Honda AWD vs Subaru AWD

Honda and Subaru are superb at crafting vehicles that offer engaging traction on paved streets before seamlessly transitioning to off-road trails. There are differences in the all-wheel drive systems for each brand, however, which is why Ray Price Honda put together this Honda AWD vs. Subaru AWD comparison.

To help drivers near East Stroudsburg, Stroudsburg, Bethlehem, Jim Thorpe, and Easton understand the differing AWD systems, we'll look at how each one works independently!

All-Wheel Drive vs 4-Wheel Drive

All-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive are similar systems that people tend to get mixed up. Before looking at the different AWD systems in Honda and Subaru, it's important to note the difference between AWD and 4WD.

• Essentially, AWD means all four wheels will be moving and generating force without instructions from the driver. 
• This process occurs automatically, and it doesn't matter if you're driving up the side of a mountain or down your local street.
• 4WD, on the other hand, uses a driver-selectable system that mechanically engages power to all four wheels. 
• This system is more commonly used for large SUVs or Honda trucks that want the ability to go off-roading but don't want to permanently send power to all four wheels.

Honda AWD

Now that you have a better understanding of what AWD is and how it compares to different powertrain options, it's time to look directly at how Honda AWD functions.

Honda takes a unique approach to its AWD, and it starts with front-wheel drive characteristics before adding in a rear differential.

So, once your Honda model begins to realize it's losing traction, this rear differential will engage. Once engaged, all four tires will be generating force, ultimately giving your Honda vehicle more stability and traction on any terrain.

This highly praised system applies to a number of different models in the Honda brand, including:

• Honda CR-V
• Honda HR-V
• Honda Pilot
• Honda Ridgeline

Subaru AWD

In comparison to Honda models, Subaru takes a different approach to their AWD system.

Whereas Honda has an intelligent traction system in place to monitor your vehicle's traction and add additional support from the rear tires when needed, Subaru opts for symmetrical AWD that automatically sends power to each wheel, all the time.

This specific system can be taxing on the fuel economy of your vehicle, as it takes a certain amount of energy to send continuous power to each tire. There's no way to monitor this energy output either, as the symmetrical AWD setup is designed to spin each tire without regard for terrain.

Who Wins? Honda AWD vs Subaru AWD

After comparing the Honda AWD vs. Subaru AWD, it's Honda that gives drivers in East Stroudsburg, Stroudsburg, Bethlehem, Jim Thorpe, and Easton the edge. This is largely due to the instinctive nature of Honda AWD, which only implements the rear wheels when traction is detected to be slipping.

If you want to see how Honda AWD works in person, schedule a test drive at Ray Price Honda!