No, Toyota does not need to change that e-CVT transmission, which isn't a CVT at all. Toyota's e-CVT is the best tranny on the market, bar none. Other than Honda's own e-CVT, which is, again, not a CVT, no other transmission comes close, in terms of reliability, low running costs, longevity, efficiency, usability, and overall execution. It's damn near a flawless design that will outlast the rest of the car. It's a perfect match for that motor, and this specific application. No one floors the gas pedal in a Camry Hybrid or Crown Insignia, so engine droning is simply not an issue. In real-world use, as in 99.9% of use, it does not drone, and is virtually indistinguishable from a conventional automatic transmission. The only differences lie in its advantages. A conventional tranny will never return anywhere near equivalent fuel mileage, nor will it last anywhere near as long, with so little required maintenance.
E-CVT is all planetary gears and electric motors not the rubber bands of normal CVTS. Lots of TH-cam videos showing them apart and you will see how stout they are. I'd say more heavy duty than traditional transmissions.
I heard that if you break your Toyota e-CVT you’ll have to wait for one to be delivered from Japan because no one has them in stock because none of them break.
When people keep saying the Crown Signia (or most toyota vehicles) have a "CVT" when it in fact does not... it has specifically eCVT which is a completely different animal than the typical garbage "CVT" we all know. I really, really wish they had thought of a better name for it because these two are not the same, eCVT is superior in both reliability and maintenance - it uses planetary gears as opposed to CVT and their "belts". I implore everyone to do the same thing I did when I read "eCVT" for the first time: look for a simple youtube video and understand why it's better and stop lumping it with the CVT crap.
I have a CVT in my 2018 Honda CR-V. I like the smoothness but I really tire of the droning noise upon acceleration. I don’t care for the delay in the transmission when shifting into reverse or drive. Fortunately I am a fairly patient man!
Yes and no. The Toyota CVT has a one speed transmission and the droning bothered me enough where I traded my ultra low mileage Venza Hybrid for a Toyota Highlander Gas turbo. I get 40% less mpg but a much more pleasurable driving experience. The pluses for the Venza hybrid. Fast off a light. Good mpg. Long brake pad life. The negatives. Bad passing performance. Not for people wanting a good driving experience.
@@paulstein9258Agree totally. I have a 21 Venza Limited and the drone sound is maddening. As my car has aged, it’s getting noticeably louder (the factory tires have been changed out) which makes the driving experience worse. The Venza is an appliance that gets decent mpg, that’s it. Looking for my next car with an automatic transmission and has some “soul” to it.
Owned probably a dozen station wagons. So the Crown may be my next car. Being an old guy I drove several Buicks with Dynaflow, a no shift transmission like the CVT and I personally liked them. My last two cars have had CVT’s. I don’t care about 0 to 60 I just want smoothness.
I'm curious as to why you or anyone else brings up performance figures on anything else but a high performance vehicle? Who cares? When would those numbers ever matter to the person buying this? They're not going to race with anyone, maybe commute to work, get groceries or go on a road trip. If it does that well with great reliability and fuel economy then that's all that matters. No wonder the car industry is out of control with soft touch everywhere, the simplest functions are all high tech and every vehicle loaded with nanny aids making people worse drivers. The prices are skyrocketing, everything is measured in horsepower and performance numbers and gadgets instead of what it was meant to do.
Totally agree. But it's an 'murican thing. Even the car that does the school runs have to do 0-60 in 5 seconds. Otherwise it's too slow for stop and go traffic...
Not sure that I've seen any of your reviews before, but I like the format...very quick but you hit all the important points. Although, as others have pointed out, I don't think the eCVT is the deal breaker you mentioned, I do appreciate that you stated what kind of value is here with the Crown Signia when compared to other SUVs that are similarly equipped. I think you're the only one I've see who didn't say it was too expensive! This car is on my short list for next year.
The fact that this car is built in Japan vs the USA or Mexico should be celebrated more. The build quality will be phenomenal compared to North American built Toyotas
I have a Toyota with the sof-tex material, and I think it feels great. Very soft and comfortable. I've had leather seats before, and I don't feel like I'm settling for something that's less, just different. 🤷🏻♂️
Many of us are THRILLED to see another wagon on the market.🥳🥳🥳🥳 I have only one substantial gripe: Instead of the gimmicky rear seat extenders, a traditional 40/20/40 rear seat would have made this Signia ideal for carrying skis and other long cargo. Adding a reclining and sliding feature would make that second row even better. 😉
Right, the extenders don't actually add to the cargo space. Might be ok for me as a tall guy if I decided to nap/sleep in the back, but when's the last time I even thought about doing that?
Motoman…you made me laugh out load 2 times during the review. The breathing through a wet towel and the Subaru comment were so perfect. Sadly the wife and I just traded in our 2012 Outback with 205,000 miles for a Trailsport Pilot. The old Outback never left us stranded but after driving the Pilot I do not miss it. Your videos are great…never stop being you.
That transmission is from the Highlander. It is there precisely for the reason of being able to move the weight plus the towing capacity. It is a tried and true tranny. I really hope you read the comments and realize that in the future you need to do more background research prior to shooting.
Love wagons, will buy one sure, M3 touring is my favorite car model . Dude it's a ECVT not a belt-chain CVT like in any other car, has lots of low end torque
Sir, do you not understand that Toyota's eCVT is nothing like a standard belt CVT? It's one of the most reliable automatic transmissions out there, if not the most.
The evidence of him mislabeling it every time in his review he apparently does not because there is indeed a big distinction between the two which are quite different transmissions explained well by the ace Toyota technician over at the car care nut channel.
@@jonathanratliff4780His ignorance is bigger than this wagon. Not acknowledging it in anyone's reply shows. At least drop a note in the comments section acknowledging it.
1000% I briefly considered this as my next vehicle replacement but the powertrain was definitely a downgrade. The power to weight ratio vs cost is just not there.
@@RayanMADAODebatable. Toyota is having a lot of QC issues as of late (Tundra is a dumpster fire) and the recent scandals in Japan are uncovering a reality many Toyota fanboys and apologists don’t want to acknowledge.
@@RayanMADAO what you’re describing is an economy car such as a Yaris or Prius. Don’t get me wrong, the reason Lexus is my favorite luxury brand is because of their reliability. But their performance is nowhere near the performance of German cars.
I wish the XLE had cloth seats. Most people I now that have softex don't like it. I prefer fabric. More comfortable and wears like iron compared to leather.
@motomantv I agree that the Hybrid Max drivetrain would be better for this car (when it weighs 4200lbs) but in this application, the transmission *is* the electric motors + planetary. It's not "connected to a CVT". The Hybrid Max would lose about 10mpg, and infringe on Lexus products.
I have been after my contacts @ VW to bring over a wagon that already exists: The Golf R Wagon. They are absolutely missing the boat on that one. They already sell EVERY Golf R they can make - to the kind of people that would buy an E63 wagon if they could afford it - and still nada. They could bring that car over, sell it for US$60,000 and still not be able to build enough!
Then there's dealer mark up. Dealers will kill this car before it's properly introduced to the public. Watch. Just like EV's, Chevy Trucks Tundra and Tacomas sitting on their lots for 6 months to a year because of insane mark ups.
