Disclosed are wheel assemblies for motor vehicle powertrains, methods for making and methods for using wheel assemblies, and motor vehicles with wheel units each composed of a tire and a wheel assembly. For example, a multi-hub wheel assembly for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The motor vehicle includes a tire and a suspension component, such as a hub-and-bearing assembly, mounted to the vehicle body. The wheel assembly includes an outer wheel with an annular rim well attached to a central hub. The central hub mounts onto the vehicle's suspension component, e.g., via lugs and bolts, while the tire mounts onto the rim well. The wheel assembly also includes an intermediate hub with a deflection annular rim attached to a mounting base. The mounting base is attached to the outer wheel. The intermediate hub mounts inside a hollow core of the outer wheel, interposed between the central hub and the suspension component.