RX450h - Torque Steer
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,973
Likes: 55
From: Ohio
RX450h - Torque Steer
My major gripe with the RX450h (AWD) is the amount of torque steer upon hard acceleration.
The steering wheel wobbles left and right as both front tires are fighting for traction. Steering being very light, needs to be held very tight to keep the car inline.
On one instance, I almost took out a mailbox. I was making a left 2-part U-turn on a random driveway, and as I was pulling out, I floored it to go forward. The steering wheel yanked itself out of my grip and turned the car toward the curb. I regained control right away, but was caught by a surprise, as I did not expect such behavior.
To be fair, I am used to driving RWD vehicles and never owned a powerful FWD car. I have zero torque-steer in my IS300, as it is a pure RWD machine.
I have driven other FWD vehicles, such as an Audi A4, Civic SI, VW GTI and none showed such behavior. Granted, they are some of the best FWD handlers out there and are light on their feet.
I also owned a turbo-charged Subaru Outback and it had an awesome 50/50 AWD system with no such feat.
It feels to me that this could be addressed by:
1) Tightening steering during acceleration
2) VDIM performing a better job at emulating Limited Slip Differential effect by applying the brakes or by having an actual LSD in the front
3) More power bias to the rear electric motor
Am I the only one that feels this way, or does everyone just take it easy on this vehicle? I know it is not intended to be a great-handling car, just a reliable luxury cruiser. I take it for what it is, but sometimes I wish there was more.
The steering wheel wobbles left and right as both front tires are fighting for traction. Steering being very light, needs to be held very tight to keep the car inline.
On one instance, I almost took out a mailbox. I was making a left 2-part U-turn on a random driveway, and as I was pulling out, I floored it to go forward. The steering wheel yanked itself out of my grip and turned the car toward the curb. I regained control right away, but was caught by a surprise, as I did not expect such behavior.
To be fair, I am used to driving RWD vehicles and never owned a powerful FWD car. I have zero torque-steer in my IS300, as it is a pure RWD machine.
I have driven other FWD vehicles, such as an Audi A4, Civic SI, VW GTI and none showed such behavior. Granted, they are some of the best FWD handlers out there and are light on their feet.
I also owned a turbo-charged Subaru Outback and it had an awesome 50/50 AWD system with no such feat.
It feels to me that this could be addressed by:
1) Tightening steering during acceleration
2) VDIM performing a better job at emulating Limited Slip Differential effect by applying the brakes or by having an actual LSD in the front
3) More power bias to the rear electric motor
Am I the only one that feels this way, or does everyone just take it easy on this vehicle? I know it is not intended to be a great-handling car, just a reliable luxury cruiser. I take it for what it is, but sometimes I wish there was more.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,676
Likes: 18
From: So California
I don't find this to be a problem with the way I drive my SUV -- and I'm now on my 3rd Lexus AWD since 1999. I actually believe the steering responsiveness of my 2013 is superior to my 2006. I don't yet drive like some old guy and keep up with most of the sane drivers out there, but I guess my challenge is I don't expect my SUV to feel and operate, nor do I try to turn and push it, the way I have my past SC300, SC430, BMW 335i, or what I will probably do to my new SLK when it arrives. It's honestly why I keep 2 vehicles in my garage -- one that is a super-safe, great luxury driver that has power and can haul people and things when necessary, and then there is my toy -- the coupe or roadster, that has the performance or really fun driving characteristics only a lower-profiled car can deliver.
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