Last month, the Lexus GX 460 SUV has been issued a “don’t buy recommendation” from Consumer Reports after exercises and tests find the vehicle’s susceptibility to roll-over in certain conditions.

As a solution, Toyota recalled the affected vehicles (around 10,000 units) to fix the software that affects the problem. While the recall was done, sales of the said model had been suspended.

Right now, the problem has already been fixed. Due to this, Consumer Reports has already removed the Lexus GX 460 SUV from its “Don’t Buy” list. Good thing no injuries happened in connection to the said problem.

This is the first time Consumer Reports issue a “don’t buy” recommendation to a Toyota model after conducting tests on the 2010 Lexus GV 460 and finding out that it can roll over given certain instances.

The vehicle’s poor electronic stability control combined with its weight and tires make a rollover a possibility when cornering while quickly lifting the foot off the accelerator pedal. This has been found out after Consumer Reports engineers conducted an exercise to determine the SUV’s lift-off oversteer.

Due to this negative feedback from Consumer Reports, sale of the said model is suspended while investigation is ongoing. Updates, however, say that Toyota has already found a solution through a simple software adjustment.

[Photo: AllWorldCars]

PRESS RELEASE:

G37 outscores competitors from Audi, Acura, and Volkswagen; Also CR rates the
Toyota Venza and reports on three diesels

YONKERS, N.Y., May 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Despite facing strong competition from three newly-designed vehicles, the updated Infiniti G37 still came out on top in Consumer Reports’ tests of upscale sports sedans for the June issue. With an “Excellent” overall road test score, the G37 remains CR’s highest-rated vehicle in this category.

The G37 was tested against three other vehicles in that category – the redesigned Acura TSX, Audi A4, and the new Volkswagen CC. The TSX, A4, and CC all achieved “Very Good” overall test scores.

“The Infiniti G37 continues its reign as top in the class,” said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center in East Haddam, Connecticut. “The drivetrain is still the highlight of the car, delivering very strong performance while getting better fuel economy than the previous generation. The G37 is very quick and handling is agile and fun.”

Prices for the four cars in CR’s tests this month range from $29,675 for the Acura TSX to $37,525 for the Audi A4.

Full tests and ratings of the test group appear in the June issue of Consumer Reports, which goes on sale May 5. The reports are also available to subscribers of www.ConsumerReports.org.

The June issue of Consumer Reports also reports on the new Toyota Venza, a car-based SUV/Wagon, and three clean diesels — a pair of SUVS and a sedan — the Mercedes-Benz GL320, the BMW X5 Xdrive35d 3.0, and the BMW 335d. On average, the clean diesels CR bought for testing are delivering fuel economy numbers that are at least 30 percent better than their gasoline-powered counterparts and strong mid-range torque.

The G37 and TSX are the only vehicles from this month’s test group that are Recommended by Consumer Reports. CR only Recommends vehicles that have performed well in its tests, have at least average predicted reliability based on CR’s Annual Car Reliability Survey of its more than seven million print and web subscribers, and performed at least adequately if crash-tested or included in a government rollover test.

The G37 has been updated with a new, larger, 3.7-liter engine and a seven-speed automatic transmission in place of the five-speed automatic in last year’s G35. Now the car is quieter while cruising, with better overall fuel economy. The G37 Journey ($37,225 Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price as tested) is powered by a 328-hp, 3.7-liter, six-cylinder engine that provides very strong performance and averages a respectable 21 mpg overall on premium fuel. The new seven-speed automatic transmission shifts responsively and smoothly. The brakes are excellent. The cabin is snug, but there is adequate room even for tall drivers. Large and well-shaped front seats are comfortable and offer plenty of adjustments.

The redesigned TSX delivers enough sportiness to be enjoyable while maintaining solid credentials as a well-rounded, capable car. The front seats are excellent, and the interior is well appointed. But in some ways the TSX feels ordinary. The TSX ($29,675 MSRP, as tested) is powered by a 201-hp, 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine that delivers responsive performance and averaged a very good 25 mpg overall, but on premium fuel. Braking was rated Very Good overall. The smooth, five-speed automatic transmission shifts appropriately. High quality materials and switchgear accentuate a well-finished interior.

