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Consumer Reports is warning consumers not to buy the Lexus GX 460 SUV because it is a safety risk, the magazine editors say.Despite coming equipped with electronic stability control, Consumer Reports says the SUV had trouble going through the paces of the magazine's emergency-handling tests."When pushed to its limits on a handling course on CR's test track, the rear of the GX CR purchased slid out until the vehicle was almost sideways before the electronic stability control system was able to regain control," reads a press release. The magazine said it "believes that in real-world driving, that situation could lead to a rollover accident, which could cause serious injury or death."Toyota, the parent company of Lexus, did not return calls for comment. But Consumer Reports included a comment from a Lexus spokeswoman:"We're mystified by the results of Consumer Reports testing on the Lexus GX 460," spokeswoman Allison Takahashi said. "Our engineers conduct similar tests during development of all SUVs. We will look into this and we appreciate Consumer Reports bringing it to our attention." The magazine purchases all of the vehicles it tests, and ran the Lexus through four different drivers in similar situations, and each driver experienced the same thing. To confirm the test, the magazine paid to use another Lexus GX 460. It, too, had problems.The test, called a lift-off oversteer, involves the driver taking his or her foot off the accelerator while steering through a turn. In real-world driving, drivers often do the same thing when entering exit ramps, or when driving through a large turn and encountering an obstacle, or after discovering a turn is too tight for the speed of the vehicle."A natural impulse is to quickly lift off the accelerator pedal," Consumer Reports says. "If that were to happen in the GX, the rear could slide around far enough that a wheel could strike a curb or slide off the pavement."Either scenario could cause a rollover accident.Consumer Reports says it conducted the test on 95 SUVs in its current ratings. No other SUV "slid out as far as the GX 460," the magazine says, including the Toyota 4Runner which shares the same platform. -- By Sharon Silke Carty/Drive On
I trust Consumer Reports about as far as I can throw them.
