205/55 R16 Tyres

205/55 R16 is the size fitted to the Honda Civic, the Corolla Altis and a long list of imported sedans, and it is where tyre choice starts to genuinely change how a car drives. The 55-series sidewall is about 113 mm — low enough that the tyre resists rolling under in a corner, which is why cars with any sporting intent use it.

The V speed rating that usually accompanies this size is not a detail to ignore when replacing. It signals a stiffer construction and a compound formulated to shed heat at sustained speed. Fitting a lower-rated tyre because it is cheaper will feel fine around town and will quietly reduce your safety margin on a long motorway run in June, when ambient temperatures already have the tyre working hard.

This is also the size where the difference between a touring compound and a performance compound is most obvious. A touring set is quieter, lasts longer and is the right answer for a Civic used as a commuter. A performance set gives you shorter dry and wet braking distances and much better feel through the steering, at the cost of tread life and a little noise. We stock both and we will tell you which one suits how you actually drive rather than how the brochure says you might. Fitting, balancing and an alignment check are included with every set.