[Turbo25]

Hey everybody, I am currently researching the passport and am very happy that I have found these forums! I am looking to purchase the passport soon and have decided on the Touring model rather than the Elite, simply because I don't care for the extra features found in the Elite. I am, however, undecided on AWD vs FWD. I couldn't find anything in the forums using the search function, so wanted to pose my own question here.

If I am going to do some camping in easy to reach locations, and I live in NC where we don't have too bad or regular ice/snow storms, is there any other advantage to having AWD instead of FWD?

 

[scooter1]

Congrats! We love our PP touring AWD. We live in VA and will be retiring to FL. We don't really need it in either place but will be traveling to MN, probably during the winters as well as summer. We didn't have AWD on our CRV and regret not getting it. You may lose 1 mpg and have a little added expense of changing the fluid in the transfer case, but for us, the bottom line is a little added expense will be piece of mind when we need the AWD.

 

[Turbo25]

Congrats! We love our PP touring AWD. We live in VA and will be retiring to FL. We don't really need it in either place but will be traveling to MN, probably during the winters as well as summer. We didn't have AWD on our CRV and regret not getting it. You may lose 1 mpg and have a little added expense of changing the fluid in the transfer case, but for us, the bottom line is a little added expense will be piece of mind when we need the AWD.

Thanks! Sounds like we are in some similar climates then. I can live with the the losing 1 MPG, how much of an added cost do you think some of those regular costs run for something like the transfer case?

Also, have you had any issues with the PP? Some of the other threads i see reporting some initial electrical problems that get cleared up by a trip to the dealership, but i just want to get a feel of the likelihood something like that happens.

Thanks again!

 

[ProdGirl]

Also from my research, you can't tow with the FWD. I also opted for AWD as it was only another $2k or so...

 

[draiken78]

I go the FWD on mine living in Texas. Still handles great in the rain and on dirt roads. I don't really need to worry about snow or ice though, as the whole city shuts down if those occur since it only happens once every year or 2.

 

[scooter1]

Thanks! Sounds like we are in some similar climates then. I can live with the the losing 1 MPG, how much of an added cost do you think some of those regular costs run for something like the transfer case?

Also, have you had any issues with the PP? Some of the other threads i see reporting some initial electrical problems that get cleared up by a trip to the dealership, but i just want to get a feel of the likelihood something like that happens.

Thanks again!

No issues on ours. We have a real early model, #002029, built in January 2019 There were some telematics issues with some, but I dont think it was widespread. There is a thread here about it.

I think changing that is... $60-90? We haven't come up on the maintenance minder oil change yet and I think its every other oil change or so. For us, no big deal, piece of mind.

 

[gregc]

I think you will get the $2k back on resale.

 

[SoundsGood]

FWD vs AWD in non-snowy areas is a tough call for sure. Living in Florida I don't "need" AWD, but I was tempted to get it due to the better handling it provides (Honda's i-VTM4 torque-vectoring system is VERY good). As it turned out it didn't matter since I wanted ventilated seats, which only come on the Elite, so I was getting the AWD anyway. But if I lived in NC I would absolutely want AWD since there's a good amount of mountainous terrain to visit up there.

 

[Turbo25]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I believe that the towing capacity on the FWD is 3,500 and the AWD towing capacity is 5,000. It will be a tough call when the time comes if I want to AWD or FWD. Again, I appreciate your responses. I will stay tuned on the threads for more info and advice!

 

[stevenD]

I certainly did not need AWD in sunny southern California, but did want it when I head up to the mountains and I must say I REALLY love AWD, this is the first car I have ever owned with it!

 

[GaryDahl]

I have enjoyed every driving moment of our Passport, Its a GREAT vehicle. As far as AWD vs FWD I could understand why you are thinking of buying a FWD. But you got to ask yourself what is the purpose of buying your Passport. I will talk about myself here for a moment.
I wanted my last car “Retirement vehicle” to be the top of the line, because for me there is no going back in time. Did I NEED a AWD? Didn’t need a AWD in the last 50 years, I got along just fine with a 2 wheel drive “truck & car”. I knew that if I got a AWD I would never wish I would of gotten a FWD..
Now I am sure your circumstances is different, and really you can’t go wrong with either one, when you get your Passport be sure to post some pictures ?

 

[SoundsGood]

But if I lived in NC I would absolutely want AWD since there's a good amount of mountainous terrain to visit up there.

Just adding to my own post here: We occasionally take a trip to the NC mountains (it's a long drive so we don't go as often as I'd like to). Anyway, since getting the new Passport with AWD, I can't wait until we take another road trip up there. Again, if I lived in NC (like you do) I would absolutely go with AWD. Just my 2 cents (or $2,000 in this case ).

 

[Turbo25]

I have never owned an AWD so i have never attempted off roading to any extent that i feel like i would risk getting stuck with a FWD. i really want to get started though! I’m only an hour away from the mountains so i think it may be worth the extra 2 cents (2,000) lol.

 

[darksky]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I believe that the towing capacity on the FWD is 3,500 and the AWD towing capacity is 5,000. It will be a tough call when the time comes if I want to AWD or FWD. Again, I appreciate your responses. I will stay tuned on the threads for more info and advice!

I believe the AWD is rated at 5,000 lbs towing capacity IF it is equipped with the transmission cooler. The towing package, hitch, wiring, and cooler are extra cost dealer installed options. My brother-in-law bought an Elite and had only the hitch installed with no trans. cooler since he would only be towing a light "garden" trailer occasionally.

 

[SoundsGood]

I have never owned an AWD so i have never attempted off roading to any extent that i feel like i would risk getting stuck with a FWD.

Same boat here. The Passport is my first AWD vehicle and I don't do any off-road driving. With that said, here's a video that demonstrates the capability of the Passport's AWD system. I personally don't expect to ever drive in these conditions, but it demonstrates the capabilities of the torque-vectoring system in the Passport. To me it adds a bit of confidence -- just in case.

 

[wizardoforange]

I have never owned an AWD so i have never attempted off roading to any extent that i feel like i would risk getting stuck with a FWD. i really want to get started though! I’m only an hour away from the mountains so i think it may be worth the extra 2 cents (2,000) lol.

AWD all the way. You’ll be good to go for some light off-roading with the AWD Passport, and your on-road handling will be better too. With proper wheels and tires the Passport coule be pretty impressive off-road.

 

[Turbo25]

Same boat here. The Passport is my first AWD vehicle and I don't do any off-road driving. With that said, here's a video that demonstrates the capability of the Passport's AWD system. I personally don't expect to ever drive in these conditions, but it demonstrates the capabilities of the torque-vectoring system in the Passport. To me it adds a bit of confidence -- just in case.

Wow that video is great. That is the best example of the i-VTM4 torque-vectoring system I have come across yet. Thanks for sharing!