It's one of the better CVTs that I've driven. Unless you redline it it's fine. It's the price we pay for better MPGs.
CVT, likes & dislikes
I have come to the conclusion I don't care for the CVT. I've gotten so use to the upshifting of a regular transmission I wish the Cross had the 8 speed like the Rav4. I've been trying to keep the RPMS below 4K when starting out during break in period but I end up babying it getting it up to speed.
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I'm glad to hear it's one of the better CVTs you've driven. I'm sure I'll get used to it. I'm so paranoid about over reving during break-in.
I owned a 2020 camry before my corolla cross so you can expect the shock I had daily driving the corolla cross. Aside from the fact that it is my first car with a cvt. After more than a week, I got used to its characteristics as a transmission. No shift points except for the fake ones, just step on the gas then off you go. Perfect for city driving and also for freeway driving if you’re not in a hurry most of the time. jpmccormac is right, with the launch gear it is one of the best cvt trany out there, it gets rid of the initial cvt slow from start feel. The corolla cross is a good vehicle as it is, if Toyota did put the 8 speed trany from the camry/rav4 then it would be a perfect vehicle. But then again, it’s a corolla to begin with so it got the cvt.
I have had rental RAV's with the newer trans and to me it was too jerky. I usually drive stick, but for an automatic, the CVT in the Cross is just fine.
I think the Prius has had a CVT since it was released in 2000. So if any manufacturer should know CVTs it would be Toyota. I read where the Rogue CVT has had multiple problems. I said in a previous comment that I dislike the Cross CVT but I think after I get some miles on it I'll come to like it.
The Prius has an eCVT; the design is different. The driving feel is like a regular CVT without a launch gear but due to its different design, it is more reliable than regular CVTs. It is probably more reliable than conventional transmissions too.
That eCVT, to me is a reason enough to buy the hybrid version of any Toyota-if you can get your hands on them.
That eCVT, to me is a reason enough to buy the hybrid version of any Toyota-if you can get your hands on them.
I agree. The Rv seemed too jerky. Great discription !I have had rental RAV's with the newer trans and to me it was too jerky. I usually drive stick, but for an automatic, the CVT in the Cross is just fine.
If you want to drive a CVT that's a real MESS, drive one of the earlier Jeep Patriot's! The Cross is MUCH better than that one by miles. On the other hand, my Subaru Outback does a slightly better job of impersonating a 6 speed geared automatic than the Cross. But only by a little.
Dave O.
Dave O.
After researching the designs of various belt/chain CVTs over the years & their inherent problems/weaknesses, I personally wouldn't really want to own a vehicle with one. I have no issues with Toyota's eCVT design though (totally different design from a belt/chain CVT), & it's one of the biggest selling points (IMO) to buying a Toyota hybrid over their conventional ICE vehicles & their belt/chain CVTs these days.
Likewise, the modernized design version of the traditional 6-speed automatic that Mazda uses across pretty its entire vehicle line in North America (among other places) is one of the biggest selling points for me on Mazda these days, along with the fact that they have progressed so far in the last ten or so years to be at least on par with Toyota or Honda, if not better in many cases (based on some personal experiences anyway). That's one of many reasons I opted for my Mazda CX-30 CE AWD over a Corolla Cross XLE AWD about a year ago, after comparing both in-person heavily.
Even a popular Toyota mechanic & proponent on YouTube loves Mazda's take on automatic transmissions over what other automakers (including Toyota) are doing. The link below at approx 6:36 into video talks about the transmission design, & he says the same sorts of things on this CX-5 & CX-30 reviews as well.
Likewise, the modernized design version of the traditional 6-speed automatic that Mazda uses across pretty its entire vehicle line in North America (among other places) is one of the biggest selling points for me on Mazda these days, along with the fact that they have progressed so far in the last ten or so years to be at least on par with Toyota or Honda, if not better in many cases (based on some personal experiences anyway). That's one of many reasons I opted for my Mazda CX-30 CE AWD over a Corolla Cross XLE AWD about a year ago, after comparing both in-person heavily.
Even a popular Toyota mechanic & proponent on YouTube loves Mazda's take on automatic transmissions over what other automakers (including Toyota) are doing. The link below at approx 6:36 into video talks about the transmission design, & he says the same sorts of things on this CX-5 & CX-30 reviews as well.
Wow. This is really helpful to know what you experienced. I was looking at the Outbacks before buy the Cross! Do you feel the Outback has a more comfortable driver's seat? Just wondering.If you want to drive a CVT that's a real MESS, drive one of the earlier Jeep Patriot's! The Cross is MUCH better than that one by miles. On the other hand, my Subaru Outback does a slightly better job of impersonating a 6 speed geared automatic than the Cross. But only by a little.
Dave O.
Comfort-wise I'd say they are about the same...but my Outback is almost 8 years old now. Well broken in.Wow. This is really helpful to know what you experienced. I was looking at the Outbacks before buy the Cross! Do you feel the Outback has a more comfortable driver's seat? Just wondering.
The transmission does shift more like a geared one though.
I like them both. Gas mileage is nearly the same...31-33. Outback has more power and room though.
Because it's newer, the Cross has more up to date tech. Well designed in that respect too.
It's also a little quieter.
The Subaru boxer 2.5L motor is a little noisier under load, climbing steep hills and such.
Handling and ride is more refined on the Cross, especially with the AWD and indie rear suspension. Ride-wise the two are fairly similar. How they compare on slick mtn roads I really don't know yet. I don't expect the Cross to be quite the match of the Subaru with "X-Mode". The Outback has become pretty much the primary car of the Rockies...Like 2/3 of all the cars you see mountain-dwellers driving are Outbacks.
