Benefits of ESP
14 Jun, 2007
17 Comments 
We mention the need for ESP quite a lot on Car Advice, mainly because we believe driver aid technologies such as ESP go a long way to save lives. As you read through, check out each video showing the benefits of ESP (thanks to GM Holden).
ESP (sometimes referred to as ESC) stands for Electronic Stability Program. Initially developed by Mercedes-Benz to maintain stability on the S-Class, the Germans shared this technology (without charge - much like ABS / airbags) with arch rivals BMW and the rest of the automotive world.
There are still some in the auto industry that don’t believe in the benefits, however numerous studies have shown the life saving potential of ESP.
In 2004 the U.S. National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) released results of a field study in the U.S. of ESP effectiveness. NHTSA results showed that ESP reduces crashes by up to 35%.
ESP is undoubtedly of greater benefit to larger cars, studies have shown that sport utility vehicles (SUVs) with ESP are involved in 67 percent fewer accidents than SUVs without the system.
According to NHTSA research conducted in 2005, the cost of adding ESP to a vehicle averages to around $111 USD (ABS - $368 USD). In total the additional cost of both features comes out to $479 USD.
The system works by measuring many variables in real time, extra equipment for ESP systems include:
- Yaw Rate/Lateral Acceleration Sensors,
- a Steering Wheel Sensor,
- an upgraded Integrated Control Unit.
Most new cars have the benefit of ESP, however some big names, such as Toyota’s New Corolla, miss out on the technology.
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June 14th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Lol snipe at Corolla… how about we also add “And Holdens new Epica, despite the advertising slogan ‘a medium sized car without compromise’”. Ironic.
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June 14th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
Perhaps because the Corolla will be a big market seller and everyone believes the Epica is a big failure and won’t sell any where near as many cars as the Camry.
The Corolla is expected to have a safety feature such as ESP, hell it would give the car some credibility to purchase it.
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June 14th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
correct myke
the corolla will be australias number 1 selling car soon, so it was the better example
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June 14th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
Lol excuses excuses. I thought Holdens advertising slogan ‘a medium sized car without compromise’ would have been better to put in… not only is sourcing cars from Korea but not having ESP in it a compromise! False and misleading advertising.. sue!
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June 14th, 2007 at 5:09 pm
Yeah right…
You say “We mention the need for ESP quite a lot on Car Advice, mainly because we believe driver aid technologies such as ESP go a long way to save lives”…
It was actually the readers - not you ! - that brought up that ESP wasn’t available on the Corolla. If you didn’t read the comments (or have a comments section), you may not have even noticed it !!!
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June 14th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
Well I dont think the Camry is “Intuitive” and yet it is advertised as if it is and I don’t think the “game has changed” a lot with the Aurion. False and misleading advertising.. double sue!
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June 14th, 2007 at 6:30 pm
^
LOL. Well I will argue for argues sake, the intuitive camry isnt meant to be taken literally, like how they say it reads the road, obviously not literal! And the game has changed well it has, it might not be tangible, but the Aurion offering 200kw and 9.9L per 100km fuel efficeincy has made the other manufacterers stand up and take notice, and no doubt set 200kw as a benchmark.
But yeah you make a good point, these manufacterers really talk shyte in their adverts!
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June 14th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
ahh why arent theyre any videos of the car with esp off LOL
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June 14th, 2007 at 7:53 pm
Toyota car’s safety offerings in India already include latest gen ESP systems. It would help in road safety for sure.
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June 14th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
You want something even funnier? There is a new car coming out (rumour) made by Volkswagon (i think) that actually reverse parks itself?? Thats right it PARKS ITS SELF?? I wonder how long before we dont need to put our hands on the steering wheel? Just jump in the old faithfull seat belt wraps around and off you go while watching your favorite DVD Haaaaaaa
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June 14th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
Holden trys to mislead the public all the time about it’s safety dedication but evaulations have revealed a complete differant scenario.
Holden Barina - 2 stars
Toyota Yaris - 5 stars
Holden Astra & Viva - 4 stars
Toyota Corolla - 5 stars
Holden Epica - ??
Toyota Camry - 4 stars (but i expect it to score better then the Epica but no prove to substantiate my claim)
Holden VE - 27/37 points
Toyota Aurion - 30/37 points.