The redesigned A4 feels solid, handles nimbly, and has a ride that’s firm but well controlled. On the highway, it is a composed and solid cruiser. Steering is quick and communicative. The A4 2.0T, ($37,525, MSRP as tested) is powered by a 211-hp, 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine that provides 22 mpg overall, on premium fuel, which is good considering the car’s quick acceleration and all wheel drive. The six-speed automatic transmission shifts quickly and smoothly. Braking is Excellent. The A4 has a nicely detailed interior that is padded and trimmed with high-end materials but some controls are overly complicated.

The CC can be thought of as a low-slung 4-door coupe version of the Volkswagen Passat. It drives nicely, with a well-controlled ride and competent handling. The engine is punchy and the cabin is quiet and well finished. The CC Luxury, ($32,680 MSRP as tested) is powered by a 200-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers good acceleration and delivers 24 mpg overall on premium fuel. The six-speed automatic transmission shifts quickly and smoothly and you can manually override it if you choose. The brakes are Very Good overall. One high point of the well-finished interior is the decorative stitching on the supple leather seats but rear-seat headroom is compromised.

With more than 7 million print and online subscribers, Consumer Reports is one of the most trusted sources for information and advice on consumer products and services. It conducts the most comprehensive auto-test program of any U.S. publication or Web site; the magazine’s auto experts have decades of experience in driving, testing, and reporting on cars. To become a subscriber, consumers can call 1-800-234-1645. Information and articles from the magazine can be accessed online at www.ConsumerReports.org.

JUNE 2009
The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for commercial or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports(R) is published by Consumers Union, an expert, independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to work for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect themselves. To achieve this mission, we test, inform, and protect. To maintain our independence and impartiality, Consumers Union accepts no outside advertising, no free test samples, and has no agenda other than the interests of consumers. Consumers Union supports itself through the sale of our information products and services, individual contributions, and a few noncommercial grants.

SOURCE: Consumer Reports

It’s another year. And like most of us, it’s another start for many automakers. So let’s see what’s new this 2009. Topping it off is Hyundai Genesis opening the New Year as Consumer Reports’ new top-rated upscale sedan. Outranking automobiles from Acura, Lexus, and other manufacturers of high-end rides, the Genesis is remarkable for the value that it offers—great quality, less price.

See the following press release from Consumer Reports via Jalopnik:

Hyundai Genesis Outscores Competitors, Becomes Consumer Reports’ top-rated “Upscale Sedan”

Genesis narrowly outpoints Lexus ES 350 to take top spot

YONKERS, NY - The Hyundai Genesis outscored four competitors to become Consumer Reports top-rated vehicle in the competitive “Upscale Sedan” category. The Genesis, which achieved an “Excellent” overall road test score, now outranks 12 vehicles from Lexus, Acura, Lincoln and others including the Lexus ES 350.

The Genesis’ performance in CR’s battery of tests solidifies the automaker’s reputation as a builder of high-quality vehicles in several diverse automotive segments. Previously, Consumer Reports named two Hyundais, the Elantra and Santa Fe, as “Top Pick” vehicles in the small sedan and midsize SUV categories respectively.

“The Hyundai Genesis rivals high-end luxury sedans but costs considerably less,” said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center in East Haddam, Connecticut. “Its luxurious and spacious interior and quietness far transcend its relatively modest price.”

The Genesis was tested against four other new or redesigned upscale sedans—the Acura TL, Nissan Maxima, Pontiac G8 and Lincoln MKS-for the February issue of Consumer Reports. Prices ranged from $33,660 for the Pontiac to $40,880 for the Lincoln.

Two other vehicles in the test group also earned Excellent overall road test scores, the TL and Maxima. The G8 and MKS achieved Very Good overall scores.

The eight other vehicles in the Upscale Sedans category including the ES 350, Toyota Avalon, Buick Lucerne and Saab 9-5, were all tested previously.

In addition to the five upscale sedans tested, CR also purchased and tested the Jaguar XF luxury sedan. Though it obtained a Very Good overall score, it still ranked near the bottom of the group of 12 luxury sedans that Consumer Reports has rated.

But the redesigned Honda Pilot has slipped from being one of Consumer Reports’ top-rated three-row SUVs to midpack. The Pilot now ranks eleventh out of seventeen midsized, three-row SUVs that have been tested by CR.

Full tests and ratings of all six sedans appear in the February issue of Consumer Reports, which goes on sale January 6. The reports are also available to subscribers of www.ConsumerReports.org. (Road test vehicles of recently tested vehicles are also available free at CR’s web site.)

