None of those vehicles are anything special in the snow.

Snow tires are more important than anything else in such climates. Driving in snow from the day I got my license says as much.

To person who asked, 205/60 is taller than anything I'd put on a Fit and all Fits are 4x100. I think the Accord was 5x114.3 but maybe wrong. Most likely neither the wheels or tires are applicable.

 

In Finland we have snow and ice quite many months every year, and still most cars are 2WD. Proper winter tires - studded or not - are the most important thing. 4WD is good if you need to drive less maintained roads or off road, but it is no substitute for winter tires.

Previously in this thread there was discussion about the load capability. I don't have the information regarding NA models, but Japan built GK5 has maximum axle load of 1885 lbs, so 943 lbs per tire is needed and sufficient.

 

2021 Honda FIT coming to a country near you (Except the USA)
I Love Finland. If only there was a way they would take someone from Los Angeles full time I would bring my FIT and put the best Winter Tires on it.
Finland will also get the newly re-designed 2021 Honda FIT--discontinued in the USA as Honda says Americans prefer larger less fuel efficient vehicles like SUV's.

 

It's pity you won't get new GR Fit/Jazz, although I'm not going to hybrid. I see it as an overly complicated transitional solution. I'm using conventional piston engine cars as long as hydrogen fuel cell plugin electric cars become available.

What comes to best winter tires, that is a annual hot topic on coffee tables just this time of year, when car magazines publish their winter tire tests, and there are believers for every major brand. I use Michelin or Goodyear.

 

Have not heard about whether the Fit will still be sold in Canada in 2021 but I can't see why not--it's been a success here and Canadians have embraced smaller cars for a long time since ironically our fuel prices are not as low as in the USA. I had no issues with my Fit in winter and with the larger tires it will be even better than the original 2007 model I had--it only had 14" rims.

Choosing a FWD car here is difficult because there are so many to pick from. I don't know for sure what I'll end up with next year, but few cars have been as versatile as the Fit. My only concern would be taking a long road trip with it--my Accord was/is excellent for long trips (e.g. Canada to Florida), and I've made that trip numerous times. I don't see doing that in a Fit and being any where as comfortable.

AWD vehicles are terrific for the people who live outside the cities and I once owned an '83 Toyota SR5 that was awesome in winter--although it needed weight added to the bed for better traction.

 

I had great results with the Hankook all season winter tires on my Fit and it was the only tire approved by the Quebec government as being equal to a snow tire for winter use.

But on my Accord I used only Michelin until a couple of years ago when I switched to Continental winter tires and they are excellent as well. Of course, as we know, smart driving in bad conditions makes a big difference too.

Oops! I wrongly stated Continental for my winter tires when in fact I switched to Bridgestone Blizzak tires on the Accord. Also, the Hankook tires are classified as "All Weather" tires, which is slightly different than "All Season". Here's some info. that you might find helpful: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/glob...ticle16190526/

 

With zero intention of hijacking the thread, I have a tire question for more experienced Fit owners. I just got my Fit this week.

Which tire sizes can I safely fit onto the stock steel LX wheels? 2017. I like the ratings on the Hankook Kinergy PT at 860AA. Thanks.

 

Could you please specify what kind of a Fit you have, i.e. is it GD, GE or GK.

 

Totally missed that. I'm at work. Edited my post; 2017 LX.

 

The stock tires are 185/60R15 on 6x15" ET53 rims. When going to wider tires you need to get lower profile to keep the diameter within +/-3% (which is rather conservative).

Widest alternative than are accepted to be fitted on 6x15" rims is 225/50R15. Other safe alternatives are 215/55R15, 215/50R15, 205/55R15, 205/50R15, 195/60R15, 195/55R15, 185/65R15. All those has circumfence within +/- 3% of the original size.

And what I have read from this forum, even the widest alternative size 225/50R15 on stock wheel should not rub fenders if the suspension is not lowered.

 

Thanks for that! I'm liking the idea of the 185/65/15 to fill up a little of those wells just a touch more and a little more cushion.

 

I can't compare an Accord to a FIT but I can tell you that I have driven my 2015 FIT from Los Angeles to Vancouver, BC and back, Los Angeles to Portland and back, Los Angles to New York City, from NYC to Atlanta, Georgia, from Georgia to Austin, Texas and back to Los Angeles, CA, Los Angeles to Denver, CO and back, and many long weekend trips from Los Angeles to Tucson and Phoenix AZ and Las Vegas and it has been enjoyable with no problems. But that was only AFTER I installed 205/50 R16 BF Goodrich Comp A/S tires on it. (Just changed to Michelin Piolet after the BF's ran down). During the first year of ownership with the Firestone's that came on it--performance and handling was so poor I was going to sell the FIT after 2 years--now I love it--would never sell.

With the BF tires as well as the Michelin--handling and smoothness at sustained speeds on the highway at 80 MPH feel like 50 MPH--you really don't realize your speed in the FIT. You need to watch your speedometer. In certain very remote parts of Arizona and Utah where traffic flow is 90 to 100 MPH FIT EX is also very capable. You will note a degradation in fuel economy for speeds in excess of 55 MPH but that is trade-off in most vehicles. The sweet fuel economy speed point for FIT it seems is at 55-60 MPH.

 

I would support your idea. I would also consider switching to narrower 5.5x15" rims and slightly wider 195/60R15 tires to protect the rim from curbs and to increase the diameter slightly.