Spot, CVT is one of the best transmissions system, but the problem is, when they are installed on cheaper cars they tune the transmission to choose a gearing where the engine works at the most economical point rather than making most of its power capability.
The thing with Japanese cars we get in SL is that we rarely get the top end models. For example majority of the Mark IIs which came down were with the 1G-FE instead of the famous 1JZ turbo, Mark X were all 2.5L, dont think think any of the 3.0L models came down. Same with the Crown, I don't think any of them had the 3GR or 2GR. Plus I'm not sure whether we get any Crown Majesta or Celsior in SL.