[SS RICH]

mainmanx - I do believe the civic wagon you refer to was real 4 WD. That was a neat car which I would love to have today.
I do believe the two systems are much different.

This was available as FWD and RealTime4WD. The RT4WD versions featured the MPFI D16A6 engine paired with either a 6-speed manual (with a super-low gear left of first) or a 4-speed automatic transmission. The FWD versions featured the DPFI D15B2 engine paired with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. RT4WD wagons had white steel wheels with matching center caps.

 

[mainemanx]

Actually, that was Einz talking about a Civic Wagon ... although interestingly, my mom did too. Early 70's, similar to a U.K. Shuttle. AWD, but I don't recall the particular transmission it had ... I know it wasn't automatic.

 

[SS RICH]

still a neat car.

have a good day

 

[mainemanx]

still a neat car.

have a good day

Several people up here in Maine still nurture theirs ...

 

[gravyd]

Funny, in Louisiana we have the opposite problem...no AWD HR-Vs anywhere. I thought they were a myth, like the US version 1.5 liter turbo, or the chupakabra.

 

[ddemetra]

I want to be clear that I have stated in all my posts that the decision to purchase AWD vs FWD is a personal decision based on many factors.

Exactly.
I don’t mean people are wasting their money getting AWD.

I simply want people to know they do have a choice, there are pro’s and cons to both.
There are some benefits to 2WD, and with good snow tires it can perform well even in northern Ontario Canada.

 

[dannyj]

i have been looking now to see so many suvs on the road here in vancouver are awd or 4wd.
i would actually take my awd off road if i had one cause im kind of crazy anyway but still like others that have bought 2wd i said ill save the money buy a great set of snowies and forget about it.

i remember my dads old ass plymouth valiant rwd... did just fine in the house when i was a kid.

its like us complaining about our i phone 6s freezing up.. first world problems

enjoy the hrv with whatever trim you have... cause its really a great vehicle

and i love all my fit brothers and sisters on here that have converted... even with the minimal ground clearance a fit with snow tires kicked ass

 

[dannyj]

ddemetra i don't think many understand northern ontario weather

there was also a guy from calgary and montreal that went fwd... hopefully they report how they do

i am lucky to live in vancouver and right now its 16 degress and pretty sure el nino is going to destroy this years ski season sadly

 

[Ein]

mainmanx - I do believe the civic wagon you refer to was real 4 WD. That was a neat car which I would love to have today.
I do believe the two systems are much different.

This was available as FWD and RealTime4WD. The RT4WD versions featured the MPFI D16A6 engine paired with either a 6-speed manual (with a super-low gear left of first) or a 4-speed automatic transmission. The FWD versions featured the DPFI D15B2 engine paired with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. RT4WD wagons had white steel wheels with matching center caps.

That's the wagon I had with white steel rims. It was called Reatime 4WD. It also had double wishbone suspensions. The system was not as advanced as today's. It only engages when any of the front wheels slips. I never got stuck in the snow with that car all those years ago. They stop making them after the 1990 model. And few years later the CRV came out. I always wanted to get a replacement for it. But the cars I was looking at either had poor milage or too big.

 

[cotonHRV]

OK.... For me living in the Boston area where we had record snow last year, measured in feet (and not inches), where I ran out of space to shovel/plow the snow off my driveway. Ended having to keep over a foot of snow on my driveway since it could not be removed: NO WHERE TO PUT IT!.

If you are saying that I could have driven back and forth over my driveway using a FWD car, then I have a great piece of land to sell you in Florida.... Reasonable price and dry!

I had NO problem driving over a foot of snow using my 2 AWD SUVs for over one month. And often the snow plows dumped more than 2 feet of snow on the start of the driveway. No problem with my AWD SUVs... Tell that to all the FWD (and RWD) car owners, stranded all over the road and in their driveways. This is NOT theoretical or what if.

I understand that FWD with snow tires is great on snow. But the point that is being missed is that: AWD is even GREATER with snow tires. And I want to have the option of doing just that.

