Is the 2022 Honda Civic Good Enough to Tackle the Snow?
The 2022 Honda Civic has a lot to offer, including sporty trims like the Si and a much-needed redesign. However, is the Honda model up to your cold weather commute? Moreover, should you snow tires to make your 2022 Honda Civic inter-ready? Check out the Civic and its winterworthiness.
Is Honda Civic FWD or AWD?
The 2022 Honda Civic, like the new 2023 and previous model years, is front-wheel drive (FWD). Moreover, all-wheel drive (AWD) isn’t available as an upgrade, compromising the Civic’s surefootedness in inclement weather like heavy rain, snow, and ice.
Moreover, competitors like the 2023 Mazda Mazda3 have an AWD option for added grip. However, FWD is better for snow and ice than rear-wheel drive (RWD), like the Dodge Charger R/T’s platform. FWD tends to “claw” or pull a vehicle across low-friction surfaces, while RWD employs a pushing action by sending power through a driveshaft to the rear wheels.
RWD cars, especially those with an abundance of power, tend to break traction and initiate tail-happy slides more so than FWD cars like the Honda Civic. As a result, Civic owners will have an easier time tackling snow and ice than RWD cars like the Subaru BRZ.
Is the 2022 Honda Civic Si good in the snow?
The 2022 Honda Civic Si, the model’s premier sports-oriented trim, will handle the snow as well as the other FWD trims. However, with 200 horsepower and a six-speed manual transmission, Si owners should be mindful of their traction.
Of course, Civic Si owners can mount winter tires or studded snow tires to maximize cold-weather grip. For instance, some car enthusiasts keep a second or third set of wheels with role-specific tires, like all-season and summer tires.
Does the 2022 Honda Civic have heated seats?
The 2022 Honda Civic equips heated seats in the EX, EX-L Hatchback, Touring, and Sport Touring trims. The Civic’s heated seats are multi-level and pair up with a heated exterior for the cold weather commuting.
If you plan to tackle snow in your Civic, consider a trim with heated accessories.
Can you put snow tires on Honda Civic?
A 2022 Honda Civic will accept snow tires as long as they fit on the wheels. For instance, the Sport trim adopts larger 18-inch wheels instead of the LX trim’s 16-inch set. Make sure your snow or winter tires are the right size for your wheels.
According to TrueCar, the 2022 Honda Civic has all-season tires from the factory. However, the model has three sizes at different trim levels ranging from 215/55R16 to 235/40R18 on the Sport trim. Still, equipping your Civic with snow or winter tires is the best practice for tackling a cold weather commute with lots of precipitation.
How safe is the 2022 Honda Civic?
In addition to using a sensible FWD platform, the 2022 Honda Civic gets top safety scores. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Honda model a Top Safety Pick+ rating for crashworthiness and crash avoidance. Also, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave it a five-star rating.
Moreover, the Civic has standard Stability and Traction Control across the trim lineup. As a result, a Civic with weather-appropriate tires could be a solid option for potential owners to tackle snow-laden streets. Of course, avoiding unnecessary trips in the snow and driving with care and caution is a must.
