What is your favorite all-wheel drive system?

I drive a 2020 Honda Passport Elite and the IVTM4 is amazing! You never feel vulnerable when driving in snow or icy conditions. You feel the system at work when driving in snow mode. If I ever lose my Passport I will go buy another one, no doubt about it! It is amazing what Honda has done with its AWD.

remember with sh-awd if you get stuck in snow when you park, turn off traction control so you can get enough torque to blast out of the snow. Dont ask how I know

SH-AWD is the best.

Finally!!! Someone has actually explained the difference between the to AWD systems. I’ve seen others say that they are identical and others say that the Acura System is completely different. Clearly they didn’t know what they were talking about. Nice job!

I love my 2018 MDX and its GREAT in snow. It is my third MDX and 5th Acura overall. LOVE ACURA vehicles. Cant beat them for the money!

I drove pretty much every vehicle on the market that is available with awd system. And hands down sh-awd is the best in every conditions

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! For providing something for Honda and Acuara AWD systems. My mom has a Pilot and I have a MDX Sports Hybrid. We don't get enough videos or credit for these awesome vehicles.

Thanks for this video 🙏!!! I think a lot of people were confused with the new CRV thinking it had a much improved AWD system, like the IVTM4, so it’s nice for you to point that out.

Thanks for doing the video! I own a first gen RDX and love the SHAWD. I was sad the second gen went away, but great to see they’ve added it back. Also excited for the new Passport!

Thank you Driving Sports TV for the detailed review. SH-AWD is my favorite and X-drive would be my (2) favorite. I wish you all could put together a comparison on snow, ice, and off-road trail of the luxury SUV competition set. I know unless they all have/had the same winter tires or so....it would be interesting to see how they compare.

If you like the rear bias with a lil more overstear, try sand-mode in the pilot and Ridgeline. It gives a great sporty control while maintaining a higher RPM range so you're always in the power band.

Just picked up a 2021 Ridgeline; this video does a great job of explaining how the AWD system works. Very helpful and informative. Now I have a better understanding of how it will handle in the snow. Thanks!

I really enjoyed this vehicle. You did an amazing job. Very informative and fun to watch. Honda and Acura are my favorite automovite company! Just like you showed in the video of the sh-awd. This is one of the many reasons me and my wife are going for an Acura the next go around of a new vehicle. MDX to be specific. I have a Chevy Silverado that gas the AWD option..would love to see all the understanding and ins and outs of that! :)

This is a truly excellent video, which is rare these days. Thank you.

This video earned my sub. Not that that's worth much but the content was very comprehensive, educational, and entertaining. Well done.

I have a 2018 honda pilot and the awd has been a dream this week with all the snow. Thanks for the video

Awesome, like to see a video updating on Acura's SH-AWD system. I love these videos!

It would be interesting to see what changes have been made to SH-AWD over the years and how the older versions compare to the modern versions.

Yes, that torque vectoring system on my Ridgeline is pretty amazing!

Last year I was looking for an all wheel drive vehicle to purchase. Living in Canada, it was very important for me and my Clients. I purchased the TL with SH-AWD. Slap on winter tires, it is AMAZING! Acura has my business for the next purchase as well. You cannot go wrong with the SH-AWD, it's just too much fun!! Great Video, if I saw this last year, it would have been a quick decision for me.

Thank you Ryan!! I just purchased the Passport Trailsport. I really like the i-VTM4 system. I appreciate the explanation of how it works in the real world.

Great comparison between the two systems! Good information and really nice footages.

You and Savagageese are truly making the best automotive content anywhere.

Because of this video, I gave Acura serious thought when choosing my newest SUV. I went with the RDX.

Wow i am honestly impressed, that MDX I feel can go through anything! Such amazing tech.

Great Video. Thanks. I am currently and looking at a RDX. I had a 1990 4 door legend L which I just sold. Yes car is mint. I miss it every day. Acura's just drive fantastic. MY Legend was effortless driving also.

