If you live in a climate where snow and rain are a part of daily life, all-wheel-drive is a lifesaver. So, it's only natural that you would search out a vehicle with all-wheel-drive capabilities. The Honda Accord may have made the shortlist in your search, but it can be challenging to find information on the car's drivetrain. Fortunately, we thoroughly researched the Honda Accord and have information about its drivetrain here in this post.
The Honda Accord does not come in an all-wheel-drive (AWD) spec. Every trim and version of the Accord on the market comes with front-wheel drive as standard. That being said, the Honda Accord has a traction control system that helps stabilize the vehicle on slick surfaces.
There is much more to learn about whether or not the Honda Accord and the Honda Traction Control System are reliable in snow or rain. Please continue reading to find out more about the Accords traction control system, all-wheel-drive versus 4-wheel drive, and other Honda models available with AWD.
Does the Honda Accord come in All-Wheel-Drive?
The Honda Accord is a medium-size sedan produced for the US market by the Japanese automaker. The Accord is a spacious, fuel-efficient, and affordable car that has been popular for decades. The Honda Accord seats five people and comes with a suite of safety and technology features.
Honda's Accord does not come with a standard all-wheel-drive, nor does it have the option to upgrade to an all-wheel-drive system. The base Accord and all of the other trims come with front-wheel drive. The lack of an all-wheel-drive option isn't a huge blow against the Accord, as it has additional features to help keep the passengers safe during poor driving conditions.
Nearly every vehicle in the Honda lineup comes with a Traction Control System, abbreviated as TCS. The TCS activates when the car is driving at low speeds, making the wheels break loose and spin. For example, turning at a traffic light or accelerating from a stopped position on a hill. The system monitors the traction of each wheel and applies the brakes to any wheel that begins to lose traction. Slowing a single tire keeps that tire from losing its traction and you from losing control of the car.
Do I Really Need All-Wheel-Drive?
A car with a front-wheel-drive is not as effective off-road as an all-wheel-drive is. Additionally, cars with rear-wheel drives tend to have higher performance levels than the other drivetrain types. But front-wheel-drive shines when it comes to fuel economy and sustainability, and that's worth pointing out. Combine that benefit with other features like terrain control, and it's not a bad compromise for a missing AWD.
If you live in a dry environment that doesn't get a lot of rain or snow, then you might want to think about skipping out on the all-wheel drive. All-wheel-drive is an active driving system that is never turned off. Because of this, it uses more fuel to power your vehicle. A front-wheel-drive car like the Honda Accord will always be more fuel-efficient than a similar all-wheel-drive model.
Can a Honda Accord Drive in Snow?
So, with features like a Traction Control System, how does a front-wheel-drive car like the Honda Accord handle snowy conditions? The Accord won't perform like an all-wheel-drive vehicle, but it will handle regular snowy conditions. The TCS will help get you started from a stopped position and keep you grounded at low speeds. Honda recommends pairing the Traction Control System with a set of winter tires to maximize safety.
Is a Honda Accord Good in Rain?
The Honda Accord is as good in the rain as any other type of front-wheel-drive vehicle on the market. The Traction Control System will help keep the car where you want it to be at traffic lights or sharp turns. A set of tires with good tread and cautious driving are the key factors to arriving safely at your destination in the rain.
How Do You Turn Off Traction Control in a Honda Accord?
Honda's Traction Control System is a nice feature that will help keep you safe in bad road conditions. But if you want the feature turned off, that is understandable. Some Honda owners do not like how their car responds to acceleration when the TCS is engaged. To turn off your Traction Control System, follow these steps:
- Locate the TCS button situated under the air conditioning vent on the left side of the steering wheel.
- Press this button to turn off the TCS completely.
Pay in mind that the TCS turns on automatically each time you start up your Honda. Consequently, you will have to manually turn off the traction system before each drive if you do not want to use it during your trip. The slight lack of responsiveness that you can experience while the TCS is engaged is just something Honda drivers have to get used to. At the end of the day, the benefits far outweigh the inconvenience caused by this minor annoyance.
Which Honda Models have AWD?
Honda currently produces 20 different vehicle models, counting hybrid versions separately from their base models. These models range from trucks to hybrid sedans to full-size SUVs. While nearly all of the various models that Honda produces come with the Honda Traction Control System, the all-wheel-drive Hondas are better for difficult driving conditions. The following Honda models have AWD capabilities:
- Honda Passport
- Honda HR-V
- Honda CR-V
- Honda CR-V Hybrid
- Honda Pilot
- Honda Ridgeline
All of the all-wheel-drive vehicles in the Honda lineup are medium or full-size SUVs. The sole exception being the Honda Ridgeline, which is a truck. None of the sedans or coupes in the Honda lineup have AWD capabilities. Those are nearly all front-wheel-drive-powered vehicles.
Many of these Honda vehicles, including the Ridgeline, Pilot, and Passport, have an upgraded version of the Honda Traction Control System. The Intelligent Traction Management system allows the driver to select the type of ground they are driving on. There are four settings to choose from; normal, snow, mud, and sand. Honda's goal with this feature is to make each of these SUVs, or trucks in the case of the Ridgeline, perform better with all-terrain driving.
Is AWD the same as 4WD?
The terms all-wheel-drive and 4-wheel drive are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are not the same type of drivetrain. All-wheel drive is continuous and active no matter what the vehicle is doing. 4-wheel drive, on the other hand, is a feature that is only turned on during certain driving situations.
All-wheel-drive is more similar to a regular front or rear-wheel drive because it's a feature that stays on no matter what. The all-wheel-drive system automatically distributes power to the four wheels in poor driving conditions. This equal spread reduces the chances of losing traction by any of the four tires during driving. All-wheel-drives are better for to daily driving in nearly every condition but thrive in wet or snowy roadways.
The 4-wheel drive feature in most modern vehicles has a switch that toggles it either on or off. The 4-wheel drive should never be kept on and work continuously like an all-wheel drive. It is best for off-road driving in mud, gravel, or water at slow speeds. But, it is not ideal for everyday driving on the highway in the rain.
In Closing
The lack of an all-wheel drive on the Honda Accord shouldn't be the dealbreaker that keeps you from purchasing one. The other traction control features that Honda put on the Accord help keep the vehicle on the road regardless of the conditions. However, if you must have a vehicle with an all-wheel drive, then Honda has six other models that you should consider.
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