EXACTLY! They killed a great car, because they didn't advertise and 2nd they didn't produce enough for the dealers to even have one. ... And lastly they killed the Venza to make room for the Crown .. chubby Venza
We have a CRV now and one of the best things about it is getting in and out of it. It's not to low or too high...How easy is this to get in and out of?
GREAT presentation-you kept it simple and made things easier to understand. One suggestion for ALL of your reviews is to mention horsepower and torque in foot pounds and WHEN max torque is delivered. Beemers feel powerful because of a lot of things but max torque is delivered in the 1500-1900 RPM range which is almost instantly from a stop. If max torque is delivered over 3000 RPMs, that vehicle will feel almost sluggish. This is my viewing of your work and I've subscribe.
Not an appealing vehicle for practicalities! I better stay put with my 2022 Toyota hybrid Rav 4 Adventure as my Rav 4 is more practical, very fast, spacious, best gas mileage, very comfortable & allows me for off roading. This Signia is nothing near a Rav 4 and on top this tiny Signia is way too expensive. I can't act as a fool and allow myself to buy such a compact station wagon for such an exorbitant price. We need a vehicle that will give us everything for an affordable price. So, I'm sorry if an offending other when I say that this is nothing near my Rav 4 Hybrid Adventure. Guys, you want a powerful, robust, high fuel efficient, good for off roading, fast, capable of allowing you to bring loads or tons of stuffs, then take your hard-earned money & go for a Toyota Rav 4 Hybrid. Why the heck would Toyota want to bring such a vehicle when the Rav 4 is already out there? At times, technology just gets people crazy about wanting to buy a new product just because it's full of tech! Not all vehicles loaded with technology out there are worth your every penny. Beware, don't get into that trap. I didn't like Chinese vehicles as hearing people saying don't go for Chinese vehicles as they aren't worth & that got me very curious & this year, I bought myself the Haval H6 Hybrid. To my greatest surprise, it's a very reliable vehicle, high on fuel efficiency, very spacious interior, boot is cavernous & it's already 3 months since I bought it, I must say that I have started loving it as it's very practical, very smooth, fully loaded with new technologies but, I have still kept my Toyota Rav 4 Adventure Hybrid as it's a little bit smaller & my wife loves the Rav 4. So, I have got both the Chinese compact SUV and the Japanese compact SUV. If I compare both, I'll say that the Haval H6 is the winner as it's more sophisticated compared to the Rav 4, bigger with more cargo areas, plenty of leg rooms, no roaring sound when you press on the gas pedal compared to the Rav 4. It has everything to please you. It's now my daily driven car.
My honest opinion? It's a tiny RV With this and a gym membership you can live indefinitely in one. The holes in the panels are for reaching into the laundry baskets in the footwells that hold food and drinks on one side and clothing along with your shower kit on the other. With home prices out of reach this is the next best thing.
MotoMan, a suggestion. If you want us to take your videos seriously, I suggest you do a little research on the eCVT transmission. It is similar to a CVT transmission in name only. Further, 0-60 in 7.1 seconds, would 7 seconds have satisfied you?
Great review MotoMan! I think this vehicle looks amazing and the hybrid fuel economy is impressive. It's too bad Toyota isn't offering these in more models/specs. They could have the hybrid max version, and perhaps even an outdoorsy version with matte black cladding and trail-worthy tires. Having said that, I'm guessing the majority of people will opt for the hybrid. In Canada we get even less choices - only the limited! Hopefully it sells well and they bring more options in the future.
I would LOVE to do Uber in a Crown Signia, especially for airport trips, but that price tag is just... Wow... I can barely manage a 2024 Nissan Kicks. I doubt I'd be able to make enough doing Uber to afford a Signia, and if I COULD afford a Signia, I'd probably just get a regular Crown Limited at that point. Best case scenario, is the Signia might make a great middle/upper-middle class family car.
I would totally jump on it if they had a different engine :/ It’s pretty much what I’m looking for but I wouldn’t mind a sportier engine that wasn’t a cvt.
The 2 electric motors in the front aren't "strapped to a CVT". They *are* the CVT. It's a very clever system Toyota has been making since the second gen Prius. Wish it had the 2.4L powerplant from the Crown sedan. Kinda follows the history of wagons in America. Only available with the slowest engine, least desirable transmission, much of the tech is missing, and costs more than the sedan. Then manufacturers conclude that Americans don't want wagons. Only Subaru and Volvo can sell wagons because they're the only ones that treat wagons as first class products.
The world of wagons in the US has changed considerably since the rise of SUVs. The situation you describe, yes, true up to the 90s, changed as wagons started to disappear and the only models that sold were the exact opposite: The US$150,000 500+ HP German something or other. Not complaining about those but would I see an opportunity at more reasonable prices as proven by the Outback.
@MotoManTV There have been other "attempts". The Acura TSX Wagon wasn't available with the manual, had the previous gen infotainment, and couldn't get remote start. The Buick Regal TourX (Opel Insignia) couldn't get the V6. The VW Golf Sportwagen only had AWD on the base model, but even that was dropped when the Tiguan was introduced; the Euro version had a 2,000 kg tow rating, but the American version specifically did not allow towing (and had a few other compromises I don't remember).
You get it! I still may get one, but I'd be putting down a deposit today if it had the Hybrid Max system. Not that I have anything against this system, my daily is a 2023 Camry Hybrid and my wife's is a RAV4 XSE (hybrid). I just want something that goes as good as this thing looks.
Long time Toyota fan, love those Crown taxis in Japan, but realized that you can get a nicely equipped Acura MDX with a V6 and North American elbow room for similar money as this Signia.
Still not available for sale in Canada, should have been available by now... I hope not a limited supply. I would love if it was available as plugin version too like in Japan.
The RXh starts at $52k Crown Signia maxes out at $50k so top-end Signia competes directly with base model RXh. Also in many parts of the US you will be hard-pressed to find a Crown Signia for MSRP Toyota dealers love to put all kinds of stupid add-ons on their cars pushing the price up. I
If this vehicle came with the Hybrid MAX Powertrain at the price points mentioned I would still struggle justifying the additional monies required over top of the 41K that could secure a Subaru Outback XT Limited. Also the way this vehicle implements its CVT would drive me crazy. That drone. Impressive MPGs though.
@@cheapercharlie That is because it only affected certain years, duh. It was rampant and despite class action lawsuits, Subaru acted in bad faith and can never be trusted.
@@cheapercharlie They know/knew of the issue, yet failed to do anything about it. Literally saying until the FTC forces them to recall - they won't. Knowing full-well, recalls are 90% done voluntarily. Then, they quietly settle the class action lawsuits making sure the consumer gets nothing - only the law firms. These are deceptive business practices and I refuse to deal with corporation who treat customers the way they do. Plus... have you looked at the prices of Outbacks? You can get better cars for the price they are asking - like this Toyota!!
XLE isn't a "bargain basement cheap seats" trim level for Toyota, it's just the lowest trim level this comes in. Also, leather seating surfaces are common on higher trim Toyotas, such as the XSE Camry.
I will be in the market for a new vehicle in about a year. I am not a huge fan of driving a hybrid but admittedly I haven’t driven one in about 6 years. Hopefully this smoother than the 2005 Prius that we had at work for a loaner car.
