- Dec 4, 2011
- 597
So I went for a drive tonight since the weather was so nice out, and I had the idea to come up with a thread discussing the most Undervalued, most Under-appreciated aspect of our trucks that you guys really like about them. Idea is to come up with reasons that might not be as apparent as the excellent ride quality, or great versatility of our trucks.
For me, it is the steering feel. I have a GMC Envoy XL. Arguably one of the worst handling SUV's in current times. Even though I've long since upgraded the suspension on mine, I've always felt that the steering has been spot-on for our trucks. I don't know about you guys, and I don't know if the steering ratio is different on the 370s as opposed to the more common 360s, but I have absolutely no understeer. Sure, in its OEM form it is subject to a lot of body roll, but when you upgrade the suspension and take it flying through twists and turns, never once have I experienced even the slightest understeer. The wheel tracks very well, and it springs back to the nominal position. I feel like it has just the right amount of boost from the power steering. Sometimes if I don't drive my truck for a week, I'll notice the steering feel is pretty tight and takes some heft to turn, which is a pretty cool feeling. I know this sensation is short lived, but even when its working like it does every day, the steering makes it fun to drive. It goes where I point the steering wheel. It gives moderate feedback, not as much as a sports car, but definitely way more feel than other vehicles of this size.
In comparison, my 2007 GMC Yukon, and 2010 Acadia have a really numb, over-boosted steering feel. When turning with the Yukon at slow speeds, it requires the driver to track the steering wheel back to nominal position once straightening out. My Envoy does that on its own. Sure the steering is looser at slow speeds and tightens up at high speeds, but overall, the steering feel is just overboosted and a bit too numb.
With my Acadia, the steering is similar to how I described the Yukon, except with MAJOR understeer. It handles so much better and is much quicker and more nimble to drive than my Envoy, but wow I have to go slower in the same turns I don't have to slow down in my Envoy at all because of the major understeer. I turn the wheel 180 degrees and I'm still not tracking through the corners without the aid of having to significantly slow the vehicle down.
So there it is, my opinion of what the most under-appreciated aspect of our trucks is: The Steering
Post yours here!
For me, it is the steering feel. I have a GMC Envoy XL. Arguably one of the worst handling SUV's in current times. Even though I've long since upgraded the suspension on mine, I've always felt that the steering has been spot-on for our trucks. I don't know about you guys, and I don't know if the steering ratio is different on the 370s as opposed to the more common 360s, but I have absolutely no understeer. Sure, in its OEM form it is subject to a lot of body roll, but when you upgrade the suspension and take it flying through twists and turns, never once have I experienced even the slightest understeer. The wheel tracks very well, and it springs back to the nominal position. I feel like it has just the right amount of boost from the power steering. Sometimes if I don't drive my truck for a week, I'll notice the steering feel is pretty tight and takes some heft to turn, which is a pretty cool feeling. I know this sensation is short lived, but even when its working like it does every day, the steering makes it fun to drive. It goes where I point the steering wheel. It gives moderate feedback, not as much as a sports car, but definitely way more feel than other vehicles of this size.
In comparison, my 2007 GMC Yukon, and 2010 Acadia have a really numb, over-boosted steering feel. When turning with the Yukon at slow speeds, it requires the driver to track the steering wheel back to nominal position once straightening out. My Envoy does that on its own. Sure the steering is looser at slow speeds and tightens up at high speeds, but overall, the steering feel is just overboosted and a bit too numb.
With my Acadia, the steering is similar to how I described the Yukon, except with MAJOR understeer. It handles so much better and is much quicker and more nimble to drive than my Envoy, but wow I have to go slower in the same turns I don't have to slow down in my Envoy at all because of the major understeer. I turn the wheel 180 degrees and I'm still not tracking through the corners without the aid of having to significantly slow the vehicle down.
So there it is, my opinion of what the most under-appreciated aspect of our trucks is: The Steering
Post yours here!