Why CVTs are Great for Some Cars! (And Are They Reliable?)

Buying a car with a CVT can be daunting if you do a little digging on google. Reports of failures and poor performance seem endless, so I want to dig into those claims to find out why they are hated, and if they are really something to avoid.

Thank you, Royal on the Eastside and Royal South Mazda for letting me test drive the cars used today!

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00:00 Skit & Background
01:24 How a CVT works
02:47 CVT Problem Areas
05:54 CVT Pros & Cons
07:39 Traditional Automatic vs CVT
10:32 Final Thoughts

[Xcrisspy]

My wife's 2013 Rogue was the last of the Japan-built Nissan Rogues. With proper maintenance, the CVT lasted just shy of 11 years (115k miles). I replaced the Rogue with a 2024 CX-30.

[markhamer]

CVT is great for the right purpose. I prefer them for the following reasons:
1. More efficient - That’s why they are getting more common because they reduce fuel consumption.
2. Continuous drive - No power gap which occurs during an auto/manual gear change. My wheels are always driven.
3. Smooth - I particularly enjoy descending hills with adaptive cruise control engaged because the vehicle doesn’t have to brake.

[OutsideTheTargetDemographic]

"So what all goes wrong? Well, a few things"
-hard cuts to ad for car dealership 😅

[michaelglusko]

I purchased a 2012 Subaru Impreza hatchback second hand in 2018 with 50K miles. The CVT transmission gave out at 101K miles, less than 1500 miles out of warranty, and Subaru offered me $500 towards the fix. At the time my vehicle was worth $8K (pre transmission issue) and it would’ve cost $7500 to replace the transmission since it was not fixable. Subaru extended the warranty on those cars from 60K miles to 100K miles and even reduced the oil change interval recommendations because they knew how poor they were. Long story short that was my last Subaru and the last car i’ll purchase with a non-hybrid CVT transmission.

[Brandon-qpgq]

I love the CVT on my Subaru. It's just super smooth and nice.

[oligarchy-usa]

Doesn't help that automakers are purposely deceptive about their CVT's & the "lifetime fluids" in it. Lifetime of the 60K powertrain warranty is more like it. You have to drive them a certain way (relatively gently/subdued) & change the CVT fluid every 20-30K miles if you expect them to last longer-term. Some of the belt/chain CVT designs are better than others, but the rules still apply really on how you need to treat them. Better to buy a hybrid with a completely different design "eCVT" (no belt/chain) if you are going to get something with a "CVT".

[OutsideTheTargetDemographic]

Manual 18 Forester owner.

My wife's CVT Outback feels disconnected from the road, and from the engine.

That said, we did a 900 mile trip, at 80mph on open farm-field-surrounded windy flatlands, with four humans, a 70lb dog, loaded to the ceiling....and got 31.8 mpg at the pump doing it. CVTs WORK, but are not for the enthusiast.

I'll also say her car is CRAZY quiet, quieter than my manual forester, which I spent $400 and over ten hours sound deadening. The CVT allows the engine to run at damn near idle, vs 3k rpm on the highway, so the drive train noise is much less invasive into the cabin.

I do question the towing capacity of the car too.

Also, by using the paddle Shifters and downshifting, you can force the CVT into the higher Rpms, therefor putting the car into the power band, and scratching the "pull and power" itch.

That said, I'll have a manual until the government says I'm not allowed to anymore, because the government gets everything right...

[PBandJ]

Your video comes at a great time since I'm debating between the Crosstrek and the CX 30! A great video!!

[deanbartholomew]

Excellent video you described the CVT perfectly. No towing.

[Ahmed.alazzawi]

Mazda, my eternal admiration is justified ❤

[dschmidt]

My daughter has a 22 Kicks, I've told her and keep reminding her that before 50000kms she needs to change her transmission fluids. Seems the right vehicle for a CVT, low horsepower, front wheel drive. Not asking it to do too much.

[jeffer]

Both our vehicles have CVTs. I actually prefer them over a conventional automatic, for a couple of reasons. They are smoother and quieter in operation than a conventional automatic. In the case of my Venza (eCVT), it is far less complicated and much more reliable than any other transmission available. Aside from reliability issues, most people don't like CVTs because of the way most enthusiast reviewers hate on them. Many people think they suck because their favorite reviewers said they suck.

[danhall]

I've been driving CVTs since the Honda HX in late 90s, but mostly on Subarus . Never had a problem with any of them. Yeah, manuals can be more fun, chirping tires... but for a combo of performance & mpg, CVTs are hard to beat.

[pianoplayer]

Only CVT I will buy is an E-CVT. Totally different animal.

[legendaryeats]

I had a 2016 Subaru Forester with a CVT and replaced it with a 2024 Mazda CX-50 with a 6-speed auto. Both non-turbo. Even though the CX-50 is faster 0-60, likely because of the traditional gear launch advantage you mention, the Forester felt more powerful in regular driving, probably because it's always in the power band, not hunting gears or waiting for a downshift. I 100% agree that a traditional automatic, or DCT, is absolutely better paired to more powerful engines. But for small, low power engines, I think CVT might be a better driving experience. Right tool for right job.

[chrish]

Remember, there is no such thing as "lifetime" fluid" for any transmission, including CVTs. I personally don't like CVTs, but if I had a vehicle with one, I would change the CVT oil every 30-60k, regardless of the manufacturer.

[BlameGamerOfficial]

When will you begin getting access to Mercedes-Benz cars to review? Would you like you to review the German built models to see what your thoughts are.

[winstonmiu]

I’m a manual guy but I’ve enjoyed daily driving CVTs in a few of my rental cars. It accelerates so smoothly and the revs stay really low, helping to get that great fuel economy.

[scht]

I change my mitsubishi CVT transmission fluids at every 30k and alternate on filter and gasket. Car at 9 years running well. CVT is good for daily drive from A to B.

[markallen]

A CVT immediately crosses a vehicle off my shopping list