Sharp Honda - Is the 2026 Honda Passport’s i-VTM4® AWD the Right Choice for Winter and Gravel Roads around Lawrence, KS?
When winter weather arrives and rural routes turn slick, the right all-wheel-drive hardware can make all the difference. The 2026 Passport’s second-generation i-VTM4® AWD System is engineered to send power where it is needed most, and that matters on frost-tipped mornings, slushy intersections, and unpaved shortcuts alike. If you drive around Lawrence, KS most of the week and venture out to trailheads or lake roads on weekends, you likely want a vehicle that feels calm in the cold and composed on gravel.
Here’s what sets i-VTM4® apart. While many AWD systems engage only after slip is detected, i-VTM4® can proactively apportion torque across the rear axle to help the vehicle track steadily through corners and maintain traction as conditions change. That proactive control comes through in the steering—less tugging and fewer surprises when the surface is uneven or when one side of the road is slicker than the other. Paired with the available Off-Road Tuned Suspension, the SUV stays remarkably settled over washboard surfaces and patched pavement, so you can focus on the line ahead, not the next bump.
- Winter Starts and Stops: From neighborhood streets to highway on-ramps, i-VTM4® helps reduce wheelspin and improve stability as you accelerate on packed snow or plowed slush.
- Gravel Composure: Torque-vectoring helps the vehicle feel planted in loose corners, so you can carry steady pace without constant corrections.
- Confidence in the Wet: When rain pools or leaves slick patches, the system supports predictable steering and surefooted response.
Beyond traction, visibility and control are equally important when the temperature drops. If your Passport is equipped with available TrailWatch™, you can use its low-speed exterior views to navigate snowbanks around trailhead pull-offs or avoid hidden ruts when parking off to the side. It is a confidence booster in tight, low-visibility situations—especially useful when plow berms and unmarked edges create guesswork.
Safety technology rounds out the daily drive. Honda Sensing® is standard and supports confident commuting and longer winter drives with a thoughtful suite of driver-assist functions. The interface is straightforward, and the feedback is subtle, so it feels like a calm co-pilot rather than a distraction. For many local drivers, that combination—intelligent AWD, clear low-speed visibility, and a polished safety suite—creates a reassuring winter toolkit.
If you’re cross-shopping and debating whether the upgrade is worth it, consider the roads you drive most often. Do you tackle unplowed neighborhood streets early in the morning? Do you use gravel county routes to avoid highway backups? Do you visit parks and lakes in shoulder seasons when conditions vary by the hour? If the answer is yes to any of these, i-VTM4® provides value every single week of the year.
We invite you to schedule a test drive to feel the difference firsthand. Ask to include a mix of city streets, open highway, and, if conditions permit, a rougher segment representative of your winter routine. You will notice how planted the vehicle feels as you accelerate, how composed it remains over imperfect surfaces, and how confidently it steers through off-camber corners.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is i-VTM4® always engaged, or does it only help in slippery conditions?
i-VTM4® functions continuously, proactively distributing torque to enhance stability and traction on dry, wet, snowy, and gravel surfaces. You will feel the benefits in everyday cornering and during low-traction starts alike.
Do I need the available Off-Road Tuned Suspension for winter driving?
You do not need it, but many drivers appreciate the added wheel control it provides over broken pavement, icy ruts, and washboard sections. It complements the AWD system by keeping the vehicle settled so traction can work more effectively.
For guidance tailored to your routes and routines, our team can help you pair i-VTM4® with the features and accessories that fit your life, including HPD™ Rock Sliders, the HPD™ Front Scuff Plate, and organization options for winter gear. Sharp Honda is proudly serving Lawrence, Emporia, and Holton with test-drive routes that highlight real-world winter conditions, so you can make a confident choice the first time.