Doesn't it have an eCVT? The first gear is actually a gear used with an electric motor to get the vehicle up to speed, then the CVT part of the transmission kicks in. That gives great initial pickup and less wear and tear on the "cone" when in full flight, if you will.
Long time follower of this channel and love George's reviews. Love wagons but not sure about this one. At 2:00, George tells us that the car weighs 4,210 lbs or just over 2,900 kgs. He meant to save 1,900 kgs. Yeah, it's heavy but it's not THAT heavy.
Absolutely love the exterior/station wagon look…drove it today…disappointing…feels so small from the cockpit with the low roofline and high center console (some prefer that)…don’t understand the glass roof bar that goes across the top…it’s right in the way of the driver so you feel like you have an 8 inch window…Thought the engine was a little loud…If i were to get it, would prefer the XLE with the tech package, but you can’t get that…car does feel heavy…overall, it should be cheaper. The exterior is all new, but everything inside is from the Toyota parts bin…Should be a 40k car loaded, not 50+…for 50+, you’d be better off getting a mini-van…very bummed…had such high expectations after seeing all the reviews talking about how it’s a Lexus for 10k less…it’s not…
@Motoman, everyone will cross-shop the crown-wagon with an entry level RX350 AWD, or Highlander... American's "need" their SUV's. Anecdotally, wife's Q5 lease ended and we cross-shopped the RX350 with GV80... We ended up with the RX. (This is coming from a BMW X5 50e owner). Still waiting patiently for your review of the X5 50e. TY
HUGE shift! Intrigued to learn what factors led to an RX over a German SUV. Not certain what I can tell you - other than no yet in the LA fleet - that you don't already know:)
@@MotoManTV math was very simple… Wife has 0 interest in dynamics. She wanted comfort and reliability. Our goal was to buy the Q5 after the lease term ended. But the numbers didn’t add up. We decided to choose a vehicle for her with a better residual at lease end. (My plan is buy out the RX after 3 years since she barely drives 7,000/yr. She wanted an appliance, I obliged lol.
🙋🏽♀️ Goldilocks here🙋🏽♀️ can you help a girl out? I’ve been searching high and low for the perfect replacement. I’ve been driving two very comfortable vans for over 17 years now and I am about to escape! time for a new ride.! The RAV4 is too loud, the Venza might be too small, and the Highlander might be just right 🤷🏽♀️ or maybe… the Crown?! Is it really possible that I have been waiting for damn near 20 years to get out of a van only to step into a wagon? !!!! 😮 Mr. motor man I need your help!!! I am debating between the Crown Signia and one of the Highlanders. I’m not sure what trim would be equal to the crown sign. And comfort and quietness. You know? I know I know I know you want us to buy the wagon! Build it and they will come !!! Apparently because I had no intention on looking at a wagon for Christ sake!!!
This one came out too late. Was looking for a wagon and would have strongly considered this one. Given all options I went with a sedan instead. I didn't like the Crown sedan (it sits too high) but could've lived with that in a wagon. I hope the crown signia will still be around when I buy my next car
I test drove it and I'd actually just prefer XLE. Moonroof doesn't open. 21-inch wheel has a weird tire size. Other techy stuffs are nice but not a gamechanger.
Agree TOTALLY! My bad knees stop me from driving a sedan because to get in and to get out is a real not pretty effort. Whereas in an SUV I will sit higher and I can get in and out rather comfortably. And THAT is the only reason why it breaks my heart to pass on this Crown Signia.
Wow, you can really see it in the footage. Despite how Toyota tried to style this, it looks like a wagon. It's longer, narrower and lower than any SUV I've seen. Now its odd how different they made the Cignia look to the Crown, considering the whole point of Crown being a one car multiple forms type deal. And considering the CVT, I think its possible to program it more like a "premium" transmission vs replace it; Toyota's whole hybrid system depends on that kind of system. If they went traditional transmission it would just go back to the Aisen 8 speed, which isn't all that impressive on its own.
Other OEMs - particularly premium OEMs - have proven they can make a hybrid more 'performance' oriented. That is what this model needs - at least a variant. And they already have the powertrain in a similar version of this car - (th-cam.com/video/YUZRuepCkV0/w-d-xo.html) and it better fits the mission and personality of this car.
2:22 - I believe you meant *one* thousand nine hundred kilograms (~4200 lb). Or... those with the metric system will get a ton of the extra weight for free! ;) PS I miss station wagons too...
Beggars can't be choosers, and with only* 6.7" of ground clearance they did technically give us a wagon via the golf alltrak/Buick Regal TourX/ route. The current outback "wagon" is pumped up to over 8". That said i already gave VW guff for making the id7 "sedan" have a ride height somewhere between 5.9" and 6.3" (how is this still unconfirmed?). And a full GR version lowered to 4.5" would be a fun choice
It doesn’t matter because VW has put an indefinite hold on the ID.7 to sell it in North America. VW EVs are not selling well and the VW dealer network is pushing back on these dogs that don’t sell well. Sad they discontinued the Arteon 1 year earlier for the supposed intro of the ID.7 which in the end never happened😂. Now VW has no sedan left other than the Mexican made Jetta.
Topgun fast station wagon 💨 Stunning fuel economy ⛽️ Near perfect ergonomics 😮 Incredible E-CVT ✅ Nobody cares about 0-60 unless you’re on a drag strip or you want speeding tickets. Less talk real world usage for the intended target market. 😣 Sir, please research the vehicle before you make so many commentary errors. 😣
Thank you for the review. I am soon to be an empty nester (youngest off to college in the fall). I currently drive a 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited which lease ends Summer of 26. I like the Jeep but thinking of something sportier that is around $50-$55K. I can't get an EV since I live in Manhattan and don't have access to chargers so this cold be a good compromise. Not loving the CVT though.
Interesting enough, I didn't take away anything that was useful but just a bunch of hate for this vehicle. I drove in a station wagon and this is no station wagon. Wow the cheap seats, people still have to spend good money for what you call the cheap seats. I hope your other videos are better than this.
I believe this is an e-CVT--very different transmission than a normal CVT. See Ahmed's review on Car Care Nut. This is looking very good as a replacement for my wife's tired XC60.
8:00 What a shame. Not surprised given most ppl are sheep given they have no thoughts of their own. Personally id love some fabrics back into interiors. Patterns, textures, but FABRIC yes. Leather absolutely. Ive never been keen on the leatherette products from any brand. Meh. Automakers are missing out on these ideas. Here is the rub for those "focus groups" Just because you gave them options doesn't mean they wouldn't pick fabric if you did it right and showed them. At this point in time you think fabric in cars you go to the 80's and say ew. That was 50 years ago!
Not a CVT. eCVT. There is a difference. It is THE most reliable transmission currently in existence. These are already being discounted and if sales don’t pick up they should be available at great deals in one year. Many Americans may be label conscious and step up to Lexus. This is my next car if wife approves.
To be clear, this car's transaxke is an E-CVT, not a belt-drive CVT. Specifically, it is the Toyota P-810, the same E-CVT that is used in the Sienna, Highlander Hybrid, and Rav4 Prime. I wish car reviewers would be specific about this, and not say "CVT" when the car has an E-CVT.
