Evolved from the Variable Torque Management all-wheel-drive system (VTM-4®) that debuted on the 2001 Acura MDX, SH-AWD® was introduced in 2005 as the world’s first all-wheel-drive system to apply the concept of active torque vectoring to enhance handling agility in addition to providing stability in slippery weather conditions.

Now in its fourth-generation, SH-AWD® has evolved to become more compact and even more capable. Compared to the system’s previous generation, the quickness of its reactions has jumped 30%, and to handle the output of Acura’s all-new 355-horsepower Type S Turbo V6, its torque capacity has been increased 40%. SH-AWD® is standard on the brand’s high-performance Type S models and is available on the Acura TLX, RDX and MDX.

What SH-AWD® Can Do

To enhance both handling and stability, SH-AWD® can send up to 70% of engine torque to the rear wheels and actively distribute up to 100% of that torque to a single left or right wheel. This is achieved by routing the power generated by the vehicle’s engine to a transaxle, while power is sent to the rear wheels through a torque transfer unit mounted up front rather than a traditional centre differential.

Performance Benefits of Torque Vectoring SH-AWD®

Conventional all-wheel drive systems seek a compromise between front and rear-wheel drive by routing power to the front and rear at the same time to increase stability. The downside to this is that the front wheels are still primarily responsible for inducing the yaw moment, making the car feel less nimble as a result. The fact that the steering is primarily responsible for the yaw moment are why traditional AWD systems typically lack the agile feel of the best two-wheel-drive systems.

Super Handling All-Wheel Drive® combines the nimbleness of a rear-wheel-drive vehicle, while maintaining all-wheel-drive stability. This agility is due to the overdriven rear-drive unit, and how the system independently controls power delivery to both the left and right rear wheels.

Foul Weather and Off-Road Performance

SH-AWD® optimizes available traction in all conditions by distributing power to all four wheels, with its active torque vectoring providing unique advantages over other all-wheel-drive systems. In wet or slippery conditions, especially winter conditions such as snow, SH-AWD® can help stabilize the vehicle when accelerating from a stop by actively routing power to the rear wheel with the most traction.

As traction conditions change once the vehicle begins moving, the system’s quick reactions can help stabilize the vehicle. When driving on a curving road in wet weather, SH-AWD® continues to help maintain maximum traction and stability by constantly adjusting and optimizing how torque is routed.

In off-road situations, SH-AWD® will continue to route torque where it can do the most good, helping maintain traction and stability in mud and deep sand. SH-AWD® even continues to work in extreme conditions, such as when one rear wheel is off the ground, by sending power to the wheel in contact with the ground to pull the vehicle through and ensure momentum.

Sport Hybrid SH-AWD®
The function of SH-AWD® is distinct from Sport Hybrid SH-AWD®, which has been used on several Acura models, including the NSX supercar. This system uses a pair of electric motors independently powering two wheels, with a gasoline engine with electric motor powering the other pair. Working together, the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD® system achieves torque-vectoring benefits similar to the non-hybrid version.

If you’re interested in test driving a 2022 Acura MDX, RDX or TLX featuring SH-AWD, please click the button below. Depending on current conditions, traditional test drives may not be available so we’ll contact you to discuss what is possible. Thank you in advance for your understanding and patience.

Please Note: The details of this article were accurate at the time it was written. Manufacturers may change the details of any vehicle’s specifications, at any time, without notice.