2017 Base. I've always thought that mine started in 1st all the time. I tested it tonight in heavy rush hour traffic in the wet. I used very light throttle in Sport. At 7 mph, I tried to downshift, the number 1 came up in the display, but RPM didn't change. Next time, I tried to upshift, and it did, and the indicator said 2nd. Comments?

 

My '16 R definitely starts in 2nd in Sport/dynamic. I have to downshift at a stoplight if I want to start off in 1st.

 

Mine starts in 2nd every time no matter what combo of Drive, Dymanic and S I use.
The only way to get it to start in 1st is to downshift from 2nd with either the left paddle or the shifter (in S mode).
BUT, I'm fairly sure that even in Drive if you flatten it from a standing start it will instantly shift down to 1st.

 

Put the shifter in Sport.
Use the paddle shifters to manually put the car in a gear as you're driving (it doesn't matter which gear, but something above 2nd).
Come to a stop. The car should automatically go into 2nd.
If it goes into 1st, instead, you have your answer.

 

The base with the open differential has a different ratio than the others. Otherwise, the low-end torque is the same between base and V6S. Maybe that has something to do with why the base might start in 1st?

 

Our base '14 starts in second unless I shift to 1st manually. But, if turning a corner, the paddles are in the wrong spot to upshift when I want.

SO: I just mash the throttle until my comfortable acceleration is achieved. I THINK the automatic goes into first sometimes, other times it doesn't.