2022+ VB Subaru WRX Wheel Fitment Guide

The VB-chassis Subaru WRX (2022+) marks the evolution of Subaru’s legendary performance sedan onto the Subaru Global Platform (SGP). SGP reimagined the structural integrity, suspension kinematics, and dynamic capabilities. The platform delivers a 50% increase in torsional rigidity compared to the VA chassis, revised suspension pickup points, and a highly rigid chassis structure that demands the best automotive footwork to maintain optimal handling characteristics. This guide provides comprehensive wheel fitment information for the VB WRX platform.

For detailed tire fitment including diameter tolerance and performance categories, see the VB Subaru WRX Tire Guide. For quick-reference wheel and tire combinations, consult the VB WRX Wheel and Tire Cheatsheet.

OEM / Stock Wheel Specifications

All VB-chassis WRX models share identical wheel specifications regardless of trim level.

Factory Wheel Configuration

Aftermarket Considerations

Fender Design

The VB chassis introduces a defining characteristic: extensive hexagonal-textured plastic cladding around the wheel arches. While often discussed aesthetically, this cladding plays a critical functional role in wheel fitment dynamics. Unlike traditional metal fenders where the rolled lip is the limiting factor, the VB’s plastic cladding and internal mounting structure become the primary interference points. This fundamentally changes the modification paradigm from traditional “fender rolling” to “plastic trimming” and “bracket relocation.”

Scrub Radius and Suspension Geometry

The most frequently overlooked variable in aftermarket wheel selection is the alteration of suspension geometry. Scrub radius is the distance at ground level between the tire’s centerline and the steering axis inclination line. The VB WRX is designed with high positive offset (+55mm) to achieve a slightly negative or near-zero scrub radius. The standard aftermarket fitment for the VB chassis is 18x9.5” +38mm. This moves the mounting face 17mm inboard relative to the wheel centerline, pushing the wheel assembly 17mm outboard and introducing a 17mm increase in positive scrub radius. This change results in a number of changes in vehicle dynamics:

• Steering Feedback: Increased lever arm means road forces exert significantly more torque on the steering rack, showing up as kickback or steering wheel fight
• Tramlining: The car becomes more sensitive to longitudinal ruts in pavement, requiring additional steering input for correction
• Movement Under Braking: Under hard braking on uneven surfaces, the increased positive scrub radius amplifies pull toward the side with more grip
• Component Fatigue: Creates cantilever effect applying constant bending moment to the hub bearing unit, accelerating wear intervals

These are common consequences that enthusiasts regularly deal with without much thought. It is, however, important to understand that more aggressive offsets will likely trade straight-line stability and steering precision for increased track width and tire contact patch.

Weight and Handling Impact

The Subaru Global Platform’s significantly increased torsional rigidity (50% over the VA chassis) creates a chassis that deflects less under load, transferring a greater proportion of energy dissipation to the suspension components. This increased rigidity makes the VB WRX notably more sensitive to changes in unsprung mass compared to previous generations. Reducing unsprung weight through lighter wheels is one of the most effective modifications available for improving the platform’s already impressive handling dynamics.

The factory 18x8.5” wheels on Premium, Limited, and GT models weigh approximately 25 lbs each. High-quality lightweight forged wheels like the Enkei TS-10 (18x9.5” at 19.8 lbs) or Apex VS-5RS (18x9.5” at 21.4 lbs) represent substantial weight savings of 3-5 lbs per corner (12-20 lbs total). Conversely, cheap cast replicas of similar dimensions can weigh 27-30 lbs, actually increasing unsprung weight despite the aesthetic upgrade.

This weight reduction directly improves suspension response, allowing the dampers to control wheel motion more effectively over mid-corner bumps and elevation changes. The reduced rotational inertia also improves throttle response and acceleration feel, particularly noticeable in the mid-range where the FA24’s torque curve peaks. For track use, lighter wheels reduce the energy required for repeated acceleration and braking cycles, decreasing brake temperatures and improving consistency over extended sessions.

Trimming for Clearance

The VB chassis departs from traditional fender modification paradigms. Unlike platforms where metal fender rolling is the primary clearance solution, the VB’s extensive plastic cladding and underlying mounting structure create multiple interference points that require different approaches. Aggressive wheel fitments will inevitably require some combination of the modifications outlined below. The bright side is that modifications thought to be extreme on other platforms can neatly be hidden behind the factory flares/cladding.

The VB exhibits an unusual rubbing pattern where the rear arches are typically the first contact point, contrary to most front-wheel-drive and AWD platforms where front fender interference dominates. This is particularly pronounced on lowered vehicles with 265mm or wider tires, where rear contact occurs during compression events (hitting bumps, aggressive cornering, more passengers).

