RangersRule99

A4toTL

I think it all comes down to personal preference, so I would not call it a mistake. For me, it's not just about the snow, but also the added stability the SH-AWD provides on wet roads and the handling and responsiveness in general. My Dad had an 09 TL w/SH-AWD and it was a beast, he definitely missed it when he switched to Lexus. Personally, I'm definitely going with SH-AWD when I get my RDX, the MPG difference isn't that severe especially for the benefits of the system In my opinion.

Good luck with making your choice!

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

Novel idea; put proper snow shoes on when it snows

mrgold35

Depends on your driving style. I live in the southwest with maybe 8 inches of rain/snow per year. I use sh-awd on my 08 RDX and 11 MDX to enhance dry weather handling. The speed limit out west is between 70-80 mph and everyone is usually 5-15 mph above that. Factor in high elevation up to +14,000 feet, rapid weather changes, wildlife, switchbacks, and sometimes crappy road can give sh-awd a workout on any given day in normal driving. I also do a lot of mountain bike riding and hiking and having sh-awd helps to get off the beaten path.

The RDX will drive like a smaller vehicle, rotate in corners instead of dragging the rear end, you will stay more level in hard corners, better acceleration in all conditions, and zero tq steer possible from dry/wet/icy conditions when accelerating. The only extra maint will be the transfer case and rear diff every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. The added bonus is you get are spare tire and that can cost you +$500 depending if you DYI or dealer installed on the FWD model. The $2000 for sh-awd is around $1500 for sh-awd and $500 for spare tire.

I would go for the FWD if the RDX is just an obey the speed limit work commuter, take the kids for school/practice/recitals and weekend errand vehicle mostly.

birdonamission

I'm with you on this. The first time you need traction (rain, snow, ice, mud) -- and it only takes one time -- is when that $2K would seem really cheap, after all.

SH-AWD and the included AcuraWatch suite of "advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies" is, honestly, a powerful combination...kind of a peace-of-mind thing. You won't need it all, if not most, of the time -- but when you do, you'd be super glad it's there to do its thing.

mcrompton

I live in North Carolina but I'm getting SH-AWD for the driving dynamics, not so much for the winter driving. That being said, we still visit Connecticut twice a year (where I'm from) and although we try to avoid winters there, you never know when they could get snow.

Madd Dog

Yes, IMO, it would be a big mistake.

Folks over on the Accord site essentially say the 2.0 often overpowers the FWD wheels at take-off. If you ever need to launch hard on dry pavement or launch without having to feather it on wet pavement, you need the AWD. Press it a bit on the twisties, and the FWD will plow, and the AWD will rotate. In fact, I wouldn't even get the RDX with FWD only, I would save the bucks and get a CR-V.

mrgold35

You have to drive sh-awd a little different compared to regular awd or fwd SUV/CUVs in the corners. Sh-awd only works with power to the engine and enough lateral G force to get the "sh" to kick in to rotate the RDX instead of just awd. You have to hit the curves with your foot on the accelerator instead of riding the brake like 99% of folks usually do. A couple of taps on the paddles to down shift for engine braking before a curve and slowly apply the accelerator the entire curve while speeding up. No engine power means no sh-awd and you just have a top heavy CUV like everyone else.

Whatever the posted speed limit for curves will be 10-25 mph higher with sh-awd. The cloverleaf on-ramp on the 65 mph Interstate speed near my house is 25 mph and I can do 50-60 mph on the curve to merge so much easier compared to 25-35 mph like most folks.

GTF

I've had RWD, FWD, and AWD....I will never get another car without AWD. Traction plus driving dynamics far outweigh cost and mileage penalty.
And you don't have to live in snow belt to appreciate. Wet traction far better with AWD. And SH-AWD that wife had on 2008 and 2010 MDX was best system on market.
Exception might be RWD Miata in Scottsdale :-)

Froid

Worthwhile thread. Another warm/dry climate 2G FWD owner here. Finally saw the 3G at the dealer today, but they only had FWDs on the lot.
My previous vehicle was an AWD Rav4 V6 from '06. Full-time AWD. Loved that vehicle! Grippy in all types of roads and weather. Strong engine...that car hauled ass.
On to my 2G, which held the road just fine, with nary a torque-steer. Never really felt the need for the same arrangement, but would not mind a return to that happy place.
So, for fair-weather drivers, I personally don't see it as anything close to a "big mistake." Just depends on your driving style and if you really want to go flying around the twisties.
As far as gas mileage, at 15k miles per year, a 2mpg loss translates into about $200 annually.

