The Feel of the Wheel: Why Steering Feel is So Important

In nearly every new car review, the topic of steering feedback is brought up. Because so many of today's automakers are switching to electronically actuated steering systems, more and more cars are not transmitting information about the grip of the tires and the road's surface through the wheel. This elimination of feel leads to a disconnected, uninvolved and boring driving experience. 

Electronic steering or electromechanical steering, the primary culprit of this numb steering feel, is becoming more popular because of its impact on efficiency. Unlike a hydraulic system, the electric unit only consumes energy when boost is needed. Don't be fooled however, the improvement in fuel economy is miniscule. The new steering module has been said to improve fuel economy by only 2-3%.  

Not every car needs a lot of steering feel. Cars with an emphasis on luxury rather than sport are justifiably "permitted" to have finger-tip light steering completely devoid of any feel whatsoever. Those drivers not looking for sport will enjoy the effortlessness of heavily assisted numb steering. 

In today's marketplace, very few manufacturers have successfully combined high levels of feel and involvement with electronic steering. It is unlikely that electronic steering will be going anywhere soon. As the switchover has caused so much strife from the automotive press and enthusiasts, hopefully in the future engineers will start to tune systems with more feel, feedback, involvement, responsiveness, and heft. If not, this will be one of many components that detaches the driver from the driving experience.