The Temple of VTEC - Honda and Acura Enthusiasts Online Forums > 2012 CR-V previewed on honda.co.jp >

HONDA AFVM wrote:
saitamahonda wrote:
@danielgr - as the OP mentioned, its SH-AWD's little sister, or perhaps a better "real-time 4wd" system, not particularly the SH-AWD's.

I think you're mistaken about a few points however. Firstly, you assume you represent the voice of CR-V buyers when clearly you do not. Secondly, the low-end 2wd CR-V is the value buy. The entire range is not so. Remember, there is no RDX outside of the US. So a more "performant" CR-V is in order. The US doesn't have a diesel CR-V and in that regards "lacks performance", though it did receive a stronger engine recently. The MPG between 2wd and 4wd CR-V is pretty close to negligible in my opinion, but if you're a MPG(or monthly fuel cost) nut, then maybe you should look past the 4wd and what is meant for and go with the 2wd. That is the trade off.

I myself am still driving my '02 2nd gen 4wd CR-V EX. One rainy day I lost traction on a twisty S section on the hwy and the real-time 4wd faithfully kicked in and helped me to regain control.

I have never once had a complaint about MPG being "less" than 2wd, nor ever an issue with handling other than the occasional torque steer (from a heavy foot) typical to 2wd FF cars. For this reason, a baby-SH-AWD would fit the role beautifully which would allow a better distribution of torque and power to all 4 wheels instead of just the front 2.

The problem with the "current" SH-AWD system in general was the weight of the system, not particularly the cost.

saitamahonda.........

No, danielgr has it right!!! Take it from a guy that owned a 2nd gen CRV and drives 3rd gens all the time, it is a great 4WD system, but there is slippage...why, the system only engages the rear wheels when it detects slippage in the front.......Now, once the 4WD system is activated, there is no stopping it, I climbed huge hills, went up the bottom of the doors in water and mud......., dirt trails, I beat the living SHIT out of my CRV, did shit nobody would do in a CRV and it took it, never got stuck, but there was always that initial slip and there still is.

My understanding from my source, and I haven't mentioned this yet, but since this is a topic I will put it out there. They are modifying the 4WD system, to what extent I can't say, but if one had to guess, it will be on the line of the Pilot, not the Acura system.

Your Honda customer is not concerned about taking corners at 75MPG in their CRV, but they are about getting on the highway faster, passing power and stopping, none of that has anything to do with SH-AWD.......and everything to do with what Honda means, power with efficiency.........So yes, expect to see a different $X$ system on the CRV, but NOT any system like an SH-AWD........