Toyota RAV4 eCVT transmission - I was wrong and here's why...

In my recent Toyota RAV4 PHEV review I criticised the eCVT transmission. Quite a few of you said I didn't understand how it worked and that is was a really clever and incredibly efficient drive train.

Well it turns out I was wrong and here's why. After reading up on how it works and also living with the car for longer I now totally understand the eCVT. Let me try and explain...

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[MarkDHastingsMusic]

1.) Make a mistake 2.) Admit it 3.) correct it - genius! I hope this idea catches on!

[mlacson]

I have a Highlander Hybrid and I'm an engineer as well and I had the same exact reaction about how eCVT works when I finally understood it...genius! I watched that exact video you recommended about eCVT multiple times to get my head wrapped around it😅. You have to forget the traditional gear box system to fully understand and appreciate this, it is really brilliant.

[robertlefeuvre]

I owned a Camry Hybrid and loved the drivetrain, because it’s variable you feel no shift points. I also like Toyota’s because I worked as an assembly specialist for them and and retired with 31 years. They make great vehicles and treated me well.

[robertshunter]

In addition to my 500hp Audi Q7, and my motorcycles, I also have a Toyota hybrid. As an owner I must say that the use of the 'eCVT' label, by both Toyota and Ford for their planetary torque-split gearboxes, does them a disservice. Everyone sees the 'CVT' part, but very few understand that the 'e' stands for 'emulated'. It eliminates the direct linkage between engine and road speeds, just like a CVT, but is fundamentally different and shares absolutely nothing in common with the CVTs that so many cringe over. I applaud your taking the time to dig deeper, and learn more about how the system really works, as that lousy 'eCVT' label causes far too many to dismiss it out of hand. The Weber Auto recommendation was a fantastic choice, as he does a great job of demystifying planetary torque-split gearboxes. I'd highly recommend people take a look at Weber Auto's full catalog of videos to learn more about what makes their car work. 👍

[acerforge]

Thanks for clearing that up. Perhaps the most impressive thing about this powertrain is that the electronics control both the engine and the transmission in every detail and the result is not just excellent fuel efficiency but also a very rewarding driving experience with a lot of flexibility left in the drivers control. As well as Weber's excellent explanation of the transmission there is also plenty of material about the highly sophisticated engine design which is itself a hybrid supporting both Atkinson cycle principles and more conventional operation as required. The electronics allow all these variations to operate seamlessly and the driver gets instantaneous response to the accelerator pedal.

[Kyle-ogng]

Great explanation! Toyota has really perfected the eCVT and reliable transmissions in general. All the misleading biased information about 'CVTs' comes from the lack of execution from other brands *cough* nissan. When you omit the belts and cones and replace those bits with a metal planetary gear set the rules change and Toyota has single handedly brought back the charm of what a true e CVT can be.

[alanjohnson]

As a former engineer I found this fascinating, very well explained and informative, well done.

[royholzmann]

Finally! Congratulations! You understand it now and admit you had it wrong in the first review. So many of your “professional” colleague reviewers still don’t understand it, only because they don’t take the time to really understand it. It just don’t fit their idea/concept how a car should sound and work.
This makes your reviews so much more trustworthy. You have gained a subscriber. Thank you and keep on making these great video’s!

[Martinko_Pcik]

I appreciate your humility to acknowledge you didn't know enough in the previous review and instead of being defensive learned something new and shared it with others. Great explanation.

[ericb]

I’m 74 years and your video made me smile…..
When I was 18 years I made a cycletour through Holland, the Netherlands. In the province Friesland impetus a young couple with a DAF ( Dafodle), I believe that this was its name. That car had a CVT and DAF Eindhoven, from the van Doorn family, was the first CVT car in Holland and Europa..
It’s nice to see you so enthusiastic about the choice Toyota made with this car.. I will follow you because I like your style..

[richardllewellyn]

I enjoyed your first video on the RAV4 - thank you. I had already driven one but was concerned about the CVT transmission. I read loads about it and this morning took out another for a test drive for 2 hours specifically to come to terms with how it works. Like you, once I 'got it' it wasn't an issue at all - it's just a change of mindset about how the car is working. It really is very clever. Thanks for putting up this second video and for explaining how you have adjusted to it. Full marks for revisiting the CVT issue. I've just ordered a RAV4 as a result of my drives and your clear videos have been a real help. Thanks again.

[markification]

I also watch videos on WeberAuto and it is explained there perfectly...the problem is that people simply refuse to understand the eCVT drive because they have been technically connected to a classic drive with a classic gearbox for decades...but this system works completely differently than a classic combustion engine with automatic gearbox. ...they don't understand it so they refuse it...if you understand this system you start to love it...what amazes me personally about this system is its absolute simplicity...when I technically compare it with DSG it is like the sun and the rainfall...

[AltaHangman]

I’ve been driving Toyota hybrids for the last 16 years including the last 10 months with a RAV4 Prime. It’s good to see you correct your understanding of the hybrid drive system, thank you. One small nitpick, the mg2 alone will only power the car to 84 mph not 124 mph.

[reinmansmith]

This is why your channel will continue to grow… full credit to you for coming back and re-visiting this car (and drivetrain) with the benefit of hindsight and a few thousand miles of driving 👍 Very few reviewers would ..…. I knew once you looked into it you would appreciate the engineering and efficiency of this drivetrain which most reviewers fail to see. Like you I have grown to be really impressed by the smoothness and brilliant fuel economy of this system but I think it takes more than a quick drive to appreciate it. When you also take into account the long term maintenance cost benefits of no starter motor or alternator, it is a brilliant piece of design and gives you a comfortable family sized SUV with the running costs of a small hatchback, as a daily driver I think it’s hard to beat 😊 (hope you survived the storm intact 👍)

[roymchardy]

Good on you for properly reviewing an eCVT vehicle. Too many reviewers do not know how it works including one American who claimed the new Prius did not accelerate quickly enough, whilst not looking at the speedo, presumably listening to the engine as you might with a manual box.

[robertmackenzie]

Good explanation, been driving Toyota hybrids for a while now . Until you know how they work unlike CVTs of old you come to appreciate how good they are and how clever Toyota are bringing this to market and being successful

[PFW]

It is a great skill to explain the complex in a concise and understandable way, thanks Pete. I’m 2, 500 miles into RAV4 PHEV ownership and loving it. You have to drive in a manner that suites the car, there ‘s no point hustling it. When I switch to my Alpine or Caterham then I have to recalibrate quite a bit!

[alannevin]

Evening all, six months ago I bought a GR Yaris and on an impulse bought a hybrid Yaris too, first impression was this gearbox is weird but once you dive it and get used to it it’s actually not that bad and as a bonus the economy was astounding ! so just traded it in for a new Yaris Cross which is actually a lot quieter… thank god !
Oh and six months later still totally blown away by the GR, can’t stop smiling when I drive it !

[Iberica]

Thanks for your honesty. CVT transmissions have caused confusion with many people who are confused by the engine revs. It does take some time to get used to the way they operate compared with normal gearboxes. The Toyota system is very clever and could well be the direction we need to go during the transition to full EV.
Thanks again, a great video.
Gerry in Australia.

[barryhack]

I have a RAV4 & think its very clever technology and now through your great explanation I know how it works