IS350jet

Uh-oh!
http://www.justnews.com/automotive/23133359/detail.html

IS350jet

The test performed by CR on the GX460 is indeed a very real scenario that people can find themselves in. They even state in the video that heading into an unfamiliar freeway on ramp too fast (accidentally) and lifting throttle, or worse, applying the brakes to slow down could very easily cause this to happen. In the video, you can see the stability control working, albeit, a little too late. CR's claim is that stability control should have prevented the over-steer to begin with. I, too, wonder why the stability control let the tail out that much. It *does* appear that the stability control on the GX is set more on the "fun" side than the "nanny" side. It should be a very simple fix for Lexus.

Also, did CR test more than one? Is it at all possible that this particular GX had a malfunction? Bald tires? Water/oil slicked pavement? Inconsistent driver? Worn brakes? Anything's possible. It's just difficult to believe that Lexus would program the stability control computer to allow the vehicle to get that far out of control before stepping in. Something is not right. I'm not blaming Lexus, but something does not add up.

wannaGX

At 56 seconds shows a 2 door Prado. huh.

CleanSC

There are 3-door models in other markets. They are just under 2 inches shorter than the 5-door you're used to.

Och

iTrader: (3)

Yes, and in my previous posts I did say that this is a problem because of how Lexus markets this truck.

In any case, I doubt that even 1% of GX/LX buyers use their trucks to tow or go off-road, at least in the USA. It really makes no sense to keep them on truck chassis, seeing how mostly everyone else moved to IRS. Even some of the full size SUV's such as Lincoln Navigator, Ford Expedition and Mercedes GL are riding on IRS. And then when you consider that neither GX or LX have front/rear lockers anymore, just LSDs and center locker, their off-road capabilities cannot possibly be that good.

They are better off moving GX onto unibody IRS chassis, with AWD system similar to Acura's SH-AWD, at least for the US market.

speedflex

I feel for Toyota. This has to seem like a bad dream that they wish they'd wake up from.

5gears-IS

iTrader: (5)

Just in:


-----Original Message-----
From: CNN Breaking News [mailto:BreakingNews@mail.cnn.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2010 7:11 PM
To: textbreakingnews@ema3lsv06.turner.com
Subject: CNN Breaking News

Toyota asks dealers to temporarily halt sales of 2010 Lexus GX 460 SUV after a Consumer Reports safety warning.

speedflex

Sorry kid, you've been out-scooped. See post #67.

IS-SV

I'm glad Toyota is quicker than that ("just in:").

5gears-IS

iTrader: (5)

When I said this just in it was in reference to an email I just received auotmated from CNN not that the news is new....

mmarshall

Agreed. For most people, unless they need the GX's off-road or towing capabilities, the RX is a better choice for everyday driving. It would probably be in my own Top 5 list for a potential new vehicle.

DASHOCKER

iTrader: (2)

Consumer Reports has yet to put the new RX through the same test.. Will you await their findings before making your purchase decision?

Hey, I just got a survey from the automobile bible Consumer Reports for the first time

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

had a knowledgeable guy chime in on another forum:

rominl

iTrader: (4)

yup, on cars like these, different modes with different kind of stability control would be useful. just like isf, there are different modes, why not on a suv that very rarely people take them off road?

read my earlier post, this is a pro driver driving the car simulating a possibility. look at the video again, midway through the slide, he countered the steering by turning left. that took away the whole roll over momentum already, that's why it just kept on sliding. if the driver did not counter the steer (which is the case when most normal people drive), it will continue to roll)

and i think the driver let go of the gas or not, it doesn't take away the fact that the stability control did not react. it could have cut off the fuel and applied brakes independently just like other cars. but at least according to CR the system did not kick in soon enough

again, i am just referring to what's shown on video, in no way am i saying whether CR is right or wrong, or what their standard and test parameters are, or how other suvs they have tested react. they could be right, they could be wrong.

mmarshall

Yes, of course, but I don't think the RX will have any problems. Not only has it done well in CR's past handling tests, but it seems wider in relation to its height, than the narrower GX. Width (usually) adds to stability. The RX is also unibody/car-based, not truck-based like the GX. Car-based SUV's usually (but not always, as the Suzuki Samurai showed) have better handling than truck-based ones.

You and MANY others. CR has what is arguably the largest, most comprehensive auto-reliability database on the market. Of course, DOT/NHTSA/EPA also has huge databases, but they are generally for different finctions...more safety/recall-related than for general reliability.