JDR76

I agree with this. A CVT in a car without a lot of power just doesn't work for me, as it makes for a noisy racket when the engine is hanging out at high RPMs. But a CVT in a more powerful and refined engine, like a V6, doesn't bother me. The sound at higher RPM is better, and it doesn't need to hang out there so long to get up to speed.

I have driven the Nissan V6 with CVT and it doesn't bother me at all. My Highlander Hybrid with 306 hp and a CVT is completely pleasant.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

But it's not a conventional CVT with a pulley system that gives a 'rubber band effect'. It's an eCVT with a planetary gear set. Honestly ToMoCo needs to STOP calling it eCVT and call it what it is.. a PSD Power Split Device

JDR76

Understood, but personally I still consider it a CVT as though it may achieve it via different means, it is still acts as a variable transmission without defined gears. Just as in a traditional engine mated to a CVT, it will hold the engine at a desired RPM for power, and that's the part that I find acceptable in a refined, powerful motor, but not in an eco-car/engine. That's the point I was trying to make.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Ok, I understand what you're getting at

14RX350

I test drove a Subaru outback 4 cylinder with a cvt and didn't like it. It didn't feel like my maxima did at all. Pretty much like you described it. In the maxima you just didn't notice anything. In the outback you had the loud droning. It just kinda felt like it was at a high rpm and you just kept waiting for that shift that never came. So that's an interesting observation. I hadn't considered that factor.

signdetres

Completely agree. I really enjoyed the drivetrain/power delivery in the few RX450h loaners I've driven. The smoothness and lack of shifting makes for a very pleasant drive and it's responsive when you need it, too.

Kira X

iTrader: (24)

I agree with you on that. We had a nice 99 LS400 get traded in and it was so smooth. It was perfect. Is it the same transmission that the 01-03 LS used as well? I daily drove an 02 LS for a while and really enjoyed the smoothness.

AJT123

Anyone ever driven a Prius with the CVT? LOL my foot was on the floor every time I had to use the gas, just about literally.

Agreed that a more powerful engine will not be so bad, but I still want a transmission that actually shifts gears.

Stroock639

yea i think it is, and then the 6 speed was phased in for the 2004 model... the only thing i wish it did a bit better was hold 1st and 2nd gear a bit longer in PWR mode, sometimes you'll merge onto another street from a stop and want to just GO right then but it's already upshifted, but the LS 400 prioritizes comfort above all else so i kind of understand why it's like that

one thing i love about the E55 transmission is the steering angle is used in the transmission control unit so it doesn't upshift until the wheel is straightened out, very useful since if you put your foot down even slightly too much through a turn the back will majorly step out lol

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

CT200h is pretty much in the same boat

AJT123

Lol that's actually what I was referring to....when I would get one of those at the dealer as a loaner.

You have to floor it to get anything out of it, and even then there is basically nothing.

It's a nice relief to get my LS back which doesn't even need to go above 2100RPM to stay with/beat traffic.

riredale

As others have said, the "CVT" in a Lexus or Prius isn't a belt/pulley system at all, so they are in a whole different category from other car's conventional CVT systems. It's nothing more than a planetary gearset, with the ICE on one shaft and a powerful electric motor (600v!) on the other, and with the third-shaft output going to the wheels. The computer looks at the throttle and determines that the ICE needs to run at a particular rpm to deliver that requested power, then commands the electric motor to spin forwards OR BACKWARDS as needed to allow the ICE to run at the necessary rpms. Totally smooth and bulletproof--the planetary gearset is strong and simple. The Lexus RX hybrid handles 300hp output.

14RX350

Looks like the LS, GS, IS all had that A650E up to 2005. I think those are the cars I'm gonna zone in on, unless anyone thinks otherwise.
The GS might be a nice middle ground for sport/ luxury so I'm leaning towards that.
Do you guys think the LS would be any fun to drive? I understand it's no sports car, but is it enjoyable drive on turns? The ES is fine for me as far as handling. The RX has way too much lean around turns for me though, even when going slow.

patgilm

Loved my 2008 LS600hL transmission. Maybe it was because it had a decent amount of power so it wasn’t like most CVT with a small engine.

SW17LS

If the ES is fine you'll be happy with the LS. The LS430 specifically has no sport in it whatsoever, both the LS400 and the LS460 are a little more dynamic to drive. The 8 speed in the LS460 is fine, but having so many gears it can get a little flummoxed at times,

Personally, I think 5-6 gears is about the best for an automatic transmission. I haven't felt any of these 7,8,9,10 speeds that I liked the shift behavior in.