You take great care of your vehicle, so naturally, you want to fit it with the best wheels possible. As a car enthusiast, one of the first questions that may come to your mind is whether to choose steel wheels or aluminum alloy wheels. You probably know that these are the two most common wheel materials, but you probably don’t know which is superior.

Let’s look closer at several categories to help you make the right choice. Between steel and aluminum, which material will come out on top?

Round One: Durability

As the heavier metal, steel is incredibly strong. Steel is less likely to chip or break, even under tough driving conditions. And if they do need repair, steel wheels are easier to fix than aluminum wheels—mechanics can simply hammer bent wheels back in place.

In off-road driving, steel wheels resist damage from dirt and sand. Steel is also the best choice for winter driving. Steel wheels grip the snow better, and their weight improves control in slick, wet conditions.

Although aluminum alloy wheels do crack or break under pressure, they are durable in other ways. For example, aluminum wheels resist rust, so they’ll shine brightly for years. They also put less stress on other parts of the vehicle, like the shocks and struts. And they often fare better than steel wheels when driven over potholes.

But these aluminum advantages aren’t enough to give it the edge. With its superior resistance to damage, overall, steel wins the durability contest.

Winner: Steel

Round Two: Performance

Aluminum alloy wheels are light and flexible, so they respond well to breaking, turning, and accelerating. Many drivers say alloy wheels are just plain fun to drive with. On the other hand, steel wheels often resist acceleration, so they’re not ideal for racing or performance driving.

As a more porous metal, aluminum also allows air through it, thereby keeping heat away from certain parts of the vehicle. This has numerous advantages, including cooling down heated brakes.

Steel wheels do have one performance advantage: they are symmetrical and unlikely to wobble. But on the whole, aluminum alloy wheels take the cake for performance.

Winner: Aluminum

Round Three: Design

Manufacturers can cast aluminum wheels into many different designs. This allows car owners to find wheels that fit their personal style. Aluminum wheels come with many different types of finishes as well, including painted, polished, machined, and chromed.

Steel wheels, however, are uniform in style and more difficult to customize. You can always add wheel covers for style, but it’s difficult to find a high-quality wheel cover that won’t fall off.

Thus, when it comes to design, aluminum wheels win.

Winner: Aluminum

Round Four: Price

Steel wheels are the easiest to manufacture, and are thus the least expensive type of wheels. However, that’s not to say that you can’t find aluminum wheels for an affordable price. Aluminum wheels come in a wide range of prices, depending on the brand, size, and style.

If money is your only consideration, you’ll probably find a better price for steel wheels.

Winner: Steel

And the Winner Is . . .

So, which is the winner, steel or aluminum? It depends on what you want to get out of your wheel. If you’re looking for something durable and strong for your heavy vehicle, steel is a good choice. But if you want something stylish and easy to steer—whether you drive competitively or as a hobby—choose aluminum.

Once you’ve decided on the right wheel material, you still have plenty of other choices. After all, wheels come in many brands, styles, and colors. If you need extra help making your decision, direct your questions to a qualified wheel expert.