Tony Pac

guys,

A quick question: the first generation of RDX had SH-AWD but the second germination and now the MMC advertise intelligent AWD. Why Acura doesn't use the same SH-AWD system for RDX? any reason ?

thanks

kfhughes

Short answer: the RDX AWD is simpler, so it weighs less and therefore better fuel economy.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

weighs less.

Tony Pac

thanks guys.

Very strange though. TLX, RLX and MDX have SH-AWD and RDX only AWD for fuel economy. sometimes Acura kills me. like no exhaust tips. still love Acura

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

its 2015.
No one should be brand loyal when other manufactures offer things that you are looking for.

its like smart phones..
if something offers a better or something that fits your lifestyle better, get it!

life is too short for compromises.

Tony Pac

agreed!

But Acura does offer a great machine and thats the reason many of us here bought one.

But honestly not offering SH AWD to RDX for better fuel economy is laughable. I hope Acura has a better answer (more of R&D cost). Anyway, my brother is looking in to 2016 RDX and I was praying SH-AWD and when we were building one online noticed that there is no SH.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

it doesnt have SHAWD, so go to the next brand that offers a comparable awd system

Joe Las Vegas

No it's not, the SHAWD is a consant AWD, tons of parasitic drag, the new AWD system is on-demand, it's FWD unless it detects slippage then it transfers power to the rear, so yeah a FWD/AWD vs. constant AWD will make huge difference in fuel economy. I admit the SHAWD was one of it's kind on a crossover, with real torque transfer side to side, actually sending power the outside wheel, nowadays, they (most manufacturers) do torque vectoring by braking the inside wheel during turns, to save weight... by using the ABS, instead of putting a real rear diff in there. Same with FWD cars, they all have traction control by using the ABS, only a few have a LSD in there, all about saving $, look at the Ford Focus, tons of power, no LSD, vs. the golf GTI that has one and goes straight and true.

Tony Pac

Thanks. Your answer makes perfect sense.

Tony Pac

I don't need to change brand, i just had question to clarify.

I think you don't need to answer every single post in Acurazine. Take a break. I noticed you try to answer from ILX topics to NSX without taking a break. I suggest you to leave others to answer who drive and really know.

Comfy

That's funny.

SMMN

The OP raises a valid point. If SHAWD is good enough for the newly designed "fuel efficient" TLX why not the RDX? The new SHAWD is lighter and more efficient. Perhaps it's a cost thing or they felt most of the RDX buyers would not care with this model.

Maybe they will add it back with the next generation RDX because I think one way Acura can keep the brand moving forward and differentiate itself from some of the other near luxury brands is to offer SHAWD on all its vehicles.

Rocket_man

I'm sure it is also cheaper.

Tony Pac

Exactly. TLX is just redesigned and they let go the "Fuel Efficiency" factor and for RDX they are thinking about it. i am fully convinced that there are other reasons such as cost, market research and etc.

Tony Pac

SMMN -you brought a very good point. SH-AWD differentiate Acura from other brands. When I was shopping for a car, the rep was telling me that their AWD is the top and this is one of their selling point that SH-AWD is not just an ordinary AWD.

blacktsxwagon

The new lighter/more fuel efficient SH-AWD set up seen on the TLX was not ready for the RDX launch yet. Some hoped it would be added to the 2016 model, but it was not.

Tony Pac

SH-AWD will be added to 2018/19 RDX from what I see. You have a good point, it wasn't ready probably.

mrgold35

Market research and $$$/profits probably kept sh-awd out of the 2nd gen RDX. 1st Gen sales wasn't the greatest and the 1st Gen RDX had smaller following that liked the looks, performance, and handling compared to the 2nd gen. I still have to drive the RDX pretty hard in the curves to get the "sh" to kick in compared to the awd portion. Acura probably assumed the majority of +2013 RDX owners don't need or use the "sh" for performance and you mostly get awd in low speed situations. My fwd bias 1st Gen uses awd about 95-98% of the time compared to sh-awd in normal driving. There was only a +2 mpg increase on the 1st gen RDX without sh-awd (19/24 compared to 17/22). I think the current sh-awd is a little more efficient; but, the difference is only 1 mpg increase without it on the MDX.

Not sure if the +2013 awd or fwd has any tq steer? Sh-awd vehicles have non if this is an issue.