CVT transmissions

deanodog

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I am shopping for a small suv and more of them now have CVT trans. Any thoughts for or against. I am familiar with how they work but never have driven one in an automobile. I have a four wheeler with one. Will they last in a car?
 
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I had to drive a Nissan small sedan for about 5 weeks while transmission parts for my work truck were on backorder. I personally like to feel the tranny shift. The ironic thing about the car I was driving? They put in a software "shift" into the mix. I guess too many people were complaining about not feeling a shift point. I will never own a vehicle with a CVT. They just don't do it for me.
 
We have one in the wife's Subaru Forester. Smooth and has had no problems. But then again my F-150 often shifts so smoothly that I have to look at the gear indicator to let me know it has shifted.
 
My wife has a little Subaru Impresa. No problems but it's weird not hearing it shift. It came with a lifetime power train warranty.
 
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My wife drives a 2015 Altima with a CVT. I personally like the smooth acceleration, although it is strange at first to not get the shifting hiccup.

I do know that the earlier CVTs had serious durability problems, but it seems that the later ones have pretty much overcome that.

The only could-be problem I can think of in a SUV, is this : If you need to "lock in" a gear because of off-road conditions, it cannot be done with a CVT. Although, if you planned to go semi-serious off-road, I doubt that an auto trans is what you would use, so it's likely a non-issue.

Most "SUV"s that I see never go off-road - they get purchased because of the upright driving position, superior bad-weather handling, and "coolness".

It's a newer technology - there will be early problems, and there will be folks that refuse to accept it, but I think CVTs are here to stay. The greater efficiency alone (much better MPGs) will be a strong argument in favor of them.
 
My daughter has a 2016 Nissan Altima (4 cyl) with the CVT and she did have one minor problem with is that was an electrical problem - but repaired under warranty and so far so good. Just make sure what ever vehicle you do get with a CVT it comes with a descent warranty.

I too think that for now the CVT transmissions will be relegated for smaller lighter cars and the standard gear type will be used in trucks and full sized SUVS, but in the future I do believe we will see them on even the heavier vehicles.

I recently purchased a new GMC Yukon SLT and opted for the 2016 year model rather than the 2017 because mine has a 6 speed transmission whereas the newer 2017 has an 8 speed. I figured for the ever so slightly more efficient 8 speed it was not worth the extra complications and problems down the road that might be more prevalent with more gears.
 
Nissan has been doing Cvt's for 20 years now. I have a 2012 Maxima with 86,000 miles and going strong. Neighbor has a 2006 Murano with 265,000 miles and on original cvt and no problems.
 
My sister has a Nissan Rogue and loves it. I've driven her car.....didnt see any problems with the CVT. It is unusual in the beginning not to feel the shift tho.

I also know a few cab companies in the city who run Nissan Altimas CVT. They have no complaints about reliability.....And if anyone is going to do a proper torture test on a car it's going to be a cabbie.

Personally I don't have a preference. In my 20s I was all about cars and how they feel. Being in my field or work I got to drive just about every kind of car. From classics to exotic sports cars to clunkers. I guess I got it out of my system and now my only preference is good on gas, maintenance free and cheap to maintain. I don't care if it has one door or twelve, if it's small or big....As long as it fits what I'm looking for

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I'm a really big fan of good gas mileage. The CVT's deliver on that issue. If you like spending lots of money at gas stations, I would not buy one. We have a 2015 Nissan Altima and the fuel mileage and acceleration with the CVT are excellent.
 
I know some here won't believe this but with only 1600 miles on my still new smelling 2016 Yukon SLT (v8 & 355 HP), I am already getting almost 27 mpg on the hwy and it's not even broken in yet! I did however add Amsoil at 1,000 miles in which I am a big believer! I wonder if a CVT transmission would really improve on that :eek: :eek: :confused:
 
Now they make nine and ten speed transmissions. They are a bit scary to me. I never like to be in on the first new gadgets.
 
According to the professional reviewers, there are substantial differences in CVT technology between different manufacturers, so generalities are not necessarily useful.

I've owned 6 CVT Nissans, and love their implementation of the technology. The latest one is an '17 SR with a paddle shift option, if you want some old fashioned shifting fun.

 
I have a 2016 Honda CRV with CVT and all wheel drive. I like it. It drives just fine. With studded snow tires, I have no problem driving on Hwy 88 over the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the Winter through snow and ice.
 
I'm a really big fan of good gas mileage. The CVT's deliver on that issue. If you like spending lots of money at gas stations, I would not buy one. We have a 2015 Nissan Altima and the fuel mileage and acceleration with the CVT are excellent.

There's no question that on a technical basis, CVTs are a great advancement in automotive technology. And if fuel mileage is your major concern, they're great. But...

I'm an enthusiast. I love to drive (and to ride my motorcycle). Cars are not appliances to me; they are an important part of my life (just as firearms are). My primary consideration when shopping for a new car is: Is it fun to drive? If it doesn't make me smile when I'm hustling down a curvy mountain road, I won't own it.

Because of that, I cannot stand automatic transmissions, no matter how good they are. Every time I drive one (in a rental car, for example) I feel disconnected from the drivetrain, not really in total control of the vehicle.

My current car is a 2013 VW Golf R. All-wheel-drive, turbocharged, 256 horsepower, 6-speed transmission, runs like a scalded cat...I love it! It burns premium fuel, and if I baby it I can average 26 miles per gallon over a tankful. (If I don't baby it, I'll average about 22 to 23.)

Not everyone likes to drive...I understand that. And for some folks who have very long commutes, gas mileage has to take precedence over driving fun...I get that too. But for those of us who really have a passion for motoring, a CVT just won't cut it. :)
 

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Our 2017 Outback has the CVT and it seems to be ok. It seems a bit strange at first. It also has the paddleshift feature... if you like shifting. It is averaging a bit better than 30.5 mpg. Not the mid 40s of the VW turbo diesels...but fuel is cheaper and the all wheel drive is working really well. We are having a real winter here... snowing now in fact and it's zero. The CVT doesn't seem to change gears as well when really cold(meaning 15-25 below temps)
 
Bought a new Accord in 2013 with the CVT on a 4 cylinder and love it. Gets well over 35 mph routinely and if I go easy on the pedal can get up to 45 mph, even on back roads. Colder weather will bring that down a little.
I like getting over 600 miles on a tankful of gas.

John
 
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