The fact is they didn't design it like that. Mine does not do that at 2,000 miles on my '16 SE. Normal to them mean it happens to 1 out of every 1000 I'll bet.It's been a while so I thought I'd give an update.
At 5,000 miles Toyota changed the tranny fluid and checked for issues, found none. The transmission lag issue never went away.
At 15,000 miles I asked Toyota again to check it out, it's still there, causes no other issues but it's annoying that I can't just shift into drive and go. This is the only automatic transmission I have ever had act like this. Toyota told me (as expected from feedback here) that's it's normal. I say it's annoying. I don't think a transmission should have to 'think' and 'delay' about what to do once you give it a command.
Why would they design a transmission like this?![]()
Well, that could be it. For comparison, many in the Gen 4.3 RAVs report a quick and sometimes abrupt shift with engine cold and at high idle, and backing out, then shifting forward. You have to really come to a full stop with a fraction of a second pause as shift is instantaneous to smooth it out. No lag at all, just the opposite....I experience this too, but I think it does this only when the engine is cold to reduce excessive wear on the clutch packs or it's a comfort thing...