No, not even close. I've driven an assortment of cars over the years, and while all-wheel-drive and snow tires help, I always got where I was going without them.
Starting life in Rochester, NY probably helped make me a better winter driver (though the first time the flakes fly each year still seems risky). It gets about double the snow that Detroit receives.
Heated seats and steering wheel help keep me comfy until the heat kicks in. I don't see why a Honda Accord (is it a hybrid?) shouldn't be as good as anything in our "fleet".
I would imagine that a Jeep is an actual necessity in Detroit winters...I might also note that in regards to my new.ish Honda Acord is that the interior heater seems pretty weak to me.
A good car, but a strong heater would have been nice.
