Best Honda for Snow

December 13th, 2023 by

Although it doesn’t snow as much in Marion as in other parts of Illinois, you’ll still have to deal with icy roads, fog, and cold temperatures during winter. These conditions can increase your likelihood of getting into an accident or experiencing vehicle damage. If you’re looking for the best car for braving snow and ice on your family road trip this holiday season, you should check out a Honda. Honda vehicles are known for their rigid construction, excellent traction and handling, and advanced safety equipment, allowing them to stand up to the challenges of winter driving. Stop by Ike Honda to explore our amazing selection of new Hondas.

Honda CR-V: Santa’s Favorite Sleigh

2024 Honda CR-V in white paint driving on the road in snowy conditions.

The Honda CR-V is one of the most sought-after Honda vehicles because of its exceptional versatility. This well-rounded compact crossover can meet the needs of individuals and families, and it also performs well in a variety of conditions, including snow and ice.

When a winter storm hits Marion, the 190-horsepower 1.5-liter turbo-four engine of the CR-V has enough power to help you navigate snow and slush with ease. It’s also robust enough to deliver consistent performance in freezing temperatures. This power plant works with a continuously variable transmission and front- (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD).

FWD vehicles offer better traction in snow and ice than their rear-wheel-drive (RWD) counterparts, enabling you to accelerate more effectively. In challenging driving conditions, AWD overcomes some of the shortcomings of both FWD and RWD. It sends power to all four wheels instead of just two, which enhances your traction on wet and slippery roads.

The available Real-Time AWD system makes the CR-V a great vehicle for winter driving. This system monitors all four wheels and distributes power among them to achieve maximum traction and stability in varying conditions. If you want even better traction, opt for a model with the optional Intelligent Traction Management, which comes with a Snow mode to improve grip on slippery surfaces. It’s also worth noting that this Honda SUV comes standard with hill-descent control for modulating speed on steep and slick inclines.

On the inside, Honda has equipped the CR-V with a wide range of features to keep you and your passengers comfortable when driving in winter conditions. Instead of choosing the base model, we recommended that you step up to the midrange EX trim, which comes with cold-weather upgrades such as dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and remote start. Remote start allows you to start your vehicle from inside your home so that you don’t have to sit in a cold cabin while waiting for it to warm up. A heated steering wheel is available as an option.

Like other new Honda vehicles, the CR-V offers advanced safety technologies to help you stay safe behind the wheel. These features are especially useful during winter, when you’re more likely to encounter road hazards that require you to react promptly and properly to avoid a collision. The SUV comes standard with the Honda Sensing suite of driver-assistance features, which includes automated emergency braking, forward collision alert, traffic sign recognition, automated high beams, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, and lane-keeping assistance.

Honda Passport: A Trailblazer in Snow

If you prefer a larger vehicle, the Honda Passport may be the vehicle for you. This midsize SUV features a considerably more spacious interior than the CR-V. It provides plenty of legroom and headroom in both rows of seats and more cargo space than most other two-row SUVs. Even the base EX-L trim is well equipped to help you and your passengers beat the chill. It comes with tri-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and remote start.

Shop Used Honda Passport

In terms of performance, the Passport is arguably the best SUV for snow in the 2024 Honda lineup. As the brand’s most rugged SUV, it offers AWD, Intelligent Traction Management, and hill-start assist on every model. In addition, it has an impressive 8.1 inches of ground clearance, which enables it to easily overcome snowy conditions and off-road obstacles. The Passport also has an adventure-ready TrailSport trim that adds an off-road-tuned suspension and all-terrain tires.

Honda Pilot: Ready for the Arctic

If you have a large family, you’ll be better off with the Honda Pilot. This three-row SUV seats up to eight people and has a cavernous cargo area that can fit your entire family’s luggage and gear for road trips or outdoor adventures.

Regardless of which trim you choose, the Pilot is fitted with an array of interior features that make winter driving more pleasant, such as tri-zone automatic climate control, rear-seat heater ducts, and a rear-window defroster with a timer. Higher trims do a better job of keeping you warm with heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, heated second-row outboard seats, and remote start. Like other Honda SUVs, this model boasts a wealth of standard driver aids.

Every Pilot is a capable vehicle in winter as they offer a Snow drive mode, hill-descent control, hill-start assist, and all-season tires as standard equipment. For enhanced traction and safety on icy roads, you can get the available AWD and Intelligent Traction Management. Similar to the Passport, the Pilot comes with an off-road-oriented TrailSport model, making it an ideal option for the adventurous family. This trim comes standard with AWD, a Trail drive mode, and an elevated suspension that raises the ground clearance to 8.3 inches.

Test-Drive the Best Hondas for Winter at Ike Honda

From an excellent AWD system to winter-friendly cabin features, the Honda CR-V, Honda Passport, and Honda Pilot are among the best vehicles for snow on the market. If you’re wondering if these models can meet your needs and expectations, visit Ike Honda in Marion to check them out in person. With one of the largest selections of new Hondas in southern Illinois, our dealership can provide you with a winter-ready vehicle that matches your budget and lifestyle. Explore our new Honda inventory now to find your ideal model, and contact us to schedule a test drive.

Posted in Honda Drivers