Your comment "Sadly a CVT" tells me you know nothing about Toyota Hybrids. THEY DO NOT USE BELT STYLE CVTs!!! They use completely GEAR DRIVEN CVTs that are speed adjusted by the rotational speed of one of the electric motors (through a GEAR box) in the FRONT TRANSMISSION. NO BELTS, CONES OR ANY OTHER PARTS FROM A STANDARD CVT!!!!! Which is why they NEVER break!!! My wife and I have decided this car will be the last car we ever buy (in retirement), we just hope it comes out as a plug-in!
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 UA-cam videos showing them apart and you will see how stout they are. I'd say more heavy duty than traditional transmissions.
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.
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?
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'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...
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
@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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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!!
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?
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 - (ua-cam.com/video/YUZRuepCkV0/v-deo.html) and it better fits the mission and personality of this car.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
@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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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)").
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.
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.
Please educate yourself on the difference between CVT and ECVT transmissions. They're not the same. ECVT transissions have no belts, no chains. Just planetary gears and electric motors.
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.
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
E-CVT is all planetary gears and electric motors not the rubber bands of normal CVTS. Lots of UA-cam videos showing them apart and you will see how stout they are. I'd say more heavy duty than traditional transmissions.
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!!
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.
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.
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.
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!
A CVT and an eCVT are mechanically nothing alike except that they are variable transmissions. Repeat nothing. I can not understand why people in this review business seem to lack an understanding of vehicle mechanics.
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.
The difference between this and your beloved German wagons is that for those of us who keep our vehicles, buying a BMW or Audi is a crapshoot. German cars should be leased, not bought. The Toyota will deliver service long after that Audi has lost a cylinder and now needs a new engine.
I can’t believe they still do fake leather in Lexus cars. What a blasphemy especially when this looks better now than some of the lexus SUVs interior and exterior . This car is so close to perfect if it was just a hair faster at its price or even sold at Lexus you’d get the better dealer experience
This guy jabbers a lot and misses some key points. I test drove the Crown Signia Limited last week. PROS: The external styling and paint is very good; the front seat is very good - best seat in Toyota I’ve ever tried; car is fast enough and visibility is quite good. CONS: the price in CA was $57000 with that tech package; the rear seats don’t adjust for angle and have a flat, mediocre feel; the motor is fairly noisy on acceleration; the Glass roof significantly reduces headroom, and the white car’s all black interior was gloomy. I later saw the lower priced XLE model in Bronze Age color with tan seats and door panels. No glass roof, it was $46400. Still pricey because CA tax and registration will approach $4500. My remaining concern are the headlights. I have scheduled an night drive this week and I will determine whether the low-mounted headlights are adequate. Overall so far I would rate the styling an A, the interior a B+, the driver’s seat an A-, the drive train an A-, the rear seats a C, the glass roof a C-. If the headlights prove below average in coverage and intensity that will be a dealbreaker and I will be looking at a Mazda CX-70 or a Lexus.
@@Tritonal92 I agree and I like a lot but unfortunately we’re not getting the Crown here in Australia. We’ve had a 2002 Camry wagon (ex-Coca Cola reps car) replaced at 650kms by a 2007 Camry sedan which is still in daily use today. Great machines.
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.
Your comment "Sadly a CVT" tells me you know nothing about Toyota Hybrids. THEY DO NOT USE BELT STYLE CVTs!!! They use completely GEAR DRIVEN CVTs that are speed adjusted by the rotational speed of one of the electric motors (through a GEAR box) in the FRONT TRANSMISSION. NO BELTS, CONES OR ANY OTHER PARTS FROM A STANDARD CVT!!!!! Which is why they NEVER break!!! My wife and I have decided this car will be the last car we ever buy (in retirement), we just hope it comes out as a plug-in!
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 UA-cam videos showing them apart and you will see how stout they are. I'd say more heavy duty than traditional transmissions.
ua-cam.com/video/O61WihMRdjM/v-deo.htmlsi=MfeEucFIhcd3vCLS yep
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.
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.
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.
I'll buy one when the Platinum trim comes out with the Hybrid Max powertrain. I love wagons but I love power too.
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'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?
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
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
Wow, and you get the bonus of no spare tire instead a tire inflation repair kit. 😂😂😂
Always fun to watch your review, MotoMan. Be well.
My pleasure!
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 ....
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.
Looks really nice- remove some of the shiny black cladding and it would be even better. Great review as always!
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.
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.
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.
@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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!!
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?
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.
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 - (ua-cam.com/video/YUZRuepCkV0/v-deo.html) and it better fits the mission and personality of this car.
@@MotoManTV ah I see, that does sound more desirable in the Crown.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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
For those who care, 4200 lbs is 1900 kg (not 2900 kg!).
I think it’s great but really wish they had the macadamia color interior as option as the do in the sedan.
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.
@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 ❤️
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.
