2020 Mazda CX-5 Tire Size

Q: Can I fit winter tires in a different size on my 2020 Mazda CX-5?

Yes — the standard winter-tire fitment pattern is one width step narrower than OEM (e.g. 225 → 215) with the aspect ratio bumped up to preserve overall diameter. Narrower tires increase contact pressure on snow for better traction. The Compatible alternative sizes table includes any winter-friendly options that fall within ±3% OD for this vehicle.

Approved fitments

Tire size	Rim size	PCD (bolt pattern)	Offset	Load index	Speed rating
225/65R17 OEM	R17	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
225/55R19 OEM	R19	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Best by use case

Four tires, four jobs

Best all-season

BFGoodrich

All-Terrain T/A KO2

all-season touring, 50,000-mi warranty

Best budget

Goodyear

Assurance MaxLife

Lowest cost per mile in this size; UTQG 820

Best quiet

Bridgestone

Turanza QuietTrack

68 dB cabin noise (EU label); quietest in this size

Best winter

Bridgestone

Blizzak WS90

Dedicated winter (premium compound); ice/snow grip

Compatible alternative sizes for 225/65R17

Sizes within the ETRTO ±3% overall-diameter safe-fit tolerance. Each row links to the size's own page.

Alternative size	%Δ OD	Category	Verdict
`195/75R17`	0.00%	winter narrower	Safe
`245/70R15`	-0.04%	alternative	Safe
`205/65R18`	-0.08%	plus 1	Safe
`245/65R16`	0.08%	alternative	Safe
`215/80R15`	0.10%	alternative	Safe

For the full list of alternatives with comfort/handling impact, see 225/65R17 upsize options. To check an arbitrary size pair, use the tire compatibility calculator.

Check a different size against this vehicle

Type any tire size below; we'll compute its overall-diameter delta against the OEM 225/65R17 and verdict using the ETRTO ±3% rule.

Common upgrade paths

Plus-1: 205/65R18; one rim size up, -0.08% OD change. Sharper steering, mild ride penalty, modest cost premium.
Plus-2: 245/50R19; two rim sizes up, 0.46% OD change. Noticeable ride penalty, higher pothole risk, meaningful tire-cost premium.

Use the plus-size calculator to evaluate any rim step against the OEM size.

How to choose tires for the 2020 mazda CX-5

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 ships from the factory on 225/65R17 tires mounted on R17 wheels. 2 approved fitments are documented for this model year, allowing some flexibility between performance, comfort, and winter compounds. The Compatible alternative sizes table above lists every safe substitution within the ETRTO ±3% overall-diameter tolerance.

Tire choice on the Mazda CX-5 comes down to three trade-offs that matter more than brand loyalty: load index (must equal or exceed the OEM number), speed rating (must match or exceed the placard), and UTQG treadwear (higher means longer life, lower usually means stickier rubber). Owners replacing factory tires with the same compound class, for example all-season for all-season, generally see no change in ride characteristics or fuel economy. Switching categories (performance summer to all-season touring, for example) is where the trade-offs show up at the contact patch.

For 2020 Mazda CX-5 owners considering a plus-size upgrade, the safer option is a Plus-1 step (one rim size up with a 10-point aspect drop and ~10 mm of additional section width). Plus-2 is technically viable on this chassis if the alternative-sizes table lists a Plus-2 candidate within tolerance, but expect a meaningful ride-harshness penalty and a tire-cost premium of 30–60% per tire relative to the OEM fitment. For winter use the recommended pattern is one width step down (e.g. from a 235 to a 225) with the aspect ratio bumped up to preserve overall diameter; narrower tires apply higher contact pressure per square inch on snow, which translates directly into shorter braking distances. The plus-size calculator evaluates any specific rim step against this OEM size.

Before purchasing, verify the tire size on the driver-door placard of your specific 2020 Mazda CX-5, since trim levels and option packages can shift the original fitment from what is documented here. The placard reading is the authoritative source per FMVSS 110, and dealers will reference the placard rather than aftermarket catalogs when validating warranty claims.

NHTSA-reported issues for 2020 mazda CX-5

26

Complaints

2

Crashes

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

Top issue category: Tires (General)

Most reported: Tires (General) (15) · Tread / Belt (6) · Sidewall (4) · Valve (1)

Reported across: 2014 – 2024 (10 years)

What owners described

Sidewall failure appears in 33% of these reports; about 2.2× as often as across all tire complaints. Percentages are shares of the 15 reports covering every model year of the Mazda CX-5 that include a written account; a single report can describe more than one problem, so they do not total 100%.

Reported problem	This subject	All tire complaints	Relative
Sidewall failure	33%	15%	2.2×
Cracking or dry rot	33%	9%	3.6×
Pressure-monitoring (TPMS) fault	20%	2%	8.3×
Tread or belt separation	13%	13%	1.0×
Blowout or sudden deflation	13%	20%	0.7×
Bubble or bulge in the tire	13%	6%	2.3×

Mileage at failure

6 of these reports state an odometer reading. The middle report is at 26,673 miles, with 8 in 10 falling between 8,000 and 68,000 miles.

In owners' own words

Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA about Mazda CX-5. Reports are published by NHTSA as filed and are lightly cleaned here only to remove intake codes.

