You see them everywhere. Usually at a stoplight or rolling through a suburban strip mall. A late-model Honda Accord, maybe a 10th or 11th gen, sitting high and aggressive on a set of massive 20-inch rollers. It looks like a concept car that accidentally escaped the showroom floor. But is the honda accord on 20s actually a good idea? Honestly, it depends on whether you care more about your spine or your Instagram feed.
I've seen people drop three grand on a wheel and tire package only to sell the whole setup on Marketplace two months later. Why? Because they didn't realize that adding 20s to a sedan designed for 17s or 19s changes basically everything about how the car "speaks" to you.
The Reality of Big Rims
Most Accords, especially the Sport and Touring trims, already come with 19-inch wheels. Moving up to 20s doesn't seem like a big jump. It's just an inch, right? Wrong. In the world of wheel fitment, that one inch is a chasm. When you go up in wheel size, you have to go down in tire sidewall to keep the overall diameter the same.
If you don't, your speedometer will be a liar. You’ll be doing 70 mph while the dash says 65. Not great for avoiding tickets. To keep things legal and functional, you usually end up with a 245/35R20 tire. That "35" is the aspect ratio. It means there is very little rubber between your expensive rim and that one pothole you didn't see because you were changing the radio station.
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Why people do it anyway
- The Stance: Let's be real, the Accord has a long, sleek body. 20s fill out those massive wheel arches perfectly.
- Steering Feel: With less rubber to flex (shorter sidewalls), the car feels "darty." You turn the wheel, and the car moves instantly.
- Resale: If you’re into the car show scene, a honda accord on 20s with a clean set of Vossen or Ferrada wheels fetches a premium from the right buyer.
Will It Actually Kill Your MPG?
The short answer is yes. But it's not just about the size; it's about the weight. A factory 19-inch Honda wheel is already heavy. Many "budget" 20-inch cast aluminum wheels are absolute boat anchors. We’re talking 30+ lbs per corner.
This is what engineers call "unsprung weight." It’s weight that the suspension doesn’t support. When you add heavy 20s, your engine has to work harder just to get the wheels spinning. Your brakes have to work harder to stop them. On a 1.5T Accord, you might see a drop of 2 to 3 miles per gallon. If you have the 2.0T, it’s less noticeable because that engine has torque for days, but your wallet will still feel it at the pump eventually.
There is a workaround. Flow-formed or forged wheels. Companies like Konig or Apex make 20-inch wheels that actually weigh less than the stock 19s. If you go this route, you might actually keep your fuel economy intact. But be prepared to pay. You get what you pay for in the wheel game.
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The "Rubber Band" Problem
If you live in a place like New England or the Midwest where the roads look like a lunar landscape, 20s are a gamble. You’re basically riding on rubber bands. The factory suspension on the 10th and 11th gen Accord is actually quite sophisticated—especially the adaptive dampers on the Touring trim.
When you throw 20s on there, you're asking the suspension to do all the work that the tire sidewall used to do. The ride gets "busy." You'll feel every pebble, every expansion joint, and every crack in the pavement. Some people love that "connected" feel. Most people just get a headache after an hour-long commute.
Fitment Specs You Actually Need
If you're dead set on this, don't just buy any 5x114.3 wheel you find on eBay. The Accord is picky about offset.
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Most guys running a honda accord on 20s find the sweet spot is a 20x8.5 or 20x9 wheel with an offset between +35mm and +45mm. If you go too low (like a +20 offset), the wheels will poke out past the fenders like a rollerskate. It looks goofy and it’ll throw rocks all over your paint. Stick to a +35 if you want that "flush" look where the wheel sits perfectly even with the fender edge.
A Quick Word on Lowering
A lot of people put 20s on and then realize the car looks like a monster truck. The wheel gap becomes very obvious. This leads down the rabbit hole of lowering springs (like H&R or Eibach) or coilovers. Just keep in mind: 20-inch wheels + lowering springs = a very, very firm ride.
Actionable Steps Before You Buy
Before you swipe your card for a set of 20s, do these three things:
- Check your local roads. If your daily commute involves construction zones or heavy potholes, stick to 19s or even 18s. The "look" isn't worth a cracked rim on a Tuesday morning.
- Look for Flow-Formed wheels. Don't just buy the cheapest cast wheels. Look for the words "flow-formed" or "rotary forged." Your suspension and your gas mileage will thank you.
- Invest in Hub-Centric Rings. Most aftermarket wheels have a larger center bore than the Accord's 64.1mm hub. If you don't use rings to bridge that gap, your steering wheel will shake like a vibrator at 65 mph. They cost $20. Buy them.
A honda accord on 20s can look absolutely incredible, arguably better than almost any other mid-size sedan on the market. Just go into it knowing that you are trading a bit of that "Honda comfort" for a whole lot of "Honda style." If you can live with a stiffer ride and the constant fear of potholes, the 20-inch life is calling.