, multiply your stock ratio by the increase in diameter:
New ratio = stock ratio × (new diameter ÷ stock diameter)
For a 30.5 in tire: 4.3 × 1.117 ≈ 4.8:1. Choose the closest ratio your diff supplier offers.
Overlanding advice
All-rounder
215/75R15 or 225/75R15 in an all-terrain tire. You gain a little clearance and the gearing stays near stock.
Load rating
Choose a reinforced or C-load tire. Roof gear, fuel, water and passengers add up fast on the 5-door.
Sand
Air down to about 15 to 18 psi, and carry a compressor to reinflate afterward.
Mud and snow
A narrower tire usually cuts through to firmer ground better than a wide one.
Spare
Carry a full-size spare of the same diameter. Mixed diameters put stress on a part-time 4WD driveline.