[plainbellied]

Obviously slightly different MPG.
But what's the driving experience difference?

Can't decide if to pickup a leftover '13, or go for a '14.
Other than the new, 6-speed engine, the other features don't make much of a difference to me.

 

[BigBoat]

I'd say to test drive them both, it can turn subjective. To me the 6AT felt a bit peppier, especially at take-off (i.e. traffic lights) for natural reasons, but then it felt the same (i.e. final ratios on the highway, up shifting on hills, grade logic control behavior)

Fuel economy, there been several MPG threads around with 5ATs and 6ATs, I cannot really see a difference

Now, if it would me deciding today, I would go 6AT, is shared with the new Accord and the MDX. The 5AT is just dated

Note: no changes on the engine, 13s and 14s have the same engine.

 

[plainbellied]

Note: no changes on the engine, 13s and 14s have the same engine.

Not quite. Only Touring has the 6-speed on '13 and older.

 

[BigBoat]

Not quite. Only Touring has the 6-speed on '13 and older.

Correct, but the transmission is not part of the engine, it is part of the powertrain . The engine is the same J35 i-VTEC 3.5L w/ VCM

 

[plainbellied]

Correct, but the transmission is not part of the engine, it is part of the powertrain . The engine is the same J35 i-VTEC 3.5L w/ VCM

True. I stand corrected.

 

[zx12-iowa]

6 speed seems more relaxed on hwy. actually the 6 speed seems slower at light throttle and much faster at half or more throttle. Mpg about 2 better all around. Drove ex for 1500 miles and had 6 speed for 18k miles

 

[santanamoda]

Drove previous gen 5 speed for over 37,000 miles. Current 6 for over 19,000.

6 speed is very noticeably more enjoyable. Smoother shifts. Much more often in the right gear, especially on hills. More choices in acceleration, soft medium and hard (with a nicer growl). And yes, better gas mileage.

Shifts are more smooth - though that might be software. My 5 speed had a few software updates. At no time was I perfectly happy with the fuel injection. Some hesitation during or after some shifts. 6 speed is near flawless in that regard.

Good luck!

 

[DaveOdy]

During a test drive, I could not tell the difference between the 5 and 6sp models. I was too gentle with it. I ended up getting the '13 Touring (6sp). I am really interested in how that performs through the mountains with a full load in the car. Especially, will it shift down to D4 automatically when I think it should, or will I have to manually do that as I did with the older (2001) model (manual shift from 4 to 3).

 

[zx12-iowa]

The 6 speed will shift on its wn just fine. It easily trumps the dated 5 speed which was adequate.