2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 0-60mph CVT Trans

Got to use the 2.5i Limited Outback for the day. Very nice car overall. a little too big for my tastes, but very well put together. I like the heated seats. Gauges are nice. Controls are easy to get to. Projector low beams put out adequate light, and fuel economy is registering around 31mpg on the highway @60mph. This Outback is equiped with their CVT transmission. Very very weird feeling driving it, especially when you watch the RPMS sit and sit forever, and you're waiting for it to shift..

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[TimJoseph]

The reason why Subaru used CVT instead of an automatic is because the CVT in auto mode is smoother and more constant with engine RPMs than a manual or automatic transmission. You won't have to feel the car jerking when shifting gears and maintain better fuel economy, which also means lower cost of engine maintenance.

[paulrayment]

The Tacho (RPM Gauge) is there because the car also has manual change also lets you look on in wonder as it ticks over at around 1800 revs at 110 K's per hour (70 Mph)

[occckid]

gearing ratios spand is the limiting factor also. If you want a lower crusing rpm then the bottom end has to be tuned longer at the starts.

[BuffRANGE]

It's a run of the mill crossover style vehicle with a CVT trans

[qmarchone]

The RPM gauge can tell you many things about your transmission, engine, torque converter, and driveline even if its in a vehicle with an automatic transmission.
Thats like asking why is there an e-break in an auto when the trans has a parking gear lol. Its there to be used even though most don't use it. Ever wonder why when you park on a hill you hear that tump when pulling it out of park? The e-break holds the car to reduce pressure off the park paw in the trans and they can break I seen it.

[BuffRANGE]

Gotcha. Mainly because people like gauges. Plus making one gauge cluster the same for all trims (manual, CVT, automatic) saves them money..

[RubberSalt]

@rosstorpedo Im not sure if it pretains to this engine, but others i have seen.. The load on the engine is the main reason it doesn't go to instant max RPM. The belt keeps it from doing so. Now with other designs(polaris) you can adjust the clutches to allow for higher RPM before it has to much of a load. Allow for a higher stall - vary tuneable for polaris design(snow mobile and quads).

I imagine this limits it in a similar way. Engine just can muscle it.

[BuffRANGE]

@rosstorpedo peak power is not right at redline. IIRC peak HP is obtained on this motor @5600rpm

[danwat]

I agree, I wish CVTs would bring the engine RPM to 5000+ RPM as quickly as possibly when you are accelerating at a stop. Instead you have to wait for ~25MPH before it reaches 4000RPM and 40MPH for 5000RPM. It makes me think that "1st gear" isn't very low.

[panama-canada]

It's actually not that bad! I thought it would be noisier.

[BuffRANGE]

What a CVT trans will do. Go to peak power output and stay at that RPM..

[MrEvovod]

надо пробовать в ручном режиме, мотор крутиться до красной зоны и динамика улучшается

[danwat]

What RPM does the engine stay when gong at 60MPH on a flat highway not accelerating or decelerating. ~1750RPM?

[VxMAX]

The only thing I see good with a CVT is when you're going up a 60% grade (chuckles a bit) and wish to stop and then go ... yeah sure, it's really neat for your gearbox; less stress. But other than that, if I want power ...meh, either Manual or nothing haha

[Tjita]

It actually shows better fuel consumption with the cvt than with manual gearbox.

[daand]

CVT make your rods coming out the block :) Even my scooter makes 7800rpm with the CVT. also 4cycle

[Flaheat]

@xoquixxoqafxo

They had no choice with increasing fuel economy standards. This hulking beast of a wagon will get 31 mpg highway.

[xoquixxoqafxo]

@kenfo0

CVTs are for ppl who dont care about fun to drive performance. I like to hear the gears change and CVTs ruin the driving experience for me. To each their own.

[BuffRANGE]

@xoquixxoqafxo No disagreements from me. I'm not a CVT fan..

[xoquixxoqafxo]

awful CVT... subaru pisses me off, they should have developed a 6AT instead of taking the Nissan route with this CVT