My dad has a 2003 Acura MDX Touring. It has the original VTM4. Around ten years ago, he managed to plow through 3 feet of snow with it. It's quite impressive considering in 2WD, the front wheels are driven as opposed to most other systems driving the rear wheels normally.

Great production, and very informative.

Thank you so much for making this video

Finally, a good video explaining between the two.

Great exterior footage of the mdx

Sh-awd is a great system I have a first generation SH-AWD 2005 Acura that I love driving in the snow I have been telling ppl this all wheel drive system is great on wet and dry pavement never got stuck in the snow.

Great video production and detail...nice job.

What a wonderful video. Fantastic explanation.

Your reviews are always, awesome to watch.

Yeah, Great Video - gets to the point on the SH -AWD. One of the reasons I bought a 2019 Acura MDX with Advance package.

So many people want to see iVTM4 in the Honda Civic, Accord, and CR-V 👍🙂

This was really good. Thank you for doing this video for I learned a lot.

Your voice is Golden & balanced. maximize it on many car and product reviews. #Best

I have a Pilot but I've had both first and second Gen CRV's and an Evo ix, and the Evo handled the best. When driving on completely loose snow, I could drive with one finger and the car just drives straight. With the active center diff set on snow, it was amazing. And when you accelerate on snow, you don't get the feeling that one side tries to over power the other side.

Very well executed!! Now we need to add the hybrid sh-awd 👌

I like Audi's torsen quatro system, which is on their vehicles that have longitudinally mounted engines. I live in SW Florida so am lucky not to need AWD. I drive a RWD GLC, so am able to get my "rotation fun" the old fashioned way - with my right foot! 😉

my 05 crv's AWD is so fun in the snow, it's mechanical, and I've never gotten stuck with it, I enjoy racing Subarus off the line after a snowstorm!

Nice! I'm sold on the MDX!

great video! Would be great to see some tire recommendation videos as well

Love the SH-AWD in our 16 MDX... reminds me of the awd system in my Evo ix and more specifically the x and it's torque vectoring....simply amazing to have in a 3 row cross over. Please do comparison to a competitor AWD system.

Great review. Very interesting difference in the systems.

Great video explaining the differences.

The best feature of SH-AWD is the yaw detection. When offroading, towing or just starting off on a step grade, it will be rear biased and will split the power and drop off around 50mph. I wish my MDX had a 50/50 split option and ability to turn off vectoring completely. My tire wear is fast compared to others and have had the rear kick out on icy corners. I've gotten used to just not accelerating on tight turns when that happens.

Thanks for this video SH AWD is the best.. I want to see a mud test.

Acura MDX is low key a winter beast!!

I took MDX AND LEXUS 350 for road test and I like MDX much better more spacious interior specially behind the steering wheel nothing on my way and the ride so smooth . So I am getting MDX .

The SH-AWD in my RDX is great.

Great Video! SHAWD is hands down the best AWD. My MDX Hybrid is great to drive. I'd like to see a comparison against Acura, Audi, BMW and Subaru.

