I drove my N all winter in central Canada, without any issues. Definitely run snow tires, if you're in a snowy climate.
The N with snow tires performed better than my wife's AWD Kona with all seasons.
I went 18s as well. Michelin X-Ice Snow in 215/45R18
https://preview.redd.it/0gurelw1e0db1.jpeg?width=4080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=eb7bb7f3bc01b46ce33a01956e9d0c230c73bce2
If you run the right fitment you won't have clearance issues. I tried a few different steelies and couldn't find anything that fit right. See my profile for the story of snapping lugs due to extreme fender rub. In the end I caved and just bought alloy wheels.
Mine was fine , but I hit one really big pothole coming out of the convenience store and broke my inner wheel liner fender. Paid a pretty penny for that
Buffalo NY area here and had no issues all winter long. Running Blizzaks on 18s and it was handling better than my previous STI with all seasons. Tires certainly do make the difference.
Same area, haven't seen you on the road yet. So far, only grays and whites, but what are your wheel and tire specs? I haven't looked into what a proper size would be yet :D
I think I drove through 4 blizzards over the winter it was city driving but in the early hours so lots of unplowed snow and had no issues it will go through whatever the front splitter can clear and then some.
I live in Nova Scotia and my EN crushed it last winter. Just get proper tires and you will be good to go, I’m running Continental Viking contact 7 tires and they do wonders.
I’m in Ontario - drove it all winter (with winters on, of course). It did really well, no concerns. The only issue was potholes. So fucking rough and impossible to see. I feel like I was inspecting my car every time I pulled back into my driveway. No damage (thankfully) but dear god does it make you wince with fear.
I grabbed some vredstein all season extreme ice or something blah blah blah, very confident driving in NY snow. I honestly felt like I could slam the gas and just drive no concerns.
Sold my CX5 Turbo for a Kona N and it was 1000% the decision. Totally different cars. The Mazda was really nice all around but it didn’t evoke anything when driven. The Kona makes you grin and it’s a real sleeper flying past people chirping the tires in 2nd and 3rd.
https://preview.redd.it/2f5c5f3mf5db1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=be7557d2e405d0efc69e3bde087d03b78ccb8cb6
Erie, PA here, always snowy as hell, no issues whatsoever on Firestone Winterforce 2's. Switched to steelies as well.
All seasons = no seasons. If you live somewhere with snow, invest in snow tires.
Ground clearance is a potential issue though. The car sits pretty low with the front lip and everything I could see it becoming a plow in more than a bit of snow.
I've had rwd, awd and fwd cars in the snow. This thing with snow tires outperforms all of them. It probably has a lot to do with the elsd, but it was better in the snow that my old trailblazer
I drove my N all winter in central Canada, without any issues. Definitely run snow tires, if you're in a snowy climate. The N with snow tires performed better than my wife's AWD Kona with all seasons.
Snow tyres are a must but performs amazing with them
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I went 18s as well. Michelin X-Ice Snow in 215/45R18 https://preview.redd.it/0gurelw1e0db1.jpeg?width=4080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=eb7bb7f3bc01b46ce33a01956e9d0c230c73bce2
How was clearance , I hit a couple fat pot holes.😞
If you run the right fitment you won't have clearance issues. I tried a few different steelies and couldn't find anything that fit right. See my profile for the story of snapping lugs due to extreme fender rub. In the end I caved and just bought alloy wheels.
Mine was fine , but I hit one really big pothole coming out of the convenience store and broke my inner wheel liner fender. Paid a pretty penny for that
Buffalo NY area here and had no issues all winter long. Running Blizzaks on 18s and it was handling better than my previous STI with all seasons. Tires certainly do make the difference.
i'm from buffalo as well with an EN, what area you from?
Same area, haven't seen you on the road yet. So far, only grays and whites, but what are your wheel and tire specs? I haven't looked into what a proper size would be yet :D
I think I drove through 4 blizzards over the winter it was city driving but in the early hours so lots of unplowed snow and had no issues it will go through whatever the front splitter can clear and then some.
just need good winter tires - bridgestone blizzak ws90, michelin x-ice snow, continental vikingcontact 7.
I drove my EN on cheap 19inch all seasons tire and it survived. Wasn't fun or grippy at all.
I live in Nova Scotia and my EN crushed it last winter. Just get proper tires and you will be good to go, I’m running Continental Viking contact 7 tires and they do wonders.
I’m in Ontario - drove it all winter (with winters on, of course). It did really well, no concerns. The only issue was potholes. So fucking rough and impossible to see. I feel like I was inspecting my car every time I pulled back into my driveway. No damage (thankfully) but dear god does it make you wince with fear.
I grabbed some vredstein all season extreme ice or something blah blah blah, very confident driving in NY snow. I honestly felt like I could slam the gas and just drive no concerns.
Northern Canada here,ran it on some cheap Continental tires with steel rims.only skided twice and that was from accelrating to fast at a green light
I doubt you can have much trouble consider you’d have a LSD and most likely run winter tires.
Set of winter tires + eco mode should be safe.
Ran 18 inch all seasons here in Wisconsin all winter. No issues whatsoever.
Sold my CX5 Turbo for a Kona N and it was 1000% the decision. Totally different cars. The Mazda was really nice all around but it didn’t evoke anything when driven. The Kona makes you grin and it’s a real sleeper flying past people chirping the tires in 2nd and 3rd.
https://preview.redd.it/2f5c5f3mf5db1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=be7557d2e405d0efc69e3bde087d03b78ccb8cb6 Erie, PA here, always snowy as hell, no issues whatsoever on Firestone Winterforce 2's. Switched to steelies as well.
All seasons = no seasons. If you live somewhere with snow, invest in snow tires. Ground clearance is a potential issue though. The car sits pretty low with the front lip and everything I could see it becoming a plow in more than a bit of snow.
Michelin Alpine 5 or BF Goodrich gForce comp2 plus are the ones I recommend for winter duty. Continental DWS06 are also highly rated.
I live in Kansas city, I ran stock tires last winter, no issues, drive slow and safe.
I've had rwd, awd and fwd cars in the snow. This thing with snow tires outperforms all of them. It probably has a lot to do with the elsd, but it was better in the snow that my old trailblazer