Teknikens Vrld: Ford Mondeo Estate 'Dangerously Overweight'

They took a brand new CR-V and put the front wheels on rollers. It wouldn't go anywhere. I wouldn't call that AWD. A properly done FWD biased AWD system (Haldex among others) lets the front wheels turn a fraction of a second before the rear drive is engaged. If I recall correctly, Teknikens Värld had the same complaint about the current CR-V back when it first came out a couple of years ago. Honda apparently admitted that there was a flaw and gave them a new review unit with an updated software version that performed a lot better. They also claimed that new cars would have this going forward, and that old cars would receive the update as a silent recall. Wonder what happened with that?

@Perc I just watched the 2nd test with the 2014 CR-V AWD on Teknikens Värld, it flat out did not work. They then did the same test with an Escape AWD and it performed as it should. Anyone considering a Honda CR-V AWD needs to see this. You are not getting what you're paying for See for yourself... http://teknikensvarld.se/honda-cr-v-4wd-system-is-not-working-again-163708/

@Perc I just watched the 2nd test with the 2014 CR-V AWD on Teknikens Värld, it flat out did not work. They then did the same test with an Escape AWD and it performed as it should. Anyone cons1dering a Honda CR-V AWD needs to see this. You are not getting what you're paying for See for yourself... http://teknikensvarld.se/honda-cr-v-4wd-system-is-not-working-again-163708/

@Lie2me The idea that it provides exactly enough torque to hold position until the wheel speed difference is too great and then it rolls backwards is not credible. Honda is selling an AWD system that (at least in some conditions) is in no amount functional. I'm not a lawyer even in my home country, but it sure smells like fraud from here. Those toothpick the rear drive axles have been a source of visual amusement for a very long time; now I KNOW they're window dressing. This will likely bump the Accord hybrid from my list to consider. You can't spend your credibility twice. And now it's gone.

@Lie2me I typed cons!deration without semi 1337 substitution. I doubt it gets fished out, I'm not that popular. Not typing it again.

@Ka-ru-bin Ninja come for you, Honda Hate Boy!

@Perc "They also claimed that new cars would have this going forward, and that old cars would receive the update as a silent recall. Wonder what happened with that?" I can only assume that was more of a "hush hush" method, that or not that many Honda owners went in for the recall. I don't mean to offend, but Honda owners are well known for being the "whats an oil change?" type, if they're not souping up an EK Civic with a teggy stage 3 clutch and teggy F22B engine swap.

@Ryoku75 Honda owners need to take some responsibility about getting their cars fixed. They paid for the AWD and when they need it, it won't be there, but then again if what you say is true they probably won't notice the AWD isn't working until they actually get stuck. Perhaps not even then

@Lie2me Hilarious fail. I would assume that anyone who buys a vehicle with part-time electronic AWD wouldn't know enough about what's going on at the wheels to notice whether it's working under any conditions.

@Lie2me Sometimes I think that AWDs just a placebo, people get worried about snow so they get something with a AWD badge regardless of the shape of their tires or anything. Honda owners have an interesting polar, either they're VERY nutty gear-heads, or they're so apathetic about car maintenance they shouldn't really have a car. Hopefully their dealerships will contact them in some way before the roads get slushy.

@Lie2me It sounds like the drivetrain can't handle much torque to the rear, so Honda would just prefer to leave it as-is. Unless, of course, a quick reflash of a short-term magazine test vehicle results in better publicity. Then it's worth reducing the lifespan of a single vehicle's drivetrain. It's not like there's any legal requirement that an AWD has to function anywhere near as well as a true 4WD. As long as there's a trace of power going to the rear wheels, it technically qualifies for the label. The only CR-V owner I know is a retired guy who occasionally drives into stationary objects. I'm sure he hasn't noticed that it's somehow incapable of power oversteer on snowy corner exits!

Perhaps that was the Toyota type then, I'd verify what I read at Jalopnik but that would mean going over to Jalopnik.

@Ryoku75 That reminds me of a story. My Cousin had recently graduated from college and was in the market to buy a new car. She asked me what are good brands of cars. I told her it is hard to go wrong with a Toyota. Her boyfriend (now husband) chimed in that they were junk as he had to have the engine replaced in his Celica at only 40K because it seized up while cruising down the freeway. I asked him how frequently he changed and/or checked the oil. He replied that he did the free first oil change and then didn't do anything but put gas in the car until it left him on the side of the road. So my bet is it burned most of the ~4qts off and what little that was left was goo.