I just bought a 2017 Acura RDX, and I'm loving it.

However, both the ad and all the paperwork from the dealership claim it has SH-AWD

The badge on the back just says "AWD."

Is this false advertising? (Coupled with lack of research on my part.)

 

Acura Dropped the SHAWD for a non-torque vectoring unit for the 2nd gen RDX.

 

Thanks. Looks like I didn't do my homework and got burned as a result.

I love the car and am thinking about keeping it. I live in the mountains on a steep, windy dirt road and we get about 6 feet of snow a year. I'm reading all the threads about rdx's in snow, trying to decide whether snow tires and caution will be enough.

 

well, the 2017 DOES have AWD, it's just not the mighty SHAWD.
and tons of people get by with FWD or even RWD with snow tires, every year.

 

The 2nd generation AWD does a pretty good job. I doubt you'll notice the difference.

 

6 ft of snow all at once or in a season? May be you live in the Arctic ????. The 2nd gen RDX with regular AWD and snow tires will be completely at home in the arctic. .

 

I also have a 2017, and yes for some reason some of the spec sheets have SH-AWD when there is none. I've used the RDX's AWD system on snow and it works great. You wouldn't use SH-AWD torque vectoring while driving in the snow so no worries there.

 

More important are the rubbers. Get snowtires, please.

 

"got burned"? That seems a bit quick to rush to judgement. You couldn't have really gotten "burned" since there was no option for sh-AWD on that generation. So, it isn't like they sold you a "model down" or anything. The 2016-2018 model years have the better AWD tuning in that generation as the earlier years didn't allow as much power to be added to the rears if the fronts slip.

sh-AWD in an SUV isn't really all that necessary - especially in the RDX which has a narrower stance and a fair amount of body roll. It just isn't built to be a performer like that. Good tires and you'll be completely fine.

 

The 2G RDX is the odd duckling of RDX's... The 1G and 3G have the SH-AWD. I can get my 1G sideways.

I sew how you feel you got burned. You thought it had SH-AWD based upon the specs then you found it didn't and it was mislabeled. I get it.

 

Just my 2 cents but I have the FWD and I live in the Chicago area. We get all kinds of crap weather here and I have not been disappointed at all with the performance of the RDX. I have had both AWD and FWD crossovers and decided this go around to save the 2 grand as I never felt the AWD was necessary or needed. I have tried to push it on ice, snow, slush to see how it handled. Totally satisfied. Will there be times I wish I had AWD, possibly but I am pretty happy with it. Only time I was thrilled to have 4WD was on my Explorer 10 years ago.

 

I can get my 2G sideways, too. I've got the scuff from the turnpike barrier to prove it. I doubt anyone is really going to miss the SH, although I'd take it over AWD given the choice.

 

The AWD on 2017 RDX works fine. The SH-AWD on first and third generation RDX is more powerful, however, to drive on snow, the snow tire is the king!