By the Rims & Tires Team
Compiled & reviewed by our West Georgia tire & wheel research team · Updated 2026-08-01
What tires a Nissan needs depends on which end of the lineup you're on. A Versa or Kicks wants the cheapest tire that still handles wet roads well, a Z or 370Z runs a staggered performance fitment you can't rotate, and the Armada is nearly 5,800 lbs and needs its load index respected. Nissan doesn't run a public OEM tire-approval program, so there's no sidewall code to look for. The size, load index, and whether the fitment is staggered are what actually matter.
Nissan's economy cars to its heaviest SUV
The Versa and Kicks sit at the affordable end of Nissan's lineup, both running common, inexpensive sizes with wide aftermarket availability: 195/65R15 on a base Versa, 205/60R16 on a base Kicks. Neither needs anything exotic to drive well; a solid mid-tier all-season is the sweet spot for both. The Armada is a different vehicle entirely: a full-size, body-on-frame SUV pushing nearly 5,800 lbs, where load index compliance is a safety requirement, not a preference.
The gap between those two ends of the lineup is the whole point of this guide. A tire strategy built around price makes sense on a Versa. The same strategy on an Armada risks a tire that can't safely carry the vehicle's rated weight.
Nissan doesn't run an OEM tire-approval program
Audi has AO. Mercedes has MO, MO1, and MOE. Porsche runs N0 through N3. Nissan has no equivalent public marking — no code stamped into a sidewall meaning "Nissan-approved." Nissan specs a size, a load index, and often a specific OEM tire model by trim and generation, and that information lives on the door jamb placard rather than on the tire. Match the size and load rating on your sticker and you're covered, regardless of brand.
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The Z cars: staggered performance fitment across two generations
Both the outgoing 370Z and the current Z (sometimes called the 400Z) run a genuine staggered setup, wider in the rear than the front, built to put the RWD platform's power down cleanly. The 370Z runs 225/50R18 front and 245/45R18 rear on standard 18-inch wheels, stepping up to 245/40R19 front and 285/35R19 rear on the NISMO. The new Z runs 255/40R19 front and 275/35R19 rear (the base Sport trim uses a non-staggered 245/45R18 instead), with the NISMO widening the rear further to 285/35R19. On either car, the staggered sizes can't be rotated front to rear, so expect the rears to wear out first and budget to replace them as a pair.
Two very different Nissan EVs: LEAF and Ariya
These two don't need the same shopping approach. The LEAF uses standard passenger-car sizes, 205/55R16 or 215/50R17 depending on trim, the same dimensions you'd find on a Sentra or Altima, and it doesn't need a special EV-only tire — any good all-season in the right size works, with rolling resistance and quiet ride as the priorities for protecting range. The Ariya is a heavier, more recent EV, with a curb weight around 4,300 lbs, and it ships standard on 235/55R19 (with a 255/45R20 package on some builds). Because of that extra weight, matching or exceeding the OEM load index matters more on the Ariya than it does on the LEAF.
The Maxima: Nissan's front-drive sport sedan
The Maxima markets itself as the "4-door sports car," and the tire sizing backs that up on the higher trims. S, SV, and SL trims ship on a 245/45R18 touring-and-performance size, while SR and Platinum step down to a lower-profile 245/40R19 ultra-high-performance all-season. That 19-inch size trades some ride comfort for sharper steering response — appropriate for a car that positions itself between the Altima and the German sport sedans. Replace like for like unless you specifically want more grip than the factory Continental or Goodyear tire delivers.
What to check before you buy, and the door jamb sticker
Confirm your trim before comparing tires, since Nissan spreads meaningfully different sizes across what looks like one model. The Armada alone changed generations in 2025 and shifted sizes by trim within each. If you're on a 370Z or Z, confirm front and rear sizes separately, since one number won't cover a staggered car. If you're on an Ariya, load index comes first. Whatever you drive, the tire and loading placard on the driver's door jamb is the document that overrides everything general written here — it lists the exact size, load index, and pressure Nissan certified for your build.
