Toyota Estima Hybrid Review. Our Weird imported JDM Minivan

I finally do a bit of a review after 1 year of owning a JDM Toyota Estima Hybrid minivan. Isaac helped me go over the quirks and features of this one of a kind (at least in Canada) minivan! Hope you enjoy.

[@gshamer]

This is one of the best, most natural reviews ive seen. Doug De Muro could learn from you.

[@gearheadsyndrome]

Really? I'm blushing lol Thanks for the kind words. I still know of lots of ways I can improve. Isaac was kind enough to buy new microphones for me after this particular video because the audio quality is a weakness.

[@StephanieLeBlanc-zu9cn]

I agree!

[@jrr851]

I moved from the US to New Zealand and bought a freshly imported 2010 with 46,000km for $21k NZD / $13k USD / $17k CAD. It's the 8 seater model since my wife likes to sit between the kids in their car seats. It was the closest thing we could find to our Sienna when we moved and were quite happy with it.

[@jrr851]

I had the NZ dealer pull out the Japanese head unit and put in a standard double din with Android Auto. I like the toll pass reader in the driver's side glovebox. I get about 12.5km/L, 8L/100km, 30mpg.

[@zwiamudau7049]

Is that fuel consumption on the hybrid version?

[@gearheadsyndrome]

That's in line with what I get too. In the winter in Canada it's a bit worse with the winter fuel additives being less efficient and the gas engine staying on for heat more, it goes down to 10.5km/litre. Peak summer highway I can easily get 13.5-14km/l

[@RealWorldCarReviews]

I bought a 2008 Estima Hybrid (I’m in the UK) because of your cool video showing all the features. I love the thing! 😎

[@gearheadsyndrome]

Thanks. Hopefully you enjoy yours as much as we enjoy ours!

[@RealWorldCarReviews]

@@gearheadsyndrome I’m sure I will man. I saw your video of the battery pack cell replacement too, which will be very useful in case mine goes wrong. 😎👍

[@gearheadsyndrome]

Yeah, hybrid cell replacement isn't nearly as scarey as most people fear. Can take an entire 12hr day but it is just basic hand tools. I figured this one out with little to nothing available online on how to do it. That was got me the idea to start a KZbin channel. There is much better parts supply for estimas in the UK. I'm actually ordering brakes from there soon

[@RealWorldCarReviews]

@@gearheadsyndrome Oh cool. Cheers for the info dude. Much appreciated. 😎👍

[@RajanTest162]

Hi, What about the fuel economy of this car. Road tax and insurance prices please

[@ricardomartins1248]

I really like your channel congratulations! please keep making estima videos.

[@gearheadsyndrome]

Thank you! Will do! What a nice thing to do!

[@shaneanderson1036]

It’s not a CVT trans . It’s a “ power split “ transmission . No hydralics No valves No belts ! It’s very ingenious system using planetry gear set that connects the ICE engine through electric motor 1 into electric motor 2 to transfer case diff to axles . Very very strong and extremely durable.

[@gearheadsyndrome]

Toyota calls it a CVT-i. The letters do stand for Continuously Variable Transmission of which this particular construction achieves in function with its variable ratios. It's fantastic that it's not a belt style CVT, but I think the term CVT is broader than those.

[@fivish]

@@gearheadsyndromeit’s a metal belt drive not e-cvt

[@jdmderick]

B mode is for downhill only - it is for engine braking. Using it will significantly increase fuel usage as the engine uses compression to brake in stead of the actual brakes.

[@vaclavnovak7316]

Great review. I'm thinking about to buy one 2007 4wd hybrid for 10k NZD 110k km. Was curious about real consumption so thanks for mentioning. I'm only afraid about hybrid battery. Nearly 20 years old could not last much longer and I don't like to deal with replacement which will add extra on cost which I can't afford. Currently driving Honda Elysion but we'll need some 4wd vehicle to get us to skifields safely.

[@gearheadsyndrome]

I actualy started my YT channel because of the hybrid battery replacement in these not having a very comprehensive guide online in English. Check out my other video. The battery was $3000CAD including shipping from ennocar and it took me 13hours the first time. Had I had my video, it could have been under 8hours with basic hand tools and a drill.

[@brianjacobs1421]

Does yours do the automatic steering when reverse parking? Its a little button near the mirror controls. How do you set the mirrors to auto fold when locking it? Also in places the music is a little too loud to hear you clearly.

[@gearheadsyndrome]

I don't think this one has the auto park feature. The auto fold is one of the aftermarket buttons. There is a little module under the dash that was added by a previous owner in Japan. As for the sound, my microphones failed on a previous shoot that morning so we made due with the camera mic. I have the camera audio levels set to 200% and the music set to 8% volume in the edit. New microphones are on my Christmas list.

[@gearheadsyndrome]

Oh man, I just went back and watched it on a TV. It is worse in spots than I remember when editing. Lesson learned. No more editing late at night when the kids are in bed. Headphones disguise audio issues.

[@brianjacobs1421]

A clip on wireless mic is way better if you want to get serious with sound

[@gearheadsyndrome]

That's what I had if you watch my other recent videos but they're failing and clipping a lot. It's a challenge that I need to budget more for.

[@AUSTiNKiNSER]

Kind of interesting the electric motors are so weak in this model, the Gen.1 Prius for example has a 44hp electric motor, and the Gen.2 Prius switched to a 50kW motor (67hp) from MG2 and 30kw MG1 that starts the engine and charges the battery, etc

[@fivish]

Hybrid synergy drive? But it has a CVT metal belt cone drive.

