The Lexus GX 460 received a rare “don’t buy” warning from Consumer Reports following performance testing by a magazine. If you thought about getting auto financing to buy one, bear in mind that the tests exposed a handling problem with the Lexus GX 460 that may cause a rollover of the SUV in everyday driving. Consumer Reports of the Lexus GX 460 is the newest black mark to Toyota Motor Corp’s battered reputation that began in the last year with braking and acceleration problems.
Rare rebuke earned by Lexus GX Toyota
The stability problems of the car began when the rear of the car broke away in what David Champion, the senior director of the Consumer Reports auto test division, said were “unusual turns.” The Lexus GX 460 skidded sideways through the turn before the SUV’s electronic stability control engaged. In an interview with the New York Times, Champion said “This is the first time we have seen it in an SUV with ESC,” referring to electronic stability control. Consumer Reports said it was “rare†for the magazine to “judge a vehicle’s performance not acceptable.â€The last instance was with the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Limited in 2001.
Lexus GX 460 unsafe in everyday driving
The rollover potential for the Lexus GX 460 goes beyond the test track. Mr. Champion told the New York Times that the car’s electronic stability control would fail everyday. For example, speeding through a sharp curve on a highway off-ramp. The car might easily roll hitting a soft shoulder or curb because of its high center of gravity. “I wouldn’t want anyone else in it,” Champion said.
Dozens of SUVs safer than the Lexus GX 460
There are many safe choices when committing to an auto loan for your next SUV. Dozens of SUV’s in addition to the Lexus GX 460 were tested by Consumer Reports. A driver taking their food off the gas in a fast, sharp turn is what causes “trailing throttle†or “lift throttle oversteer†according to consumer reports. While the Lexus GX 460′s rear end slid toward the outside of the turn, electronic stability control quickly stopped the slide in the other SUVs.
The Lexus GX 460 could mean a lot volume drop for Toyota
Toyota wasn’t selling too many Lexus GX 460s before consumer reports called out the rollover damage. Beginning at $ 52,000, the GX 460 is a small volume vehicle for Lexus, which is Toyota’s luxury brand. Only about 5,000 have been sold since November 2009. The warning is the last thing the automaker needs while struggling a fight of bad press. The real impact will be seeing less car buyers borrowing money to purchase any SUV made by Lexus.
Sources
New York Times
http://newyorktimes.com
