On Wed, 19 Jul 2017 07:36:14 -0400,
dadiOH wrote:

Bigger wheel = less gasoline for a given distance and less tire wear.

I would intuitively agree with you but the two referenced articles do not
agree with our intuition.

Combined, the two articles said (for a one-inch difference)...
+ The engine delivers ~25% less driving force to the wheel contact patch
+ Which results in a decrease in acceleration & decrease in fuel economy
+ And there will be a decrease in handling (mostly in cornering)
+ And that unsprung weight goes up appreciably
+ In addition to tire air "cushioning" being reduced
+ While the overall vehicle suspension remains at the same ride height