16-inch stock wheels vs 17-inch top variant, which is better for off-road and ghat runs?

Planning a few gravel trails and ghat runs this winter and I keep going back and forth on wheel size for my Creta. Saw on Tyremantra that ground clearance stays the same 190mm whether you run 16 or 17 inch wheels, so the real difference is just tyre sidewall and ride quality. My thinking is smaller wheel with taller sidewall should handle potholes and loose gravel better, less risk of bending a rim on a rock. Anyone here actually running stock 16s off road or swapped down from 17s, how's the tarmac ride and would you go back?