Holden freaks keep going on about Holden and safety but have any of them ever stopped for a brief moment to consider the dedication towards safety that the broader automotive culture has invested. Honda, Mazda, Toyota, Subaru etc etc all engineer highly repected vehicles with an extensive array of safety biult into them. Subaru is extremely regarded while Toyota’s Safe-T-Cell is globally recognised and respected.
Obviously most others are doing a better job because they don’t have 2 star crash rated vehicles or units that fail to meet the hype as with the VE Commodore.
It is common knowledge that Toyota engineers some of the toughest and most rugged workhorses of all so a reckon it would a accurate assumption to assume that they have the ‘know how’ to manufactuer cars that can take a wolloping with the best of them.
The fact is, Holden DOES NOT biuld cars that lead the pack and is far from it. Holden is all ‘yarp’ and ‘hype’ because they often fail to meet expectations on show day. Lets not forget about the recent quality survey that was recently published. Holden couldn’t even scratch ‘average’ in one single segment. Infact, it rated dead last in some.
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June 14th, 2007 at 9:38 pm
Did you ever stop to consider that the VE will hold its value moron?? unlike the mass produced Toyota shit? As i have told you before dickhead its not the 5 star rating blah blah blah its the amount that are made and the way Toyota are going you will get a car for 25k and in five years time it will be worth jack shit because there is a million of them around but Holden do make a small amount and thats all you need.
Ill buy a VE as i know it will double in value (depending on how many they make) great investment for the future….
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June 15th, 2007 at 10:40 am
you are an absolute freak of nature 280ZX. Your comment just absolutely gobsmacked me for a 6 because of the the utter shear stupidity of it.
Tell me 280zx - how many bongs do you have when you wake up in the morning because freaks like you must just sit around and bang ‘ya head against brick walls for your daily enjoyment.
Do you honestly think a VE is going to double in value… do you honestly believe that ?? And, take a trip to Red Book land freak and observe how a typical Toyota’s resale value fairs against a typical Holden. Go on freak - do it and then get back to me !!
280ZX - i thought you were a little differant but your above comment really is off the rails. What are you… a freak of nature, a druggo or something.
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June 15th, 2007 at 11:45 am
QUOTE = Did you ever stop to consider that the VE will hold its value moron?? unlike the mass produced Toyota shit? As i have told you before dickhead its not the 5 star rating blah blah blah its the amount that are made and the way Toyota are going you will get a car for 25k and in five years time it will be worth jack shit because there is a million of them around but Holden do make a small amount and thats all you need.
Ill buy a VE as i know it will double in value (depending on how many they make) great investment for the future….
You really are delusional 280ZX. Tbh both Toyota and Holden have avg resale values… Toyota doesnt because they sell so many cars to the public and Holden dont becuase they flood the fleets with Commodores (which make their way to the public). But I would say that Toyota could be marginally ahead because at least when selling one you can harp on about their reliability, what can you say about the VE… it had 2 recalls within 6 months? It has the same safety rating as an outdated Falcon? It has a 4 speed transmission coupled to a rattling piece of junk engine thats one of the least powerful in its class? It doesnt come with A/C? It doesnt come with half the airbags as the opposition? List goes on… I think you will find the Aurion to have better resale that the VE, maybe marginally, but it will given its features on the base model at least.
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June 15th, 2007 at 11:48 am
Anyway onto ESP… why do they always test it out in the wet (Just to make it look more useful then it is!?). I think ESP is worth its weight in gold in the wet, but in the dry I recon you could get away with some of those manevours (although I dont know how fast they are going exactly… but still)
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June 15th, 2007 at 11:55 am
Toyota car’s safety offerings in India already include latest gen ESP systems. It would help in road safety for sure.
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June 15th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
The thing is, ESP costs money and the Corolla from reports that I have heard, barely makes any money for Toyota in Australia. Consumers want it, but they’re not willing to pay extra for it. (as shown by 10% Yaris airbag pack uptake)
This is why yes it is good that it’s coming soon, but I think it should be optional on lower models, rather than put up the price.
By the way, Holden Commodores hold value terribly.
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