Is there a summary on what exactly the two entail? From what I have read so far, it appears that P-AWS has to be sacrificed if opting for SH-AWD. From current owners, people who drove both types in snow, how did they compare? Is SH-AWD really necessary (or better) than P-AWS in snow/Northern weather and worth the price difference?

 

^^ P-AWS cannot be combined with SH-AWD. P-AWS is mostly a system that enhances the steering capabilities of the TLX giving it better cornering than a regular FWD vehicle. It will not provide any traction so if you want the AWD advantage for the snow and such, go SH-AWD.

Keep in mind that SH-AWD is not a conventional AWD system either because of teh torque vectoring so with the SH-AWD, you get the better traction and exceptional cornering capabilities....so if you can afford it, you will not be disapointed although its not available in the I4.

 

You would be better served investing in the best Winter tire out there if snow is your primary concern.

 

^^ I concur...AWD with winter tires will be amazing.

 

Six years of driving a FWD Acura with winter tires in Toronto winter conditions and I have not once though that I "needed" AWD. But not many hills here and I drive carefully.

 

All wheel drive plus the widest Pirelli SottoZero winter tires in the world can be a LOT of fun.

 

Well actually you on runa 295 on the rears..not the widest SottoZeros to be exact...but we all like a show off...or do we...

 

Sorry, was just adding to the conversation about AWD performance in the snow. Hope I didn't offend anyone.

 

I'm certainly not offended. That's a gorgeous R8! I'm jealous but not offended.

 

Agree. Just finishing up a full winter in the Denver area with the non-AWD V6 Advance. With my Michelin X-Ice Xi3s, there was never a time I felt that I needed AWD.

 

thats cause you don't....FWD with snows will be perfectly fine to get you wherever you need to.

 

Thanks Guys. This is great information. Will help me make an informed decision

 

Never had an issue with FWD and snow tires on my TSXs. However, my AWD with Michelin Ice winter tires was da bomb these past few months, for traction and cornering. That being said, the 2.4 with PAWS and winters would be excellent.

 

Agree with winter tires. I have Blizzaks on my RWD CTS-V wagon and it goes through Cleveland snowstorms as if the road is dry. (Not this winter....trying to preserve rare car from rust after two winters driving in all conditions.) AWD is nice, but by no means required. SH-AWD, in particular, is primarily for dry-weather handling performance and it just happens to be good in inclement conditions, too. So buy the SH-AWD if you want enhanced handling, and FWD if you don't, and value the weight loss.

(Rant) Unfortunately, that is a difficult concept to get the lay public to understand and Acura has done an awful job for 11 years now of getting people to understand the difference.(/rant)

 

I have a TLX Advance and was torn between the AWD or PAWS and decided on the PAWS simply because it seem the more exotic and unique technology, tons of cars on the market have AWD but only a handful have Four Wheel Steering. No one is impressed with AWD but when you tell someone that the back tires turn they often don't believe me, and are curious and impressed. Its and amazing car and you can't go wrong with what ever you choose.

 

I live in Montreal and SH-AWD with Michelin X-Ice3 is simply amazing! I'm not worried of getting stuck during cold and snowy weather. I used to drive a TSX and I got stuck couple of times in deep snow.

 

Never got stuck with Hondas and FWD (Montana & Dakotas). That said, snow/ice conditions at stoplights on moderate uphills, getting moving again was very 'iffy'. AWD is what brought me to Acura.

 

For what it's worth I drove the V6 PAWS and own a SH-AWD ... the AWD feels INCREDIBLY planted to the road ... I accidentally floored it today and hit about 85 on a curve that I know in my last performance FWD sedan with performance tires I felt uneasy taking it at over 65. I backed off at 85 because my brain knew the spot and the usual speed I took that curve as recently as last week, lol.

I didn't have this same feeling the couple of times I drove the PAWS model. However the FWD model did feel 'lighter' somehow, but I mean that as more a tactile, how much it's connected to the road feeling; butt-dyno says there isn't a significant performance penalty for the AWD.