I have a 2009 TSX Tech, and I always get a courtesy TSX from Acura when I go in for my services.

Ive been noticing that the models 2010 and above accelerate better with less pressure on the gas peddal. They feel much faster and the gears change more quickly and smoothly.
Also, the steering wheel is looser at low speeds and stiffens better at higher speeds ( though the 2009 does this also the 2010 and up just do it much better ).

Anyone else notice this..

Im also kind of choked that the 2011 and above have an air duct in the arm rest to keep items stored in there cool or warm.

 

maybe something to do with the ecu?

 

thats the price of early adoption sadly. ed_6969 is right though, make note of the ECU software version next time you sit in a loaner. We could eliminate that piece of the puzzle fairly easily

 

I think there's something to your observation. I remember reading a review by James Healey in USAToday when in 2008 he trashed the TSX steering in particular saying:

"steering was a big minus in the loaded test car. That could be a deal-breaker for some, especially in a sports sedan where all controls should be excellent. Trying to broaden the car's appeal, Acura has fussed with the steering until it's a bit too boosted at lower speed and has little on-center feel at highway speed, forcing you to make little steering motions constantly to keep the car in its lane."

And then after testing the 2011 sport wagon he says:

"Electric power steering — hard to tune properly — was just-so."

There's more, but in general he trashes the 2nd generation when it first came out and then does an about face after testing the wagon which he absolutely raved about.

 

No complaints here. I get plenty of acceleration from the 6MT, and am constantly asked by others, "what type of engine is in here?". When I tell them, I love seeing the shocked expression on their face.

 

ya i test drove the 6MT and love the way it accelerated. too bad i got stuck with AT

 

I　totally agree with you. I just have 2010 loaner last week. I feel 2010 model did drive a lot better than 09. fast shifting, more smooth, gas pedal is easy to step on it. the major thing i felt was suspension is softer than my 09 model. Overall i felt 2010 is way better than 09 model.

 

I think I commented on this once before in another thread. Can't remember which. But there were revisions to the software that had to do with the steering issue, specifically, for the 2010 model. I remember when I first drove the '09 model a year before when I was on the market for a new car I couldn't stand the constant corrections on the freeway.

Almost a year later I gave the '10 model a shot and it drove so much better. A little research turned up info on the revisions that were made. If I ever find the article again I'll link it. As for the rest of the ecu programming, who knows? But I'm sure they made many revisions to smooth over any remaing bugs. Hell, I even told the service guy at my dealership about the change and he didn't even know. You figure they would their own service people.

 

Completely agree...I have been driving around in a 2010 TSX loan car and it drives much better overall than my previous 2009 TSX did. That said, i think the 2010 drives better than my new 2011 does as well...seems weird but my 2011 requires too much constant correction on the highway (whereas every 2010 I've driven does not)...the ride quality is nice, the engine feels maybe a little better, but the steering on my car feels like a step backwards...

 

I had a 2009 Base TSX and now drive a 2010 Premium TSX. Other than the improvement in elimination of brake noise, i haven`t noticed any other significant changes, including acceleration or steering. Both cars were/are excellent in those areas.

I just christened my 2010 4 cylinder on a highway trip of about 1200 miles. At an average speed of about 70 miles per hour, my fuel economy averaged the rated 43 miles per gallon (Canadian) or about 34 U.S.

The road noise, acceleration for passing, and overall performance were excellent and confirmed my decision not to spend the extra money and operating costs for the 6 cylinder.