If you'll recall, after the Lexus GX 460 failed Consumer Reports' emergency handling tests -- its electronic stability control failed to kick in with enough gusto, causing the back end to kick out and potentially posing a rollover problem -- the magazine issued a "don't buy" designation on the vehicle. Toyota responded by immediately pulling the vehicle, and promised a quick fix. And, according to Consumer Reports, it's done just that via a software upgrade. On a retest, and after taking their vehicle to the dealer for said software upgrade, Consumer Reports testers found the problem was indeed fixed: no more skidding out, thanks to solid response from the ESC. Subsequently, Consumer Reports lifted its "don't buy" designation for the vehicle.
We can argue all we want about the relative merits of ESC -- whether it really increases safety or is simply a nanny program that creates bad, reckless drivers -- but it is interesting to see the side-by-side test results when the ESC isn't working properly and when it is.