I recently switched from a 2015 Subaru Legacy 3.6R to 2017 Honda Ridgeline. I also own older Subarus with the classic 5sp manual with viscous center and rear and the 6sp STI manual (2004) with DCCD and mechanical diffs. I've autocrossed and rallycrossed for over a decade and very much value a good awd system. I've long enjoyed the Subaru approach. Symmetry and all-time alone goes a long way. The old open and viscous setups without ABS assist aren't great on uneven grip, but they're very good on even grip surfaces. The all-time and symmetry at least minimally means you always start with a good push from all 4 tires, even if power almost immediately shifts wonky after. The viscous setup does well enough in very low grip once heated, but you need to really romp on it first to get heat into them and make them effective. The STI 6sp and limited slip diff suite is a great setup and more so with modern ABS slip control to more effectively handle wheel spin (mainly when a tire is lifted or on very, very slick terrain). I'm still a huge fan of having mechanical limited slip diffs. There is no electronic system that feels as stable or reacts as fast as a true mechanical limited diff setup. There's always a distinct, planted feel, and instant function from a mechanical system that you will never get from any open diff system. Even high speed electronic systems have some amount of lag and lack that solid grip feel on uneven grip terrain. While the name of the game may be cost and long term reliability, I'll happily take mechanical lsds for reaction speed, and I'll happily pay cash to get it if available. I'm quite impressed by Honda's system. The choice of clutch pack and on-throttle vectoring has a noticeable improvement over the brake based control that Subaru uses. The Subaru has more delay in the resulting behavior that's always noticeable and always requiring awareness by the driver to anticipate the initial delay. The Honda system seems faster and is mostly seamless feeling and doesn't have that clear distinction of actuation of effect. The Honda system is fast enough to the point where I am generally seldom aware of wheel slip before traction control engages and a light's blinking on the dash. On the Subaru system, there is always enough wheel spin to be well aware of the slip before the ECU is aware and reaction happens. The open diff setup and delay makes the Subaru vehicle wander about a little more on poor surfaces than it really should. I generally ran with traction control disabled during winter in order to permanently "lock" the center diff. This both made straight line driving more stable by having the center always engaged, but it also introduced more rear bias and prevented front end wash out that always happened on the front end in low grip when initially applying throttle since it always started with strong front bias. Turning "off" traction control forced the bias more even, including right from a start, and allowed more wheel spin with less ABS intrusion. It was both more fun and more stable overall in winter conditions and on poor surfaces. It's just dumb to have to force the issue because the Subaru system isn't programmed that smart. The Honda system is noticeably more seamless and quick to function. However, there's harder interpretation of what's going on. Subaru's easy to read has its function is inherently simple and predictable. Honda's system is more hidden but seems more advanced and quick. I'm heading into my first winter with the system, so I am not all that familiar with it yet. I'll have a better understanding of the system after some fun on snow and ice. The drive modes are nice, and they surprisingly vary quite a bit between settings. Sand mode is fun with very aggressive throttle mapping, forced lower gears and high revs in lower gears, and what feels like a locked center and fixed bias diff. It's not dynamic in this mode, but it feels like it would be quite predictable on poor surfaces due the center diff not changing bias all over the place. You mentioned the i-VTM4 not oversteering like the SH-AWD. I do agree that the system feels to be programmed mild and neutral, even under heavy throttle. On-throttle, the understeer is tuned out, and the chassis feels very neutral, only with a tiny amount of oversteer (me with the Ridgeline at least) that requires a very slight reduction in steer angle as throttle is added. The system is very neutral overall though with a very tamed rear end. The Subaru system, is more rear biased and tail happy and good for a little winter drifting. This is especially so with traction control "off" and also helpful with a bigger rear sway bar to dial out some understeer. The Subaru system is fun and predictable but feels old and sluggish in reaction time and moving torque around via ABS braking. It's not bad, but laggy might be an appropriate term to describe it. It's largely a byproduct of open diffs and an ABS based system that has to read wheel speed data to make any decisions. The Honda system feels really dialed in, much faster in reaction (as far as I can tell so far, still waiting on snow/ice to really test it), and more sophisticated, but it's just tuned dead center. Anyone seeking real fun factor might lean towards the Acura side just to have that rear biased tuning. Any suspension tuning can also affect overall balance. I don't know what's available for reprogramming of the awd system. Aftermarket tuning of the system could be interesting if it comes into existence. Heck, you might just be able to flash the SH-AWD tune right into a Pilot or Ridgeline. I don't really know.

Thank you for doing these videos for us! Obviously for me to go out and do this in the real world, I just can't. Dealer would be like what do you want to do, etc. Great to see this. Can you do a Traverse High Country or new Enclave to see how their torque vectoring rear operates?

well explained , thank you !

my dad has the 2012 acura rdx and its ahs sh-awd and it still works realy well im shook :O (rn he's saving up for the 2018 mdx)

Never had fun driving in the snow until I got a 2021 tlx SH AWD. My car is low tot he ground and it doesn’t matter

SH-AWD is most impressive AWD I’ve owned. It’s better than Xdrive and WRX AWD. The rear spins 2.5 percent faster.