Nissan models covered in this hub — OEM sizes and what changes by trim
| Model | Generation / years | Common OEM sizes | What it changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Armada | 2017–2024 Y62 gen; 2025+ Y63 gen | Y62: SL/Platinum 275/60R20, base SV 265/70R18, some Platinum 275/50R22. Y63: SV 265/60R18, SL/Pro-4X/Platinum 275/60R20, Platinum Reserve 275/50R22 | Nearly 5,800 lbs full-size body-on-frame SUV — load index is a safety requirement |
| Nissan LEAF | 2018–2025 ZE1 gen; 2011–2017 first-gen | ZE1: S 205/55R16, SV/SL/Plus 215/50R17. First-gen: mostly 205/55R16, later SV/SL 17-inch | Standard passenger-car sizes — no special EV-only tire needed |
| Nissan Kicks | 2018–current | 205/60R16 (S trim), 205/55R17 (SV, SR) | Single common size per trim — prioritize value and treadwear |
| Nissan Versa | current generation | 195/65R15 (S), 205/55R16 (SV), 205/50R17 (SR) | Economy sedan — lowest-cost sizes with wide budget-tire availability |
| Nissan 370Z | discontinued after 2020 | 225/50R18 front / 245/45R18 rear (standard, staggered); 245/40R19 front / 285/35R19 rear (NISMO) | Staggered fitment — cannot rotate, rears wear faster |
| Nissan Z (400Z) | 2023–current | 255/40R19 front / 275/35R19 rear (staggered; base Sport trim non-staggered 245/45R18); NISMO 255/40R19 front / 285/35R19 rear | OEM factory tire (Yokohama ADVAN Sport V107) developed jointly for this car |
| Nissan Ariya | 2023–current | 235/55R19 (FWD and most e-4ORCE builds), 255/45R20 (some Evolve Edition/premium packages) | ~4,300 lb curb weight — match load index; e-4ORCE torque hits all four tires |
| Nissan Maxima | current generation | 245/45R18 (S, SV, SL), 245/40R19 (SR, Platinum) | SR/Platinum step to a lower-profile UHP size for sharper handling |
Frequently asked
What tire size does my Nissan need?
It depends heavily on the model and trim. A Versa runs as small as 195/65R15, an Armada needs up to 275/60R20 with real load capacity, and a Z car runs a staggered fitment with different front and rear sizes. Check the tire and loading placard on your driver's door jamb for your exact build.
Does Nissan have an OEM tire-approval marking like BMW or Mercedes?
No. Nissan doesn't run a public tire-approval program with a special sidewall code the way Audi (AO) or Mercedes (MO) do. Nissan specs a size, load index, and often a specific OEM tire model per trim on the door jamb sticker instead, with no equivalent marking to hunt for on a replacement.
Why can't I rotate the tires on my 370Z or Z?
Both run a staggered fitment, wider in the rear than the front, so the two sizes physically can't swap positions. The rear tires do more work under power on a rear-drive car and wear out first. Replace them as a matched pair and keep the same tire model front and rear to preserve handling balance.
Does the Nissan LEAF need special EV tires?
No — the LEAF uses standard passenger-car sizes shared with cars like the Sentra and Altima, and any good all-season in the correct size works. Focus on low rolling resistance and a quiet ride to protect range and comfort rather than hunting for an EV-specific tire line.
Does the Nissan Ariya need a different approach than the LEAF?
Yes, mainly on weight. The Ariya is a newer, heavier EV at around 4,300 lbs, so matching or exceeding the OEM load index matters more than it does on the lighter LEAF. Acoustic-lined and low-rolling-resistance tires help preserve the Ariya's quiet cabin and range, but aren't strictly required to fit.
Where can I get Nissan tires installed near me in West Georgia?
We match you with local shops around Carrollton and the surrounding counties that stock or can order your Nissan's size, from an economy Versa fitment to the Z's staggered performance set or the Armada's load-rated tire. Tell us your model and trim and we'll point you to a shop that gets it right. The match is free.
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Last updated 2026-08-01. General guidance only — confirm specifics with a local shop for your exact vehicle.