If one looks at the power distribution in the square in front of the steering wheel, one sees that power is ALWAYS sent to the rear wheels when starting or accelerating. When no longer accelerating it stops sending power to the rear. The button with the 4WD symbol is there to lock the differential when needed, So far I've never had to use it.

 

Every snow storm we had, I was monitoring the wheel torque graph when moving on deep snow, and the four wheels kept working equally while in the summer the torque moves quickly to the front wheels. So the traction control is doing its work and it does it very well!

 

My comparison right now is a 2018 Honda Pilot AWD and I will say the Honda AWD is superior. I can floor it and I get tons of grip with no wheel spin. The active torque vectoring is also noticeable in the curves.

With RX it seems like the front wheels easily lose grip even during partial acceleration from a stop...the traction control is constantly flashing even on dry pavement. The display says 50% of the torque is going to the rear tires instantly but it doesn’t stop the front wheels from slipping during initial acceleration.

 

Maybe it’s the tires or that it’s just a lighter car. Although Lexus is not known for their AWD so I’m not shocked. I definitely don’t lose grip though what RX are you testing and what pavement ?

 

I have to agree with PWMDMD, the Honda AWD system, with Sand mode, Snow mode etc., is superior to the Lexus. Just go to TFL truck and watch a Ridgeline climb offroad; it works very well despite the junk tires. The Pilot has the same AWD system as the Ridgeline. The Subaru beats them all though, so if you’re in a Subie, no worries because that symmetrical AWD is awesome. I owned a 2005 Forester XT while living in the Lake Tahoe area, and it would go places my F150 4x4 couldn’t go.

 

Whats up with this why doesn’t everyone just make their AWD system like Subaru. Is it patented or something

 

New 2019 RX350 with 2500 miles on it. I can break the front tires loose 100% of the time on many different paved roads by simply smashing the gas down. If I do a small rollout it’s fine. If I lock the differential it’s fine. The AWD system is just not fast enough to engage the rear tires before they lose grip.

If I do the same thing in the pilot no detectable wheel spin and certainly no traction control intervention.

 

So don't smash the gas down (and problem is solved).

 

I drive it like I stole it! Also, smashing it down means loss of grip 100%. Just 75% throttle means loss of traction 50% of the time.

 

A Subaru drives with road gripping authority, it doesn’t wait for slippage in order to apply traction to front or rear.

https://www.subaru-global.com/techno...train_awd.html

 

Wow, I've never been like - have to much respect for my machinery. Ever heard of "mechanical sympathy", tyres, brakes, gas plus all the moving parts in a car are stressed more when driven hard - costly and detrimental to the longevity of the vehicle. But that's me.

 

You and I drive alike, so, just for the fun of it, go test drive a 2019 BMW X3 M40i. It will put a smile on your face, and beg for full throttle in the sport plus mode. This Bimmer is very quick. I owned an ‘18 X3 M40i, and it was an absolute blast to drive. Bought the Lexus to make the wife happy, but, if the stars align right, I’ll be in another X3 M40i.

 

Your problem is TIRES not the AWD system.

 

That's the problem with Honda, but not with Lexus, it doesn't wait for slippage to turn on AWD. It will wait for slippage though, to cut-off or give power to a given wheel.

 

It’s a freaking car and a terrible depreciating asset by nature. Drive it whichever way you’d like but I never keep a car long enough to care. I’m on car #8 in the past 12 years - can you guess how many have succumbed to my disrespectful driving habits before selling them in the green? Zero!

At 35K miles and 3 or 4 years no one will be able tell if this car was babied or driven hard so my attitude is have fun while you own it!