The Honda Civic is one of the best-selling cars in America, and its tire needs vary dramatically depending on your trim. An LX on 16-inch steel wheels needs a completely different tire than a Sport Touring on 18-inch alloys. Here’s what works for each setup, with real specs and pricing.
Honda Civic Tire Sizes by Trim and Generation
| Generation | Years | Tire Sizes |
|---|---|---|
| 11th Gen (Refresh) | 2025 | 215/55R16 (LX) · 235/40R18 (Sport, Sport Touring, Si) · 245/30R19 (Type R) |
| 11th Gen | 2022–2024 | 215/55R16 (LX) · 215/50R17 (EX, Touring) · 235/40R18 (Sport, Si) · 245/30R19 (Type R) |
| 10th Gen | 2016–2021 | 215/55R16 (LX) · 215/50R17 (EX, Touring) · 235/40R18 (Si) · 245/30R20 (Type R) |
All Civic models share the 5×114.3mm bolt pattern with a 64.1mm center bore. This means wheels from the Sport can fit on the LX (and vice versa), though tire sizes must match the wheel diameter. Many LX owners upgrade to 17-inch or 18-inch wheels from the Sport trim for a more aggressive look — just be aware this slightly reduces ride comfort and increases tire replacement costs.
Best Tires for the Civic LX and EX (16-17 inch)
1. Michelin Defender T+H
The Defender T+H is the touring tire champion for budget-conscious Civic owners. It delivers an 80,000-mile warranty — meaning one set could last you 5+ years at average driving distances. Ride comfort and noise levels are exceptional in 215/55R16 or 215/50R17. Fuel economy stays close to Honda’s EPA ratings thanks to low rolling resistance. The only trade-off: it’s not exciting. Handling is competent but won’t thrill you on back roads.
Available in: 215/55R16, 215/50R17
UTQG: 820 A A
Warranty: 80,000 miles
Price range: $130–$155 per tire
2. Continental TrueContact Tour
Continental’s TrueContact Tour competes directly with the Michelin Defender on tread life (80,000-mile warranty) while offering slightly better wet traction. The EcoPlus Technology helps maintain the Civic’s excellent fuel economy — important for owners who chose the Civic specifically for its low running costs. Road noise is nearly imperceptible.
Available in: 215/55R16, 215/50R17
UTQG: 800 A A
Warranty: 80,000 miles
Price range: $120–$145 per tire
3. General AltiMAX RT45
The value pick for Civic owners. The RT45 (from Continental’s budget brand) delivers about 80% of the TrueContact’s performance at 60% of the price. With a 75,000-mile warranty, it outlasts most tires in its price range. It’s not as refined in handling or noise, but for Civic owners watching every dollar, the math works out strongly in its favor.
Available in: 215/55R16, 215/50R17
UTQG: 700 A B
Warranty: 75,000 miles
Price range: $85–$105 per tire
Best Tires for Sport, Si, and Sport Touring (18 inch)
1. Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus
The DWS 06 Plus is the enthusiast community’s favorite ultra-high-performance all-season for the Civic. In 235/40R18, it provides noticeably sharper turn-in and cornering grip than the OEM tires, while still handling rain and light snow. The “DWS” stands for Dry/Wet/Snow — the tread features indicators that disappear as the tire wears, showing you when it’s lost capability in each condition. Civic Si and Sport owners consistently rate this tire as the best all-around upgrade.
Available in: 235/40R18
UTQG: 560 A A
Warranty: 50,000 miles
Price range: $160–$185 per tire
2. Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4
If budget isn’t the primary concern and you want the absolute best performance all-season tire, the PS AS 4 delivers. It handles like a summer tire in the dry while maintaining genuine all-season capability. The grip level in corners is noticeably higher than any touring tire and most UHP all-seasons. It’s overkill for grocery runs, but if you enjoy driving and want the Civic to feel as sharp as it can, this is the tire.
Available in: 235/40R18
UTQG: 540 AA A
Warranty: 50,000 miles
Price range: $185–$215 per tire
Civic-Specific Tire Tips
16-inch tires for winter: Many Sport and Si owners buy a cheap set of 16-inch steel wheels with 205/55R16 winter tires. The narrower tire cuts through snow better, the steel wheels shrug off pothole damage, and the whole setup costs less than mounting winter tires on the 18-inch alloys. The Civic’s 5×114.3 bolt pattern makes used 16-inch Honda wheels easy to find.
Sport Touring 18-inch wheels are heavy. At 27-28 lbs each, they add significant unsprung weight. Enthusiasts who care about handling often swap to lighter aftermarket wheels (Enkei RPF1 at 15 lbs, Konig Hypergram at 17 lbs) and report noticeably improved acceleration, braking, and steering feel — even on the same tires.
Tire pressure: Honda recommends 32 PSI cold on all Civic trims. The TPMS will alert you if pressure drops significantly below this. Check monthly, especially during temperature swings — tire pressure drops about 1 PSI for every 10°F decrease in ambient temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tires come standard on the Honda Civic?
The 2025 Civic LX comes with 215/55R16 all-seasons (typically Continental or Bridgestone). Sport and Sport Touring trims get 235/40R18 all-seasons. The Si gets 235/40R18 performance all-seasons, and the Type R runs 245/30R19 high-performance tires.
Can I put 18-inch wheels on a Civic LX?
Yes. The Civic LX shares the same 5×114.3 bolt pattern and 64.1mm center bore as Sport trims. You can fit 18×8 wheels with 235/40R18 tires. This maintains a similar overall diameter to the stock 215/55R16 setup. Just expect a firmer ride due to the shorter sidewall.
How long do Civic tires last?
OEM tires typically last 35,000-45,000 miles. High-mileage touring tires like the Michelin Defender T+H or Continental TrueContact Tour can reach 60,000-80,000 miles with regular rotation every 5,000-7,500 miles. Performance tires on the Si and Sport wear faster — expect 25,000-35,000 miles.
What’s the best tire for Civic fuel economy?
The Michelin Defender T+H and Continental TrueContact Tour both have low rolling resistance compounds designed to maximize fuel economy. In the 215/55R16 size on the LX, you should see fuel economy within 1-2 MPG of Honda’s EPA ratings. Switching to wider 18-inch tires typically costs 1-3 MPG.
