Have been uneasy with the PAWS since its (re)introduction. Two questions:

1. Am I correct that the 2018 does NOT have PAWS, is this a sight things to come?
2. Have any of the early owners experienced any issues with the PAWS, maintenance, alignments, etc?

thanks?

 

P-AWS is still around with the '18's.

 

I had exactly the same vehicle. PAW-s seems to help eliminate torque steer on this vehicle and shorten the turning radius. I did have noise occasionally from the actuators in the paw-s system. The dealer couldn't hear it of course. Great highway vehicle.

 

did the dealer ever fix it? Have you ha a 4 wheel alignment yet, any problems with that?
thanks again

 

some of the reviews I've read seem to suggest that the 2018 hybrid no longer has PAWS??

 

We have had a 2016 PAWS for two years and 33000 miles. No problems whatsoever. As R. White said above, great highway car.

 

The Sport Hybrid version of the RLX has never had PAWS all wheel steering. The two models are distinct - a FWD version with PAWS or a Sport Hybrid SHAWD version without PAWS.

There have been some rumors suggesting the two technologies may be used together in the future, but not yet.

The PAWS technology is a definite asset to handling and turning radius but the PAWS version of the RLX was plagued by early suspension issues (since corrected) which is why there is bad press out there about the PAWS version. If AWD is not a must-have feature for you, then the PAWS version of the RLX is a great choice for a quiet, comfortable luxury car AND there are plenty of great deals out there on the PAWS version thanks to the aforementioned early bad press.

Good luck in your purchase.

 

The lease ended and I turned it in. The dealer looked hard for a '16 or '17, but could find one in New England so I moved over to an RDX. The actuators were never fixed when I had the '14. Four wheel alignment was never a problem

 

I don't see why PAWS would ever be added to the Hybrid. The turn radius is aided by the torque variation in the rear electric motors. My Hybrid MDX turns better than my RLX PAWS ever did.

 

getakey, the earlier reference to turning radius was referring to turning the car at slow speed in the smallest possible circle. The turning radius of slow speed maneuvers (like getting in and out of parking spots or making a U-turn on a narrow street) is improved by the PAWS technology turning the rear wheels in the opposite direction of the front wheels so the back end swings around easier and the car turns in a smaller circle. The torque vectoring of the Sport Hybrid has no effect on turning radius during slow speed driving.

During high speed driving, the PAWS turns the rear wheels in the same direction as the front wheels which enhances stability. PAWS can also toe in both rear wheels under braking to assist and stabilize braking. With these benefits in ADDITION to the torque vectoring of the Sport Hybrid SHAWD system, the possibility of even better handling exists (if they can make the systems work together).

One of the knocks on any FWD based car is the increased turning radius, and that is why adding the technology to the Spot Hybrid MAY be considered (strictly rumors at this point).

 

I disagree. I had an RLX PAWS and it did turn better at slooow speed in parking maneuver than my previous RL with SH-AWD.

However, I can tell you that the Hybrid SHAWD does make a difference in slooow speed turning. My MDX has a smaller turning radius than my PAWS had. I also test drove the non Hybrid MDX. Turn radius while parking is larger.
In slow speed the inside rear wheel will brake while the outside "pushes". It does make a difference

Also - I have seen instances in high speed driving where the inside rear will add torque in a curve rather than brake. This tends to happen on high radius curves at speeds of 65+ until the rear motors cut out

 

I don't want to even think about how they might screw that up. :-)

 

There were some issues that Honda took care of for the owners. There was a TCB and a recall.

That was for the 2014 models and I don't remember hearing anything bad about the new ones.

The only bad thing that I could say about a P-AWS system that is working correctly is that it takes a little tiny bit of getting used to. It works, it's not just a gimmick, so your car will turn better and this takes some getting used to if somebody's coming to the RLX P-AWS from a typical FWD car that will push in a corner.