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Subaru AWD vs. Honda VTM-4
So I'm comparing the Subaru AWD system found in the 2004 Subaru Forester XT to the VTM-4 system found in the 2003-04 Honda Pilot.
I'm curious what differences there are in terms of light off-roading (no rock climing) and pavement driving in severe weather conditions. I guess the first thing I would say is that one is AWD and the other is 4WD (or 4x4?).
Apparently the Honda Pilot for 2003-04 model year has traction control. Does it really have "traction control" or is that just websites claiming the Honda Pilot has traction control since technically that is the case because of how the VTM-4 system works. From what I've read, supposedly the Honda Pilot is FWD until it senses wheel slippage and then will transfer torque to the rear wheels. So basically it is 100:0 front to rear to 30:70?
How does the Subaru AWD system (auto trans) for the 2004 model year compare to the Honda Pilot?
I'm curious what differences there are in terms of light off-roading (no rock climing) and pavement driving in severe weather conditions. I guess the first thing I would say is that one is AWD and the other is 4WD (or 4x4?).
Apparently the Honda Pilot for 2003-04 model year has traction control. Does it really have "traction control" or is that just websites claiming the Honda Pilot has traction control since technically that is the case because of how the VTM-4 system works. From what I've read, supposedly the Honda Pilot is FWD until it senses wheel slippage and then will transfer torque to the rear wheels. So basically it is 100:0 front to rear to 30:70?
How does the Subaru AWD system (auto trans) for the 2004 model year compare to the Honda Pilot?
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Comments
The biggest difference is that's it's truly full-time, both axles get power all the time. Default is 45/55 I believe, so it actually sends more than half the power to the rear axle, vs. VTM being FWD until slippage.
For me VTD > VTM-4 by a wide margin.
VTM-4 is closer to the Auto AWD Subaru uses on the base/automatic models (90/10 default split), but even then Subaru's is full-time and VTM is not.
I rank it this way:
Subaru VTD > Subaru VC > Subaru auto AWD > VTM-4
VC=viscous coupling on MT5 models, split 50/50.
The big difference is that all Subaru AWDs are full-time units, whereas the Honda's is an on-demand unit. The Honda is actually FWD until slippage occurs. Also, in the case of the Pilot (and Ridgeline, not sure about the CRV?), all 4 wheels do engage any time power is applied. So pulling away front a stop light, or when accelerating, the vehicle is in AWD mode. Once in cruising or coasting mode, it reverts to FWD; not so with Subarus.
Bob
Bob - VTM-4 disengages the rear axle completely above 29mph (IIRC, not sure about the exact speed), then it is 100% FWD.
One other thing: Not all AWDs/4WDs are equal. If you recall looking at those roller videos, Subaru does a better job of transferring power to all the wheels, as some of those so-called AWD vehicles couldn't make it up the roller incline.
Bob
I'm not trying to belittle Subaru's fantastic AWD system but you know I would love VDC if not VTD as well on the model year '04 and up. And I'm not sure if cars101.com has it incorrectly but VTD was employed on the Subaru Forester starting in model year 2007 on the XT Sports, not 2004. If it was in the model year 2004, I wouldn't have started this thread and wouldn't have weighed other options besides the 2004 Subaru Forester XT which are in the same price range.
Traction control is a big plus but I know I'd rather not deal with a failed transmission compared to a head gasket failure, which I have now heard doesn't plague the turbo engines, only the non-turbos for 2000-2003 (and disappears gradually up in the model years for the non-turbos).
After hearing that the turbos aren't plagued by the head gasket failures and comparing them to the common transmission problems found in the '03-'04 Honda Pilot, it looks like the Subaru Forester XT is starting to look more like the obvious choice.
But I'm still curious. How would the Honda Pilot perform in terms of off-road and snow? Are websites wrong to say the '03-04 Honda Pilots have traction control?
Personally I'd rather have the '09 torque split in the '04 Subaru Forester. :< 60:40 to 50:50 seems so much more better for traction anytime, anywhere even if it is VDC and not VTD. Of course I wouldn't mind VTD either instead of VDC. Traction control, to say the least, would be very nice in the '04 Subaru Forester XT.
Bob
They say when you get old two things happen: you lose your memory, and the other thing I forget!
The reason I ranked VTM-4 lower is because it's not full-time, and the other systems are. I realize it's better than RT4WD, though.
Subaru was late to the party with traction control, but prior models (S from 2000+ and XS later) had a rear limited-slip, at least.
I don't think part-time AWD would increase mileage much because the half shafts turn with the wheels anyway (I doubt the hubs disengage).
http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/Variable-Torque-Management-VTM-4-Explanation
From the article: "The maximum torque delivered to the rear wheels allows the Ridgeline to claw up a 28-degree (53-percent slope) dirt grade. " That does NOT describe a "90/10" system. The center locking differential can lock to 100% as can either or both sides of the rear diff (which is not really a differential at all, if you read the article).
I have a Pilot and can tell you, it holds its own against the neighbor's Subarus. The primary difference between the two in snow and ice has to do with the quality and condition of the tires. The OEM Pilot tires for that era were awful. I run Michelin LTX MS/2's which are excellent in snow and OK on ice. To do better one would need a dedicated Winter tire.