We touched on this in my age factor thread, but since we got off track I kind of wanted more feedback before test driving during the holidays. I currently drive a 2001 accord 4 cylinder and the steering feels secure to me. Turning is tight and firm , no problems I feel in control. In the 2009 tsx, I am kind of concerned about steering and the turning radius comments. By the way I read Edmunds reviews also and to me it wasn't such a favorable review. Edmunds always likes the honda accord though. Lets clear the air I have nothing against the accord, it's just not what I want this time. I am liking the tsx. I already drove the 2009 accord (twice and I am just not inlove).

 

I have read tons of info on the TSX, and one thing that keep coming up from people is that the steering is a little lose......now I don't really agree. My last few cars were a Honda s2000, Infiniti I35, and a 2004 TL.

From that list, the I35 had the smoothest least responsive steering feel, the s2000 being the most firm but also the only other one which was electronic steering. I think the tires also play a huge part but compared to the s2000 the TSX is exactly where it should be, not too firm/harsh but not too smooth.

So I am still not sure what people are disliking. An Acura tech I know prefers the feel of the elctronic steering system that Lexus is using in their is250 (he has one) Since I never drove the newer is250 I can not compare.

 

I am very happy with my steering and I am coming out of an Audi A4 and a BMW 330. Granted the BMW was a bit firmer and a little more connected to the "feel" of the road, but I find no fault in the TSX. It is a "sporty car" but not a "sports car"...go in with that mindset and you will love the 09 TSX...

 

I do have to wonder how much of a role the tires are playing in peoples' assessments. The car hasn't been out very long so the vast majority of people are going to still be on the tires it came with. If history is any indicator, Honda makes awful oem tire choices.

Any one changed their tires yet? If so, what effect did it have on the steering feel?

 

I am sure a stickier tire like the S02s I had on the s2000 will play a huge difference.......also the tire sizing has a role in it as well, wider tire more tire patch on the floor more friction more response in the steering to the driver. At least that is my take on it from my experience. My s2000 was running 235F and 255R

 

I've had my TSX since May, and the steering seems fine to me. It's speed sensitive and the system tightens up the streeing automatically as you increase speed. If anyone is finding that they have to fight to keep the car in a straight line, I strongly suggest getting their wheel balancing and alignment checked, or perhaps the steering system itself.

 

When you take the test drive just remember that you have to make only minor adjustments in comparison to other cars or else you over-shoot past center into the other direction. The people that don't perceive a problem must just do this as second nature.

 

I drove an 08 Accord for a day and thought the steering was 'darty'. The TSX seemed a little bit like it, but it only took a week to get used to it.

It kinda acted like the toe was off, but I don't have any abnormal wear on the inside or outside yet. Now it tracks fine.

 

It's a subjective opinion. I like the new EPS in the 09 and I drive an 08 TSX. Whether it's electric or hydraulic, one isn't "better" than the other...it's personal preference.

 

I've had the 09 TSX since end of May. What I noticed is that the car has a HORRIBLE turning radius. My 2003 Camry and 91 accord has a better turning radius than the 09. Even my aunt's new g35 has a turning radius like my accord/camry.

 

There is no denying that the turning radius could be better. However, to the OP, turning radius is a very easy thing to evaluate. The exact figure is printed clearly so there is little reason the fret about it. Either it works for you or it doesn't.

Steering 'feel' is a whole different story. It is highly subjective and will largely depend on what you're used to. There are compromises with all systems. In an older Accord, if you move the wheel quickly, you can feel the power steering pump respond a fraction later than your input. This effect is more pronounced as the car ages but EPS systems don't do this.

My Supercharged MR-2 had no power steering at all. Lots of road feel but it was a bitch to park. My MR-2 Turbo had power steering that used an electric pump to power a hydraulic rack. It was a good system but a little heavy. Our S2000s (we had 4) had EPS and a really fast ratio. These didn't have as much 'feel' as the MR-2s but the car was more controllable because the whole package was superior.

The point is this: The steering is just fine. It is light, but it is VERY fast! It is S2000 fast. This takes some time to get used to. In the end, I'd take the fast ratio of a 2009 over the greater 'feel' of the 2008 any day.

 

When I test drove the TSX, I went directly from the Lexus dealership (where I had test driven the IS250) to the Acura dealership.

I much preferred the steering feel of the TSX to the IS250. The IS, to me, felt like a giant marshmallow floating down the road (and I drove both the RWD and AWD IS250). During the test drive, the TSX felt more connected - but as other have pointed out it required much less input to get the desired output.

Then I came home and read reviews for the TSX (I was actually planning to buy an IS250 until I test drove the TSX just for the sake of test driving it)... and I came across all this stuff about the weird steering feel in the TSX. And these reviewers also raved about the IS's steering feel. I thought maybe I was the one who was crazy...

The second time I test drove the TSX I did feel some "strange" things with the steering - but my second test drive was longer, and I think maybe all the stuff I had read about the steering may have influenced my perception.

Regardless, now that I've been driving my own TSX (with Michelin X-Ice tires - I have not driven it on the OEM tires so I cannot compare) I find no fault with the steering. It does take some getting used to - but that's part of driving a new car! There's lots of stuff to get used to with a new car (steering and turning radius included).