If it was anything other than a Toyota eCVT it would be a deal breaker. That being said Toyota makes the most reliable CVT transmission and the marriage with the 2.5 should be reliable enjoyment for years to come.
The Signia is on my shopping list partly due to its planetary gear transmission. If they offered it with a conventional transmission I would scratch it off my list.
Interesting if heavy wagon-like Toyota, but he limited's 21" wheels makes it NW Pothole food, unfortunately. As for dislike of Outback (couldn't find any review here stating exactly what was bad), the next Outback will be longer, wider, also equipped with 20"+ wheels, and AI as part of its driver safety system (" I'm afraid I can't do that, Dave" (nor anyone else)").
I had a 2015 H6 Outback for 150k miles. It was good, but issues cropped up. I drove a 2022 Wilderness for a week, not as good. Mazda CX-50, beautiful vehicle, not as big as this Crown, and it has a twist beam rear axle. All three are decent options, but each a bit different in execution.
Toyota builds high-quality, nice-looking vehicles at fair prices with good service, but are not great to drive and when you try to please no one! That said I like the way it looks and the features for the price are a good value. But all of the sudden Toyota is falling way short in reliability on certain models, the new Tundra is a disaster and any CVT gives a me pause until it proves it can pass long-term. Great review as always, anything that makes you think or your heart flutters is well worth the time, at least you always make your audience think and evaluate!!
Yea problem always put cool stuff on more expensive models, like wagon is a Crown but not a Camry wagon (corolla cross is a wagon...). I want to row my own gears in a Tacoma yet I have to get at least 4x4 TRD sport.
I like the looks of this car, but I hate the feel in the drivers seat…I got to say it is like a boat, I like to see more over the hood…and no I am not short. It is kind of mushy to drive..some people will like this just not me. The sun roof has an unfortunate structural member in the wrong place(should be placed further back(, and why can’t it open? The drive train is uninspired and the transmission feels like …a boat. There should be at least an option for a V6 or even forbid turbo…maybe even put a turbo on the 6… I agree we can use more cars in the shape hybrid or not, they should get at least a little punch and a reliable 8-10 speed transmission. Offer a FWD, not everyone needs AWD.
I like it. Goes against the grain somewhat. Have to provide options like these to consumers or the car landscape is too full of either boring SUVs or ultra luxe rocket powered ones.
Thank you for a fantastic review. Station wagons are back!? This is a station wagon, it's ground clearance and seating position is too low to be otherwise. I know that the SUV label sales but let's get real, it is what it is and that is nothing to be ashamed of. I liked the Venza, this is bigger, more expensive and less efficient than that but I think it will be well received and should sell well, I may even get one just because I like the practicality and honesty of what it is, don't like that Toyota is marketing it as an SUV, that's not honest.
I like the e-CVT from Toyota and the drivetrain. However, I don't like the over $50K price, especially when I don't need something so large! It won't fit into my standard two-car garage, because of it's length. NO THANK YOU TOYOTA! I will buy a Venza instead.
Love your reviews however I drive an RX 450 HF sport and it has the best transmission I’ve ever had in an RX. It’s the same one that’s in the Signia. It’s not a CVT. It’s the same kind of transmission that’s in a Prius or any other hybrid Toyota, it’s nothing like the CVTs that Nissan sells or Honda. This transmission is far superior to the eight speed I had in previous RX 350s. oh and by the way, it gets great gas mileage.
240 HP and a 7.1 second 0-60 used to be sports car numbers. When this is considered low I think we're getting spoiled.
With regards to acceleration, we are way beyond spoiled.
Amen
7.1 is feels fast. I don't know why people want 5 secs or less. It's dangerous
I totally agree👏
We really don't need more.
No, Toyota does not need to change that e-CVT transmission, which isn't a CVT at all. Toyota's e-CVT is the best tranny on the market, bar none. Other than Honda's own e-CVT, which is, again, not a CVT, no other transmission comes close, in terms of reliability, low running costs, longevity, efficiency, usability, and overall execution. It's damn near a flawless design that will outlast the rest of the car. It's a perfect match for that motor, and this specific application. No one floors the gas pedal in a Camry Hybrid or Crown Insignia, so engine droning is simply not an issue. In real-world use, as in 99.9% of use, it does not drone, and is virtually indistinguishable from a conventional automatic transmission. The only differences lie in its advantages. A conventional tranny will never return anywhere near equivalent fuel mileage, nor will it last anywhere near as long, with so little required maintenance.
40-50 mpg is what I'm getting. 500 miles per tank.
Plus...this e-CVT is proven and bullet proof.
E-CVT is all planetary gears and electric motors not the rubber bands of normal CVTS. Lots of TH-cam videos showing them apart and you will see how stout they are. I'd say more heavy duty than traditional transmissions.
th-cam.com/video/O61WihMRdjM/w-d-xo.htmlsi=MfeEucFIhcd3vCLS yep
Amen brother
I am a Toyota master tech. Man, I really think you need to study up regarding Toyota/Lexus CVTs. They are the most reliable transmission available
I heard that if you break your Toyota e-CVT you’ll have to wait for one to be delivered from Japan because no one has them in stock because none of them break.
I just waited eight months for a Chevrolet transmission
He's talking about the sporty feel. A CVT in most car journalist minds ruins it, but i don't mind either way as long as it moves quickly off the line.
When people keep saying the Crown Signia (or most toyota vehicles) have a "CVT" when it in fact does not... it has specifically eCVT which is a completely different animal than the typical garbage "CVT" we all know.
I really, really wish they had thought of a better name for it because these two are not the same, eCVT is superior in both reliability and maintenance - it uses planetary gears as opposed to CVT and their "belts".
I implore everyone to do the same thing I did when I read "eCVT" for the first time: look for a simple youtube video and understand why it's better and stop lumping it with the CVT crap.
I have a CVT in my 2018 Honda CR-V. I like the smoothness but I really tire of the droning noise upon acceleration. I don’t care for the delay in the transmission when shifting into reverse or drive. Fortunately I am a fairly patient man!
Yes and no. The Toyota CVT has a one speed transmission and the droning bothered me enough where I traded my ultra low mileage Venza Hybrid for a Toyota Highlander Gas turbo. I get 40% less mpg but a much more pleasurable driving experience. The pluses for the Venza hybrid. Fast off a light. Good mpg. Long brake pad life.
The negatives. Bad passing performance. Not for people wanting a good driving experience.
If you really want a true technical review then search for Care Care Nut.
@@paulstein9258Agree totally. I have a 21 Venza Limited and the drone sound is maddening. As my car has aged, it’s getting noticeably louder (the factory tires have been changed out) which makes the driving experience worse. The Venza is an appliance that gets decent mpg, that’s it. Looking for my next car with an automatic transmission and has some “soul” to it.
Agreed. I came here to say the same.
A wagon, bring on the wagons.
Let's hope it's a trend and not a blip.
Really doesn't look like a traditional wagon shape. Guess this is as close as we are going to get from Toyota though.
Recently purchased a Mazda CX-50. It's very wagon-like IMHO. Maybe on the smaller side, but still...
No.
