ag_ghost

Apologies if this question has been posted; I could not find any similar thread via search.

A family friend test drove a new EX AWD and really liked it; the dealer has many more AWDs in stock than FWD and seem to be offering a pretty good deal in the color she wants; extremely close to the Edmunds listed "dealer invoice".

I gather the AWD is effectivly an on-demand rear-wheel assist and actual "four wheeling" is not in her lifestyle.

But, is the AWD version just asking for more maintenance headaches given the buyer really has no need for that capability? Or is it just a matter of regular R&R of the extra fluid?

Thanks.

paco_sinbad

Unless it's changed recently, the RTAWD system in the CR-V/Element/etc. is pretty much FWD with rear-wheel assist. I put quite a lot of miles on mine without any issue from the AWD system, in snow or mud etc., and many first-gen CRVs are running perfectly.

Honda AWD isn't for off roading anyway; it's for sure-footedness in all-weather conditions on road. I would take an AWD CRV over a FWD CRV any day simply for the confidence it inspires. Maintenance, for all intents and purposes, is really pretty negligible given the Honda system and (anecdotally) never cost me very much.

ag_ghost

Thank you.

kokopelli

the only extra maintenance is having to change the rear 'diff' fluid, and it only takes less than 1 1/4 quarts of Honda fluid, and is done every several thousand miles, not very frequently at all.

ag_ghost

Thanks for the replies. A white AWD went to a new home today.