WSJ - Consumer Reports Calls Lexus GX 460 Unsafe
 

The Wall Street Journal - Autos

By KATE LINEBAUGH

DETROIT—Consumer Reports magazine dealt Toyota Motor Corp. a blow Tuesday issuing a rare "don't buy" recommendation for the 2010 Lexus GX 460 sport-utility vehicle.
Four of the magazine's auto engineers found a safety risk during their standard emergency-handling tests.
The Lexus luxury SUV "slid out until the vehicle was almost sideways before the electronic stability control system was able to regain control," the magazine said in a statement. The electronic stability control system is designed to prevent vehicles from sliding out in a turn.
In a real-world driving situation such as exiting a highway ramp, the condition could cause a serious rollover accident, Consumer Reports said in a statement. "Because the GX is a tall SUV with a high center of gravity, our concern for rollover safety is heightened," the magazine said.
The magazine said the "don't buy" designation is rare, and the last time a vehicle's performance was considered not acceptable was with the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Limited. The recommendation comes as Toyota tries recover from a safety crisis that has hurt its reputation as a quality leader amid concerns that its Toyota and Lexus products are prone to sudden acceleration.
"We're concerned with the results of Consumer Reports testing on the Lexus GX 460," Lexus spokesman Bill Kwong said in an email. "Our engineers conduct similar tests and we feel these procedures provide a good indication of how our vehicles will perform in the real-world."
Mr. Kwong said the auto maker will try to duplicate the tests to determine if any adjustments steps need to be made, and noted that the vehicle "meets or exceeds" all federal testing requirements.
"Customer safety and satisfaction remain our highest priorities," Mr. Kwong said. "We take the Consumer Reports' test results seriously and appreciate Consumer Reports bringing it to our attention."
The magazine's auto engineers performed the test on all 95 SUVs the company has ratings on, and said: "No other in recent years slid out as far as the GX 460, including the Toyota 4Runner, which shares the same platform as the GX."
In the first three months of the year, Toyota has sold about 4,800 of the Lexus SUV.

The Lexus GX/LX and twin Land Cruiser/4Runner are some of the only true SUVs left on the road which can handle real offroading. I hope recommendations like this don't make manufacturers further leery of creating such vehicles. I wish more common sense would prevail to those who typically drive these things so they actually realize "hey I'm driving a 3 ton, high clearance 4 wheel drive, maybe I shouldn't drive it like it's a sports car around this turn".

Consumer Reports calls Lexus GX 460 unsafe - Autos- msnbc.com

In an unrelated news story, the Consumer Reports editor has been permanently taken off of Toyota's Christmas gift basket list.

Man, Toyota is taking a hit.

this is really great timing for the american brands

Just last week one of the techs from my dealership went to Lexus to try turning more hours thus make more money... I wonder if he's gonna regret that decision soon? The Toyota/Lexus brand is quickly going from being synonymous with reliability to the dark side...

Yeah Government Motors and Ford should love it.

I'm placing my order for a Chrysler Cordoba before prices go through the roof. I suggest you all do as well.

It will make Toyota/Lexus focus on handling and build quality, in our few years they will be back on top and better thanks to this experience.

My 07 Rav-4 has been perfect since day one. It was made in Japan.

:bustingup