@@bbennett40agreed, coming from an owner of a CX 50. To me it’s like a sport wagon!😁
7.1 seconds 0-60 is VERY GOOD, especially considering its curb weight. I’d take this all day for highway passing usability.
It’s an ECVT! Really quite different than a say Nisan CVT. More reliable because of the electric motors built into the transmission itself self.
Owned probably a dozen station wagons. So the Crown may be my next car. Being an old guy I drove several Buicks with Dynaflow, a no shift transmission like the CVT and I personally liked them. My last two cars have had CVT’s. I don’t care about 0 to 60 I just want smoothness.
I'm curious as to why you or anyone else brings up performance figures on anything else but a high performance vehicle? Who cares? When would those numbers ever matter to the person buying this? They're not going to race with anyone, maybe commute to work, get groceries or go on a road trip. If it does that well with great reliability and fuel economy then that's all that matters. No wonder the car industry is out of control with soft touch everywhere, the simplest functions are all high tech and every vehicle loaded with nanny aids making people worse drivers. The prices are skyrocketing, everything is measured in horsepower and performance numbers and gadgets instead of what it was meant to do.
I do care for the price. And this thing is a dog
Because ain't nobody wanting to drive a car that goes 0-60 in 10 seconds or something ridiculous like that, especially prices that are over $20k.
Totally agree. But it's an 'murican thing. Even the car that does the school runs have to do 0-60 in 5 seconds. Otherwise it's too slow for stop and go traffic...
@@addanametocontinue But this does it in 7something. On the quicker side of just normal performance.
Absolutely who care 0 to 60?
It's not a CVT it is a hybrid power split device that uses planetary gears. Extremely reliable.
Not sure that I've seen any of your reviews before, but I like the format...very quick but you hit all the important points. Although, as others have pointed out, I don't think the eCVT is the deal breaker you mentioned, I do appreciate that you stated what kind of value is here with the Crown Signia when compared to other SUVs that are similarly equipped. I think you're the only one I've see who didn't say it was too expensive! This car is on my short list for next year.
The fact that this car is built in Japan vs the USA or Mexico should be celebrated more. The build quality will be phenomenal compared to North American built Toyotas
I have a Toyota with the sof-tex material, and I think it feels great. Very soft and comfortable. I've had leather seats before, and I don't feel like I'm settling for something that's less, just different. 🤷🏻♂️
I'll buy one when the Platinum trim comes out with the Hybrid Max powertrain. I love wagons but I love power too.
Many of us are THRILLED to see another wagon on the market.🥳🥳🥳🥳 I have only one substantial gripe: Instead of the gimmicky rear seat extenders, a traditional 40/20/40 rear seat would have made this Signia ideal for carrying skis and other long cargo. Adding a reclining and sliding feature would make that second row even better. 😉
Absolutely
I have no idea why these reviewers are so against the E-CVTs. They are not the same as regular CVTs.
Right, the extenders don't actually add to the cargo space. Might be ok for me as a tall guy if I decided to nap/sleep in the back, but when's the last time I even thought about doing that?
@@johncorman8715 I really don't know what they were thinking. Those flaps are a flop.
Always fun to watch your review, MotoMan. Be well.
My pleasure!
Motoman…you made me laugh out load 2 times during the review. The breathing through a wet towel and the Subaru comment were so perfect.
Sadly the wife and I just traded in our 2012 Outback with 205,000 miles for a Trailsport Pilot. The old Outback never left us stranded but after driving the Pilot I do not miss it.
Your videos are great…never stop being you.
That transmission is from the Highlander. It is there precisely for the reason of being able to move the weight plus the towing capacity. It is a tried and true tranny. I really hope you read the comments and realize that in the future you need to do more background research prior to shooting.
Love wagons, will buy one sure, M3 touring is my favorite car model . Dude it's a ECVT not a belt-chain CVT like in any other car, has lots of low end torque
Sir, do you not understand that Toyota's eCVT is nothing like a standard belt CVT? It's one of the most reliable automatic transmissions out there, if not the most.
The evidence of him mislabeling it every time in his review he apparently does not because there is indeed a big distinction between the two which are quite different transmissions explained well by the ace Toyota technician over at the car care nut channel.
Correct.
@@jonathanratliff4780His ignorance is bigger than this wagon. Not acknowledging it in anyone's reply shows. At least drop a note in the comments section acknowledging it.
Looks really nice- remove some of the shiny black cladding and it would be even better. Great review as always!
Love the styling. One issue: luxury cars don’t have 240hp. Especially when they weigh 4200lbs.
Have to agree.
The luxury comes from the fact that it gets almost 40mpg and the powertrain can last a long time with 0 zero issues
1000% I briefly considered this as my next vehicle replacement but the powertrain was definitely a downgrade. The power to weight ratio vs cost is just not there.
@@RayanMADAODebatable. Toyota is having a lot of QC issues as of late (Tundra is a dumpster fire) and the recent scandals in Japan are uncovering a reality many Toyota fanboys and apologists don’t want to acknowledge.
@@RayanMADAO what you’re describing is an economy car such as a Yaris or Prius. Don’t get me wrong, the reason Lexus is my favorite luxury brand is because of their reliability. But their performance is nowhere near the performance of German cars.
I wish the XLE had cloth seats. Most people I now that have softex don't like it. I prefer fabric. More comfortable and wears like iron compared to leather.
It’s real leather
@@stevennevins6643 just as bad as softex. I like cloth seats ....
@motomantv I agree that the Hybrid Max drivetrain would be better for this car (when it weighs 4200lbs) but in this application, the transmission *is* the electric motors + planetary. It's not "connected to a CVT". The Hybrid Max would lose about 10mpg, and infringe on Lexus products.
Sadly, very few reviewers truly understand how modern vehicles work (even worse: they think they do).
The other thing is how much the Max would add to the price of this car. Already I see commenters wincing at the high sticker cost.
@@michaels3003Alex on Auto knows.
@@johncorman8715$9k plus dealer mark up will kill any enthusiasm for this car. I'll keep my Venza.
You should watch the Car Guy Nuts review, he talks about the transmission used in the signa ... its very STOUT
GR Crown wagon please?
Bring on the wagons! GR Corolla Wagon, WRX wagon, GTI Wagon, all of them!
I want a GR Prius for the memes.
You have a better chance to learn a skill set, makes jlot of money and buy an Audi RS6 wagon then get any of these mentioned in the US.
@jml9550 Actually, I'll have a better chance of just waiting for the 25 year import rule LOL
I have been after my contacts @ VW to bring over a wagon that already exists: The Golf R Wagon. They are absolutely missing the boat on that one. They already sell EVERY Golf R they can make - to the kind of people that would buy an E63 wagon if they could afford it - and still nada. They could bring that car over, sell it for US$60,000 and still not be able to build enough!
@@stevemartegani haha never thought about that. I will tell you I have seen a few Nissan Skyline R34 on the road, right hand drive
A Venza that now costs $9k more. Price on this is ridiculous. Just no.
Yeah it should start around 37.
Then there's dealer mark up. Dealers will kill this car before it's properly introduced to the public. Watch. Just like EV's, Chevy Trucks Tundra and Tacomas sitting on their lots for 6 months to a year because of insane mark ups.
@@venictosYou couldn’t produce anything close to this for $37k and make a profit.