Plastic Cladding Trimming

The hexagonal textured plastic fender flares extend approximately 15-20mm beyond the metal fender opening. These flares attach via plastic fasteners and can be removed, trimmed on the underside, and reinstalled. Using a rotary tool with a sanding drum or cutting wheel, material can be removed from the inner lip of the cladding where it protrudes into the wheel well. This approach yields approximately 20-25mm of additional clearance. This is technically a reversible modification as you can simply install new cladding.

Metal Fender Trimming

For maximum clearance, material can be removed from the steel quarter panel itself. This involves cutting the inner fender lip where it curves into the wheel well. Proper execution requires marking the interference zone, making relief cuts, folding the metal upward or removing it entirely, and sealing all exposed edges. This modification can yield approximately 30-35mm of clearance before compromising the cladding mounting points.

Alternative Clearance Solutions

Beyond physical material removal, there are some other approaches that can reduce or eliminate the need for aggressive trimming:

Wider Fender Flares: Aftermarket overfenders designed for the VB chassis (such as those from prominent aero manufacturers) add 10-15mm of additional clearance per side while maintaining the hexagonal texture aesthetic. These bolt-on solutions may require drilling additional mounting holes but preserve the underlying fender structure.

Negative Camber: Adjustable rear lower control arms allow alignment technicians to dial in increased negative camber (typically -2.5° to -3.5°), rotating the top of the tire inboard and away from the fender arch. While this aids fitment, excessive camber accelerates inner edge tire wear and should be balanced against tire longevity and alignment specifications.

Ride Height Management: Maintaining conservative ride height and higher spring rates significantly reduces dynamic compression and fender contact frequency. Furthermore, air suspension systems offer the ability to raise ride height for daily driving and lower for static display, though cost and complexity make this impractical for most enthusiasts.

For most enthusiasts running the standard aggressive street setup (18x9.5” +38 with 265/35R18), mild plastic cladding trimming combined with rear camber adjustment (-2.0° to -2.5°) provides sufficient clearance without resorting to irreversible metal fender work.

Rear Camber Adjustment Constraint

The VB chassis rear double-wishbone suspension separates the spring and damper locations from the geometric control arms, providing excellent camber control during suspension travel. However, the factory rear suspension lacks camber adjustment mechanisms. The rear camber is determined by the fixed length of the control arms and ride height.

When the vehicle is lowered, the rear suspension naturally moves into its camber curve, resulting in static negative camber that can exceed -2.0° to -2.5°. While this helps fit aggressive wheels by tucking the top of the tire inboard, it can lead to excessive inner tire wear.

For any aggressive fitment (9.5” width and +38mm or lower), aftermarket rear lower control arms (RLCAs) are essentially required. These adjustable arms allow the alignment technician to dial in precise negative camber (typically -1.5° to -2.5°) to pivot the top of the tire inboard, clearing the cladding while maintaining even tire wear.

Front Camber Adjustment

The front MacPherson struts feature eccentric lower bolts (camber bolts) that allow for adjustment, typically achieving up to -1.5° of negative camber. For aggressive wheel fitments that poke outside the fender, this factory adjustment range is often insufficient to “tuck” the tire, necessitating the use of aftermarket camber plates or adjustable top mounts to achieve -2.5° to -3.5° for track applications.

Brake Clearance Profiles

The VB chassis features two distinct brake configurations with different clearance requirements:

Standard Floating Calipers (Base, Premium, Limited, GT): 2-piston sliding caliper front and 1-piston sliding rear. These compact calipers float inboard of the rotor face and virtually any aftermarket wheel with appropriate offset for the VB WRX will clear without issue.

Brembo 6-Piston Monoblock (TR 2024+, tS 2025+): 6-piston fixed monoblock caliper front and 2-piston fixed caliper rear with 340mm rotors. The introduction of these high-performance brakes necessitated the 19-inch OEM wheel specification. However, comprehensive testing has confirmed that the OEM 18x8.5” +55 wheels from Premium and Limited trims do clear these Brembo calipers, though clearance is extremely tight (2-3mm). Most aftermarket 18-inch wheels designed for the 2018-2021 STI Brembo brakes will fit, but wheel spoke design is critical.

17-Inch Feasibility: Fitting 17-inch wheels over the 6-piston Brembos is difficult and generally restricted to wheels designed with optimized barrel profiles for big brakes.

Retrofitting Brembos: For owners of non-TR/tS models wishing to upgrade to 6-piston Brembos, the TR and tS utilize specific steering knuckles that differ from the standard WRX to accommodate the radial mounting of the larger caliper. To retrofit these brakes properly, one must either swap to TR-specific knuckles or utilize aftermarket brackets/spacers designed to adapt the caliper to the standard knuckle.

Coilover Considerations for Wide Wheels

When fitting wide or high-offset wheels with aftermarket coilovers, the tire sidewall can contact the coilover’s spring perch or locking collars. Many coilovers come with standard length springs. Depending on the ride height setting, the spring perch may align with the widest part of the tire sidewall. Swapping to a shorter spring with a higher rate moves the spring perch upward, above the tire sidewall, creating the necessary “inner clearance” to run high-offset wheels without spacers.