ON OCTOBER 6, 2015, I WAS TRAVELING ON I-70 IN SOUTHERN UTAH WHEN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TIRE WAS A YOKOHAMA GEOLANDER G91, DOT FDF5 PC50814, SIZE P225/65R17/60H. THIS TIRE WAS ON MY 2015 MAZDA CX5 WHEN I PURCHASED IT IN LATE AUGUST 2014. IT HAD 10559 MILES ON IT. ROAD CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF THE BLOW OUT WERE EXCELLENT AND THE ROAD WAS VERY SMOOTH AS IT HAD BEEN RECENTLY PAVED. THE TIRE WAS IN 3 PIECES, THE TWO SIDE WALLS AND THE BOTTOM TREAD. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF PUNCTURE. THE GENTLEMAN WHO ASSISTED IN CHANGING THE TIRE SAID HE WAS FREQUENTLY CALLED TO THAT AREA FOR FLAT TIRE ASSISTANCE, BUT HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING QUITE LIKE THIS SEPARATION OF THE SIDEWALLS FROM THE TREAD. IT SEEMS THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM WITH YOKOHAMA TIRES FROM MY READING OF OTHER COMPLAINTS.

NHTSA complaint 1238977 · 2015 vehicle

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX5 GRAND TOURING. THE VEHICLE HAS TOYO A23 TIRE SIZE 225 55R 19. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WASHING THE VEHICLE, SHE HAD NOTICED SEVERAL CRACKS IN THE THREAD ON THE SIDEWALL OF EACH TIRE. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS MORE SEVERE ON BOTH FRONT DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER TIRES. SHE HAD INITIALLY TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO HERTRICH'S CAPITOL MAZDA(1127 S DUPONT HWY, DOVER, DE 19901) WHERE THEY REFERRED HER TO THE TOYA TIRE MANUFACTURER FOR ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE TIRES. THE CONTACT HAD YET TO EXPERIENCE A FAILURE WITH THE TIRES. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 33,000.

NHTSA complaint 1705242 · 2016 vehicle

We took our car to the Mazda dealership for routine maintenance. The technician found circumferential cracking along the sidewall/tread junction of all 4 tires. We were told that this suggests tread separation and that we should not continue to drive on the tires. We replaced all 4. I have pictures of all 4 tires.

NHTSA complaint 2148228 · 2021 vehicle

My daughter was driving on the freeway at 75-80mph on the morning of April 19th, 2025. The rear passenger tire blew out without any prior symptoms or warnings. Surrounding cars slowed down, or got out of the way because the other drivers saw her struggles to maintain her lane and direct the car to the shoulder of the freeway. AAA was called to change the tire to the safety spare. The tire remains with us, and the NHTSA is the initial entity that I am filing a report to.

NHTSA complaint 2084581 · 2024 vehicle

Complaints are voluntarily submitted to the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation and are not verified by NHTSA; they represent owner-reported problems, not proven defects. Counts can be useful as a relative quality signal across comparable tires or vehicles.

Frequently asked questions

What size tires fit a 2020 Mazda CX-5?

The OEM tire size for the 2020 Mazda CX-5 is 225/65R17 mounted on R17 wheels.. Trim levels and option packages can shift the original fitment; confirm against your specific vehicle's driver-door placard before purchase.

Can I run a different tire size on my 2020 Mazda CX-5?

Plus-sizing (larger rim, lower aspect) is possible within ±3% of the OEM overall diameter per the ETRTO safe-fit standard. The Compatible alternative sizes table on this page lists every safe option for the OEM size. Always confirm with the manufacturer or a qualified tire shop before deviating from the placard.

Where can I buy tires for my 2020 Mazda CX-5?

Online tire retailers in our affiliate network carry every size documented for this vehicle. Use the Shop online buttons above to compare prices across them; variance of $20–$40 per tire is common between merchants. The <a href="/tools/tire-install-cost-calculator/">install cost calculator</a> estimates the out-the-door including mount, balance, TPMS, and disposal by state.

What is the recommended tire pressure for the 2020 Mazda CX-5?

The cold-inflation pressure is printed on the driver-door placard of your specific vehicle and varies by trim, tire size, and loaded vs unloaded condition. Typical OEM front and rear pressures fall between 30 and 36 psi for passenger trims and 32–40 psi for SUV/truck variants, but the placard is the authoritative source.

Can I fit winter tires in a different size on my 2020 Mazda CX-5?

Yes; the standard winter-tire fitment pattern is one width step narrower than OEM (e.g. 225 → 215) with the aspect ratio bumped up to preserve overall diameter. Narrower tires increase contact pressure on snow for better traction. The Compatible alternative sizes table includes any winter-friendly options that fall within ±3% OD for this vehicle.

How often should I rotate the tires on my 2020 Mazda CX-5?

Every 5,000–7,500 miles is the typical OEM recommendation for passenger vehicles. AWD vehicles and high-torque trucks benefit from the shorter interval. Documented rotation history is also a tire-warranty prerequisite; most manufacturer treadwear claims require rotation receipts at the warranty inspection.

For broader tire questions; replacement timing, UTQG, EV-specific tires, winter swaps; see the tire FAQ.

Sources for this page

Vehicle owner's manual tire & wheel placard; door-jamb placard on the Mazda CX-5 is the authoritative source for OEM tire size, load index, and cold-inflation pressure for your specific trim.
NHTSA SaferCar; recall lookup for the 2020 Mazda CX-5.
ETRTO 2024 Standards Manual §2.3; overall-diameter math used for the alternative-size verdicts above.
Tire & Rim Association 2025 Yearbook; load-index to maximum-load reference.