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Sedans Midsize Sedans Comparison Thread 
12297 messages, Last post on Apr 13, 2007 at 11:55 AM
You are in the Sedans Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
| I'm not quite certain why they didn't test the Camry SE instead of the XLE which is not sporty at all. | |
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Replying to: thegraduate (Feb 18, 2007 7:23 pm) There is reason to believe that VSC is better than AWD as a safety feature while cornering. And Toyota's VDIM is even better than VSC, though its only currently available on some Lexus models. Check out this post that compared AWD+VSC compared to RWD+VDIM... http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=152498 The Fusion AWD will be useful in slippery conditions in a straight line (think traction control operation). It still will never have the ability to correct for cornering forces and compensate like VSC can. The VSC available in the Accord/Camry is a better safety feature IMO. And further evolutions of VSC (such as VDIM) could be better than lower forms of AWD (with VSC).
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Replying to: thegraduate (Feb 18, 2007 7:15 pm)
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Replying to: backy (Feb 18, 2007 8:12 pm) |
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VSC as Toyota/Lexus call it is the next big thing in safety. So much so thst the NIHS is reccomending that it be standard on all vehicles sold in America. It may end up saving more lives than seatbelts. Having owned a Highlander AWD, Tundra D Cab 4WD, Scion xB, and now a Camry, all with VSC, I have personally experienced VSC in action. My '05 Tundra SR5 was ordered with it - now it is standard on all Tundras. |
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Replying to: thegraduate (Feb 18, 2007 7:23 pm) And the difference in the Fusion Challenge vs. all of the other media tests? This one was decided by regular drivers and vehicle owners, not by automotive journalists trying to sell magazines. |
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Replying to: akirby (Feb 19, 2007 6:55 am) And paid for and edited by Ford who is trying to sell Fusions, not magazines. I think I'd rather trust a magazine editor than one working for Ford. Or, just make the decision myself.
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Replying to: neteng101 (Feb 18, 2007 8:12 pm) actually the systems serve different purposes - a true AWD/4WD will actually improve driveability especially in slippery conditions and one reason why the Subaru is the 'national' car of New England. VSC/Trac can get in the way in those same road conditions and is construed as a safety feature in that it will prevent the driver from exceeding whatever the mfgr (or their lawyers) has decided is that vehicle's cornering limits. Depending on how the system is set, of course, it is more valuable as a safety feature on normal road conditions. You mentioned VDIM which had an interesting effect on the cornering (slalom) ability in the Lexus GS. Slalom speed was reduced because the computer 'thought' that the course traffic cones were impending accidents and the car shutdown before a competitive result could be achieved. The Toyota/Lexus systems, of course, not user defeatable.
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Replying to: captain2 (Feb 19, 2007 7:40 am) You keep saying this same sort of thing, but I think you are mistaken. ESC does help in slippery conditions. It also can improve the vehicles capabilities in some situations. I believe that the only time it is detrimental is if you are stuck in deep snow or want to plow through deep snow and, therefore, want to spin the wheels, this is the only time our manual suggests you might want to turn it off temporarily. ESC is able to apply braking to individual wheels, you can not do this yourself. This can improve the vehicles cornering or accident avoidance abilities. Perhaps Toyota just has a crappy system. Or perhaps the sloppy Toyota handling leads them to having to have a more intrusive system. We have a VW and their system certainly does help in slippery conditions. I don't think it has ever engaged itself in any other circumstances. I did have to make a very sudden lane change at high speed once, but I think the car did it without the ESC coming on...it certainly did not reduce my speed.
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Replying to: thegraduate (Feb 19, 2007 7:24 am)
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