Where have the CVT's gone?

[Jrod511]

What cars still offer CVT's? My GF's 08 Sentra has one and it feels fine to drive; works well. I've driven a number of Calibers with them, and they work really well in there. It seems like OEM's are going to even more multi-geared automatics and abandoning CVT's; what has them? Am I nuts?

[adrew]

Subarus and Nissans have them, as do Honda hybrids and the Mitsubishi Lancer/Outlander Sport. Toyota hybrids aren't CVTs but act like one.

I didn't care for the one I had in a Sentra rental -- but I've heard they're better in the V6 Nissans.

[IridiumB6]

I don't care, I'm incredibly glad they're gone...

[Jrod511]

I don't care, I'm incredibly glad they're gone...

Great

[BRealistic]

[TangoRed]

I haven't liked the CVT in any car I've driven outside of the Nissan Maxima. I feel as though the Nissan CVT + V6 is great in any application it's in.

[IridiumB6]

Great

I don't mean to sound like an ass or anything, I've driven some Nissans with the CVT and I REALLY didn't like the fact that it felt like I was behind the wheel of a boat with that engine noise..

[sethgood]

I don't mean to sound like an ass or anything, I've driven some Nissans with the CVT and I REALLY didn't like the fact that it felt like I was behind the wheel of a boat with that engine noise..

Does it help to think of it as a snowmobile?

[vwpiloto]

I haven't liked the CVT in any car I've driven outside of the Nissan Maxima. I feel as though the Nissan CVT + V6 is great in any application it's in.

I respect your opinion, but I beg to differ. The rental Maxima I had on an interstate drive was horrible with the CVT. It made what was otherwise a very good car feel horrible to drive.

[atomicalex]

What cars still suffer from CVT's?

FTFY.

The new 7-speed autos are so much better than the CVTs were that they took over.

[MCTB]

Having spent some good time behind one in a new Subaru Outback, its a fine transmission that works very well with that motor. The problem with them is a combination of bad motor choice and people just not being used to them. I would rather a CVT than a 7 or an 8 speed automatic that has to constantly jump around. Ive read some reviews of multispeed automatics in the RR Sport and they say that, like many others, it just cannot figure out what gear to be in.

[zhenya00]

I recently had a rental Legacy that had one that was pretty decent. It had no discernible negatives to me for normal driving, and even had paddle 'shifters'. If it was partially responsible for the 32mpg I saw, I'm good with that.

[Ghost85]

Does it help to think of it as a snowmobile?

At least some else knows where they originated.

Actually I'd rather have CVT's as automatic transmissions, than the traditional gear or clutch pack driven ones. Less moving parts which equals less failure.

[VAB5]

Audi still uses the Multitronic CVT, and it works fine.

[winstonsmith84]

I have a Freestyle with the CVT. I hate it.

[Hostile]

I recently had a rental Legacy that had one that was pretty decent. It had no discernible negatives to me for normal driving, and even had paddle 'shifters'. If it was partially responsible for the 32mpg I saw, I'm good with that.

It was.

To be honest I like the CVT in our Outback, but it does take some getting used to and it doesn't drive like a traditional automatic.

[Lwize]

I respect your opinion, but I beg to differ. The rental Maxima I had on an interstate drive was horrible with the CVT. It made what was otherwise a very good car feel horrible to drive.

Although I wouldn't say "horrible", I too didn't like the Maxima CVT rental I had a few years ago.
The lack of gear changes is just unnatural sounding behind the wheel.
It feels like the transmission is in a constant state of slipping.

[01tj]

We had a Freestyle with a CVT before our Flex and I absolutely hated it. My wife also hated it enough to trade for the Flex so I guess in a way I'm glade it had a CVT. The only thing worse than driving a vehicle without a clutch pedal is driving one with a CVT IMO

[Toaster29]

At least some else knows where they originated.

Actually I'd rather have CVT's as automatic transmissions, than the traditional gear or clutch pack driven ones. Less moving parts which equals less failure.

Reliability on CVTs across the market has been significantly worse than any other transmission type. Just because there are less parts does not mean less failure, especially when you are relying on a steel belt being gripped by the sides by two "pulleys" of changing diameter to transfer up to 280 hp.

[eweu]

Audi still uses the Multitronic CVT, and it works fine.

Really? You like it? I think it is one of the worst transmissions I've ever used. It has a mind of its own. Do not want.

[Grey Mouser]

Really? You like it? I think it is one of the worst transmissions I've ever used. It has a mind of its own. Do not want.

