If incremental costs to purchase the initial option are not an issue, are there any downsides to SH-AWD other than miles per gallon?

Are any issues "material enough" to you, that you would turn down SH-AWD if option was free and it had same miles per gallon?

 

The "upsides" far outway any "downsides" if there are in fact any..

 

Nobody quite knows, yet. In the past, though, SH-AWD diff fluid had rather short maintenance intervals (roughly 2x engine oil intervals - compare this to ~60-100k for a regular diff).

However, this new generation diff uses hydraulic actuation vs the old electromagnetic actuation, so it's hard to say.

The big advantage of SH-AWD vs, say, quattro? It doesn't bind in tight turns (something immediately obvious when the windows are down).

 

Get it! I got my SH-AWD about a month ago and do not regret it at all. In fact, it is annoying to drive the FWD version now due to its tendency to lose traction on acceleration.

 

Also, I am seeing better mileage in my SH-AWD than I was in my 2007 TL Type-S.

 

The only downside of the SHAWD is a little more maintenance and a little more things to break when it gets older.

If you are ok with the purchase price and MPG, go for it!

 

After test driving both the V6 FWD and SH-AWD versions, there is no comparison - SH-AWD all the way!!!

 

The only down sides I've had with sh-awd in my RDX and MDX are:
- Tire life is reduced slightly since all four wheels are used for traction. I have Conti DWS tires on my TSX, RDX, and MDX. I got the full +50,000 miles on the TSX; but, about 15-20% less tire life on the sh-awd vehicles (depends on the tires for % of wear). Having tires you can cross-rotate will help even out the wear.

- In normal driving, the system is more awd than sh-awd. I have to drive the curves aggressively to engage the "sh" of the awd one or two bars (which usually mean driving 15-25 mph over posted hwy/ramp speeds). My MDX has more of a rear bias "sh" & "awd" and it will put 50%-70% TQ to both or one tire in the rear when needed. My RDX (and maybe the TLX) is mostly 60%-90% FWD. I usually see 10-40% to the rear more in awd mode compared to sh mode.

- You have to educate your local tire shop if you have to replace one non-repairable tire because of a flat. Discount tire wanted me to purchase 4 new tires because of sh-awd. I had to show them in the owner's manual I only need two tires IF I keep them on the same axle before they proceeded. I didn't want to try and shave off 4/32nd of tread on a new tire to match the other three (kept the other tire as a full size spare).

- I prefer non-directional tires to cross rotate because of the sh-awd. Since I can hit the turns 15-25 mph faster, I get a lot of tire wear on the outside edge near the sidewall; especially on the driver side front. You might have this problem also if you hit the curves pretty hard.

- The sh-awd only works with your foot on the accelerator. You have to be careful because the driving dynamics are different driving up a mountain switchback compared to driving down. Aggressive "sh-awd" driving is ideal for dry conditions or less than normal and slower bad weather conditions. As soon as you lift off the accelerator, you are at the mercy of physics like everyone else. Might have to upgrade tires/suspension if you want to improve non "sh-awd" driving dynamics.

The fun factor is way to high with sh-awd. I would get it all over again despite the real minor downsides.

 

This is a great summary. I also have a 2014 MDX and what I have learned is to decelerate before entering a turn and then power through it, to keep overall speed down. This definitely activates SH-AWD as intended and you feel like you are on rails. :-)

What I see most drivers do is slow down (either coasting or actually braking) when IN a turn, which turns the physics against you.

 

If you have the budget then yes, IMO its the best feature that Acura have.

I have previously owned a '13 TSX and the only thing I hate about that car is the steering, its tight to heavy sometimes, and you have to keep on correcting it especially on hway.

This AWD system is smooth, precise, comfortable and does not move around like the TSX, like everyone says its like its on rails.

Fun to drive? H yah!

Good luck!

 

A couple weeks back I was glued behind a late model 'Vette on a very sharp freeway entrance ramp with my '12 TL SH-AWD. We were probably 20+ mph over the suggested ramp speed- I kept it in 3rd to allow me to push the throttle. I'm pretty sure the guy was surprised he couldn't shake me. Yeah, I love SH-AWD.