The Lexus GX 460 received a rare “don’t buy” warning from Consumer Reports following performance testing by a magazine. If you were considering auto financing to buy one, remember that the tests exposed a problem with the Lexus GX 460 that might cause a rollover of the SUV in regular driving. Consumer Reports indicate that the Lexus GX 460 is the newest black mark on the Toyota Motor Corp’s already torn up reputation that started last year with acceleration problems and braking 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 electronic stability control was 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 is not safe for everyday driving
The rollover potential for the Lexus GX 460 goes beyond the test track. The car was said by Mr. Champion to the New York Times to be electronically unstable in everyday driving. Speeding through a sharp curve on a highway off-ramp for example. The car, with a high center of gravity, might easily roll hitting a curb or soft shoulder. “I wouldn’t want anyone else in it,” Champion said.
Dozens of SUVs safer than the Lexus GX 460
When it comes to committing to an auto loan for your next SUV, there are plenty of safe choices. Consumer Reports tested dozens of SUVs in addition to the Lexus GX 460. To cause “trailing throttle†or “lift throttle oversteer†according to consumer reports, the driver takes the foot off of the gas in a fast sharp turn. Even though the Lexus GX 460 lost electronic stability toward the outside turn, many other SUVs kept their stability.
Low volume could drop further for Toyota: Lexus GX 460
Toyota wasn’t selling too many Lexus GX 460s before consumer reports called out the rollover damage. Lexus, Toyota’s luxury brand, was only selling a few GX 460s, starting at $ 52,000. Only 5,000 have been sold since 2009 in November. While struggling in a fight against bad press, the warning is the last thing the automaker needs. But the true impact could be seen as fewer car buyers borrow money to purchase any SUV manufactured by Lexus.
Sources
New York Times
http://newyorktimes.com