Acura SH-AWD Explained: More Than Just Extra Traction

Acura SH-AWD Explained: More Than Just Extra Traction

Most people hear “all-wheel drive” and immediately think about rain, snow, and slippery roads. That’s definitely part of the story with Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system, better known as SH-AWD. But Acura designed it to do more than simply help all four tires find traction. It can actually change the way the vehicle turns.

What Makes SH-AWD Different?

A conventional AWD system can move power between the front and rear axles when conditions call for it. SH-AWD takes that idea a step further by also controlling how much power goes to each rear wheel. On the RDX, for example, the system can send up to 70% of available torque to the rear axle and then direct all of that rear-axle torque to either rear wheel when needed.

Why would you want that? Imagine going through a corner. SH-AWD can send more torque to the outside rear wheel, helping the vehicle rotate through the turn instead of simply pushing toward the outside. You don’t have to push buttons or tell the system what to do. It handles the adjustments automatically.

It Helps When the Weather Turns Bad, Too

The performance side gets plenty of attention, but SH-AWD is still an all-wheel-drive system. If the road is wet, snowy, or otherwise slippery, moving power between the front and rear wheels can help make better use of the available traction. The system works along with other vehicle controls, including Vehicle Stability Assist, to react to things like wheel speed, steering angle, and vehicle movement.

For a lot of owners, that extra confidence in changing weather is probably what they’ll notice most often. Then there are the days when a winding road reminds you why Acura put the word “Handling” right in the name.

You Don’t Have to Drive Hard to Notice It

SH-AWD isn’t only useful when somebody is driving aggressively. Pull away from a stop on a slick road, merge onto the highway, or make a quick turn, and the system is already working in the background. Acura has developed it to respond automatically without making the driver think about torque splits or which tire needs power. That’s probably the best kind of technology: fairly complicated underneath, but simple from the driver’s seat.

AWD With an Acura Personality

There are plenty of vehicles that offer all-wheel drive. What makes SH-AWD interesting is that Acura has tied traction and handling together rather than treating AWD purely as a bad-weather feature. On models such as the RDX, it’s part of what gives the vehicle its responsive, sporty feel.

If you’re curious about the difference, stop by Jay Wolfe Acura and take an SH-AWD-equipped Acura for a drive. The system is easier to appreciate from behind the wheel than it is on a spec sheet.