I purchased a 2019 Sport 2.0 10-sp., but before I test drove it, I drove a 2018 Sport 2.0 because they brought the wrong MY car out and I didn't realize it until after the test drive.
Here is what I noticed.
1. The 2018 with a built date Aug. '18 had Goodyear Eagle A/S tires on it. The 2019 I got (built date 11/18) has Michelin Primacy A/S tires. This is the same tire on the Acura TLX SH-AWD btw.
2. The 2018 had a bigger wheel well gap by about 1/2 inch. I could fit 4 fingers between the tire and the fender, and only 3 in the 2019. Only things I can think off, the Michelin has less rubber (I doubt) so it's "shorter" (again I doubt it since they are the same size 235-40-19), or the 2019 has slighly shorter springs, or different spring material that causes the springs to settle quickly, or they changed to smaller shock bushings in the 2019's. Who knows, could be other things suspension related.
3. The 2018 had a smoother ride. This could be because of possibly shorter springs in the 2019 or a change in the suspension, or because of the different tires. My 2019 has a rougher bumpier ride, and is more noisy (almost resembling banging noises on rough roads) when going over bumps and cracks in the road. The 2018 was more like "thump, thump" and more quiet. The '19 is more like bang and clunk...
4. 2019 has more tire noise when taking turns even at very low speeds. 2018 had almost zero tire noise when turning - again must be the different tires. 2019 had 3 miles on the odo when I test drove it and the 2018 11 miles, so both had brand new, not broken-in tires.
5. 2018 felt more solid and tracked straight, also lane-keeping assist was very smooth. The 2019 I got does not track straight and the lane assist is a little jerky and keeps telling me "driver assistance required' all the time when the road slightly bends. Not the '18. I kept it on for 3 miles on the NYS Thruway and it did great when the road curved several times. I probably got one built the day before or after Thanksgiving :sad: hehe :smile: Hopefully it's just a wheel alignment but it wonders left or right a lot, no where near the '18 I drove. The 2019 needs constant steering input and correction.
BTW, I put 9 miles on the 2018 test driving it so I put it through its paces, which is why I can compare the ride and Lane assist between the 2 pretty well, but I am not saying it's going to be the same with everyone that gets a 2019. Some cars feel and drive differently than others depending on the alignment and if all the bushings & parts were the same and in excellent condition (no defects) when installed.
Anyway, that's all I observed. Everything else inside & out appeared to be identical.
Also about the wheel well gap or ride hight... First thing I did was look for other 2.0's in the lot. There were two (2) 2018 Sport 2.0 Manual's and a 2019 2.0 Touring in the lot. The wheel well gap difference was still there between them but a little less, but still noticeable - about 1/4" - 3/8". Mine was the "lowest" at about 1/2". I think this small difference in ride height could be contributing to a rougher ride in the '19's. Just my opinion, and hopefully I am wrong, but I can't help thinking they have changed something in the suspension or springs in the 2019 MY because there was a noticeable difference in ride comfort between the 2 MY's.
Does anyone else have a 2019 2.0?
Harry
PS.
Yeah I know, I should have bought that late '18 model... It is what it is.
Here is what I noticed.
1. The 2018 with a built date Aug. '18 had Goodyear Eagle A/S tires on it. The 2019 I got (built date 11/18) has Michelin Primacy A/S tires. This is the same tire on the Acura TLX SH-AWD btw.
2. The 2018 had a bigger wheel well gap by about 1/2 inch. I could fit 4 fingers between the tire and the fender, and only 3 in the 2019. Only things I can think off, the Michelin has less rubber (I doubt) so it's "shorter" (again I doubt it since they are the same size 235-40-19), or the 2019 has slighly shorter springs, or different spring material that causes the springs to settle quickly, or they changed to smaller shock bushings in the 2019's. Who knows, could be other things suspension related.
3. The 2018 had a smoother ride. This could be because of possibly shorter springs in the 2019 or a change in the suspension, or because of the different tires. My 2019 has a rougher bumpier ride, and is more noisy (almost resembling banging noises on rough roads) when going over bumps and cracks in the road. The 2018 was more like "thump, thump" and more quiet. The '19 is more like bang and clunk...
4. 2019 has more tire noise when taking turns even at very low speeds. 2018 had almost zero tire noise when turning - again must be the different tires. 2019 had 3 miles on the odo when I test drove it and the 2018 11 miles, so both had brand new, not broken-in tires.
5. 2018 felt more solid and tracked straight, also lane-keeping assist was very smooth. The 2019 I got does not track straight and the lane assist is a little jerky and keeps telling me "driver assistance required' all the time when the road slightly bends. Not the '18. I kept it on for 3 miles on the NYS Thruway and it did great when the road curved several times. I probably got one built the day before or after Thanksgiving :sad: hehe :smile: Hopefully it's just a wheel alignment but it wonders left or right a lot, no where near the '18 I drove. The 2019 needs constant steering input and correction.
BTW, I put 9 miles on the 2018 test driving it so I put it through its paces, which is why I can compare the ride and Lane assist between the 2 pretty well, but I am not saying it's going to be the same with everyone that gets a 2019. Some cars feel and drive differently than others depending on the alignment and if all the bushings & parts were the same and in excellent condition (no defects) when installed.
Anyway, that's all I observed. Everything else inside & out appeared to be identical.
Also about the wheel well gap or ride hight... First thing I did was look for other 2.0's in the lot. There were two (2) 2018 Sport 2.0 Manual's and a 2019 2.0 Touring in the lot. The wheel well gap difference was still there between them but a little less, but still noticeable - about 1/4" - 3/8". Mine was the "lowest" at about 1/2". I think this small difference in ride height could be contributing to a rougher ride in the '19's. Just my opinion, and hopefully I am wrong, but I can't help thinking they have changed something in the suspension or springs in the 2019 MY because there was a noticeable difference in ride comfort between the 2 MY's.
Does anyone else have a 2019 2.0?
Harry
PS.
Yeah I know, I should have bought that late '18 model... It is what it is.