Is SH-AWD worth it on the 2025 Acura RDX for Canal Winchester, OH drivers?

Acura Columbus - Is SH-AWD worth it on the 2025 Acura RDX for Canal Winchester, OH drivers?

For many Ohio shoppers weighing capability and comfort, the question centers on drivetrain confidence: is Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ worth it on the RDX for daily driving and winter weather around Canal Winchester, OH? The short answer is found on the road. When you pair the RDX’s 272-HP VTEC® Turbo engine with available SH-AWD®, you gain precise power distribution that helps the crossover rotate into corners and stay planted on exit, while enhancing traction in rain, slush, and snow.

Unlike traditional systems that react after slip is detected, SH-AWD® is designed to actively send torque where it is most effective. On a dry two-lane, it sharpens turn-in and stability. In a surprise downpour or a January dusting, it helps you start, steer, and stop with more composure. Layer in four IDS drive modes and available Adaptive Dampers, and you can tailor the feel to your commute, weekend errands, or a scenic detour.

• You want balanced handling that feels confident on curvy roads
• Your routes include wet or snowy stretches in colder months
• You value stability merging onto highways and passing at speed
• You prefer a system that supports agility as much as traction

Test drive planning matters. Ask to sample an RDX with SH-AWD® on a mixed route that includes neighborhood streets, a highway merge, and a stretch of winding pavement. Switch through IDS modes to sense how steering weight and throttle mapping change. Then evaluate how the cabin feels in real life: pair your phone using Wireless Connections and note how intuitive the controls are from the driver’s seat.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How does SH-AWD® differ from typical AWD?

Many AWD systems primarily shift power front to rear when slip occurs. Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ can also manage side-to-side torque to help the RDX pivot more naturally through a turn, improving stability and driver confidence even in the dry.

Will SH-AWD® change how the RDX feels day to day?

Yes, but in a good way. You will likely notice more composed acceleration from a stop in wet conditions and a planted feel through sweeping on-ramps. It is confident without calling attention to itself, which makes commutes easier and weekends more fun.

Do I need Adaptive Dampers with SH-AWD®?

If you want the broadest range of ride-and-handling personalities, available Adaptive Dampers complement SH-AWD® well. They help smooth rough patches without dulling steering response, particularly noticeable when you toggle IDS modes.

Is this setup still efficient on longer drives?

The RDX is engineered to balance performance with everyday practicality. SH-AWD® engages as needed, and the VTEC® Turbo powertrain delivers smooth, relaxed cruising on long stretches of highway.

If you are cross-shopping drivetrains, plan back-to-back drives in comparable trims to feel the difference firsthand. Our showroom team is serving Springfield, Springboro, and Canal Winchester with routes that highlight real-world benefits, and we can tailor the drive to your comfort. Acura Columbus can also walk you through package choices so you can match SH-AWD® with the cabin and design details you want, from A-Spec® with Advance Package upgrades to accessories like Black Emblems and Illuminated Door Sill Trim.

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