2010 Lexus GX460 announced

[ShottsCruisers]

It actually looked like the slide was pretty controlled.
The vehicle recovered and didn't flip over.

I wouldn't like to try that test in my TJ

Unless the wheels would have slid into a curb or off the road onto the median in real life road conditions. Then you'd see the rollover.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

The 4Runner and the Prado share a chassis. Same as the FJ and Tacoma so obviously there are differences.

but to your second question.. I dunno.

Because the Lexus most likely has different suspension and ESC settings than 4Runner. Different springs, dampers, and roll bars, and I'm guessing, they made the ESC wait a little longer before intervening to make it seem "sportier".

 

[modelbuilder]

Unless the wheels would have slid into a curb or off the road onto the median in real life road conditions. Then you'd see the rollover.

In that case it would flip over no matter what. If you are going that fast into a turn and hit an object you are going to roll over. Don't see how you can prevent that short of an anchor that digs into the ground to keep the car from rolling.

You take any SUV into a corner that fast in real life conditions and it hits an object like a curb or median then it will flip. My friends mother was killed in her Mercedes when her car hit the median...not sure how the car could have prevented that short of an "instant stop" button.




.

 

[Skim]

I can roll a Ferrari in the right situation, people need to understand what they are buying.

 

[ShottsCruisers]

In that case it would flip over no matter what. If you are going that fast into a turn and hit an object you are going to roll over. Don't see how you can prevent that short of an anchor that digs into the ground to keep the car from rolling.

You take any SUV into a corner that fast in real life conditions and it hits an object like a curb or median then it will flip. My friends mother was killed in her Mercedes when her car hit the median...not sure how the car could have prevented that short of an "instant stop" button.

.

HUH?

The entire point of having good vehicle emergency handling is to keep the vehicle on THE ROAD. IF VSC kept the GX on the road instead of skidding way off the path then there's no risk of rollover.

On that road, in that turn, ONLY the GX handled poorly. It's not a "test" or "road" deal...there's a reason ONLY the GX failed that test.

This tells me that the GX is more dangerous than most.

 

[Topmounter]

It looks like they used the "sport" mode program from an IS.

 

[Pedro]

I think we are confusing the handling of the vehicle, and the problem with the stability control.

The truck itself handles beautifully, that truck kept all 4 planted on earth. The problem is that the ESP didn't reel in the driver as soon as Consumer reports wanted. That alone is an issue that would need to be addressed as it is being sold with the assumption that it will work the way it should.

I don't if "more dangerous" is an appropriate tag. I would prefer to be able to shut off all "driver aid" type electronics on my GX. They tend to try and help at inopportune times as stated before by other members. and in the snow, they are nearly useless.

A don't buy tag is a little alarmist for the actuality of their results, this is not a case of years past when the truck would have been on it's lid if you tried the same wheel jerk maneuver.

 

[Topmounter]

For this all to make sense, you do need to think like a lawyer rather than the responsible driver of a large, heavy vehicle with a high center of gravity.

 

[tacollie]

Most people don't drive a large SUV the way they should. That is why the CR test is important. I say if you need the electronic aids you are driving wrong. That being said my mom doesn't get in her lexus without using them......I try not to ride with her much.

 

[nautilus]

Consumer Reports are a joke.

Why don't they show us a video of any other suv taking that turn at such a speed?

If anyone can find a video of them testing any other suv on that turn at such a speed I'd love to see the way they would like it to respond.

The truck appears to handle perfectly to me. I just bought my first suv, (a 100 series landcruiser) and I really hope that it would do the exact same thing in that situation.

The only other possible scenarios would be that it would understeer straight through the turn and off the road, or roll, there's no way it could take that turn at such a speed.

Also, a very minute change in the way the driver reacted with the steering would have made the outcome very different.

If I could, I'd bet that this is either a publicity stunt as it's pretty easy to take a stab at Toyota these days.

Or, they're getting paid by some people that sell suv's that aren't Toyota's.

If you're bored, I stumbled across these videos revealing what they did to the Samurai.

I'd be surprised if this isn't what's going on here as well.

Parts 1-6:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6_1o_FxsNs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0Xq4kH8gNM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ui9oAeXniqg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFGKSv_kSCE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lahZdF4xlg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28naW1ANrTM

 

[mcm4090]

Anyone esle notice that they didn't taught the brakes during the test?

 

[Topmounter]

It would certainly help their case if they bothered to show the 4Runner performing the same maneuver.

 

[haven]

Just for the record

1. Yes, the CR test driver is trying to initiate the rear wheels breaking loose. It's to test the electronic stability control.

2. CR tested the 2010 4Runner, and it did not exhibit the same degree of slide that the GX460 did.

3. Toyota engineers tested a GX460 under the conditions CR used, and confirmed that a problem exists. Now Toyota is looking for a solution.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/17/business/17toyota.html

 

[ShottsCruisers]

I knew this was the deal when I saw the video!

“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.”

 

[haven]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/business/global/20toyota.html

Toyota announced that they are recalling 2010 GX460 models
to replace the firmware that runs the vehicle stability control.
About 9400 vehicles are affected. Dealers are expected to receive
the firmware update by the end of the month.

Sales of new GX460s will resume once they are updated with the
new firmware.

I suspect that the "end of the month" is not a firm date, just
a target that Toyota's engineers thing they can meet. It should
only take a day to distribute the new programming to Toyota
dealers worldwide.