I'm not sure how the trunk is supposed to open.

I pop the trunk and lift it and it has a soft open and then at some point the struts just lets go and the trunk violently slings the rest of the way up.

I think I need new struts but I'm not sure if that's normal or not

 

I don't know about violently, but that's pretty much the way mine works and I replaced the struts not long ago. Before replacing the struts it would not open by its self after pulling it part way up. Does not open by its self. Think yours is OK.

 

When I pop the trunk it doesn't open by itself. It just lifts up a bit. Then I have to lift it maybe 1/3 of the way and the it soft opens (opens slowly) for the 2nd third and then the last third it kinda slings forward and bounces at the top.

 

If it slams closed then you need new struts. You should have some resistance when closing the trunk.

Trunk doesn't automatically open when you hit the release buttons. We don't have any motors like the LS trunk.