 

Okay, my turn to weigh in on this. Picked up my new 09 TSX w/tech last Saturday. Overall, it's just what I want and need. Interior is beautiful and simple to use (yeah, even the tech!). Exterior is equally beautiful and simple (no wacky TL-like shapes and chrome pieces). I love the torque and love the fact that it is a four cylinder (I'm sick of the current obsession with heavy cars, big engines, and horsepower for sake of horsepower).

BUT, wow, the steering really is hard to get used to. I wasn't expecting it to track as well as our other car (07 BMW 530i), but it's pretty bad on southern California's beat-up cement freeways. It takes constant attention to keep the car in a straight line...lots of little adjustments are needed to keep it going where intended. It's not the end of the world...I read all the car reviews and forum comments here before buying the car, so I knew what I was getting into. But it is disappointing that Honda/Acura engineers couldn't quite get this aspect of the car right, when everything else is so great.

My only other complaint is that the sun visor doesn't slide along its bar or allow for any adjustments. Here in SoCal where the sun is blindingly bright, I find I have to hold up my hand to block out the sun when it is coming through the driver's door window. I'm not freakishly tall, but I do have to keep the seat pretty far back, meaning the sun visor doesn't cover the top of the window when I have the visor on my lefthand side. It's a small thing...I'll probably just get some wraparound sunglasses to deal with it.

Back to the steering: I'm interested in other people's thoughts on the issue.

Hopefully I'll just get used to it.

 

You will get used to it, but there is no denying it is different. I had a Mazda3 S that I still believe to this day has the best "point and shoot" steering feel/tracking for any front driver. In fact, that is why I purchased it over the 1st generation TSX.

My biggest complaint is the unsecure feeling the car has during cross winds, the steering inputs don't seem to track with the cross wind. The second concern is during hard, continuous cornering (say a cloverleaf entrance ramp), the steering seems to have a "notchy" feel where with slight movement, the wheel will break free - no biggie, just different.

Honda must be listening, I just received an Acura survey that focused heavily on the steering (followed by wheel size/looks, and engine performance (sounds/HP), all of which has been thoroughly discussed in these forums.

 

I'm probably in the minority on this one, but I actually like the wheels. I love 5-spoke alloys, and I think the understated design of the TSX's goes really well with the rest of the car.

Thanks for the info on the Acura survey.

 

At first it almost made me want to take the car back but I don't even notice any more. I think the reason you have to make a lot of corrections is because you accidently overshoot the mark without realizing it and by the time you realize you overshot you have to correct again the other direction. Within a few weeks of driving you'll learn how much input produces how much output and that will stop happening.

I've come to think it's a lot of fun to have the car effortlessly turn to and fro with very minor movements, but Honda will probably re-evaluate the touchy steering because it puts people off during test drives and auto reviews are ridiculing the car for it, and this is the last time we'll be treated to it.

 

for the people who are complaining about steering, it gets better as you drive it. I find the original issues i had with the steering is now gone, its dead on accurate. Its different from other cars and feel but I prefer this i like it, and it is hella comfortable to drive with on the canyons...

 

The steering quickness is a lot faster (greater steering ratio), and it's very similar to the 07 Civic that I sometimes drive. The old TSX has a much slower turning ratio. It does take some time to get used to. The new TSX is really sensitive off center so that's probably what is throwing some people off. The electric steering feel is very different from 1st gen TSX , and that's probably what is causing people to say that it has a different "feel." The first gen TSX was slow off center...then after a few degrees the car will just snap and respond to the steering input really well. If you drive other cars often, it might be harder to get use tot he TSX steering feel. I actually feel that the TSX power steering should be boosted more when car is not moving much, so that parking will be easier and quicker.

 

I was thinking about this as I was driving on the freeway last night, so just to prove a point to myself that it's not all in my head I set the car straight and timed how long I could wait without needing to adjust the wheel and I went for 10 seconds without adjustuig the wheel before road curved. When I first started driving the same car that definately wasn't possible. This is actualy better than my 1G, it had always pulled slightly to the right on me since the day I had bought it.

 

Odd that it got better. The only thing I can think of to explain this is that either the tires have "worn in", the brakes have set their rolling resistance better by the break in, or your tires have a different PSI now. I can't imagine that there is any dynamic difference with the steering system itself.

 

I'm not sure the car changed, I think I just learned how to do it with enough trial and error.

 

I'm sure it's a combination of the tires 'settling in' and you getting used to the steering. When we got our first S2000, we had to adjust to the responsiveness of the steering. Every time I'd put the car into 5th or 6th gear, I learned to 'relax' my hand on the steering wheel to keep from moving the whole car.

 

Initially I experienced a little wandering but after logging 11k miles, it's almost unnoticeable. I did experience a little crosswind action this past weekend on a windy day on the interstate but that's with most cars & light trucks.

 

they just brought the car without calibration.

 

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I test drove a Tech and then a Base back to back last night and I felt exactly what you guys are saying about the steering. And I did notice a huge difference in the steering between those two cars also, so there must be something w/ how each car is adjusted, driven prior, etc. I wasn't a huge fan to be honest but I am sure I could get used to it.