EXACTLY! They killed a great car, because they didn't advertise and 2nd they didn't produce enough for the dealers to even have one. ... And lastly they killed the Venza to make room for the Crown .. chubby Venza
@@billshoe22191 This is another Honda Crosstour.
We have a CRV now and one of the best things about it is getting in and out of it. It's not to low or too high...How easy is this to get in and out of?
GREAT presentation-you kept it simple and made things easier to understand. One suggestion for ALL of your reviews is to mention horsepower and torque in foot pounds and WHEN max torque is delivered. Beemers feel powerful because of a lot of things but max torque is delivered in the 1500-1900 RPM range which is almost instantly from a stop. If max torque is delivered over 3000 RPMs, that vehicle will feel almost sluggish. This is my viewing of your work and I've subscribe.
Now it's just down to color choice for me - I'm all in.
Not an appealing vehicle for practicalities! I better stay put with my 2022 Toyota hybrid Rav 4 Adventure as my Rav 4 is more practical, very fast, spacious, best gas mileage, very comfortable & allows me for off roading. This Signia is nothing near a Rav 4 and on top this tiny Signia is way too expensive. I can't act as a fool and allow myself to buy such a compact station wagon for such an exorbitant price. We need a vehicle that will give us everything for an affordable price. So, I'm sorry if an offending other when I say that this is nothing near my Rav 4 Hybrid Adventure. Guys, you want a powerful, robust, high fuel efficient, good for off roading, fast, capable of allowing you to bring loads or tons of stuffs, then take your hard-earned money & go for a Toyota Rav 4 Hybrid. Why the heck would Toyota want to bring such a vehicle when the Rav 4 is already out there? At times, technology just gets people crazy about wanting to buy a new product just because it's full of tech! Not all vehicles loaded with technology out there are worth your every penny. Beware, don't get into that trap. I didn't like Chinese vehicles as hearing people saying don't go for Chinese vehicles as they aren't worth & that got me very curious & this year, I bought myself the Haval H6 Hybrid. To my greatest surprise, it's a very reliable vehicle, high on fuel efficiency, very spacious interior, boot is cavernous & it's already 3 months since I bought it, I must say that I have started loving it as it's very practical, very smooth, fully loaded with new technologies but, I have still kept my Toyota Rav 4 Adventure Hybrid as it's a little bit smaller & my wife loves the Rav 4. So, I have got both the Chinese compact SUV and the Japanese compact SUV. If I compare both, I'll say that the Haval H6 is the winner as it's more sophisticated compared to the Rav 4, bigger with more cargo areas, plenty of leg rooms, no roaring sound when you press on the gas pedal compared to the Rav 4. It has everything to please you. It's now my daily driven car.
My honest opinion?
It's a tiny RV
With this and a gym membership you can live indefinitely in one.
The holes in the panels are for reaching into the laundry baskets in the footwells that hold food and drinks on one side and clothing along with your shower kit on the other.
With home prices out of reach this is the next best thing.
😂😂😂😂👍👍👍
I had to watch motoman first. He brings it like no other!
MotoMan, a suggestion. If you want us to take your videos seriously, I suggest you do a little research on the eCVT transmission. It is similar to a CVT transmission in name only. Further, 0-60 in 7.1 seconds, would 7 seconds have satisfied you?
How quiet is it in the second row?
Great review MotoMan! I think this vehicle looks amazing and the hybrid fuel economy is impressive. It's too bad Toyota isn't offering these in more models/specs. They could have the hybrid max version, and perhaps even an outdoorsy version with matte black cladding and trail-worthy tires. Having said that, I'm guessing the majority of people will opt for the hybrid. In Canada we get even less choices - only the limited! Hopefully it sells well and they bring more options in the future.
I would LOVE to do Uber in a Crown Signia, especially for airport trips, but that price tag is just... Wow... I can barely manage a 2024 Nissan Kicks. I doubt I'd be able to make enough doing Uber to afford a Signia, and if I COULD afford a Signia, I'd probably just get a regular Crown Limited at that point. Best case scenario, is the Signia might make a great middle/upper-middle class family car.
I have been thinking about buying one of these. Waiting for the next year production.
I would totally jump on it if they had a different engine :/
It’s pretty much what I’m looking for but I wouldn’t mind a sportier engine that wasn’t a cvt.
Being a hybrid is good though, I do like that a lot
It's an eCVT. All good efficiency oriented hybrids are CVT.
The 2 electric motors in the front aren't "strapped to a CVT". They *are* the CVT. It's a very clever system Toyota has been making since the second gen Prius.
Wish it had the 2.4L powerplant from the Crown sedan. Kinda follows the history of wagons in America. Only available with the slowest engine, least desirable transmission, much of the tech is missing, and costs more than the sedan. Then manufacturers conclude that Americans don't want wagons. Only Subaru and Volvo can sell wagons because they're the only ones that treat wagons as first class products.
The world of wagons in the US has changed considerably since the rise of SUVs. The situation you describe, yes, true up to the 90s, changed as wagons started to disappear and the only models that sold were the exact opposite: The US$150,000 500+ HP German something or other. Not complaining about those but would I see an opportunity at more reasonable prices as proven by the Outback.
@MotoManTV There have been other "attempts". The Acura TSX Wagon wasn't available with the manual, had the previous gen infotainment, and couldn't get remote start. The Buick Regal TourX (Opel Insignia) couldn't get the V6. The VW Golf Sportwagen only had AWD on the base model, but even that was dropped when the Tiguan was introduced; the Euro version had a 2,000 kg tow rating, but the American version specifically did not allow towing (and had a few other compromises I don't remember).
You get it! I still may get one, but I'd be putting down a deposit today if it had the Hybrid Max system. Not that I have anything against this system, my daily is a 2023 Camry Hybrid and my wife's is a RAV4 XSE (hybrid). I just want something that goes as good as this thing looks.
Long time Toyota fan, love those Crown taxis in Japan, but realized that you can get a nicely equipped Acura MDX with a V6 and North American elbow room for similar money as this Signia.
Not nearly as much mpg.
Acura is accurately missing the mark by not offering a hybrid option.
Still not available for sale in Canada, should have been available by now... I hope not a limited supply. I would love if it was available as plugin version too like in Japan.
The RXh starts at $52k Crown Signia maxes out at $50k so top-end Signia competes directly with base model RXh. Also in many parts of the US you will be hard-pressed to find a Crown Signia for MSRP Toyota dealers love to put all kinds of stupid add-ons on their cars pushing the price up. I
If this vehicle came with the Hybrid MAX Powertrain at the price points mentioned I would still struggle justifying the additional monies required over top of the 41K that could secure a Subaru Outback XT Limited.
Also the way this vehicle implements its CVT would drive me crazy. That drone.
Impressive MPGs though.
Had one Subie Outback oil burner. Never again.
@@BlackMan614 Had my previous one for 10 years, no oil burn.
@@cheapercharlie That is because it only affected certain years, duh. It was rampant and despite class action lawsuits, Subaru acted in bad faith and can never be trusted.
@@BlackMan614 If it only impacted certain years why the never again?
@@cheapercharlie They know/knew of the issue, yet failed to do anything about it. Literally saying until the FTC forces them to recall - they won't. Knowing full-well, recalls are 90% done voluntarily.