Very well researched and methodically put video

My 18 mdx sh-awd is a beast in snow. Even with the stock contis

Man I love Honda products. I still have fun with my 06 Pilot with VTM-4.

Great stuff!

Love my 17 ridgeline. Owns the snow.

Great video. Different approach rather than just showing the automobile. But please people Don't drive hard in the snow. Unless you are trained.

Great explanation 👍

Great channel Ryan! I watch a lot of your reviews. Do you know if the new Honda Passport will come with the i-VTM4 tune like the Pilot or something closer to the Acura SH-AWD? I'm considering switching from my 5th gen Forester to the new Honda Passport. Thx.

Thank you great video good job

Great review and explanations. How does the new 2019 Mazda CX5 compare?

My mom has a 2012 MDX and it's so much more fun in the snow than my 01 grand Cherokee. The Acura is a lot more composed in the snow but when you want to get loose it's a lot more confident

Very Great Video describing the difference

Old AWD systems compared to newer systems I had a 02 Subaru WRX now I have a 92 Mitsubishi Galant VR4. Both AWD but they handle differently.

I’ve been looking for this, thanks

Loved the video. Could you please make a video explaining the differences between the VTM4 system in the 2012-2015 Honda Pilots vs. the iVTM4 system in the newer gen 2016-2019 Pilots and Ridgelines. My dad and I have been wondering the difference between his 2019 Pilot with iVTM4 and my 2012 Pilot with regular VTM4. Thanks in advance and hope you have a great one!!

Recently I’ve been driving two different AWD vehicles in heavy snow and ice in the mountains (2008 Toyota Highlander/2012 Honda Pilot) and I have to say the pilot takes the win hands down in heavy snow and ice. VTM just works, while the highlander wants to break traction constantly. The Highlander is more fun, but the Pilot just feels so much Safer.

"loads of fun in the white stuff"

Informative it was.

My Ridge with VTM4 works pretty damn good.

Thanks a lot!

I love my RDX!

We almost bought an MDX, but we wanted to be able to tow an enclosed trailer, about 5000 lbs in winter conditions. We borrowed an MDX for a test drive and without the trailer I was really impressed with how the system performed in the wet and in the snow. It was also plenty of fun if you wanted to play around in slippery conditions with its torque vectoring controlling yaw and allowing mild oversteer. Any time we accelerated the SH-AWD seamlessly kicked in and cornering with any throttle and the torque vectoring would seamlessly kick in and provide very effective cornering, even in slippery conditions. It also did a fantastic job at making sure any tire with grip got torque for when trying to move in unequal slippery conditions. Even experimenting with ice under any 3 tires and pavement under only 1 tire, it was able to transfer power to any tire (including a single front tire by applying the front brake for the wheel on ice) very well. I was all set to part with my cash... Unfortunately when we hooked up the trailer (with only half a load too) we found that while cruising on the highway at 60-70 mph that the front tires kept losing traction every time we hit a bit of slush or snow. Once they did the SH-AWD system would start to engage the rear wheels, but only after slipping first at these higher speeds. At highway speeds it really wants to be a front wheel drive. That was bad enough with the MDX providing a very "front wheel drive feel", and "surging" in and out of AWD, but after about 15 minutes of highway cruising with the SH-AWD kicking in over and over to keep the speed up, an SH-AWD over temperature warning popped up on the gauge cluster (and the temperature outside was something like -5°C too). Once this happened the system reverted to a fully front wheel drive vehicle and now it sucked totally at even trying to maintain speed in the no more than 1.5 inches of snow that fell that afternoon with the front tires spinning and losing traction constantly. I suppose it is possible this particular 2014 MDX was defective and it did not have snow tires, but I did find comments on online forums where other people experienced the same problem when towing in slippery conditions with their MDX too. In addition to the poor winter towing performance I was also concerned that we might end up burning out the SH-AWD clutches by towing in the winter so we decided against the MDX. Later, in essentially the same conditions, we tested a slightly older 2007 Lexus GX470 (ended up buying it too) with its old fashioned full time 4wd system, also equipped with all season SUV tires. For towing the trailer it was much more consistent than the MDX. If required you can lock the center differential, but even with it open, it worked great for towing. Also when the traction gets bad and unequal, the GX470 does a great job using the A-Trac system to transfer power to tires with grip (easily passing the same 3 wheel on ice 1 wheel on pavement tests that the MDX also passed, with ease). The GX470 doesn't have the very cool torque vectoring the MDX has and you can definitely feel the difference though. The GX470 does like to oversteer a bit if you push it, but it won't let you play too much before the computer kicks in and straightens you out (unless you disable the system). Another useful feature for towing that the GX470 has that the MDX doesn't is auto-leveling air suspension. No matter how much load the GX470 has in the rear or how heavy the trailer's tongue weighs, the air bags automatically inflate and bring the vehicle to a level stance. It also has adjustable damping for the shock absorbers so heavy loads can be stiffened up to provide a very stable ride. Ultimately the GX470 behaves more like a very luxurious, comfortable truck with an incredible sound system and a heavy duty, "torquey", low rpm engine, and a truck-like drivetrain that is also very capable off-road, while the MDX behaves more like a moderately luxurious, semi-sporty station wagon with a powerful, high revving engine and a light duty AWD system. As a people mover and daily driver I'd probably prefer the MDX, but for an all around utility vehicle that is also extremely luxurious and comfortable, especially for long distance highway cruising (with or without a trailer), the GX470 is tough to beat.

