@OP
My experience with 2011 XLi
If you drive the car daily the steering remains soft and very light.
If you drive it like i do (Just on weekends to relax my self),The steering remains hard for 10 -20 kms
Then it becomes soft
Another observation
After starting up
If you pull your car above 3500 rpm in first gear
The steering remains hard through out till you shut the car down and start again.