Ah I remember that review, it's a feature of eCVT quietly doing the gear work while the engine sits at max rpm when under full throttle.
So you are commenting on the engine at full chat rather than the gearbox whining, right?
5th Gear were on an airfield test as I recall, an airfield with loooooong straights and their right foot planted to the floor.
On the road I am not at full throttle for more than a few seconds, so it's a none issue in 'real' life.
I'm not sure how this 'feature' applies to other eCVT cars tho, maybe those with lesser power outputs are at full throttle for longer? Which i can imagine would get annoying.
Mind you the lack of gear changes is a fast way to punch yourself down the road you know
Me thinks you need to take the tiller of a car you're interested in and decide for yourself. It's good to get some info up front tho, so that you're prepared.
The full electric question is one I ask before I'd driven a Hybrid before. This implementation isn't about looooong EV drives, instead it's there to assist and help under acceleration, around town, in traffic, etc and I find it works pretty well.
The economy will not be as good as a dirty, complex and potentially unreliable and more expensive to fix diseasel tho. It'll be acceptable and much more refined tho, so take you pick.