[@gearheadsyndrome]

No metal belt or cone drives in Toyotas e-CVT. It uses a planetary gear system, making it completely different than conventional CVTs. With fluid changes they're known to be reliable which is a nice difference.

[@kartracing6]

My jokes do usually have a little flair :)

[@icsouls]

Awesome video, 😀

[@gearheadsyndrome]

Thanks 😁

[@ihatepurolator]

Thanks for the video! Been going back and forth on 2006 estima vs JDM Honda Odyssey for my next import. Your video(s) helped me decide to get the Estima, probably a non-hybrid. I don't think I could change the hybrid battery myself ha.

[@gearheadsyndrome]

We went back and forth on the jdm odyssey as well. The odyssey is sportier but at the end of the day, they're a little too small. Try to find one with the captains chairs as the middle row does come with a bench as well, but that's pretty lame by comparison.

[@worldhello1234]

The facelift variant looks IMHO a bit more odd.

[@volodymyrkravets9629]

Hi Buddy, would you mind to share the exporter which you were dealing with importing your jdms? As well as the store for spare parts for them? Thanks!

[@gearheadsyndrome]

I've dealt with William at JDMconnection for both my vehicles being a good experience. So far, I've used beforward.jp and rockymountainimports.net for any parts I've needed.

[@volodymyrkravets9629]

Thank you for the info! Yep, I’m living in Edmonton. Where did you buy the HV battery for the Estima ? I like Estima and thinking to buy one. Before I lived in Saint John , NB 😉

[@gearheadsyndrome]

The battery I ended up giving to go through Ennocar. They did honor their warranty when 1 cell was bad but I had to disassemble and show video of the voltage issue before they would. Mixed feelings about them from me but at least they offer new cells

[@user-uq7io2os3r]

Nice video but quite bad volume on guys chatting..😕👍 but thx for posting

[@gearheadsyndrome]

My microphones failed on the shoot that we did earlier that day. That evening we ordered $250 ones....which recently started giving me more trouble. Not having much luck with microphones

[@ricardomartins1248]

I saw your import video, I'm already in contact with Brian, thank you. Would there be any negative points in your estima today?

[@gearheadsyndrome]

That's great. I go back and forth on if the Hybrid version was worth it. The $3000 battery expense will be made up in fuel savings at current Canadian prices in about 50-60k kms but that's if no other hybrid components fail. We've already done nearly 20k kms and the awd is nice. Having also imported a JDM crown and having almost every part interchable with the USDM Lexus GS is a huge perk compared to a more unique Estima with less local parts interchagability. Still most parts aren't too bad to get from japan but I'm more worried about windshield replacement or Hybrid motor/control unit failure as they are both expensive and not available here. The 4cyl AWD may be even slower but might be what we opt for next time. Not sure what we'll do next time. We do love the Estima despite these faults and it has been good to us.

[@ricardomartins1248]

In your opinion, is it worth importing an estima hybrid 4WD, possibly almost certainly having to change the battery (hybrid part) costing around $3k more.? When you changed your battery, did you change just a part or the entire battery?

[@gearheadsyndrome]

I ordered just cells. Its only an extra hour or 2 of work to disassemble the cells. The whole battery assembly as toyota sells it in Japan is considerably more bulky and expensive to ship. I might go with the 4cyl awd version next time. Not sure.

[@ricardomartins1248]

@@gearheadsyndrome How much did you pay for each cell?

[@gearheadsyndrome]

@ricardomartins1248 21 cells total and it was about $130 CAD for each cell including shipping from ennocar to New Brunswick.

[@robr9170]

How do you find it with Km per hour as apposed to mph

[@gearheadsyndrome]

Well, I'm in Canada so it's no issue for me.

[@robr9170]

@@gearheadsyndrome oh I though you guys used mph?

[@user-hg8mj]

何で群馬ナンバー？

[@jamesfin6039]

Bad sound quality specially with the bad background music ffs

[@gearheadsyndrome]

Fully aware. My lav mic failed earlier that day on the Porsche video and I did what I could with the phone mic. Just got a set of Hollyland Lark M1 in for future reviews.

[@dietergraham8085]

I still have this motor since it was a 2006 exactly the same but it was imported to the UK in 2020 Never the less is pretty mint in most respects... Saying it's sluggish is far from it at around 170 bhp and regardless of the EV weight isn't applicable to the none EV at around 135 bhp... What is it ppl don't understand? It's a lot quicker than the standard!! Love my Estima...😊

[@robr9170]

Hi I am thinking of purchasing one of these is there a way of changing the language on the dash screen??

[@gearheadsyndrome]

I've heard in my comments that you can but forums suggest different. I haven't figured it out yet. I just know the buttons to do what I want. Aliexpress has some android auto head unit kits that are sweet if you're okay with losing the hybrid display.

[@kartracing6]

Moogle

[@gearheadsyndrome]

It's a final fantasy thing apparently. You'll have to ask my wife haha

[@StephanieLeBlanc-zu9cn]

From Final Fantasy! Also, appropriately, Japanese!

[@isaaclavoie3223]

Now, let's see what breaks so we can make content :)

[@gearheadsyndrome]

I have an appointment to get an early safety inspection done so I have time to order parts haha