Then, they quietly settle the class action lawsuits making sure the consumer gets nothing - only the law firms. These are deceptive business practices and I refuse to deal with corporation who treat customers the way they do.
Plus... have you looked at the prices of Outbacks? You can get better cars for the price they are asking - like this Toyota!!
You had me at "Made in Japan". The fact that it's still cheaper than a Kia Smelluride is just icing on the cake.
I think it’s great but really wish they had the macadamia color interior as option as the do in the sedan.
XLE isn't a "bargain basement cheap seats" trim level for Toyota, it's just the lowest trim level this comes in. Also, leather seating surfaces are common on higher trim Toyotas, such as the XSE Camry.
And not just the XSE Camry but the also the more luxurious XLe Camry
You would think Toyota would have had gas installed lift struts for the hood, Come on Toyota.
I'm okay without one. One more thing to replace eventually.
Motorman, I know it feels like driving a cvt but it is not a cvt. It is a planetary wheel system connecting the electric motors with the ICE engine
Toyota should really change the name. They've created a new system; stop hindering it by using the E-CVT moniker.
I will be in the market for a new vehicle in about a year. I am not a huge fan of driving a hybrid but admittedly I haven’t driven one in about 6 years. Hopefully this smoother than the 2005 Prius that we had at work for a loaner car.
Doesn't it have an eCVT? The first gear is actually a gear used with an electric motor to get the vehicle up to speed, then the CVT part of the transmission kicks in. That gives great initial pickup and less wear and tear on the "cone" when in full flight, if you will.
Wow, and you get the bonus of no spare tire instead a tire inflation repair kit. 😂😂😂
To be fair, this has become common practice in many newer automobiles.
Ordered mine today.
Long time follower of this channel and love George's reviews. Love wagons but not sure about this one.
At 2:00, George tells us that the car weighs 4,210 lbs or just over 2,900 kgs. He meant to save 1,900 kgs. Yeah, it's heavy but it's not THAT heavy.
Absolutely love the exterior/station wagon look…drove it today…disappointing…feels so small from the cockpit with the low roofline and high center console (some prefer that)…don’t understand the glass roof bar that goes across the top…it’s right in the way of the driver so you feel like you have an 8 inch window…Thought the engine was a little loud…If i were to get it, would prefer the XLE with the tech package, but you can’t get that…car does feel heavy…overall, it should be cheaper. The exterior is all new, but everything inside is from the Toyota parts bin…Should be a 40k car loaded, not 50+…for 50+, you’d be better off getting a mini-van…very bummed…had such high expectations after seeing all the reviews talking about how it’s a Lexus for 10k less…it’s not…
@Motoman, everyone will cross-shop the crown-wagon with an entry level RX350 AWD, or Highlander... American's "need" their SUV's.
Anecdotally, wife's Q5 lease ended and we cross-shopped the RX350 with GV80... We ended up with the RX. (This is coming from a BMW X5 50e owner).
Still waiting patiently for your review of the X5 50e. TY
HUGE shift! Intrigued to learn what factors led to an RX over a German SUV. Not certain what I can tell you - other than no yet in the LA fleet - that you don't already know:)
@@MotoManTV math was very simple…
Wife has 0 interest in dynamics. She wanted comfort and reliability. Our goal was to buy the Q5 after the lease term ended. But the numbers didn’t add up.
We decided to choose a vehicle for her with a better residual at lease end. (My plan is buy out the RX after 3 years since she barely drives 7,000/yr.
She wanted an appliance, I obliged lol.
@@blazinmark1 Good! More money down the road for your 911.
@@MotoManTV ❤️
The perfect CPO commuter car. 3 years old, 15 k miles , owned by a retiree for $ 20,000.
lol take a look at how much cpo toyotas go for at 15k miles. maybe 20% drop, and with hybrids it's like a 10% drop at most.
@@vzhickok Maybe a Corolla or a Camry. The Crown? Not so much lol. Nobody wants that pretzel of a car.
🙋🏽♀️ Goldilocks here🙋🏽♀️ can you help a girl out? I’ve been searching high and low for the perfect replacement. I’ve been driving two very comfortable vans for over 17 years now and I am about to escape! time for a new ride.!
The RAV4 is too loud, the Venza might be too small, and the Highlander might be just right 🤷🏽♀️ or maybe… the Crown?!
Is it really possible that I have been waiting for damn near 20 years to get out of a van only to step into a wagon? !!!! 😮
Mr. motor man I need your help!!! I am debating between the Crown Signia and one of the Highlanders. I’m not sure what trim would be equal to the crown sign. And comfort and quietness. You know?
I know I know I know you want us to buy the wagon! Build it and they will come !!! Apparently because I had no intention on looking at a wagon for Christ sake!!!
This one came out too late. Was looking for a wagon and would have strongly considered this one. Given all options I went with a sedan instead.
I didn't like the Crown sedan (it sits too high) but could've lived with that in a wagon. I hope the crown signia will still be around when I buy my next car
I test drove it and I'd actually just prefer XLE. Moonroof doesn't open. 21-inch wheel has a weird tire size. Other techy stuffs are nice but not a gamechanger.
Would like to see a heads up display
I’d be sold if it had a little more ground clearance for snow and soft roading.
Agree TOTALLY! My bad knees stop me from driving a sedan because to get in and to get out is a real not pretty effort. Whereas in an SUV I will sit higher and I can get in and out rather comfortably. And THAT is the only reason why it breaks my heart to pass on this Crown Signia.
filmed a few mintues from my home! What shoes are those?
Wow, you can really see it in the footage. Despite how Toyota tried to style this, it looks like a wagon. It's longer, narrower and lower than any SUV I've seen.
Now its odd how different they made the Cignia look to the Crown, considering the whole point of Crown being a one car multiple forms type deal.
And considering the CVT, I think its possible to program it more like a "premium" transmission vs replace it; Toyota's whole hybrid system depends on that kind of system. If they went traditional transmission it would just go back to the Aisen 8 speed, which isn't all that impressive on its own.
Other OEMs - particularly premium OEMs - have proven they can make a hybrid more 'performance' oriented. That is what this model needs - at least a variant. And they already have the powertrain in a similar version of this car - (th-cam.com/video/YUZRuepCkV0/w-d-xo.html) and it better fits the mission and personality of this car.
@@MotoManTV ah I see, that does sound more desirable in the Crown.
2:22 - I believe you meant *one* thousand nine hundred kilograms (~4200 lb). Or... those with the metric system will get a ton of the extra weight for free! ;)
PS
I miss station wagons too...
I can't believe someone checked him on that...good job!
I just posted the same thing. Living anywhere but in the US, hearing 2900 kgs certainly pricks up the ears.
Strapped to a CVT? you're wrong here, its an E-CVT and its completely different from a conventional CVT.
Beggars can't be choosers, and with only* 6.7" of ground clearance they did technically give us a wagon via the golf alltrak/Buick Regal TourX/ route. The current outback "wagon" is pumped up to over 8".
