2025 X-Dynamic HSE p400

I like the look of “steelies” and want to stick with 20 inch so as to not change rotors.

Car is mostly used on road, but does need to have Florida wet/muddy/swampy capability.

What is the drive like with steel wheels? My understanding is maybe not so responsive feeling and longer braking distance. Is it really that different?

How about forged vs alloy? Advantages/disadvantages?

I have found the following…

A set of 5 20” steel TerraFirma wheels from Atlantic British is $800.

https://www.roverparts.com/wheels-ti...eels/TF1520K5/

A set of 4 forged aluminum wheels from Forzaa is $2000.

https://forzaaa.com/products/20-inch...40487364362307

A set of 4 Rotiform STL is about $2000.

https://www.discounttire.com/buy-whe...iform-r191-stl

Do about $1700 more for a full set with spare for forged/alloy.

I’d appreciate any thought on this and recommendations/experience with the above. Thanks again!

 

If you're talking about the 20" OEM "steelies," they aren't made of steel. They are aluminum wheels that are the same design as the OEM steel wheels, so there wouldn't be any difference in performance. I've driven a Defender with the actual OEM 18" steel wheels and couldn't notice any difference in normal driving.

I wouldn't worry about increased braking distance or steering response based on wheel type. Any difference would be negligible. Its not a Lotus or Boxster.

 

No, not the OEM steelies (LR 9013 alloy), not even sure if you can buy these aftermarket. I'm asking about true steel wheels like the TerraFirma 20" inch steel wheels which can be purchased through Atlantic British, or similar true steelies. They are about $1700 less for a set of four than forged or alloy, wondering if the $1700 is worth spending based on advantages/disadvantages.

 

Steel is three times more dense ("heavier") than aluminum.

Go with 20" steel wheels and heavy off-road tires, and they will probably be at least twice the weight per wheel as aluminum plus standard all-season tires. Would you notice? On very bumpy or wash-board roads, you quite likely would. Acceleration and braking will inevitably suffer slightly too. However, you might only notice by driving both options back-to-back. I certainly noticed the last time I changed from standard to heavy off-road tires, and that was on stock aluminum wheels.

Personally, I find the stock 20" aluminum fake-steelies to be ridiculous. For one, at 20", they look all wrong. Heck, even the stock 18" steelies look a bit off to me, and 16" would look better, but of course that's not an option. As an aside, and this should not be a surprise, after the dealer gushed over the 20" "steel" wheels, I had to explain that were fake aluminum ones.

In the end, though, none of the above matters much. You should do what makes you happy!

 

I prefer the Forza. If you can justify the expense, buy what you like most. Otherwise it will always bother you.

 

ln the U.K. the steel wheels are unwanted, surprisingly.
Ebay is awash with them. l've had five brand new steel wheels with brand new tyres for sale for over 12 months and no takers.

They're currently at UK £300 for FIVE and still nothing.

 

I'm surprised the steel wheels are not sought after, particularly in the UK where you have more models to choose from than here in the US. I'm biased, as I have the 18" steelies on my 30th anniversary.

 

putting aside aesthetics, since that is all subjective - In a functional sense, if you're in a salty environment then steel wheels are susceptible to rusting - which sucks.

Depending on your use-case with the truck would determine what I would go with. Steelies are great for trail-repairability. You bend a wheel and with a hammer, some hate and some persuasion - you can get it to hold air.

Alloy or forged, you can't do that.

Forged wheels will have a higher weight capacity than alloy (cast) wheels but you typically pay for that. If you're planning on doing any kind of serious off-pavement activities, I would stay away from the alloy wheels and just go with steel or forged.