I took our Accord Crosstour home last night after spending the past couple weeks driving our Hyundai Sonata. It was an interesting switch from a steering feel perspective. The more I drove the Sonata the more I got annoyed at its over-boosted and numb steering. It's perhaps the aspect I dislike most about the car, actually.
The Crosstour's rack is hardly a paradigm of precision, but in contrast it does feel more natural than the Sonata's, with less boost at low speeds and a bit more feel as to what the front wheels are actually doing. Though it might seem like a petty issue, I'd argue that steering feel does indeed make a difference from an ownership standpoint, even with cars as workaday as the Sonata and the Crosstour.
Brent Romans, Senior Automotive Editor
texases says:
02:27 PM, 07/30/10
Man, that car looks bad, rear door back! One of several bad angles on the Crosstour.
questionlp says:
02:43 PM, 07/30/10
All the better to swerve away from the Crosstour haters out there, my Praetor. ;)
For me, the exterior of the Crosstour is still a hard pill to swallow (though the interior isn't so bad).
misterfusion says:
03:57 PM, 07/30/10
I agree that steering feel definitely has an impact on the ownership experience, and that's why I was so disappointed in the Crosstour's steering when I drove it. Sure felt overboosted to me.
hybris says:
08:12 PM, 07/30/10
@questionlp
I didn't realize that Romans was a Romulan when did you learn that?
nealibob says:
12:02 AM, 07/31/10
paragon
darthbimmer says:
03:56 AM, 07/31/10
My GAWD that car is ugly!
It looks like an Aztek with a lower center of gravity.
ddoouugg says:
09:31 AM, 07/31/10
I couldn't agree more Brent. Actually, yes I do agree more. To me steering feel is even more important than you just stated. It's even more important than performance because it is what contributes most to the pleasure of the drive.
seppoboy says:
07:53 AM, 08/ 2/10
Steering is the most common and direct control interaction between the driver and the car. Few things are more tiring on a trip than having to drive entirely by visual means because the steering is loose, has poor on-center feel and stability, or is numb in the corners.
Steering feel is one the primary filters I use for determining if a car is worthy of consideration or not. While I would prefer excellence, there is a minimum standard that any car must pass before I consider buying, or driving any distance taking my turn driving a friend's vehicle on a group road trip. Many are called, but few are chosen...