That said i already gave VW guff for making the id7 "sedan" have a ride height somewhere between 5.9" and 6.3" (how is this still unconfirmed?). And a full GR version lowered to 4.5" would be a fun choice
It doesn’t matter because VW has put an indefinite hold on the ID.7 to sell it in North America. VW EVs are not selling well and the VW dealer network is pushing back on these dogs that don’t sell well. Sad they discontinued the Arteon 1 year earlier for the supposed intro of the ID.7 which in the end never happened😂. Now VW has no sedan left other than the Mexican made Jetta.
Topgun fast station wagon 💨
Stunning fuel economy ⛽️
Near perfect ergonomics 😮
Incredible E-CVT ✅
Nobody cares about 0-60 unless you’re on a drag strip or you want speeding tickets. Less talk real world usage for the intended target market. 😣
Sir, please research the vehicle before you make so many commentary errors. 😣
Thank you for the review. I am soon to be an empty nester (youngest off to college in the fall). I currently drive a 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited which lease ends Summer of 26. I like the Jeep but thinking of something sportier that is around $50-$55K. I can't get an EV since I live in Manhattan and don't have access to chargers so this cold be a good compromise. Not loving the CVT though.
Congratulations on getting the last one closer to off the payroll:)
For those who care, 4200 lbs is 1900 kg (not 2900 kg!).
Interesting enough, I didn't take away anything that was useful but just a bunch of hate for this vehicle. I drove in a station wagon and this is no station wagon. Wow the cheap seats, people still have to spend good money for what you call the cheap seats. I hope your other videos are better than this.
I believe this is an e-CVT--very different transmission than a normal CVT. See Ahmed's review on Car Care Nut. This is looking very good as a replacement for my wife's tired XC60.
I drove one. Very buzzy engine that drones. Otherwise I like the car.
8:00 What a shame. Not surprised given most ppl are sheep given they have no thoughts of their own. Personally id love some fabrics back into interiors. Patterns, textures, but FABRIC yes. Leather absolutely. Ive never been keen on the leatherette products from any brand. Meh. Automakers are missing out on these ideas. Here is the rub for those "focus groups" Just because you gave them options doesn't mean they wouldn't pick fabric if you did it right and showed them. At this point in time you think fabric in cars you go to the 80's and say ew. That was 50 years ago!
Thanks for reminding us that the 80s was so long ago:)
Why no tinted glass ??
How does it compare to the Volvo wagons? Those are much closer in price point than the Audi or Mercedes-Benz.
Not a CVT. eCVT. There is a difference. It is THE most reliable transmission currently in existence. These are already being discounted and if sales don’t pick up they should be available at great deals in one year. Many Americans may be label conscious and step up to Lexus. This is my next car if wife approves.
To be clear, this car's transaxke is an E-CVT, not a belt-drive CVT. Specifically, it is the Toyota P-810, the same E-CVT that is used in the Sienna, Highlander Hybrid, and Rav4 Prime. I wish car reviewers would be specific about this, and not say "CVT" when the car has an E-CVT.
If it was anything other than a Toyota eCVT it would be a deal breaker. That being said Toyota makes the most reliable CVT transmission and the marriage with the 2.5 should be reliable enjoyment for years to come.
my main gripe is with the over-engineered CVT. Just give it a normal transmission, and it's worlds better
Is this the new Ferrari SUV?
The Signia is on my shopping list partly due to its planetary gear transmission. If they offered it with a conventional transmission I would scratch it off my list.
5:55 sheesh that sound fx scared the beejezus outta me
Interesting if heavy wagon-like Toyota, but he limited's 21" wheels makes it NW Pothole food, unfortunately. As for dislike of Outback (couldn't find any review here stating exactly what was bad), the next Outback will be longer, wider, also equipped with 20"+ wheels, and AI as part of its driver safety system (" I'm afraid I can't do that, Dave" (nor anyone else)").
Just get a Mazda CX-50 or Subaru Outback. Better value for money. 6:46
I had a 2015 H6 Outback for 150k miles. It was good, but issues cropped up. I drove a 2022 Wilderness for a week, not as good. Mazda CX-50, beautiful vehicle, not as big as this Crown, and it has a twist beam rear axle. All three are decent options, but each a bit different in execution.
Want crown sport
Toyota builds high-quality, nice-looking vehicles at fair prices with good service, but are not great to drive and when you try to please no one! That said I like the way it looks and the features for the price are a good value. But all of the sudden Toyota is falling way short in reliability on certain models, the new Tundra is a disaster and any CVT gives a me pause until it proves it can pass long-term. Great review as always, anything that makes you think or your heart flutters is well worth the time, at least you always make your audience think and evaluate!!
That's a good looking wagon!
Totally agree!
I think I'll stick with the scion xB
That brand was discontinued a while back.
Yea problem always put cool stuff on more expensive models, like wagon is a Crown but not a Camry wagon (corolla cross is a wagon...). I want to row my own gears in a Tacoma yet I have to get at least 4x4 TRD sport.
No tow hitch?
I like the looks of this car, but I hate the feel in the drivers seat…I got to say it is like a boat, I like to see more over the hood…and no I am not short. It is kind of mushy to drive..some people will like this just not me. The sun roof has an unfortunate structural member in the wrong place(should be placed further back(, and why can’t it open? The drive train is uninspired and the transmission feels like …a boat. There should be at least an option for a V6 or even forbid turbo…maybe even put a turbo on the 6… I agree we can use more cars in the shape hybrid or not, they should get at least a little punch and a reliable 8-10 speed transmission. Offer a FWD, not everyone needs AWD.
Toyota should put the 340hp Hybrid Max engine with Direct4 on a sporty TRD version.
I like it. Goes against the grain somewhat. Have to provide options like these to consumers or the car landscape is too full of either boring SUVs or ultra luxe rocket powered ones.
Will be in Europe too? A
I want it!
Interesting and attractive. But….Who’s going to buy it at these prices.
$51,000 before the dealer markup. Toyotas are overpriced.
@@MrWillaquiYou should definitely shop Mitsubishi Or Nissan.
Thank you for a fantastic review. Station wagons are back!? This is a station wagon, it's ground clearance and seating position is too low to be otherwise. I know that the SUV label sales but let's get real, it is what it is and that is nothing to be ashamed of. I liked the Venza, this is bigger, more expensive and less efficient than that but I think it will be well received and should sell well, I may even get one just because I like the practicality and honesty of what it is, don't like that Toyota is marketing it as an SUV, that's not honest.
I'm one hoping for wagon sales to rebound in the US.
I like the e-CVT from Toyota and the drivetrain. However, I don't like the over $50K price, especially when I don't need something so large! It won't fit into my standard two-car garage, because of it's length. NO THANK YOU TOYOTA! I will buy a Venza instead.
Arrivederci SoftTex. I cannot disagree with the decision to jettison the pleather.
Love your reviews however I drive an RX 450 HF sport and it has the best transmission I’ve ever had in an RX. It’s the same one that’s in the Signia. It’s not a CVT. It’s the same kind of transmission that’s in a Prius or any other hybrid Toyota, it’s nothing like the CVTs that Nissan sells or Honda. This transmission is far superior to the eight speed I had in previous RX 350s. oh and by the way, it gets great gas mileage.
An eCVT. Much better, and different, than a CVT.
Hey Ray Romano car guy- bet Deborah loves the wagon!🤣