The chrome is more expensive since its more expensive to manufacture.
Chrome wheels are also heavier.

Tire sizes, 3 things play a role. Rolling resistance and tire width (These two are closely related) and overall height.

Stock is 185/70/14
195/60/15 .1% and 205/50/16 is .8% so both are close.

If the overall tire height and overall wheel and tire weight are the same, It will not have an impact on FE or a very small one, due to the roling resistance.

 

Thanks - I found on the web confirmation that the stock weight of the wheel and tire are about 31 lbs. I was thinking of uping to a 15" and 195/60 (for looks, but keep the FE impact down). Even with a 15 lb tire and those 10 lb rims I found, that's only 26 lbs - 5 lbs overall on each wheel. Seems like that wouldn't make a whole lot of difference. If I can't improve the FE I may not bother with the expense. However I'm close to needing new tires, so I thought I might as well go for something that looks nicer.

Have you done much research on tire selection? I've tried to research low rolling resistance tires but haven't found much. Don't know if they even make them in 195 or 205. Was curious what brand you were considering.

 

If you go with 195/60-15's, I'd suggest the Sumitomo HTR 200's. They're only $43 each from Tire Rack and were rated one of the lowest rolling resistance tires in the Green Seal March 2003 report. I've run about 6 different sets of tires on my Civic (I used to autocross a lot and wear out tires very fast) and my Sumitomo HTR-Z's were my favorite. If the HTR 200 is even close to the HTR-Z, then it should still be a very quiet, grippy tire while having a low price, generous 380 treadwear rating, and rated as a top pick for low rolling resistance.

Oh, and one final note on the HTR 200 - it's rated 51psi max according to the specifications. Most tires carry a 44psi max, but this one specifically shows a 51psi max. That would also be useful to a hypermiler to know they can run 50psi totally safely and within the manufacturer specifications for the tire.

 

Thanks! Appreciate the feedback. Rolling Resistance info is hard to find - I can only find that report when I looked too. I wanted to keep at 195 or less - just to keep the FE impact at a minimum.