When you look at a tyre size like 205/55R16 91V, the final letter — V — is the speed rating. It tells you the maximum sustained speed that tyre is designed to handle safely. Choosing the wrong speed rating can be dangerous and may void your insurance.
Complete Speed Rating Chart
| Rating | Max Speed | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| N | 140 km/h | Spare tyres, light trailers |
| P | 150 km/h | Light trucks, some 4WDs |
| Q | 160 km/h | Winter/mud tyres |
| R | 170 km/h | Heavy-duty light trucks |
| S | 180 km/h | Family sedans, vans |
| T | 190 km/h | Family cars, SUVs |
| H | 210 km/h | Sport sedans, coupes |
| V | 240 km/h | Performance cars, sports sedans |
| W | 270 km/h | Exotic sports cars |
| Y | 300 km/h | High-performance supercars |
| (Y) | 300+ km/h | Ultra-high-performance (speed tested beyond 300 km/h) |
What Speed Rating Do NZ Drivers Need?
New Zealand's open road speed limit is 100 km/h, so you might wonder why you'd need a V or W-rated tyre. The answer is that speed ratings are not just about top speed — they also reflect the tyre's heat resistance, handling stability, and overall construction quality.
A higher-rated tyre generally has stiffer sidewalls, better heat dissipation, and more responsive handling. This matters even at legal speeds, particularly in emergency manoeuvres or when carrying heavy loads.
For most NZ passenger cars, H or V-rated tyres are the standard recommendation:
- H (210 km/h) — suitable for most family cars, hatchbacks, and small SUVs. A solid all-round choice for everyday NZ driving.
- V (240 km/h) — the most common rating on modern passenger cars. Offers excellent handling and stability, and is the standard for many European and Japanese vehicles.
- W or Y — required for high-performance sports cars and luxury vehicles. If your car came with W or Y-rated tyres, you must maintain that rating.
The Golden Rule: Never Go Lower
You must never fit a tyre with a lower speed rating than your vehicle's original specification. Doing so is unsafe, may fail your WOF, and could void your insurance in the event of an accident.
However, you can safely fit a higher speed rating than required. For example, fitting V-rated tyres to a car that originally came with H-rated tyres is perfectly acceptable — you simply won't be using the extra capability.
Speed Rating and Tyre Longevity
There's a common misconception that higher speed-rated tyres wear out faster. In practice, the relationship is more nuanced. Higher-rated tyres often use softer rubber compounds for better grip, which can reduce tread life — but not always. Many V and W-rated tyres from brands like Michelin, Bridgestone, and Continental are engineered for both performance and longevity.
Check our best long-life tyres guide for recommendations that balance speed rating with tread life.
Finding the Right Speed Rating for Your Car
The easiest way to find your required speed rating is to check the sticker on your driver's door jamb, your owner's manual, or the sidewall of your current tyres. You can also use our vehicle search — enter your make, model, and year and we'll show only tyres that meet your car's specification.