Load Rating Considerations

The VB WRX has a curb weight of approximately 3,297 lbs and increases for higher trim levels. Gross axle weight ratings are approximately 2,508 lbs front and 2,424 lbs rear. This translates to a minimum load rating requirement of approximately 1,300 lbs per wheel. Most reputable wheel manufacturers offer load ratings above this threshold. If you are buying wheels from a manufacturer that cannot provide load rating information, it’s best to look elsewhere.

Hub Centric Rings

Most aftermarket 5x114.3 wheels are designed with 73.1mm center bores for universal fitment across multiple vehicle makes. The VB WRX requires 56.1mm hub centering. Use hub centric rings to adapt these wheels. Aluminum rings are strongly recommended over plastic for track use, as brake heat can deform plastic rings over thermal cycling.

TPMS Compatibility

The VB-chassis WRX (2022+) utilizes a 433MHz TPMS system, which differs from the 315MHz system used on the VA chassis (2015-2021). When migrating wheels from a VA WRX, the TPMS sensors must be replaced to maintain system functionality. The sensors are not interchangeable between generations.

Wheel Recommendations

Below are recommendations based on suspension constraints, brake clearance profiles, and real-world experience from the VB WRX community. These are general recommendations focused on wheel dimensions and offset ranges. Wheels with different spoke designs and barrel profiles may fit differently. Always verify fitment for your specific setup and brake package.

OEM+ Recommendations

Conservative sizes that maintain or slightly improve upon factory specifications without requiring body modifications or significant geometry changes. These sizes work well for daily drivers, winter setups, or owners prioritizing reliability and OEM-like handling characteristics.

These conservative sizes provide maximum clearance margins, require no body modifications, and work on stock suspension. They maintain the factory scrub radius design, preserving straight-line stability and steering precision. The 17x8.5” option offers reduced tire costs and improved winter capability, though 17” wheels will typically not clear TR/tS Brembo brakes.

Aggressive Street Recommendations

The optimal balance of performance, aesthetics, and fitment ease, the 18x9.5” +38mm represents the enthusiast sweet spot for the VB platform. It pushes the wheel face out by approximately 29mm compared to stock, aligning the wheel almost perfectly with the edge of the fender cladding. While many owners report “no rubbing” at stock ride height with 255/35R18 tires, lowering the vehicle or running 265 treadwidth tires requires plastic cladding trimming and adjustable rear lower control arms to manage camber and prevent fender contact.

The +40mm offset variant is slightly more conservative, reducing fender work requirements while maintaining substantial track width increase. This is particularly popular for functional track builds prioritizing steering precision over maximum flush appearance.

Track / Competition Recommendations

Maximum grip configurations for dedicated track use or Time Attack builds. These sizes push the limits of fitment and require comprehensive modifications.

At this level of preparation, aftermarket coilovers and rear lower control arms are mandatory for body control. The 18x10” configuration delivers maximum mechanical grip but compromises street manners and component longevity.

Cross-Platform Compatibility

VA Chassis (2015-2021) vs. VB Chassis (2022+)

While the VB chassis maintains the same 5x114.3mm bolt pattern and 56.1mm center bore as the VA generation, wheel fitment differs slightly due to bodywork changes. The VB’s plastic cladding extends further into the wheel well than the VA’s metal fenders, requiring more conservative offset choices for equivalent visual flush fitment while also allowing more extensive fender modification.

TPMS Incompatibility: The VB’s 433MHz TPMS system is incompatible with the VA’s 315MHz sensors. When migrating wheels between generations, TPMS sensors must be replaced.

Brembo Brake Similarities: The 6-piston Brembo system on the VB TR/tS is mechanically similar to the 2018-2021 VA STI system, meaning wheels verified to fit the VA STI Brembos will generally fit the VB TR/tS Brembos. However, always verify spoke clearance with the specific wheel manufacturer.

Additional Resources

• Tire Compatibility: See the VB WRX Tire Guide for tire size recommendations, diameter calculations, and load ratings
• Quick Reference: VB WRX Wheel and Tire Cheatsheet for validated wheel and tire pairings
• Previous Generation: VA WRX Wheel Guide for 2015-2021 models
• Where to Buy: Tire Rack for tires with nationwide network of recommended installers

Remember: Actual fitment varies based on wheel design (spoke profile, barrel shape), tire selection, suspension setup, ride height, camber, and cladding condition. Always verify fitment for your specific combination and brake package before purchasing. For aggressive fitments, budget for rear lower control arms, plastic cladding trimming, and potentially metal fender trimming for extreme setups as mandatory supporting modifications rather than optional extras. All information provided is based on extensive research and community trial and error. Please evaluate and verify fitment data at your own discretion. As always, modify at your own risk.