389cc Honda GX390 OHV · Track Drive · Hydrostatic Transmission · Electric Joystick Chute · DC Electric Start · ~$3,399
How we calculated 9.4/10: We weighted expert selections (Pro Tool Reviews Best Pick, SnowBlower Garage Top Tier) at 30%, enthusiast community loyalty and owner reports at 30%, hands-on testing reviews at 25%, and CR family data at 15%. The 9.4 reflects class-leading performance, traction, build quality, and reliability — significantly tempered by the ~$3,399 price tag.
Honda GX390 — the gold standard engine — 389cc commercial-grade engine legendary for reliability and long service life. 2,750 lbs/min capacity and 56-foot throw distance lead the category.
Track drive provides unmatched traction — Dual rubber tracks with cold-weather cleats grip ice, slopes, and uneven terrain where wheeled machines slip. Perfect for steep driveways and gravel surfaces.
Hydrostatic transmission — infinite speed control — Single lever controls forward and reverse at any speed. No gears to shift, just smooth variable pace. Virtually maintenance-free.
Electric joystick chute control — 4-direction electric joystick for 198° rotation. Far more precise than cable-operated systems. Double-articulated chute adds throw angle control.
DC electric start — no outlet needed — Automotive-style key start with onboard self-charging battery. No extension cord required — a genuine advantage over Toro and Ariens.
Automotive-grade all-steel construction — Steel side auger housing, steel chute, reversible heavy-duty skid shoes. 3-Year Full Warranty covers everything.
Adjustable auger height — Pneumatic gas strut for smooth auger housing adjustment. Raise for uneven surfaces, lower to scrape pavement. A feature most competitors lack.
~$3,399 is a serious investment — Costs $1,250 more than the Toro 1030 and $1,200 more than the Ariens Deluxe 30 EFI. For most flat residential driveways, the premium is hard to justify.
298 lbs is the heaviest in class — Track drive and GX390 make this significantly heavier. Moving it around the garage requires effort, and it won't fit in all pickup truck beds.
Uses shear bolts — Keep spares on hand. The ATD's Auger Shear Bolt Guard detects high torque and stalls the engine, but bolts can still shear on impact.
Honda dealer network is smaller — Sold primarily through Honda Power Equipment dealers. Parts availability can be more limited than Toro (Home Depot) or Ariens (Lowes).
32" width can be too wide — May not fit through standard garage side doors or narrow walkways. Overkill for small suburban driveways.
Loud at full throttle — The GX390 at full RPM is louder than smaller engines. Hearing protection strongly recommended.
The Honda GX390 is arguably the most respected small engine in the world. At 389cc, it's the largest engine in any residential two-stage — nearly 30% more displacement than the Toro 1030 (302cc) and 27% more than the Ariens Deluxe 30 (306cc). The OHV design delivers 2,750 lbs of snow per minute with a maximum throw distance of 56 feet.
The GX390's reputation for reliability is legendary — these engines run for thousands of hours with basic maintenance in commercial applications. Honda's manufacturing precision results in lower vibration, better fuel efficiency, and quieter operation relative to displacement. The engine self-charges the onboard DC battery, meaning no outlet is ever needed for electric starting.
The dual track drive system separates the HSS1332ATD from every wheeled competitor. Pliable, low-temperature rubber tracks with cold-weather cleats provide traction that wheels cannot match on ice, slopes, packed snow, and uneven terrain. Real-world reviews note the tracks cruise through snow without slipping, and fingertip steering controls allow compact 180° turns.
For homeowners with steep driveways, gravel surfaces, or hilly properties, track drive transforms the snow removal experience. The auger height control with pneumatic gas strut lets you raise the housing for uneven surfaces or lower it to scrape pavement — adjustability unique to Honda's lineup.
Honda's hydrostatic transmission provides infinitely variable speed control with a single lever. Push forward to advance, pull back for reverse — at any speed. No gears, no speed steps, and ground speed doesn't affect auger rotation. It's the smoothest drive system in any residential snow blower and is virtually maintenance-free.
The electric 4-direction joystick offers 198° chute rotation with precision cable-operated systems can't match. The double-articulated discharge chute on the ATD model adds throw angle control. Combined with the hour meter and auger lock indicator, these are features borrowed from commercial machinery.
At ~$3,399, the Honda costs more than most need to spend. The Toro 1030 ($2,149) and Ariens Deluxe 30 EFI ($2,199) handle 90% of residential scenarios equally well. The Honda's premium is justified only in specific situations: steep or icy driveways where track drive is essential, very large properties where 32" width and 2,750 lbs/min capacity save meaningful time, or extreme snow regions where the GX390's bulletproof reliability is worth the investment.
If you plan to keep a snow blower for 20+ years, handle the absolute worst conditions, or refuse to compromise on any specification, the HSS1332ATD is the machine. For everyone else, the Toro and Ariens deliver 90% of the capability at 60% of the price.
The Honda HSS1332ATD is the finest residential two-stage snow blower money can buy. The GX390 engine, track drive, hydrostatic transmission, and all-steel construction deliver an experience that no competitor matches. At ~$3,399 it's a significant investment, but for homeowners with challenging terrain, heavy snow, and a desire for the absolute best, this is the machine that will serve flawlessly for decades. If your driveway is flat and your snowfall moderate, save $1,250 and get the Toro. If you need the best of the best, there's only one choice.