Technical 2020 Panda Cross 4x4 Tire Recommendations

[DirtJezus]

Hi everyone,

I just bought a 2020 Panda Cross 4x4 from a used car dealer and they will be fitting it with new Continental AllSeasonContact2 tires. I'm being pushed towards the 175/65 because they are the same size as the ones the car came with originally - but I would have preferred the 185/65 for a higher ground clearance. What are the advantages of one size vs the other ? Will the larger tire negatively effect the car on steep off-road hills ? What about steering feel, etc ? I also noticed in the manual that with the 185's you can't fit chains.

What tire size do you guys recommend ?

 

[Bonefish Blues]

I thought Cross came with 185s as OE to give the oft-quoted 5 (or was it 6?)mm extra ground clearance over the 4x4?

As a by the by I run my 4x4 on 185s, not the 175s that it was supplied with.

 

[andyvee]

Can confirm my 23 plate cross 4wd came with 175/65's from new straight off the boat

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Can confirm my 23 plate cross 4wd came with 175/65's from new straight off the boat

By then there was an element of fitting what they had, I think?

Fiat Panda Cross 312 [2014 .. 2020] - Wheel & Tire Sizes, PCD, Offset and Rims specs

Wheel size, PCD, offset, and other specifications such as bolt pattern, thread size (THD), center bore (CB), trim levels for Fiat Panda Cross 312 [2014 .. 2020]. Wheel and tire fitment data. Original equipment and alternative options.

www.wheel-size.com

 

[andyvee]

By then there was an element of fitting what they had, I think?

Fiat Panda Cross 312 [2014 .. 2020] - Wheel & Tire Sizes, PCD, Offset and Rims specs

Wheel size, PCD, offset, and other specifications such as bolt pattern, thread size (THD), center bore (CB), trim levels for Fiat Panda Cross 312 [2014 .. 2020]. Wheel and tire fitment data. Original equipment and alternative options.

www.wheel-size.com

Yeah , i guess i was lucky they were at least round , I will also be swapping to 185's once these are finished which with 22k + wont be too much longer I would guess.

 

[Panda IIs]

Can confirm my 23 plate cross 4wd came with 175/65's from new straight off the boat

The narrower profile was probably part of the fuel efficiency/emission reduction drive as they would likely provide a lower rolling resistance? Tiny gains but all probably helpful.

 

[DirtJezus]

Thanks for the replies guys - but besides the extra 6mm ride height - are there any other advantages to 185 ? Does the extra wheel diameter reduce 1sr gear climbing ability on « granny climbs » ?

 

[Panda IIs]

Thanks for the replies guys - but besides the extra 6mm ride height - are there any other advantages to 185 ? Does the extra wheel diameter reduce 1sr gear climbing ability on « granny climbs » ?

I doubt very much you would notice the difference - consider the tread thickness difference between brand new and being down on the treadwear indicators on identical tyres.

Try something like this;

https://www.oponeo.co.uk/tools/tyre...b3yEjEFAe-P2msZUEBTbBmRm9HoOexkSQPkTErYYZ__Wb

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Thanks for the replies guys - but besides the extra 6mm ride height - are there any other advantages to 185 ? Does the extra wheel diameter reduce 1sr gear climbing ability on « granny climbs » ?

I think it's undetectable by the driver tbh - I fitted because there was a better tyre selection and prices were rather better. I think, but can't say for sure, that they're slightly more comfortable because of the greater volume (oh and of course there's the Ferrari-like handling and grip that the bigger tyres give - said nobody, ever )

ETA
I fitted these:

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m138b0s7990p202116/Vredestein_Tyres_All_Season_Car_Vredestein_Quatrac_6_185_65_R15_88T_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_B_NoiseClass%3A_B_Noise%3A_70dB

Which are definitely better than these, which I wouldn't buy again:

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m138b0s7990p198720/Kumho_Tyres_All_Season_Car_Kumho_Solus_HA32_185_65_R15_88H_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_D_Wet_Grip%3A_B_NoiseClass%3A_B_Noise%3A_71dB

 

[porta]

If you’re going on steep off road hills then I’d suggest better than ‘predominantly’ on-road tyres