eCVT Concern

Yes I've noticed that too. It's a CVT but it does seem to have preferred operating points programmed into it.

Another thing that people sometimes find a little unnerving is that in the first minute or so of driving (when the engine is just warming up) it can have a really abrupt jump in engine revs without any corresponding change in speed or power demand, especially if you're going up a hill. Some people even come here insisting that their "clutch" was slipping. LOL

That one is caused by the cats reaching a temperature threshold where the ECU is suddenly willing to give a lot more engine power, so there's a sudden shift from predominately electric to predominantly engine power.

 

As Uart said this feeling is normal, but in practice the Prius does not shift at all. Not even for reverse neutral or park. The feeling of gear shift is a speed juggling act between the engine and and the motor generators, controlled by the cars computer. Go to the link below and play with the slider to see how the engine or electric motors affect the car speed without any mechanical change of gear ratio.
Toyota Prius - Power Split Device

John (Britprius)

 

There is a slight transient in torque when going above 42 mph while coasting downhill or in EV mode. The ICE is spun up to avoid over revving MG1. There is no fuel used, the engine is only freewheeling, but the torque pulse required to make this happen is easy to feel.

 

How many times have you changed the transmission fluid?