Finally someone who knows what they are talking and is willing to push a car. What are your thoughts on the Ridgeline’s programming vs the Pilot’s? Will it be more fun? Or equally lame in regards to any tail out cornering?

Great video! Can you do one for VW's Haldex and Audi's Quattro?

Thanks for the explanation between SH-AWD and the torque vectoring long acronym Honda AWD technology. hahaha.

Not on CRV or Rav4, but the Mitsubishi Outlander has a similar torque vectoring AWD/4WD system (S-AWC). Torque vectoring front and the RWD can be locked in so it can do AWD and real 4WD. Waaaay better for winter driving.

Im a subaru guy but damn hondas sh-awd seems really capable but not many people know about it.

Great video once again and after watching it a second time I'm saying to myself you look like you're up at Snoqualmie? Anyways did you happen to play with the sand mode on the pilot and if so did you feel like that that would put more power to the rear wheels and make it more fun to drive in the loose stuff?

Nice video 👍

I could feel the vectoring in the MDX loaner I drove for a few days once. I cannot feel the vectoring on my 2019 Ridgeline.

Wonderful!

would have likes to see you do those test with traction off. I always turn it off in snow and gravel.

SH-AWD прослужит компании хонда долгие годы)

I'd love to see a review of the new Kia Telluride/Hyundai Palisades AWD systems.

Subaru for price but be nice to give an example of Audi Quattro - both versions (the re-active & pro-active Quattro systems)!

Better than AWD that was in my old 2004 CRV 5spd Manual AWD. My CRV was 2WD most of the time. Wasn’t electronically controlled. All mechanical. It sucked when I was going up a muddy hill off-road. Wish they had SH-AWD in the older Honda’s.

Great info and demo on AWD. I’m considering Honda Pilot AWD E-XL but I’m concerned about the comfort and padding of the seats, especially the driver. I have a 2015 Toyota Avalon with heated seats and they are really hard on my butt. What can you tell me about the seat comfort. Keep up the great videos. 😎

I have a Acura mdx 07 sh awd and I had a Tiguan 2015 4 motion.. Clone awd systems.. Same performance

Yes perfect in the 1997 Honda Prelude SH missing hitting vtec in the canyons!