I've had zero problems with the Outback in nearly 100k of hard, punishing mountain miles. Hopefully the Cross will serve us as well, and run long and trouble-free (like I've always heard a Toyota should!). The Cross is my first personally owned Toyota. Wife has a company-owned Rav4, which has been great too. Zero problems.
It was a hard decision between the 23 Cross AWD, and a new Outback, or about the same size CrossTrek. Hope I made the right one. Loving the Cross so far.
Dave O.
I've bought 3 new priuses from 2005 to 2016, and just got a 2023 Bolt EUV. I love the CVT, and find driving a traditional transmission when renting cars to be mildly annoying. That said, I did test drive a Corolla Cross and found that it worked way too hard getting up to speed and was noticeably loud. I would have considered the Hybrid, but the tax credit was the nail in the coffin. The Bolt is great BTW, if you live in the south like me, I hear it's much less lovable in the north.The Prius has an eCVT; the design is different. The driving feel is like a regular CVT without a launch gear but due to its different design, it is more reliable than regular CVTs. It is probably more reliable than conventional transmissions too.
That eCVT, to me is a reason enough to buy the hybrid version of any Toyota-if you can get your hands on them.
Dan, I really appreciate your detailed thoughts. I will be honest and sort of wish I had more "wiggle room" in the drivers seat. I do love my Cross, but I just wish I felt a bit more comfy. Maybe the seat will get softer as it gets broken in?Comfort-wise I'd say they are about the same...but my Outback is almost 8 years old now. Well broken in.
The transmission does shift more like a geared one though.
I like them both. Gas mileage is nearly the same...31-33. Outback has more power and room though.
Because it's newer, the Cross has more up to date tech. Well designed in that respect too.
It's also a little quieter.
The Subaru boxer 2.5L motor is a little noisier under load, climbing steep hills and such.
Handling and ride is more refined on the Cross, especially with the AWD and indie rear suspension. Ride-wise the two are fairly similar. How they compare on slick mtn roads I really don't know yet. I don't expect the Cross to be quite the match of the Subaru with "X-Mode". The Outback has become pretty much the primary car of the Rockies...Like 2/3 of all the cars you see mountain-dwellers driving are Outbacks.
I've had zero problems with the Outback in nearly 100k of hard, punishing mountain miles. Hopefully the Cross will serve us as well, and run long and trouble-free (like I've always heard a Toyota should!). The Cross is my first personally owned Toyota. Wife has a company-owned Rav4, which has been great too. Zero problems.
It was a hard decision between the 23 Cross AWD, and a new Outback, or about the same size CrossTrek. Hope I made the right one. Loving the Cross so far.
Dave O.
Yes, I have never been to beautiful Colorado, but I do know it's the adopted state car! haha! Enjoy your Cross!!!
Before the Cross, my daily driver was a Lincoln MKC, AWD, with a 6 speed geared transmission. Nice car, but the shifts were MUCH more than "mildly annoying"...It could give you whiplash! Got tied of babying the accelerator whenever I thought it was going to shift. I'll take my Toyota and Subie CVT's ANY DAY!find driving a traditional transmission when renting cars to be mildly annoying.
Dave O.
I really like my Cross but I must agree it does work too hard getting up to speed. As I said in a previous post I am trying to keep the rpms under 4K during break-in but is almost impossible without babying it which is ridiculous.I've bought 3 new priuses from 2005 to 2016, and just got a 2023 Bolt EUV. I love the CVT, and find driving a traditional transmission when renting cars to be mildly annoying. That said, I did test drive a Corolla Cross and found that it worked way too hard getting up to speed and was noticeably loud. I would have considered the Hybrid, but the tax credit was the nail in the coffin. The Bolt is great BTW, if you live in the south like me, I hear it's much less lovable in the north.
When I am coming to a stop, I feel a slight "release", like the transmission is disconnected for a brief moment. Is that normal for a CVT?
The cars I have driven enough to make a judgement:
Nissan Rogue CVT - push-belt style CVT. Not good. Has initial rev increase without speed increase "rubber band" feel. Poor reliability record. Avoid.
Rav4 Hybrid - eCVT, not belt or chain, ratios are set by engine rpm and 2 motors through a single planetary gear set. Fake shift points. Very good, bulletproof.
Subaru Forester - pull-chain style CVT. Fake shift points. Doesn't feel as rubbery as the Nissan. A bit jerky from standstill. Pull-chain should outlive push-belt. Good.
Cross L AWD - "direct shift" CVT. Real 1st gear, then hands over to push-belt CVT. Good compromise, nice feel from standstill, then CVT with fake shift points above that. The design should be more reliable than a full range CVT due to removing starting torque from the CVT, and it's Toyota, expect it to be reliable. ( Direct Shift CVT )
Nissan Rogue CVT - push-belt style CVT. Not good. Has initial rev increase without speed increase "rubber band" feel. Poor reliability record. Avoid.
Rav4 Hybrid - eCVT, not belt or chain, ratios are set by engine rpm and 2 motors through a single planetary gear set. Fake shift points. Very good, bulletproof.
Subaru Forester - pull-chain style CVT. Fake shift points. Doesn't feel as rubbery as the Nissan. A bit jerky from standstill. Pull-chain should outlive push-belt. Good.
Cross L AWD - "direct shift" CVT. Real 1st gear, then hands over to push-belt CVT. Good compromise, nice feel from standstill, then CVT with fake shift points above that. The design should be more reliable than a full range CVT due to removing starting torque from the CVT, and it's Toyota, expect it to be reliable. ( Direct Shift CVT )
I just dont like that if shits out of the 1st gear around 10-15mph and then you try to give it some gas, it will downshift really hard and be at high rpm. On the freeway its actually really nice, a little loud but nice.
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