 

[mtngrl16]

I agree with those who've said it depends on your experience with driving in snowy conditions. I live in the mountains and drove a rear wheel drive truck for over 10 years, with studded snow tires. Never had any problems, but could feel it slip and because of experience knew how to handle it. I was going to buy a FWD HRV but decided to spend the extra money for the AWD because it is reassuring to have to the safety and reliability of that feature. Value is different for everyone and if it gives you peace of mind it's worth the extra money. Bring on the snow!

Thank you Einz for the detailed description of how the Real Time AWD works. I'm even more pleased with my decision to buy it!

 

[mr.bubbles]

I'm a fit owner for 8 years now, and I think I'll probably buy a HRV this year. Like others have said, the fit is amazing in the snow with good tires. I would imagine the the HRV is the same, but a lot of times I head into remote areas and it would be nice to have AWD for sand and some lose steep terrain. Anyone have experience with the AWD system in some remote areas? Nothing that would require a truck... I have taken my fit into some more remote areas, but its easy to lose confidence in a low ground clearance FWD car out in the boonies.

 

[Rhonda Honda]

Ours is a fwd manual. While it is in the shop for replacement of the ignition module, we are on a 1,000 km road trip with an AWD CVT. Which we were given as a courtesy car.
I find that the manual feels spunkier and certainly hasa far more pleasant exhaust note. The cvt just sounds noisy when you step on the gas. The manual developes a nice sounding growl as I work thru the gears.

 

[jim0249]

Question? AWD looks to be about $1500 extra. If not in a "snowy" area why would I want AWD ?

 

[Goobers]

Because snow isn’t the only thing you can get yourself stuck in?

 

[Fearturtle44]

I have the FWD but the AWD can assist in many areas other than snow. Heavy rain and icy roads. And gives you that peace of mind while driving in those conditions.

I didn’t need AWD as my wife has a Forester.

 

[Plat HRV]

AWD owner and I was very happy to have it when I was in the mountains and needed extra traction. Never considered the 2wd option living in CO. The only thing I would change is a manual transmission like my 04 Element, also AWD.

 

[CalgaryHRV]

AWD vehicles have definite disadvantages compared to FWD or RWD vehicles that no one likes to talk about.

More complexity, more weight, more failure points and more maintenance, poorer handling and poorer fuel economy. Of course, there are advantages also.

I will say that in wintery Alberta most of the vehicles in the snowy ditch are AWD with summer tires on them..

 

[Ein]

AWD reliability is a none issue now days. Otherwise, Subaru would not be top 3 in reliability. I don't remembered reading about anyone here with an AWD issue. Milage is the main draw back. Fluid change is only every 30K miles. No reason to get AWD if you dont drive in snow.

 

[Goobers]

AWD vehicles have definite disadvantages compared to FWD or RWD vehicles that no one likes to talk about.

More complexity, more weight, more failure points and more maintenance, poorer handling and poorer fuel economy. Of course, there are advantages also.

I will say that in wintery Alberta most of the vehicles in the snowy ditch are AWD with summer tires on them..

Many of those disadvantages are tied together.

More weight and complexity are because something has to be added to actually give us that feature, which lead to more maintenance and more potential points of failure.

That said, poorer handling? I'm not sure that could really be used against it. Sure, you'll lose seconds in lapped time attack or something, but for everyday drivers and even some spirited ones... I doubt very much that having AWD is what gets knocked at.

And finally... that quip about AWD being in the ditch... that's more a clearer sign that those people are f-ing morons.

I lived in San Diego for four years. Every time there's a slightest bit of rain or drizzle, there are a bunch of cars in ditches, flipped over... or worse, sticking out the side of a house. I kid you not, a car launched itself up an embankment and into a house.

In an area that rarely gets rain, oils and other residue will build up. So if you add a touch of water, all that oil turns into a giant slick. Instead of easing up on their 80-100 mph driving, they go full bore down the highway, sharp bends and all.

Best setup in the world won't cure stupidity.

Reasonable drivers will try to understand what they can and cannot handle and make do with what they have. All those people in the ditch... are NOT reasonable drivers.