Are CVTs Bad? Why Mazda Avoids CVT Transmissions

Why Mazda Only Sells Manual and Automatic Transmissions
Are CVTs bad transmissions? Why don't people like CVTs?

Mazda continually develops clever engineering solutions to their cars.
What many companies might call old technology, Mazda finds a way to reinvent and improve in as many ways as possible. The Nissan Rogue, Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, and Toyota Rav4 Hybrid all use CVT transmissions. If everyone in the segment is doing it, surely there's a reason, right? Mazda has their own plan, with uniquely developed automatic and manual transmissions for their lineup. This video will focus on Mazda's automatic transmission style, a 6 speed planetary box with a torque converter, but also some very clever implementations to improve efficiency and driver feel. Zoom zoom or whatever.

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[EngineeringExplained]

My S2000 is for sale for anyone interested! No reserve, 20% to charity. Happy bidding!

[danogh]

"If you wanna have fun you should get a car not crossover."
You've just roasted millions of people and their vehicles mate.
I like it, well done.

[alkiou]

Transmission goals: low maintenance, durability, efficiency.

[matthewmcclain]

This is why I like mazda. They always do things a little differently. It's rare to see a company of that size still willing to try different things. Super cool!

[JClark-]

My 2017 Mazda6 is the best overall car I've ever owned, and I've owned a LOT of cars! Mazda just gets it, and the day they finalized their divorce from Ford is the best thing to ever happen to that wonderful little company.

[Corkfish]

I'm a Honda guy and in 2014 I was going to buy an Accord. Hated the CVT and bought a Mazda 6. 100, 000 miles later I've been very happy with my decision. I will not buy a CVT.

[YodaPala]

Big time respect for Mazda, refuse to dip into CVT’s and never made a hybrid. Instead went with the skyactiv route with totally re-engineer’d the whole car, made it lighter and stronger. And went with the super high compression gas going IMHO

[gordythecreator]

Most of "those" people don't even know they have CVT

[colepeterson]

Mazda is so much better without ford involved.

[iqbal]

I know Jason's not driving hard, but still have so much respect for him to be able to explain complex engineering stuff while driving at the same time!

[SinfulEuphxria]

By getting rid of CVTs, Mazda is making a shot at reliability. As someone who works in the transmission industry, CVTs don't last long at all and they cannot be rebuilt.

Also, can you look at the Fiat 500 transmission? If I read the info right, the automatic and manual are almost 95% similar, with lots of interchangeable parts

[Nikephorus]

I purchased a 2020 Mazda CX-5 a couple months ago. I test drove a lot of CUV's and the Mazda was definitely the most fun to drive. One of the main things I was trying to avoid was a CVT transmission. They might be efficient, but I find when you want power for whatever reason they are slow to react. The engine revs high and not much happens for a few seconds until it finally realizes you want to accelerate.

[keifuchan]

Zoom Zoom. Don't ever stop Mazda and become boring like the rest.

[ColonelRPG]

"Cars made for car journalists" XD
That's a brilliant way of putting it :P

[vikramgupta]

I just bought a CX-5 a month ago. I was on the fence between that and a Subaru Forester. One of the factors in my decision making was my reluctance to get a car with a CVT.

[deet]

"Why Mazda Avoids CVT Transmissions"? because Mazda is a cool car company and CVT Transmissions aren't cool.

[markkaupas]

I bought a beautiful red Mazda CX5 for my wife minus the turbo and when you put it in the sport mode it scoots along just fine and makes it fun to drive. My wife is 62 years old but she puts a lot of miles on her cars every year so no need for the turbo. The interior is very nice vs the other crossovers and the drivers seat gives me plenty of room for my 6 ft -195lb frame when ever I drive it. The Honda seat was very cramped. Always been a Honda car and Toyota truck owner but the Mazda CX5 won me and my wife over this time around.

[ubacow]

Mazda is what you get when you want a bit of Germaness in your ultra reliable Japanese car.

[FairladyS]

The CX5 is a top seller in it's class in Australia.

[nooranik]

Mazda makes amazing planetary automatic transmissions. It is easily the best part of my own Mazda. 10/10 would recommend a Mazda automatic transmission for anyone that enjoys driving, but doesn't want the faff of a manual.