Is the 2023 Acura Integra Good in the Snow?
The 2023 Acura Integra is a front-wheel drive four-door hatchback meant to provide plenty of thrills on dry pavement. We tested the Acura Integra A-Spec and the Integra Type S and were thrilled with how well both drove through the canyons and on regular roads. But how well would the trusty Integra do in the snow?
Many 2023 Acura Integra owners have reported good things about snow-driving
The 2023 Acura Integra comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in all-season tires. Stepping up through the trim levels yields larger 18-inch wheels with all-season tires. The Integra Type S, on the other hand, rolls on 19-inchers and summer tires.
That said, it’s unsurprising that many 2023 Integra owners on the Integra Forums reported their cars fared well in the snow. Some Integra A-Spec owners also reported that having the six-speed manual transmission equipped with a limited-slip differential helps. However, the all-season tires could be better.
That makes sense, considering the all-season tires on the Integra are likely more beneficial for dry-pavement and wet-pavement driving as opposed to snow. That said, the Integra Type S likely wouldn’t do well with its summer performance tires. Meaning, a set of winter tires would need to be installed.
Is a limited-slip differential needed for snow driving?
No, a limited-slip differential is unnecessary for snow driving, considering most commuter cars don’t have one. In fact, the base Acura Integra, which can only be equipped with a CVT, doesn’t have one. We’re sure it can move along just fine on plowed roads, though.
That said, driving a car with a limited-slip differential can be advantageous in the snow. Capital One states, “A limited-slip differential is the part of a car that takes torque from a vehicle’s transmission and splits it up between the wheels.”
Without a limited-slip differential, the torque would not be split between the wheels. This can cause one wheel to spin and the other to not move in a slippery situation. However, with a limited-slip differential, both wheels will spin, enabling more traction.
As we can see, the 2023 Integra A-Spec would do well in snow-driving situations since it’s equipped with all-season tires and a limited-slip differential. If anything, it could fare better than the other trim levels right out of the box.
When all else fails, winter tires should do the trick
Anyone looking to purchase a 2023 Acura Integra and drive in the snow could put a set of winter tires on it and call it a day. Although the all-season rubber that the Integra rides on should do well in snowy conditions, we recommend switching to a genuine set of winter tires when possible.
Although it can be expensive to replace the all-season or summer tires with winter tires, there are tire shops that will store the extra set for you until the warmer months arrive.
Either way, although the Acura Integra isn’t necessarily meant for the snow, considering it’s a sporty four-door hatchback, we have no doubts that it would do just fine.
