I live in Wisconsin work in Minnesota and commute to work 50 miles each way with my 2010 FIT in ALL weather. I am a former Subaru; Impreza 2.5 and WRX owner but wanted better fuel economy.


I got the FIT in late Feb 2010 so it was at the end of the winter season with new OEM tires, last year was unseasonably dry with little snow so I again had no issues. I did not seem to miss the AWD of the Subie.


First snow of the 12/13 winter was an 8" dump and my OEM dunlops with 42K on them almost killed me! I was all over the road and didnt feel safe in the FIT so I started shopping for an CRV or WRX that night upset at how scary the FIT handled the snow.


Next day I got a flat tire and needed a new tire (argh when considering a trade) after some debate on the more expensive CRV or WRX with lower fuel efficiency, I decided to give a set of snow tires a try.


I picked up some NITTO NT SN2 in 205.50R16 on the OEM sport wheels $650 for the tires and install at a local shop (They had me since I had a flat already they even stuck me with a alignment for $80 thats included in the price!)


WOW! traction is improved and overall I was amazed at the better winter driving control. My mileage is down 2 MPG but that may be from extended warm ups in the winter and overall crappy driving conditions.


I think with the right tires you do not need the expense of AWD and so far I plan to keep the FIT. Now I have a reason to get the new 17" rims and summer tires in the spring and still be cheaper than a new SUV or AWD car.

 

I bought a Fit because I was driving from York,Pa. to Bel Air,Md every day. Everyone knows PennDot doesn't plow their roads worth crap. However Maryland roads are very well maintained when it snows. You are right ,first 2" snow on the stock Dunlops were a white knuckle trip. I went and bought a set of 4 Michelin Ice X2's dedicated winter tires and now I laugh at snow up to 8"{powder}. The stock Dunlops wore out at 27K and I am on Continental Extreme Contact DWS high performance all seasons. Had 2, 2" snows so far and the Conti's are almost as good as the Ice X 2's. Conti's aren't as good for turning,but going and stopping seem the same. As long as we don't get very deep snow,I may not change to the winter tires. Agree, tires do make a difference.

 

People in crazy snowy places laugh at us and our love of AWD cars and specifically, SUVs. They all get by with small FWD cars on good snow tires. My buddy was born and raised in Oslo, Norway and is convinced we just don't know how to drive here. I think he's right.