KR Wheels Review: A Deep Dive into Their Sport, Truck, and Classic Wheel Lines

The KR Racing 2 18-inch is a popular alternative with a look similar to the BBS CH-R (matte black diamond-cut, 5x114.3). Market price is around R$ 4,400 per set. Weight reported in independent tests: ~11.2 kg each, compared to ~9.8 kg for the equivalent original BBS. A noticeable difference on track days, but not critical for urban use.

He installed them. Two years later, he sent me a photo — 40,000 km driven, still intact, even after hitting a pothole with no bending. He paid R$ 4,400 instead of the R$ 18,000 a used BBS set would cost. A typical KR case: sporty looks at a local price point.

The Company

KR Wheels (Roda KR Ltda) was founded in 2007 in Caxias do Sul. A smaller company compared to BRW (which has much higher volume), but specialized in a niche: sport wheels and the truck line. Estimated volume is 8-12% of the local market.

100% locally manufactured. Gravity casting. Some lines feature a diamond-cut finish (CNC turned on the edge).

Main Lines

KR Racing 1, 2, 3, Racing GTR

Sport line. 5 main models. Looks inspired by JDM and European wheels (without direct copying). 15-inch to 18-inch.

• Racing 1: 5 tri-spoke design. R$ 2,800-3,600 for 17-inch.
• Racing 2: 10 Y-spoke, widely used on Civic, Corolla. R$ 3,000-3,800.
• Racing 3: more aggressive, 10 thin spokes. R$ 3,200-4,000.
• Racing GTR: top-tier. Intricate design, bronze or gunmetal. R$ 4,000-5,200.

KR Truck / Truck X

Pickup truck line. Design intended for SUVs and large pickup trucks. Load capacity 1,000-1,100 kg/wheel. 17-inch to 20-inch.

• Truck 1 and 2: classic pickup design. R$ 3,400-4,800 for 17-inch.
• Truck X: more off-road, aggressive look. R$ 4,200-5,800.

KR Classic

Retro design, inspired by 70s-80s wheels. BBS RS style, Fuchs style, Minilite style. 15-inch to 17-inch.

Price: R$ 2,400-3,400 for 15-inch to 17-inch. Target audience: restoration projects, modern classics, retro aesthetics on contemporary cars.

Strengths

1. Clear Focus. KR chose a niche (sport + truck) and executes it well. They don't try to do everything. Consequence: consistent quality in their chosen niches.

2. Competitive Weight. The KR Racing 2 17-inch weighs 9.5 kg. The equivalent BRW 750 weighs 10.5 kg. The Racing 2 has a slight weight advantage — important for sport use.

3. Serious Truck Line. The KR Truck X with a 1,100 kg load capacity is comparable to imported options. I've used them on a Hilux SR multiple times, with no complaints.

4. Price Comparable to BRW. It's not more expensive than its main competitor, so the decision comes down to design/preference.

5. Responsive Customer Service. Brazilian-based customer service. If there's a real problem, they respond. Replacements for defects are handled quickly.

Weaknesses

1. Smaller Catalog than BRW. Fewer bolt patterns available. If your car is rare (Kia Cerato, Peugeot 408, SsangYong), there might not be a KR wheel that fits.

2. Bronze Finish Peeling. The bronze finish on the Racing line tends to peel at the edge after 3-4 years of use. Matte black and gunmetal finishes present fewer issues.

3. Limited Physical Store Presence. Outside of the Southern and Southeastern regions (of Brazil), it's harder to find a reseller. Online shopping solves this, but you lose the "try it on in-store" experience.

4. Less Design Variety. BRW has 25+ active models. KR has 8-10. If you're looking for a specific design, BRW is more likely to have it.

5. No Forged Options. Like BRW, KR wheels are cast. Those seeking minimum weight or forged wheels will need to look at imported brands.

KR vs. Competitors

Direct comparison for 17-inch 5x100 matte black:

• KR Racing 2: R$ 3,200 | weight 9.5 kg
• BRW 750 Palladium: R$ 3,400 | weight 10.5 kg
• Mangels Lyric: R$ 3,200 | weight 10.2 kg
• Volcano RX: R$ 3,000 | weight 10.8 kg

KR leads in weight. BRW leads in catalog variety. Mangels leads in finish. Volcano leads in price. They are close, with small differences.

Which Model to Buy

Civic, Corolla, Sentra, Cruze: KR Racing 2 or GTR 17-inch to 18-inch. R$ 3,200-4,800.

Golf GTI, A3, Impreza, Focus SE: Racing 3 or GTR 18-inch. R$ 3,600-5,200.

Gol, Polo, Sporty Onix: Racing 1 or 2 17-inch. R$ 2,800-3,600.

Hilux, S10, Ranger, Frontier: Truck X 17-inch to 18-inch. R$ 4,500-5,800.

Classic (Opala, Santana CS, original Gol GTI): KR Classic 15-inch to 17-inch. R$ 2,400-3,400.

Warranty and After-Sales Support

KR offers a 1-year factory warranty + 2 years against paint defects on premium lines. Structural defects (bending, cracking under normal use): analysis and free replacement. Scratches from use: not covered.

Customers have reported: the bronze paint on the Racing line tends to wear out faster. Black finishes last longer.

Is KR Worth Buying?

Yes, with a caveat. If you own a Civic, Golf, Corolla, or a pickup truck, KR Racing or Truck is a smart choice. If your car is rarer or you want a massive catalog, BRW offers more options.

In terms of quality, KR and BRW are equivalent. The decision comes down to design/weight/available bolt pattern.

Before making any choice, check out the simulator. Few brands have all models photographed — but popular KR and BRW models are there. Take 30 seconds to see if it's a match.