Honda Pilot vs Subaru Ascent: Which 3-Row Midsize Crossover Wins in Snow?
When winter weather hits, the Subaru Ascent’s legendary Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and rally-inspired handling give it a clear edge over the capable but heavier Honda Pilot.
You know that feeling when you’re driving through a snowstorm and you’re not sure if your SUV will handle the slick roads ahead? Here’s the thing about the Honda Pilot and Subaru Ascent—both are solid family haulers with all-wheel drive, but they take very different approaches to winter driving. The Pilot relies on a capable but comfort-focused i-VTM4 system, while the Ascent brings Subaru’s decades of rally-bred AWD expertise to the table.
The good news? You can’t go wrong with either. The better choice depends on whether you value confident cornering in the snow or a smoother, quieter ride for those long winter road trips.
How They Compare in Snow Performance
The Subaru Ascent: Rally-Bred Confidence
Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is the star of the show here. In a recent snow test featuring an AWD drag race and slalom course, the Ascent wasn’t the fastest in a straight line—that honor went to the Mazda CX-70. But when it came to maneuvering through icy corners, the Subaru left everyone in the dust.
The tester described the Ascent as “like a rally car,” noting it was “the fastest one in the slalom, no question” and about three to four seconds quicker than the competition through the cones. That’s a significant margin in winter driving conditions where cornering confidence matters more than straight-line speed.
Real-world owners back this up. One Colorado driver living at 8,500 feet reported their Ascent “handled winter snow storms without issue” through mountain passes and highway driving.
Key specs for snow capability:
- Standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive across all trims
- 8.7 inches of ground clearance (higher than the Pilot)
- 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque from the turbocharged flat-four engine
- CVT transmission that excels in low-speed slick conditions
The Honda Pilot: Capable but Heavy
The Pilot’s i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system is no slouch in the snow. One owner who drives in Colorado backcountry conditions called it “incredibly impressive” for laying power down in the slick, praising the “corner-to-corner torque vectoring” that kicks in power where it’s needed.
The Pilot also features a dedicated Snow mode drive setting. During a first-drive review in a freak Sedona snowstorm, Honda engineers noted the Pilot handled snowy desert roads with “aplomb” even on all-terrain tires.
However, the Pilot’s biggest weakness in snow is its weight. As one owner put it, “It stops like a land whale” and “you really start to notice that the Pilot is a big heavy car” at higher speeds. The tester noted it’s “a little quick to understeer” on highway-speed corners.
Key specs for snow capability:
- i-VTM4 AWD available but not standard on base trims
- 8.3 inches of ground clearance
- 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque from the V6 engine
- 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters
Side-by-Side Snow Comparison
| Feature | Honda Pilot | Subaru Ascent | Snow Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWD System | i-VTM4 (available, not standard) | Symmetrical AWD (standard) | Ascent |
| Ground Clearance | 8.3 inches | 8.7 inches | Ascent |
| Horsepower | 285 hp | 260 hp | Pilot |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft | 277 lb-ft | Ascent |
| Snow Mode | Yes | Yes (included with AWD system) | Draw |
| Slalom Test Result | 48.77 seconds | 46.78 seconds | Ascent (2 seconds faster) |
| Winter Handling Feel | Heavy, stable, mild understeer | Agile, predictable, rally-inspired | Ascent |
Real-World Winter Driving Comparison
The Ascent: Cornering Confidence
The slalom test results tell the real story. The Ascent completed the course in 46.78 seconds compared to the Pilot’s 48.77 seconds—a difference of about two seconds that demonstrates superior agility and grip in slippery conditions.
The Subaru’s lower center of gravity from its boxer engine and more sophisticated AWD tuning make it feel more planted in corners. Even on the straights, the Ascent’s 277 lb-ft of torque arriving at just 2,000 rpm helps it get moving in deep snow without excessive wheelspin.
The Pilot: Straight-Line Stability
The Pilot’s extra weight (about 4,700 lbs) gives it a planted feel on snowy highways, but it also makes it less nimble. In the same slalom test, the Pilot struggled with understeer, and it was notably slower than both the Ascent and the Mazda CX-70.
Where the Pilot shines is in straight-line snow driving and climbing. The torque-vectoring AWD system claws its way up snowy inclines with impressive confidence. The V6’s extra horsepower (285 vs. 260) helps when you need to power through deeper snow.
Owner insight: “When it comes to traction off-road, the i-VTM4 is a champ. It claws its way around like a seasoned expert.”
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose the Subaru Ascent if:
- Snowy, icy, or slushy roads are a regular part of your commute
- You live in mountainous areas with steep, winding winter roads
- You prioritize cornering confidence and predictable handling
- You want standard AWD without paying extra
- You appreciate a rally-inspired feel in winter conditions
Choose the Honda Pilot if:
- You deal with deep snow on straight roads more than slick corners
- You prefer a heavier, more planted highway feel
- You want a smoother, quieter ride for long winter road trips
- You need maximum interior space and cargo capacity
- You’re willing to pay extra for the AWD upgrade on lower trims
Frequently Asked Questions
Which SUV has better AWD for snow?
The Subaru Ascent generally outperforms the Honda Pilot in snow, especially in cornering and agility tests. Its Symmetrical AWD system provided a significantly faster slalom time (46.78 vs 48.77 seconds) in a head-to-head snow test.
Is the Honda Pilot good in snow?
Yes, the Pilot is capable in snow, especially with its i-VTM4 torque-vectoring AWD system and Snow mode. It excels in straight-line traction and climbing snowy inclines but feels heavier and less agile in corners compared to the Ascent.
Does the Honda Pilot have AWD?
AWD is available on the Honda Pilot but not standard on base trims. Higher trims like the TrailSport, Elite, and Black Edition come with standard AWD.
Does the Subaru Ascent have AWD?
Yes, Subaru’s Symmetrical AWD comes standard on every Ascent trim, giving it an advantage for snow driving without extra cost.
Which is better for winter mountain driving?
The Subaru Ascent is better for winter mountain driving due to its superior cornering ability, higher ground clearance (8.7 vs 8.3 inches), and standard AWD. Owners living at high altitudes confirm its winter capability.
Do winter tires make a difference on these SUVs?
Absolutely. Both owners and testers emphasize that proper winter tires significantly improve performance. A Honda Pilot owner reported that Michelin X-Ice Snow tires made their Pilot “excellent” on snow and ice.
Have you driven either the Pilot or Ascent in snow? What was your experience? Share your winter driving stories in the comments below.
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