I brought my wife's MDX into the dealer yesterday for a recall and a few other things (driver's side window was whistling and driving my wife nuts) ...
Anyway, I asked for a TLX loaner, and was given an I4 TLX with only ~1700 miles on the odometer. Was psyched because I've never driven the I4 and recall all the reviews saying the I4 is the most fun to drive.
I was left a little confused. The new transmission is definitely interesting - it doesn't "feel" like an automatic - if you're looking for it, you can definitely tell it is essentially a manual transmission with a computer controlled clutch.
However - there were a few odd things I noticed (drove the car in Normal, Sport and Sport+).
1 - The shift from 1>2 and 2>3 are not very smooth in Normal/Sport mode, even with the car warmed up. It is almost like the clutch is being disengaged too quickly. Less noticeable in Sport+ when I'm shifting myself.
2- If I left off the gas and then get on the gas again -- not talking flooring it, just stepping on the gas again to accelerate (happens when there are cars in front of you going slowly or stopped and you are slowing down - and then the traffic starts to move) - you feel like the transmission "pops" into gear and there is a jolt, feels really awful. Not sure how to describe this - it almost feels like someone hit you from behind. I was able to reproduce this every time I did this.
3 - Delay on downshift - I was in Sport mode, driving on a 4-land divided highway and there was a commuter bus on the right lane stopped dropping off people, so all the cars were stopping - so I floored it, and moved into the left lane and the car didn't downshift or start accelerating until I completed my lane change, it was really annoying because I thought I'd start accelerating as soon as I floored it. I've read about the 9AT having slow downshifts, but not the 8 DCT.
Overall I liked the car though - no issues at all with the side view mirror reflection, had to actually look for it but didn't bother me at all. Played with the brake hold feature - I think that'd be really useful sitting in traffic.
Was a little disappointed that the car upshifts by itself in Sport+ mode if you hit the redline. Also wish there was a way to manually shift when you're not in Sport+. I like how Lexus allows you to put the shifter in Manual mode and manually shift regardless of the mode your car is in.
Doubt I would buy the I4 if I got one - would probably be the SH-AWD Advance - but definitely was fun to drive one around for a day.
Gas mileage was really good - definitely a plus.
Just thought the transmission behavior was weird, but since it was a loaner - I have no idea if it was because the car was beaten up.
So - my question really is, is this behavior normal? Hopefully I4 owners can chime in and this was just a problem with this particular loaner.
Anyway, I asked for a TLX loaner, and was given an I4 TLX with only ~1700 miles on the odometer. Was psyched because I've never driven the I4 and recall all the reviews saying the I4 is the most fun to drive.
I was left a little confused. The new transmission is definitely interesting - it doesn't "feel" like an automatic - if you're looking for it, you can definitely tell it is essentially a manual transmission with a computer controlled clutch.
However - there were a few odd things I noticed (drove the car in Normal, Sport and Sport+).
1 - The shift from 1>2 and 2>3 are not very smooth in Normal/Sport mode, even with the car warmed up. It is almost like the clutch is being disengaged too quickly. Less noticeable in Sport+ when I'm shifting myself.
2- If I left off the gas and then get on the gas again -- not talking flooring it, just stepping on the gas again to accelerate (happens when there are cars in front of you going slowly or stopped and you are slowing down - and then the traffic starts to move) - you feel like the transmission "pops" into gear and there is a jolt, feels really awful. Not sure how to describe this - it almost feels like someone hit you from behind. I was able to reproduce this every time I did this.
3 - Delay on downshift - I was in Sport mode, driving on a 4-land divided highway and there was a commuter bus on the right lane stopped dropping off people, so all the cars were stopping - so I floored it, and moved into the left lane and the car didn't downshift or start accelerating until I completed my lane change, it was really annoying because I thought I'd start accelerating as soon as I floored it. I've read about the 9AT having slow downshifts, but not the 8 DCT.
Overall I liked the car though - no issues at all with the side view mirror reflection, had to actually look for it but didn't bother me at all. Played with the brake hold feature - I think that'd be really useful sitting in traffic.
Was a little disappointed that the car upshifts by itself in Sport+ mode if you hit the redline. Also wish there was a way to manually shift when you're not in Sport+. I like how Lexus allows you to put the shifter in Manual mode and manually shift regardless of the mode your car is in.
Doubt I would buy the I4 if I got one - would probably be the SH-AWD Advance - but definitely was fun to drive one around for a day.
Gas mileage was really good - definitely a plus.
Just thought the transmission behavior was weird, but since it was a loaner - I have no idea if it was because the car was beaten up.
So - my question really is, is this behavior normal? Hopefully I4 owners can chime in and this was just a problem with this particular loaner.