All auto's have a mind of their own, that's kind of the point.

[VeeDubDriver]

What cars still offer CVT's? My GF's 08 Sentra has one and it feels fine to drive; works well. I've driven a number of Calibers with them, and they work really well in there. It seems like OEM's are going to even more multi-geared automatics and abandoning CVT's; what has them? Am I nuts?

Nissan, Subaru and Audi seem to embrace them vs other OE's. I have extensive experience with Nissan's and I prefer it to a traditional automatic.

[Fritz27]

FWD Nissans
Real hybrids

Nissan is the only company that can make a normal car with a CVT not seem like a POS. Everyone else seems to prefer 6+speed autos or DSGs.

[randy]

Nissan, Subaru and Audi seem to embrace them vs other OE's. I have extensive experience with Nissan's and I prefer it to a traditional automatic.

Which Audi models have CVT?

[VeeDubDriver]

Which Audi models have CVT?

Any with FWD.

[eweu]

Any with FWD.

...and a longitudinally mounted engine.

[VeeDubDriver]

...and a longitudinally mounted engine.

yup, that too!

[soldierguy]

I've had a couple of scooters with CVTs and was fine with them. Drove a Jeep Patriot with one and found myself endlessly fascinated with how it worked. I guess riding scooters prepared me for the experience.

I would prefer a CVT to a conventional automatic, depending on the application. In a mainstream car or crossover where fuel economy is important, a CVT makes a lot of sense to me. But in a sporty car or a truck-ish vehicle, I don't think I'd like it nearly as much.

[roccostud]

I think Subaru has done a good job with it's cvt. I also didn't mind the Nissan Murano I drove with a cvt. My only worry with Subaru is longevity, it works great but anything with a "lifetime" fluid bothers me.

[Grey Mouser]

I think Subaru has done a good job with it's cvt. I also didn't mind the Nissan Murano I drove with a cvt. My only worry with Subaru is longevity, it works great but anything with a "lifetime" fluid bothers me.

If it bothers you just change it every 60k or whatever you feel comfortable with.

[Roboturner913]

Nissan's seem to be OK but the one in the Caliber/Patriot/Compass etc. is awful and useless.

[Pool Runner]

I think Subaru has done a good job with it's cvt. I also didn't mind the Nissan Murano I drove with a cvt. My only worry with Subaru is longevity, it works great but anything with a "lifetime" fluid bothers me.

We have an '11 Outback with CVT, I also agree it works great in it's application, but an Outback is not a sporty car by any means. My buddy has a newer Maxima with a CVT, but I personally would not want CVT in a more sport oriented car.

I don't think CVT's are going anywhere, in fact I think they might be gaining momentum in lower priced cars. I don't think manufactures can make a business case for 7 & 8 speed transmissions in sub $25K vehicles. Even Subaru has just developed their Gen II CVT in the new Imprezza which is supposed to be the best driving CVT yet (I have not driven this car though)

I also trust Subaru as they were the first company to bring the CVT to North America in the late 80's with the Justy, albeit probably the worst CVT ever made, I'm sure they have learned to do it right.

[Mike!]

Nissan, Subaru, and Audi have soldiered on with pulley CVTs, so the more interesting question to me is who has abandoned them?

GM (Saturn), Ford, and MINI all had CVTs available in the last decade, but not anymore. All of those vehicles are considered reliability time bombs, and I've personally known people with $3k repair bills even after GM paid for half. Those makes aren't using them anymore for a reason.

At least the others seem to know what they're doing.

[onebadbug]

Does it help to think of it as a snowmobile?

This was exactly my impression when I test drove a Ford Freestyle(?) a few years back. Maybe it helped that it was snowing like a banshee that day but I thought it was kinda fun.

[BRealistic]

Reliability on CVTs across the market has been significantly worse than any other transmission type. Just because there are less parts does not mean less failure, especially when you are relying on a steel belt being gripped by the sides by two "pulleys" of changing diameter to transfer up to 280 hp.

That, and once they fail your only practical option is to buy a brand new oem CVT, which will probably be .. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Checks for cost... googles... googles.. nothing.

Ok- here is http://consumerguideauto.howstuffwor...n-maxima-2.htm
repair cost list on the 2009-2011 Maxima.

Item Name= Repair Cost
Automatic Transmission or Transaxle= $5,424

Talk about making sure your cars get junked when the transmission goes out after warranty.