Consumer Reports claims people shouldn't buy the Lexus GX 460; no, not because of its fugly looks, but because the publication deems that it tends to roll over when performing evasive maneuvers (or "emergency handling"). That means it has been labeled as a "Don't Buy vehicle" and a "Safety Risk".
According to Consumer Reports, "the rear of the GX we bought slid out until the vehicle was almost sideways before the electronic stability control system was able to regain control. We believe that in real-world driving, that situation could lead to a rollover accident."
They go on to explain that nothing else in their garage is as poor as the GX in regards to the lift-off oversteer test (i.e. its ESC is slow-reacting), including its Toyota 4Runner platform-mate.
The test is meant to emulate scenarios such as turns that are too tight or avoiding obstacles while turning, both situations in which a driver's "natural impulse is to quickly lift off the accelerator pedal."
Toyota's expected response was that they were "concerned", that they have run "similar" tests without the same results, and that they will try to reenact Consumer Reports' test methods to see if there's a problem.
If anyone owns one of the new 2010 Lexus GX 460s and is concerned, the Lexus service number is 1-800-255-3987.
For reference, the last time anything this bad occurred was when CR tested the '01 Mitsubishi Montero Limited (the SUV that looked like it would tip over in a breezy parking lot).
By Phil Alex
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