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Why are cars fitted with large wheels?

Why do car manufacturers insist on fitting large wheels and low-profile tyres to their top-of-the-range models? This combination often results in a hard ride and susceptibility to wheel and tyre damage on our roads. Why do they do it?

Asked on 19 December 2022 by fenmanB

Answered by Dan Powell
Most modern cars are aesthetically designed to feature large wheels. Vehicle designers claim they improve the overall stance of the vehicle. Large wheels also improve road handling and grip, due to the fact you increase the contact area of the tyre with the road.

But, as you rightly point out, large wheels and low-profile tyres will make the ride quality hard and bumpy on less-than-perfect road surfaces. However, with large wheels being more popular than ever before, it would appear this is a sacrifice that many drivers are willing to make in order to have a car they deem to be aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
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