Honda Has a New AWD System Coming
For the longest time, Honda has sworn by its mechanical all-wheel drive systems. Even as more of its cars have shifted to hybrid power, the AWD models still sent power to the rear wheels via a mechanical connection. Many of its competitors have since adapted to an e-AWD system wherein a rear motor takes care of waking up the rear wheels.
But that may soon change as the company has announced that it will soon build its very first e-AWD system. It’s all part of the brand’s next-generation hybrid system, simply called Honda Hybrid. In its own words, the system has already been developed, so we can expect this to be applied to the next wave of models coming soon.
Honda
More AWD Hondas Coming Soon?
Honda has typically offered all-wheel drive versions of its non-crossover/SUV in its home market, but it hasn’t been the case for the rest of the world. That said, it now appears the e-AWD system is likely to be applied to global models, as this latest development was announced in Honda’s plans for the world.
At the moment, Honda says it’s for midsize vehicles, but we wouldn’t be totally surprised if it appears on smaller models down the line, given its more compact layout. With the driveshaft gone, it should also free up more space in the cabin, as well as offer even larger cargo capacities.
But aside from packaging advantages, this system should give Honda hybrids even better fuel economy. There will be less energy used to spin the heavy driveshaft, and the light electric motor will simply draw energy from the battery to power the rear wheels. Honda also claims more immediate throttle response and all-wheel drive activation with this setup.
Honda
Potential Applications
Given that Honda mentioned midsize models, one thinks of its midsize crossovers getting this new bit of kit first. The thing is, the company wants people to take its Trailsport models more seriously, so we doubt that it will replace the clever VTM-4 system that’s currently in place. Instead, we turn our attention to the less off-road-oriented models for this.
The first car we think that can use this e-AWD system is the next-generation Odyssey. Right now, the minivan isn’t available with all-wheel drive, let alone a hybrid system. Those are things its main rival, the Toyota Sienna, has, and it would be a good move to do that for future versions of the family van. There’s also the Accord that also isn’t available with all-wheel drive at the moment, and having that should make it a good match for the all-wheel drive Camry hybrid.
Of course, the e-AWD system could stand to benefit many more cars in the Honda lineup. The new-generation CR-V is a strong candidate to get it, as well as the HR-V and the rumored Accord Crosstour wagon. While we’re at it, this could also work in the Civic to go head-to-head with the Corolla Hybrid AWD. We’ll find out soon enough once the new wave of Hondas start coming in.
Honda
About the author
Anton Andres is a news editor at Autoblog and a motoring journalist with more than a decade of experience in the Philippines. He was features editor for Top Gear Philippines from 2022 to 2025 and features and road test editor for Autoindustriya.com.