The issue also contains a report on the conversion of a hybrid Toyota Prius to a plug-in hybrid. Consumer Reports chose a Hymotion L5 conversion kit sold by A123 Systems, which the company claims can yield more than 100 mpg. Fuel economy in CR’s converted Prius jumped from 42 to 67 mpg overall for the first 35 miles of driving. At almost $11,000, the plug-in conversion clearly won’t save consumers money overall. However, the technology itself proved viable.

The TL is the only vehicle in this month’s test group that is Recommended by Consumer Reports.

CR only Recommends vehicles that have performed well in its tests, have at least average predicted reliability based on CR’s annual Car Reliability Survey of its more than seven million print and web subscribers, and performed at least adequately if crash-tested or included in a government rollover test.

CR doesn’t have reliability data yet on the Genesis, MKS, Maxima, G8 and XF.

Spacious and well appointed, the rear-wheel-drive Genesis offers good value and is a compelling alternative to luxury vehicles costing thousands more. This car’s forte is swaddling passengers in silence. The engine sounds polished and road noise is strikingly absent. The interior rivals those of the very best luxury cars, with its optional stitched-leather dashboard facing and consistently high-quality materials. The only real drawback is its ride, which can be unsettled at times and doesn’t live up to the standards set by other luxury cars. The Genesis 3.8 ($36,000 Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price as tested) is powered by a 290-hp, 3.8-liter V6 that feels quick and smooth and delivers a decent 21 mpg in CR’s own fuel-economy tests. The six-speed automatic transmission provides smooth, quick shifts. Braking is excellent.

The redesigned Acura TL is a nice car, with responsive handling, a slick powertrain and commendable fuel economy. But when compared with the previous TL, which was CR’s Top Pick in this segment for years, the latest generation is not as impressive. Vague steering saps the fun out of its handling, the trunk opening is small, and other competitors have roomier rear seats. The base-model TL ($35,715 MSRP as tested) is powered by a 280-hp, 3.5-liter V6 that delivers excellent acceleration and a respectable 23 mpg overall on premium fuel. The five-speed automatic transmission is both quick and smooth. Brakes are excellent overall.

The Maxima is a quick car, but it doesn’t add much over the less costly Nissan Altima overall. While it’s pleasant, it falls short in some ways. Handling is responsive, but at low speeds the steering is overly light. The car is quiet and the ride is decent. But the new coupe-like silhouette compromises visibility, trunk room, and rear-seat comfort. The Maxima 3.5 SV ($33,700 MSRP as tested) is powered by a 290-hp, 3.5-liter V6 that gives the car quicker acceleration than some V8s. Expect 22 mpg overall on premium fuel. The continuously variable transmission works very well overall; it’s also the only one available. The Maxima’s brakes are very good overall.

As a bargain sports sedan that can challenge the performance of models from BMW and Mercedes, Pontiac’s G8 is a success. It handles and rides as well as the best cards in its class. The G8 GT’s acceleration is very impressive, with a zero-to-sixty time of 5.7-seconds. But the downside of that is poor fuel economy-at just 17 mpg overall on regular fuel. The G8 GT ($33,660 MSRP as tested) is powered by a huge 361-hp, 6.0-liter V8 engine that makes it blisteringly quick. The smooth six speed automatic transmission with a tall sixth gear makes highway cruising relaxed. The brakes are very good overall. (A 256-hp, 3.6-liter V6 with a five-speed automatic is also available in the base G8, but CR didn’t test it because a more powerful V6 with a six-speed automatic will arrive in 2010.)

In the tradition of large domestic luxury cars, Lincoln’s MKS is built for pampering, not for spirited driving. Handling lacks agility, and the engine is too noisy for a car in this class. The interior amenities and finishes are pleasant, but the MKS feels too much like the Ford Taurus, on which it is based, to justify its luxury price tag. The MKS ($40,880 MSRP as tested) is equipped with a 273-hp, 3.7-liter V6 engine that performs well, but is not as quick or smooth as its competition in this class. CR measured its fuel economy at just 20 mpg overall on regular, which is not impressive. The six-speed automatic transmission is not as slick as most in this class. Brakes are very good overall.

A surprise from the first Hyundai, or is it? From the very start, the Genesis has held a great promise, and it seems we’re all about to see the fulfillment of that promise this 2009. Cheers, Hyundai!

Photo Credit: AutoSpectator