The new... Whatever they use for the rubsigns is more sensitive than the G1-G2 era.
I have Wreckgar (Current) and First-Aid (G1) next to each other. Wreckgar's clearly an Autobot, First-Aid doesn't show until I press a finger to the rub-sign for a second.
Though, I guess the increased sensitivity is a tradeoff. I remember I had to really work at the rub-signs when I was a kid to get them to work.