5:55 sheesh that sound fx scared the beejezus outta me
Want crown sport
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.
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.
An eCVT. Much better, and different, than a CVT.
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…
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)").
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.
Strapped to a CVT? you're wrong here, its an E-CVT and its completely different from a conventional CVT.
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.
That's a good looking wagon!
Totally agree!
Like my real Venza from 2013 not the last one Rav4 jacked
Please educate yourself on the difference between CVT and ECVT transmissions. They're not the same. ECVT transissions have no belts, no chains. Just planetary gears and electric motors.
Why no tinted glass ??
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:)
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
How does it compare to the Volvo wagons? Those are much closer in price point than the Audi or Mercedes-Benz.
That dash looks a lot like last gen Hyundai Palisade.
or best in class. impressive in so many ways.
@@cbotten106 yes, that was a compliment for Toyota
Will be in Europe too? A
I want it!
E-CVT is all planetary gears and electric motors not the rubber bands of normal CVTS. Lots of UA-cam videos showing them apart and you will see how stout they are. I'd say more heavy duty than traditional transmissions.
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!!
Is this the new Ferrari SUV?
I think I'll stick with the scion xB
That brand was discontinued a while back.
Hyundai Kia EVs are light years ahead of BMW BENZ and AUDI
Worth $38k
Totally agree!
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.
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.
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.
filmed a few mintues from my home! What shoes are those?
Too expensive. Wouldn't pay over 35k. Overinflated car market.
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:)
Toyota should put the 340hp Hybrid Max engine with Direct4 on a sporty TRD version.
A CVT and an eCVT are mechanically nothing alike except that they are variable transmissions. Repeat nothing. I can not understand why people in this review business seem to lack an understanding of vehicle mechanics.
MB E450 AT owner supports this vehicle.
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.
The difference between this and your beloved German wagons is that for those of us who keep our vehicles, buying a BMW or Audi is a crapshoot. German cars should be leased, not bought. The Toyota will deliver service long after that Audi has lost a cylinder and now needs a new engine.
Arrivederci SoftTex. I cannot disagree with the decision to jettison the pleather.
No go. I'll keep my Outback.
Make crown signia 38-40k and we'll buy it🤷🏼♂️
Seems like a wagon to me , and I do like that! The Japan version has a race car version.... bring to USA
I really need a PRIME PHEV variant of this, Toyota. Build it and I’ll shut up and give you my money.
I can’t believe they still do fake leather in Lexus cars. What a blasphemy especially when this looks better now than some of the lexus SUVs interior and exterior . This car is so close to perfect if it was just a hair faster at its price or even sold at Lexus you’d get the better dealer experience
I like the way the car has a red nose and is ready for red nose day 2025.
I like the message
They should have an LE trim in the mid 30s
Wagons are so much better than suvs.
1,000% agree!
@@MotoManTVI was in Lucerne, Switzerland two weeks ago…wagons everywhere.
If they add power it will sell much more among the younger generation... As it sits it only going to appeal to an older retired demographic
I hope they bring the crown sport. And ditch the cvt. Lol.
This guy jabbers a lot and misses some key points. I test drove the Crown Signia Limited last week. PROS: The external styling and paint is very good; the front seat is very good - best seat in Toyota I’ve ever tried; car is fast enough and visibility is quite good. CONS: the price in CA was $57000 with that tech package; the rear seats don’t adjust for angle and have a flat, mediocre feel; the motor is fairly noisy on acceleration; the Glass roof significantly reduces headroom, and the white car’s all black interior was gloomy. I later saw the lower priced XLE model in Bronze Age color with tan seats and door panels. No glass roof, it was $46400. Still pricey because CA tax and registration will approach $4500. My remaining concern are the headlights. I have scheduled an night drive this week and I will determine whether the low-mounted headlights are adequate. Overall so far I would rate the styling an A, the interior a B+, the driver’s seat an A-, the drive train an A-, the rear seats a C, the glass roof a C-. If the headlights prove below average in coverage and intensity that will be a dealbreaker and I will be looking at a Mazda CX-70 or a Lexus.
need the turbo hybrid in this with 400 lbft torque so it'll be a semi hot wagon
I still wish that it was a plug-in hybrid
no spare tire?
Does it have a spare tire???
No
Let’s go crazy… Toyota make a GR VERSION !
not even a single crown logo badge at all?
You could buy one if that was a deal breaker.
QUESTION: Why haven’t you reviewed any Subaru’s in more than a decade?
Buy enough of these people and Toyota might just bring back the Camry wagon.
They won't. It'll be redundant.
This IS literally a Camry wagon
@@Tritonal92 I agree and I like a lot but unfortunately we’re not getting the Crown here in Australia. We’ve had a 2002 Camry wagon (ex-Coca Cola reps car) replaced at 650kms by a 2007 Camry sedan which is still in daily use today. Great machines.
Correction: actually read as 1992 & 1997 - but whats in a decade right ? 🤣