Most cars either come with steel or alloy wheels. While wheels can impact the way a vehicle looks, they also play the crucial role of keeping your car’s tires in place and can dramatically affect your vehicle’s overall performance. While alloy wheels may have become popular because of motorsport racing, there are advantages to alloy wheels that shoppers should keep in mind when considering a new vehicle.
What Are Alloy Wheels?
As their name implies, alloy wheels are made of a metal alloy, manufactured by combining two or more metals. These metals are combined in specific quantities to create the ideal wheel for the vehicle, including hardness, malleability, and rigidity. Alloy wheels have become far more popular for modern vehicles, providing performance and design upgrades over steel wheels.
Alloy wheels may also appeal to car buyers because of their style. They usually feature an intricate spoke pattern and a nice finish, whereas steel wheels tend to have utilitarian designs, with bulky sides made from stamped sheet metal and painted black to avoid corrosion. Car companies often include plastic wheel covers to hide the appearance of steel wheels.
What Are Alloy Wheels Made Of?
Most modern alloy wheels are made of aluminum mixed with magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, or other materials. If a wheel is called an “aluminum alloy” or a “magnesium wheel” (“mag”), that means it’s predominantly made out of aluminum or magnesium.
Note: Although steel is technically an alloy – made by mixing iron and carbon – steel wheels aren’t called “alloy wheels.”
What Are Different Types of Alloy Wheels?
Cast: Cast alloy wheels are made by pouring liquid metal into a mold in the shape of the wheel and then cooling it.
Forged: Forged alloy wheels are created by pressing a piece of alloy into shape at high pressure. Forged alloy wheels tend to be stronger and more expensive than cast alloy wheels.
In both cases, the wheel will need to be finished with a combination of machining, polishing, and coating. Wheel manufacturers also use various other methods to manufacture wheels, such as combining elements of casting and forging, utilizing multiple pieces bolted together, and more.
How Much Do Alloy Wheels Cost?
OEM
All but the least expensive new cars now come standard with alloy wheels. Upgrading a car without standard alloys can be relatively expensive, whether you buy the wheels from the carmaker or pick a nicer trim that includes them. Depending on the vehicle, upgrading a new car with alloy wheels directly from the manufacturer typically costs $1,000 and up for a set of four.
With the 2024 Toyota Corolla, upgrading from steel wheels to alloys will cost $980 for a set of four. Upgrading from standard alloys to larger or fancier ones can be even pricier, especially for luxury cars. Staggered 20 and 21-inch wheels for the Porsche 911 Turbo S cost as much as $2,490, and 23-inch wheels for the Range Rover are an extra $5,500.
Aftermarket
Any new or used car can be upgraded with alloy wheels from aftermarket wheel manufacturers, and they tend to be cheaper than wheels purchased directly from a carmaker. Well-known brands include BBS, Enkei, and OZ, but there are dozens. The price of aftermarket wheels depends on the size, design and materials, but expect to pay under $500 for the cheapest 15 or 16-inch wheels, not including tires. There are many options under $1,000, but the sky’s the limit as with anything car-related. It’s easy to spend thousands of dollars on custom wheels for luxury cars.
Alloy Wheels vs. Steel Wheels
Only you can determine whether alloy wheels are worth the extra cost compared to steel wheels. Here are the pros and cons:
Pros of Alloy Wheels
Aesthetics: Though it’s a matter of opinion, many buyers think alloy wheels look better than steel wheels, which have simpler designs and plastic wheel covers.
Weight: Alloy wheels are lighter than steel wheels, improving the all-around performance of a car. Lighter wheels can also help with wear and tear on items like suspension, brakes, drivetrain components, and tires. Fuel economy can benefit, too, though the benefits are modest.
Rust resistance: Alloy wheels won’t produce the orange rust associated with steel, though they can corrode over time, especially when exposed to harsh environments like road salt.
Cons of Alloy Wheels
Price: Alloy wheels are more expensive than steel wheels, and pricing can vary dramatically based on the size and styling of the wheel itself.
Strength: Steel wheels can handle more stress than alloy wheels, which is why you’ll find steel wheels on heavy-duty trucks meant for towing and hauling large cargo.
Can You Fix Broken Alloy Wheels?
Alloy wheels can be repaired, though the repair will depend on the extent of the damage. Small scratches, dents, or scuffs can be buffed out or repaired by getting the wheels refinished. More serious issues, like a cracked or bent alloy wheel, will need to be taken to a specialized auto shop. These fixes can be costly to complete. Additionally, depending on the composition of the alloy wheel itself, welding a crack can weaken the wheel and make it more prone to cracking in the future. In most cases, shops will recommend replacing a cracked or bent alloy wheel.
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