starlord

I live in socal so the weather here is quite nice and rain is minimal. Although I'll be the primary driver, my wife and I we'll be swapping cars once in awhile and I feel more comfortable if she had AWD especially driving in the rain. Gives me a little piece of mind the extra traction is there. Now I just have to wait 2 months for my A-Spec AWD to arrive

Carbon2008RDX

Bottom line.. It makes NO sense to NOT get the SH-AWD. It adds so much to every aspect of driving. Handling, dry, wet, snow, ice, gravel, off road, safety, you name it. I will never own another vehicle without some sort of AWD system. It makes the vehicle so much better. As for gas mileage concerns.. Who cares. Maybe 1 MPG difference.

MI-RDX

+1. Been driving 4WD/AWD vehicles since '95 and will never consider going back.

19RDX

I'm in Los Angeles as well and wondering if it was worth it. It's dry 99% of the time and during the other 1% when it rains people drive 10 mph. That said, I would like the peace of mind when driving it on a road trip.

mattski

Well, it depends on how you drive. I lived in LA for 12 years and had a 140 hp Prelude and then an Accord and both would overdrive the front wheels in spirited driving. I drove that Accord to New England and drove it for 3 more winters with snow tires and it passed AWD SUV's in the ditches because they thought AWD and 3 season tires made them invincible. I only buy AWD now living in snow country, but the tires you choose will make a huge difference.

19RDX

My driving style is what you might call "aggressive". LOL

cbstsx09

I drove both and live in Dallas where it snows once every three years and my office closes for a week so it is a waste for me to get it. I could not tell the difference going 35mph bumper to bumper in traffic up the tollway which is my commute LOL.
I understand if you live where snow and ice is a thing but no need where I live. I will say the 3D sound system is everything when sitting in traffic like your own personal concert hall one of the best sound systems I have ever heard in a car.

cruiserchuck

I am also in So Cal, and would go with the FWD. I have never owned an AWD, so maybe I do not know what I am missing, but feel no need to pay an extra $2,000 plus a MPG penalty.

schen72

I don't see the point of buying an SUV (or CUV) without AWD. I live in SF bay area (no snow) and the SH-AWD on my 1G makes a huge difference in its handling abilities.

RangersRule99

I have decided to get the SH-AWD. I was thinking from utility point of view and not considering the performance benefits. The engine is very torquey and it might be too much for the FWD to handle....

reddogTL

I know I'm a little late to respond but I switched to SH-AWD in 2015 with my TLX after owning all FWD(2 of which were 07 & 08 Acura TL's) cars since I started driving in 2001. I have NOT looked back. I drive agressively/spirited. The way SH-AWD takes turns offramps/onramps/etc. alone puts a smile on my face. Especially later on when you replace your tires with something better than OEM.
I even scoff whenever Acura gives me a FWD loaner. Since my dealer is located on a highway, I always hear the front tires spin when jumping on the highway from their lot accellerating. You do not get that at all with SH-AWD. Its just a different driving experience. The winter handling to me is just a bonus.

This line from Car and Driver about the 2019 RDX SH-AWD alone should say it all: "This is one AWD vehicle that will actually step its tail out given the proper circumstances—say, a gravel parking lot with the traction control defeated—but you didn’t hear that from us."
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...t-drive-review

kurtatx

Acura has done a pretty terrible job of marketing SH-AWD. The message to automotive magazines has been "we're going to focus on AWD platforms over RWD platforms", but they completely fail to market and push SH-AWD to its fullest extent.

Get the SH-AWD. It's not just for weather, it's for handling. There are people who think an Audi without quattro isn't an Audi. It should be the same for Acura and SH-AWD.

Dizzyg12

kurtatx

Honestly, they need to rebrand it.

4-Matic, X-Drive, quattro...Super Handling All Wheel Drive? Meh

cruiserchuck

I have an Audi without quattro, and I like the way it handles. When I test drove the new RDX fwd, it did not handle or ride nearly as nice as my Audi.