2023 Pilot - AWD v. FWD

garoto said:

You made the best choice going AWD. FWD should not exist for a car this size.

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Hmmm except it has existed for eons in the Odyssey which is an even bigger car......

If you are ever going to drive in the rain 😁 , wait and get the AWD. The i-VTM4 system is excellent at managing traction under all conditions. If you are going to trade the car after 4-6 years, wait and get the AWD. As someone already mentioned, it will impact your trade-in value. On the other hand, there is a slight reduction in mileage, there is a price difference by adding AWD and it does change how your tires wear a little.
We are on our second AWD Pilot (2021). BUT, we live in the northeast, and up here it is hard to find a FWD Pilot. We get 25-26 highway, and about 21-22 overall. We tow about 3500lbs, and we pull our boats out of the water on a sandy beach. Our only AWD complaint is with our old Pilot (2006) we could lock the VTM in low, and make it act like FT-4WD. Our 2021 won't let us do that. Makes it easier pulling the boat out.

V P said:

Hi everyone, I'm in the market for a 2023 Pilot and considering the EXL, however I'd like your thoughts on the FWD variant versus the AWD. I've never driven an AWD vehicle before so I have no reference to go with.

We're in Florida, and the vehicle will be used primarily for moving our growing family, with little to no off roading.

We would have to wait an additional 2 months for an AWD variant to come to the dealer, and other dealers within the area don't have them in stock either in the desired color. So I'm trying to get opinions whether the benefits of AWD are worth the wait given our use case, or should we settle for the FWD.

Thank you! 😊

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I would go AWD even if you don’t need it in Florida. AWD offers safer acceleration in inclement weather. It also gives you much better resale value for the extra money you might spend up front. Also, if you plan to tow anything, AWD is the much better option with 5,000 lbs of towing. If you’re thinking about it from a gas mileage perspective; mine just turned over 1,000 miles and I drove 300 miles of highway driving yesterday while getting over 24mpg. That’s my actual calculation, not what the car said. To me it’s a no-brainer. I waited 6+ weeks to get my Elite in the color I wanted (sonic grey) but it was well worth the wait.

Bbertsch said:

I lived in South Florida for 45 years. I now live in Northeast Georgia in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains. I definitely understand why you would ask this question. I just bought a 2023 Pilot Trailsport and it is my first awd vehicle. When you're on a wet road waiting at a Red Light and you want to get in front of the guy next to you, when the light turns green the AWD will take off while the other guy's wheels are slipping.

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I grew up in north GA in the Chattanooga area. Love NE GA--went camping near Helen GA many times when I was in college.

V P said:

Thanks for your replies, they will help in our decision. Lets see if any more kind members will chime in with the merits of FWD, because most of the stock I'm seeing is FWD. I'm wondering whether that's the reason they're still on the lot, because no one wants to buy them.

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A salesman at our Honda dealer told me most folks here (Prescott/Prescott Valley, AZ, area.) want AWD. My Pilot is AWD and my wife's former 2017 CR-V was FWD. In discussing this with my friend in Texas a while back (He has a 2011 Pilot FWD and a Dodge Ram several years old that is not AWD.). He told me that where he is at almost nobody buys AWD vehicles. That being said, TX is a major pickup truck state.

V P said:

Hi everyone, I'm in the market for a 2023 Pilot and considering the EXL, however I'd like your thoughts on the FWD variant versus the AWD. I've never driven an AWD vehicle before so I have no reference to go with.

We're in Florida, and the vehicle will be used primarily for moving our growing family, with little to no off roading.

We would have to wait an additional 2 months for an AWD variant to come to the dealer, and other dealers within the area don't have them in stock either in the desired color. So I'm trying to get opinions whether the benefits of AWD are worth the wait given our use case, or should we settle for the FWD.

Thank you! 😊

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Do an AWD. You can tow more than the FWD. If you don't tow, the AWD gives you better stability when driving. My 4th Pilot and they all had AWD. Won't even consider FWD to be honest with you...

Hogan773 said:

Congrats!

I analyzed and analyzed and analyzed some more and then ultimately just said what the heck, go for the Elite, treat yourself. Always excited to drive it and really happy with the new SUV.

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Very nice, I have the same one.. hahahahahahahahaha Thumbs up brother...