ZDX vs. TL acceleration
#1
8th Gear
Thread Starter
ZDX vs. TL acceleration
All,
I have a 2010 ZDX Advance which i just took in for minor service. The dealer gave me a 2011 TL base to drive for the day. I believe these two cars have the same powerplant and the ZDX is actually spec'd with more HPs than the base TL, can someone explain to me why the TL seems to be much quicker and more responsive when stepping on it?
I know there is about a 500lb difference between the two cars, but the difference seemed to be too much for just weight.
The ZDX actually accelerates more like my old MDX than my previous 04 or newer TLs.
Any thoughts here?
I have a 2010 ZDX Advance which i just took in for minor service. The dealer gave me a 2011 TL base to drive for the day. I believe these two cars have the same powerplant and the ZDX is actually spec'd with more HPs than the base TL, can someone explain to me why the TL seems to be much quicker and more responsive when stepping on it?
I know there is about a 500lb difference between the two cars, but the difference seemed to be too much for just weight.
The ZDX actually accelerates more like my old MDX than my previous 04 or newer TLs.
Any thoughts here?
#3
8th Gear
Thread Starter
Thanks
#4
Three Wheelin'
Do the TL and ZDX have the same transmissions? I thought the ZDX was based on the MDX.
#5
Pro
I agree with you frankiefaun! I felt the same way when I went to take my ZDX in for the clear bra and received just a base lower HP TL and it actually felt quicker than my ZDX. I feel the ZDX just feels weird when in low rpms, kind of like a slug. I feel this car likes to shift to 5th or 6th gear fast if you go easy on the throttle, that bugs me too!
#6
Racer
I agree. I had a tl tech fwd and it felt a lot more peppy and faster off the line than my ZDX.
I have two reasons why I think this is.
#1 AWD and RWD require more torque than FWD. It looses some as it goes thru the drive shafts and it further reduces torque when splits it to four wheels.
#2 The zdx is heavier than the tl therefore requires more torque to start it moving.
FWD will always feel more peppy and have a faster response. I had a tl sh awd loaner when my tl fwd was in for an oil change and it too felt more sluggish than my FWD. Considering the sh awd has more power and torque than the fwd and still feels more sluggish speaks a lot about the loss of torque in the system. There is no way a front engine AWD or RWD can get as much torque to the wheels as efficiently or quickly as FWD.
I have two reasons why I think this is.
#1 AWD and RWD require more torque than FWD. It looses some as it goes thru the drive shafts and it further reduces torque when splits it to four wheels.
#2 The zdx is heavier than the tl therefore requires more torque to start it moving.
FWD will always feel more peppy and have a faster response. I had a tl sh awd loaner when my tl fwd was in for an oil change and it too felt more sluggish than my FWD. Considering the sh awd has more power and torque than the fwd and still feels more sluggish speaks a lot about the loss of torque in the system. There is no way a front engine AWD or RWD can get as much torque to the wheels as efficiently or quickly as FWD.
#7
8th Gear
Thread Starter
I agree with you frankiefaun! I felt the same way when I went to take my ZDX in for the clear bra and received just a base lower HP TL and it actually felt quicker than my ZDX. I feel the ZDX just feels weird when in low rpms, kind of like a slug. I feel this car likes to shift to 5th or 6th gear fast if you go easy on the throttle, that bugs me too!
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#9
8th Gear
Thread Starter
#14
Racer
The transmission may be the same. BUT. the shift points, and ratios are set up just for your car. The gearing all had to be set up differently because the ZDX weighs more.
It makes a lot of sense that you say it drives like your old MDX since it is based on an MDX platform.
BTW I have to say that my MDX feels just about as fast as as my AWD TL. Of course the TL is flatter and more tossable in the corners.
It makes a lot of sense that you say it drives like your old MDX since it is based on an MDX platform.
BTW I have to say that my MDX feels just about as fast as as my AWD TL. Of course the TL is flatter and more tossable in the corners.
#15
Burning Brakes
I didn't expect this kind of discussion on the ZDX board. The added cost of premium over regular for the average driver is only $120 or so a year. Not much to pay for guaranteed performance and no engine damage.
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VeNeNo (12-15-2011)
#16
Racer
The transmission may be the same. BUT. the shift points, and ratios are set up just for your car. The gearing all had to be set up differently because the ZDX weighs more.
It makes a lot of sense that you say it drives like your old MDX since it is based on an MDX platform.
BTW I have to say that my MDX feels just about as fast as as my AWD TL. Of course the TL is flatter and more tossable in the corners.
It makes a lot of sense that you say it drives like your old MDX since it is based on an MDX platform.
BTW I have to say that my MDX feels just about as fast as as my AWD TL. Of course the TL is flatter and more tossable in the corners.
#19
Instructor
#20
Three Wheelin'
You know why FWD felt quicker? Torque steer.
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