I'm not sure what generation to direct this question towards. I am considering moving over to a nice used TSX 4 cyl. for fuel mileage reasons at some point in the near future. I totally love my 2001 TL tight steering and I completely despise the new electric power steering.

What year did Acura start putting electric power steering in the TSX? The last loaner I had was a V6 and it was fantastic except I couldn't stay in my lane! I refuse to purchase anything with worthless no road feel steering, period. If anyone knows about the when the TL changed over, that would be great also!

 

Every TSX after '09 has it. They redesigned it in '11, but i personally have not driven one so i don't know if it's better or not.

 

I am fine with my 11 steering. I haven't driven an 09-10 though for a comparison.

 

The 2G TSX has had EPS for its entire run, so starting in the 2009 model year. After complaints in the first year, it was altered for better on-center feel in 2010, then when folks complained the steering was too heavy at low speeds, it was revised again in 2011 or 2012. I'm not sure when, but I drove a 2012 loaner, and its steering was much lighter than my 2010's in the parking lot, but identical on the road.

Poor on-center feel is, unfortunately, a common problem with EPS. Car and Driver explained this in an excellent article:

http://www.caranddriver.com/features...n-test-feature

I don't like the EPS in my 2010, but it's better than many EPS systems out there, and I have gotten used to it. The only EPS I've tried with great on-center feel is in the Ford Focus, the ST in particular.

 

You should drive it, but I will say that when I went from an 05 TSX to the 010, the steering felt completely different. Now? I'm used to it and seems fine. The 07 feels heavier, but again, it's just a question of getting used to it.

 

The steering also changes heaviness depending on speed which i kind of like. When i first got the car it was weird but now that I've gotten used to it it's predicable and i quite like it.

Only problem is on the highway it does require a bit more effort than it should to keep the car going straight in it's lane.

 

^ something must be wrong with your car then, my car tracks straight without me even touching the steering wheel.

 

I have '10 and everything sayed here is true. I didn't know that they revisited it in '11 tho.

My steering is too heavy especialy at low speeds and during parking; and it has almost no feedback and road feel. I wish we had HPS.

P.S.: do you guys think, that the road feel can be improved by lowering the car (different suspension) and lower-profile tires? I have stock 17" baloons and will swap to 19", so does this improve the feel?

 

Yes, the near total lack of road feel/feedback is the other major problem with EPS, but IMO the TSX actually has more than the new BMW 3 Series.

Road feel and highway tracking can be improved with suspension mods and tires. I used to have a 1995 Jetta GLX, and after installing Bilstein shocks, Neuspeed springs, and a Neuspeed front upper strut tower brace, it felt like a FWD E46 BMW with Sport Package. It was amazing. The on-center feel improved dramatically. All of this was accomplished without changing wheels or tires.

I have no clue which components might transform the 2G TSX in a similar manner, but, regardless, I wouldn't go to 19" wheels. The ride penalty probably wouldn't be worth whatever marginal gains you might get by going larger than 18", at least not here in Philly.

Tires definitely influence steering feel, and I've found some improvement by going with Continental Extreme Contact DWS on my TSX. The steering self-centers a little more strongly, but the feedback hasn't changed otherwise.

 

My 2010 tracks well too. The problem, IMO, is that you don't feel the tracking through the steering wheel. This is one of the issues addressed in the Car & Driver article, and is caused by the low resistance just off-center in EPS systems. Without that, you don't get that "groove" sensation produced by the good hydraulic systems.

 

Car and Driver did a nice test, but we are driving Acuras, not BMW. I drove a 2010 BMW 335D and the steering was awesome - I have no idea what system it was using. My girlfriend has a 2010 Kia and it has horrid EPS! All I know is Acura will never have me back if they don't change the steering. I will keep fixing my 2001 & then shop another brand that drives better. If they only save 1 MPG, why are they so freak'n stuck on this EPS?

 

The comparison with BMW's is still relevant, because EPS has some common characteristics across manufacturers, like the poor on-center feel and virtually nonexistant feedback. I've driven two new F30 3 Series models, and its steering is like my Acura's, only lighter and with even less road feel. (And that's true even in "sport mode," which increases steering effort.)

That 2010 335d had BMW's classic hydraulic steering. It's phenomenal. The 3 Series didn't switch to EPS until the F30 generation in 2012, and, like you with Acura, I won't consider an F30 until BMW improves that steering system. It's really bad, though if you read some BMW forums, the fanbois seem to think it's great.

Finally, EPS isn't just about mileage, but manufacturing efficiency and reliability too. It doesn't have hydraulic hoses that can rupture, leak, etc.

 

I just drove the new 328i.. Steering feel is similar to my '13 TSX

 

I have an '09 and had a '12 for a loaner for a few days and in my opinion the '12's steering was considerably better feeling than mine. I don't hate my '09 by any means and am definitely used to it, but I would take the '12's over mine.

 

On Lexus IS, folks swap out the power steering control module with the ISF to improve steering feel on regular IS models. I wonder if the newer module can be put in the older TSX.

 

just nitpicking, but even E90 range had EPS - since the efficient dynamics shit around MY2008 except 335 models which had HPS until F30 as you said.

I hate this cost & fuel savings on the wrong places as steering, just sayn ! BTW, even the new Porsches have EPS and people hates it.

 

I have an 09 and after 5 years, and the car being paid off (awesome) mine just feels "normal" at this point.

The entire H vs. E PS debate to me, is kind of moot. EPS has been around for a long time among high priced cars. And if manufacturers didn't tell the car magazines differently, people wouldn't have bitched. People are cattle, and will follow whatever they are told to follow and/or say.

No one is unique. No one is special. They just spew out what they have heard or think they "feel".
/rant

 

I've got the '11 wagon, and I hate the lack of on-center feel. However, after about 9 months, I am starting to get used to it...

 

The E90 Efficient Dynamics 320d (and perhaps other models) had EPS, so you're right, but those weren't sold in the U.S. The last of the U.S. market E90 328i and 335i models still used hydraulic, and I'm pretty sure the 335d did as well.

 

 

In some cases you may be right but in other cases, it is what we call science. If you have someone who has been able to drive both cars back to back and in turn are able to make solid comparisons and a manufacturer says that changes were made, I'd hardly call that strictly opinion based.