If you're a muscle car fan in the modern age, then there's a good chance you subscribe to the mantra
“bigger is better.” Bigger engines. Bigger burnouts. Bigger noise. Those that have gasoline pumping
through their veins know precisely what we're talking about. We love to push our cars hard and get the
most bang for the performance buck and one of the first places any Mustang lover should look when
attempting to improve the overall performance and appearance of their car is the wheel and tire combo.
One question remains: is bigger really better when it comes to wheel and tire combos? The answer is not a
cut and dry 'yes or no' but a less satisfying 'it depends'. Don't worry, we'll help you sort through it.
This article will cover the advantages and disadvantages of 19-inch Mustang wheels vs.
20-inch Mustang wheels to
help you determine the best setup for your individual car:
Why Upgrade Your Wheels and
Tires?Wheel & Tire NumbersWhat the Factory Tells Us About 19s vs. 20s19-inch Wheel Pros and Cons20-inch Wheel Pros and Cons19" vs. 20"
at a GlanceStreet vs. Track Set-UpFrequently Asked Questions
Both work beautifully on a Mustang. The right answer comes down to how you actually use the car, not
just how it looks parked.
There are 2 reasons why most Mustang owners choose to upgrade their wheels and tires:appearance and
performance. Luckily for those of us passionate about these cars,these two things are not mutually
exclusive! Bigger wheels not only look better but also can provide better overall performance for both
track-focused and street-focused applications. Upgrading your wheels and tires increases both wheel diameter and wheel width. When you go up in
diameter,
the sidewall of the tire must shrink to properly fit in the wheel-well of your Mustang. To compensate
for
the slimmer sidewall, the width of the tire must also increase to maintain the load capacity of the
tire.
A wider tire means more tire tread on the ground and more tire tread on the ground means better handling
as well as better acceleration and braking performance. The tradeoff here is that this increased performance comes at the expense of ride quality and interior
noise. Less sidewall means less tire cushioning while going over bumps or expansion joints and more
noise
from the aggressive tread design of proper performance
tires. You can also expect less overall tread life depending
on tire choice,as well. Let's start by taking a look at this performance-focused Steeda
Mustang Trident Gloss Titanium Square Wheel Package - 20x10: Wheels: 20” Diameter x 10” Wide There's a ton to unpack here with this potentially confusing set of numbers and each one is a crucial
part
of the performance story for your Mustang. When considering 19-inch vs.20-inch Mustang wheels, you'll
need to keep in mind the following information in addition to wheel diameter: Every tire has a range of wheel widths that it can fit. For example, the NITTO
INVO tires noted above can fit rims that range from 9.5” to 11”. The ideal fit is a
completely different story and that will depend on the performance goals for your Mustang. Here's the detail most comparison articles miss: when Ford built its most track-capable production
Mustangs, it chose 19-inch wheels, not 20s. The takeaway isn't that 20s are bad, it's that diameter and performance are linked. The factory engineers
prioritized sidewall, weight, and tire selection over the bigger-rim look. That's the same logic that
should guide your build. When considering a 19-inch vs. 20-inch wheel for your Mustang, you'll have to keep in mind the overall
goal of your build. 19-inch wheels offer an opportunity to upgrade performance for a bit less money than
going with a set of 20” tires but they give up ultimate good looks associated with bigger wheels. If you're looking for the ultimate set of street tire bragging rights, a 20” wheel will provide stunning
looks and ultimate performance for your Mustang. There's an incredible amount of styles available and a
wide variety of tire choices to match your needs. Keep in mind, that due to the increased cost,
selection, and tire replacement needs, a 20”tire may not be the best choice for a weekend racer or
autocross. If you intend to run your Mustang at the track, you'll need to consider your tire choice heavily.
Essentially, you'll want the maximum performance for the least amount of money, and to put it bluntly,
track sessions completely destroy tires so you'll be replacing your tires often. This fact alone can
often point to a 19-inch wheel as the optimal choice for a track-focused car since the real performance
gains are marginal from a 20”. Consider the awesome Nitto NT01 D.O.T.
Competition Road Course Tire, for example. The Mustang experts at Steeda price this tire at $462.00 for the 285/35-20 and $373.00 for the 285/35-19.
That's a difference of $89 per tire or $356 for a set! If you're racing on a budget, this should be top
of mind when considering whether to go with a 19-inch wheel or a 20-inch wheel for your Mustang. It depends on your priorities. 19-inch wheels offer better ride quality, lower cost, lighter
weight, and cheaper track tires. 20-inch wheels deliver a more aggressive stance and fill
the wheel well better. For performance and track use, 19s are usually the smarter pick; for
street presence, 20s win. Interestingly, Ford fits its most track-capable Mustangs, including the Dark Horse, with 19-inch
wheels rather than 20s. The Dark Horse comes standard with staggered 19x9.5-inch front and 19x10-inch rear wheels. With the Handling Package, it upgrades to 19x10.5-inch front and 19x11-inch rear wheels on Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tires. Yes. Both S550 and S650 Mustang GTs can run 20-inch wheels with the correct width and offset. Just expect a firmer ride and higher tire costs compared to a 19-inch setup. Generally, yes. Larger diameters require shorter sidewalls, which means less cushion over bumps and more road noise. Choosing the right tire can soften the difference, but a 19-inch setup will almost always ride more comfortably than a 20. Base GT and EcoBoost models can. However, GT Performance Pack and all Dark Horse trims use larger front Brembo rotors that require a 19-inch minimum wheel diameter for clearance. All generations of Mustang's since 1994 use a 5x114.3mm (5x4.5") lug pattern19 Inch vs. 20 Inch Wheels: Balancing Style and Performance
The Short Answer: 19 or 20 Inch Mustang Wheels
Why Upgrade Your Wheels and Tires?
Talking Wheel and Tire Numbers - What Does It All Mean?
Tires: Nitto INVO tires sized 275/35R20
What the Factory Tells Us About 19s vs. 20s
19-inch Mustang Wheel Pros and Cons
19-inch Mustang Wheel Pros
19-inch Mustang Wheel Cons
20-inch Mustang Wheel Pros and Cons
20-inch Mustang Wheel Pros
20-inch Mustang Wheel Cons
19" vs. 20" Wheels at a Glance
Factor
19-inch
20-inch
Cost (Wheels + Tires)
Lower
Higher
Ride Quality
Smoother (more sidewall)
Firmer
Road Noise
Less
More
Weight
Lighter
Heavier
Appearance & Stance
Clean look, but less aggressive fitment
Fills the wheel well for the most aggressive stance
Street vs. Track Set-Up
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Articles
