Choosing the wheels and tyres on a Land Rover Defender is a key part if making the vehicle your own. Land Rover have brought out some iconic wheels over the years, and while we’re huge fans of colour-coded Wolf Wheels, there are of course other options! In this short guide, we’ll break down some of the popular factory wheel options like the standard steel, Wolf steel, Boost alloy, and Freestyle alloy wheels. Then, we’ll dive into tyres, exploring all-terrain and mud-terrain options like the BF Goodrich All-Terrain and Goodyear Wrangler MT/R, with notes on the popular tyre sizes to help you choose the best fit for your Defender.

Wheel Options for the Land Rover Defender:

While each wheel option below is 16 inches in diameter, their width and offset vary, affecting both vehicle handling and appearance. Here’s what makes each one unique.

1. Standard Steel Wheel

The standard steel wheel is the most basic, and generally factory-fitted wheel on most Defenders. This 16-inch wheel is relatively narrow at 5.5 inches, contributing to a compact and simple profile. Its offset keeps the tire closer to the vehicle body, offering a straightforward look and maintaining a conservative stance.

2. Wolf Steel Wheel

Originally designed for military use, the Wolf steel wheel is wider and more robust than the standard steel wheel. Made from thicker steel, it’s also significantly heavier! This 16-inch wheel’s increased width to 6.5 inches offers improved stability on rough terrain, and its larger offset pushes the tire outwards slightly more. This extra width and offset give the Defender a broader, more aggressive stance while retaining the reliability and simplicity of steel. The Wolf steel wheel is ideal for off-road enthusiasts looking for a durable, tough look that can handle heavy-duty use.

*Wolf Steel Wheel with Goodyear Wrangler MT/R - 235/85R16*

3. Boost Alloy Wheel

The Boost alloy wheel introduces a modern touch to the Defender’s look. This 16-inch alloy wheel is wider than both the standard and Wolf steel wheels, giving it a bolder presence. Its larger offset pushes the wheels further out, widening the vehicle’s stance and providing more stability on turns. The Boost alloy wheel is perfect for those who want a sportier look and slightly better handling, especially in on-road conditions. Made from lighter alloy material, it reduces weight and improves heat dissipation, which can benefit braking performance.

*Boost Alloy Wheel with Continental Cross Contact - 235/85R16*

4. Freestyle Alloy Wheel

The Freestyle alloy wheel offers a blend of classic and contemporary styling. It’s 16 inches in diameter, with a width similar to the Boost alloy wheel but with a slightly smaller offset. This design keeps the wheel slightly closer to the body than the Boost, providing a balanced stance without fully embracing the wide look. The Freestyle alloy combines aesthetics with functionality, making it a good choice for those who want a touch of style. The Freestyle wheel was factory-fitted to the NAS Defender 90’s.

*Freestyle Alloy Wheel with BF Goodrich AT - 235/85R16*

Tyre Choices: All-Terrain vs. Mud-Terrain

Tyres impact grip, comfort, and performance, especially on a Defender designed to tackle diverse terrains. The two most popular types for Defenders are all-terrain and mud-terrain tyres. Here’s what each type brings to the table.

All-Terrain Tyres

All-terrain (A/T) tyres are designed to perform across a range of surfaces. They offer a balanced tread pattern that can handle both on-road and off-road conditions. Our chosen option is the BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2. A class leading tyre, it provides good traction on and off road while maintaining a quieter and more comfortable ride on tarmac compared to a full blown M/T Tyre. Its design minimises road noise, making it a versatile option for drivers who split time between city streets and dirt trails.

Mud-Terrain Tyres

Mud-terrain (M/T) tyres are purpose-built for off-road use, with larger and more aggressive tread blocks that excel in muddy, rocky, and uneven conditions. The Goodyear Wrangler MT/R is one of our favourite tyres and one that Land Rover themselves used on Defender at the end of production. It features deeper, more widely spaced treads for excellent traction in mud and loose dirt, but it’s less ideal for pavement due to increased noise and reduced ride comfort. Mud-terrain tyres like the Wrangler MT/R or BF Goodrich MT are best suited for serious off-road enthusiasts who prioritise grip on rough terrain over smoothness on the highway, but they also provide a look that no All Terrain tyre can match…

Tyre Sizes

Choosing a tyre size is as much about aesthetics as it is about performance! The three most common tyre sizes for the Defender - 235/85R16, 265/75R16, and 255/85R16, each offer something slightly different and their characteristics will affect performance, stance, and even fuel efficiency. Whilst others fit suspension lift kits and add larger tyres than these, it’s not going to do any favours to your Defender’s handling!

1. 235/85R16

The 235/85R16 tyre is the modern replacement for the original 7.50R16, and it’s the classic size used by Land Rover on factory-delivered Defenders. This tyre strikes a balance between width and height, giving the Defender a stock appearance and reliable performance across multiple terrains. Often paired with the Goodyear Wrangler MT/R, this setup provides adequate off-road capability while keeping a manageable stance and engine RPMs for everyday driving. It’s a practical, factory-standard option for those who want a familiar look and feel and pairs perfectly with the Wolf Steel Wheel.

2. 265/75R16

A slightly wider option than the 235/85R16, the 265/75R16 provides a bolder stance, with the additional 30mm or just over an inch width adding stability and grip, making it appear more grounded and aggressive. For drivers looking for a bit more aggression without stepping up to the 255, the 265/75R16 is a popular middle ground. It’s best suited to Alloy Wheels.

3. 255/85R16

The 255/85R16 tyre is taller than both the 235/85R16 and the 265/75R16, and is close to a 33 inch tyre. This taller tyre reduces engine RPMs at a given speed, helping lower interior noise and potentially improving fuel economy on long drives. The height also enhances the Defender’s rugged appearance, providing a subtle lift and better clearance for off-road obstacles. The 255/85R16 is the ‘biggest’ tyres that can be fitted on to standard Defender suspension, and is only available as a BF Goodrich M/T KM3.

In summary, choosing the right wheels and tyres for your Defender depends more on personal preference and aesthetics, than any other real world reasons. As you might have already guessed, our preference is Colour-Coded Wolf Wheels with Goodyear Wrangler MT/R Tyres, but then again we’re purists!

Defender Upgrades: Wheels and Tyres