2010 Lexus GX460 Consumer Reports

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I'm not a big fan of Consumer Reports... but yikes... that's... what's the word... alarming?

I guess the question for most of us is... did they test the 2010 4 Runner as well... I assume they'd push that out to the media too if the results were bad.

Personally... having been in a GX460... the inside is cool like a LX... but the exterior... I just don't get it. The 4R looks significantly cooler. Maybe I don't make enough $$$ to appreciate the GX... though I do all right w/ my ES.
 
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Don't forget that these are the same people who used to test cars handling at speed by turning the steering wheel and then taking their hands off. I read Consumer Reports for the reliability and quality ratings, and ignore most of the testing data, as the tests are often poorly designed and not based on reality, despite their protestations to the contrary.
 
skel said:
I agree, why can't something positive make the news? Couple of observations:

"But Shenhar said in the case of the GX460, the stability control took too long to adjust, causing a risk of rolling over."

"However, Consumer Reports said it is not aware of any reports of the vehicle rolling over. The magazine said it tested two separate vehicles, both of which experienced the problem, but neither rolled over."

I understand technology has advanced and there are safety features built into vehicles these days, but it's getting to the point where the media spins the stories on outlying scenarios to make the manufacturer look bad. If I were paying $50k-$60k for this vehicle would I expect properly functioning ESC? Yes. Maybe the "Don't Buy: Safety Risk" label is fine. But they should state more of the facts--give more details about the test and the likelihood of the scenario occurring--what is the speed, what are the conditions? Don't just say ESC comes on late. Let's not forget, this is a great safety feature that manufacturers' are providing as a function to help to prevent accidents. They do not take responsibility off of the driver. With that in mind, I actually think that the "Don't Buy" part of the label is a bit harsh. :boxer:

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After seeing the video you posted, I understand what they are saying now. If you were to go into a turn and the vehicle went off the payment, it "may" roll over. In their test, the vehicle did not go off the pavement. Therefore, I can understand what they are saying.

HOWEVER, the big issue here is that they DO NOT apply the brakes!!! I do not see the brake lights go on. In a real world situation, the average driver would also be applying the brakes in this type of a situation. Are they saying they do the exact same test with ALL SUVs (meaning, they do not apply the brakes on those either)?

This report is EXTREMELY missleading if you ask me ...
 
fxoffroad said:
I guess the question for most of us is... did they test the 2010 4 Runner as well... I assume they'd push that out to the media too if the results were bad.
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4Runners tested OK.

Consumer Reports calls Lexus GX 460 unsafe - Yahoo! News

Yahoo Article said:
The GX 460 is built on the same platform as the Toyota 4Runner, but Consumer Reports said the problem did not occur during similar tests on the 4Runner. According to Toyota's Web site, both vehicles are about six feet tall but the GX 460 is about 3 inches taller.
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I also searched this site without finding a previous post about this.

Seems Toyota is really having a bad time.

Consumer reports isn't even close to being fair and balanced when it comes to certain types of vehicle and manufacturers. Despite that, for them to come out with this and say the GX is an actual Safety Risk is quite severe.

:(
 
I'm a bit surprised at all the CR bashing. Yes, they have issues and they, like most major media, are far from perfect, as is Car and Driver, Road and Track, you name it.

But the finding is interesting nevertheless. Is it baseless? We don't know. Is it going to kill anyone? Doubtful. But it's something that's good to know and discuss. Other factors could even have come into play here, such as tire pressure, tire temp, or wrongly calibrated stability control.

What's also going to be interesting is Toyota's response to this latest bit of bad news.

For what it's worth, Reuters reports that CR said no other SUV had slid as far as the Lexus in its recent testing, including the Toyota 4Runner.
 
Since this thread is not for the 5th gen 4Runner, it will be merged with the existing thread in the Lexus forum.
 
adoihcj said:
After seeing the video you posted, I understand what they are saying now. If you were to go into a turn and the vehicle went off the payment, it "may" roll over. In their test, the vehicle did not go off the pavement. Therefore, I can understand what they are saying.

HOWEVER, the big issue here is that they DO NOT apply the brakes!!! I do not see the brake lights go on. In a real world situation, the average driver would also be applying the brakes in this type of a situation. Are they saying they do the exact same test with ALL SUVs (meaning, they do not apply the brakes on those either)?

This report is EXTREMELY missleading if you ask me ...
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The issue here is lift-throttle oversteer. No, they did not apply the brakes, but if they did, it would likely be worse. Lifting the throttle mid-corner shifts more weight to the front, unloading the rear tires. The rear tires lose grip, so the rear tires head to the outside of the turn, causing the truck to oversteer. In that situation, if you also hit the brakes, that would shift even more weight to the front, increasing oversteer.

Yes, they do the same test on all SUVs, and yes, the GX460 is the only one that behaved this badly. So no, I don't think this report is misleading in any way.

Possible solutions would be a change in suspension tuning to reduce the weight transfer, different tires with increased grip, faster/stronger reacting ESC that more aggressively uses differential braking (braking of the outside front wheel) to minimize the oversteer.
 
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Its ridiculous and in my opinion just another media outlet using the Toyota saga as a wagon to jump because people are sensitized to it and it gets attention.

It works, look at the responses on that website. People lose rationale with titbits of news info.

So what people are saying is that it is unsafe because Toyota has failed to design a traction control and stability control system that completely safeguards against the risk of driving a heavy, luxurious SUV like a hoon through corners.

Huh? People, please dont buy this SUV, perhaps that will bring the price down so I can afford one.

The fact that this stability control appears to be less invasive than it could be just made this car more attractive to me. It means I get to control the car, not a computer.
 
dekeman said:
I'm a bit surprised at all the CR bashing. Yes, they have issues and they, like most major media, are far from perfect, as is Car and Driver, Road and Track, you name it.

But the finding is interesting nevertheless. Is it baseless? We don't know. Is it going to kill anyone? Doubtful. But it's something that's good to know and discuss. Other factors could even have come into play here, such as tire pressure, tire temp, or wrongly calibrated stability control.

What's also going to be interesting is Toyota's response to this latest bit of bad news.

For what it's worth, Reuters reports that CR said no other SUV had slid as far as the Lexus in its recent testing, including the Toyota 4Runner.
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The problem I have is they are saying "Don't Buy." They haven't done this since 2001. Not trying to offend you, but if you believe Consumer Reports did this report out of the "goodness of their heart," you are naive. This is a great way to get Consumer Reports' name in the news by jumping on the "Bash Toyota Bandwagon." Where are the videos of all of the other vehicles that performed better in the same test? Oh yes, to see those you have to sign up and pay a fee. I guess we just have to go off their word that the other vehicle tests did not show the same behavior.
 
Indeed, this is great PR for CR and it's no doubt going to be good for their business, but that's what they do, that's their business. Is the 'don't buy' rating harsh and an over-reaction? Maybe, but was it done just to sell magazines and promote the business? I doubt it. That would jeopardize any credibility they have and be detrimental to the business in the long run.

I don't want to stick up for CR, I couldn't care a less about them, I just find any information on vehicle testing valuable since it can educate the rest of us.
 
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