TheaterFire

Are modern CVTs finally reliable enough to rival traditional automatics, or do they still wear out faster?

Posted by EvelynClede@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 206 comments

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206 Comments

Cylvher@reddit

I don't think they rival traditional automatics, but they have their place. They're excellent in stop and go traffic and short trips around town. They still require more maintenance, though. Frequent fluid and filter changes. Mitsubishi has been making good CVTs for a long time. Even their early ones. They used the same JATCO CVTs that gave Nissan a bad name, but tuned them differently. I'd assume they've gotten better with time. I had one for 7 years and put almost 200,000km on it, but I bought it used with a low mileage so there wasn't enough time for the previous owner to mess it up. Changed the fluid every 60,000km roughly (30,000 miles os reccomended). Modern Honda and Toyota CVTs have a good reputation as well, and I think modern Subaru CVTs have also gotten a lot better but can't speak on that. I think it also depends on what engine is paired with the CVT. A NA 4 cylinder paired with a CVT is going to last longer than a 6 cylinder heavy SUV (Nissan). It's mainly how well you take care of it and how hard you drive it. Heat kills them fast and broken down fluid heats them up faster.
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Sideburn_Cookie_Man@reddit

No. Yes. They also feel worse to drive, and sound bad.
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PwnCall@reddit

I love our CVT. For a daily they are awesome, economical and smooth. Also will sit at peak hp from 15-90 mph.
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TactualTransAm@reddit

My Chevy transmission really begs to differ šŸ˜‚
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Sideburn_Cookie_Man@reddit

Your Chevy has a CVT? Which one?
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awqsed10@reddit

Chevy Sparks has Jatco cvt. Some turbo Malibu and FWD trailblazer has cvt. In 2000s earlier model saturn ion used cvt as well and they're disaster.
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TactualTransAm@reddit

No they have regular transmissions but they are junk. They are very very competitive in the reliability segment with older CVTs. Chevy trucks here have had transmission issues for years. Some small Chevy cars have CVTs but like, those are bottom barrel cars anyway.
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fragmen52@reddit

In some ways I prefer the consistent continuous power of a cvt to a traditional automatic that I don’t have control over.
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Jumpy-Oil8555@reddit

Honestly loved my 2010s Altima cvt. Super fun, decently fast for fat sedan and I came to like the instant gear a lot. Guess I was lucky, no issues in 150k šŸ¤·ā€ā™‚ļøĀ 
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Sideburn_Cookie_Man@reddit

I definitely don’t, they just drone and the RPM stays way too steady. A bad traditional auto is pretty annoying for sure, but honestly I can’t remember the last time I drove a car with a bad auto transmission. They’ve all been ZF and GM based gearboxes.
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fragmen52@reddit

Most of my bad auto experience has been a Chevy so it could be just bad GM design, but I have noticed shifting in a negative way on other vehicles too. I’ve had a cvt civic daily for 120k miles so it’s also what I’m used to at this point. My preference for driving experience is probably manual though.
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Sideburn_Cookie_Man@reddit

Yeah TBH some GM models were just paired with transmissions that were undersized and undercooled, so they had a hard life dragging around heavy vehicles. One of my current vehicles (Holden Jackaroo/Isuzu Trooper) I bought in manual, as the auto box (GM 4L30) is so bad that it’s basically guaranteed to die. It’s just way too small for a fat 4WD.
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Firedcylinder@reddit

Agreed on your last two points. I had a rental Sentra a few months ago and it literally felt like I was winding up a rubber band. If I had to stop, all the tension came out of the band, and I had to wind it up again.
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Sideburn_Cookie_Man@reddit

It’s a very strange sensation. The only CVT I’ve driven that was nice was in a Subaru Liberty Sportswagon, and that used a chain based system instead of the rubber bands. The chain does a much better job of locking up and giving you the feeling of direct drive from the motor to the wheels.
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tnsipla@reddit

The Toyota eCVT, yes Nissan, Honda, or even Subaru's CVT? Still don't compare to an automatic for durability, reliability, and repairability. Unlike an AT if anything happens inside of the CVT, it's dead, there's nothing serviceable. At most you can replace solenoids or the valve body, but that's it.
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Euler007@reddit

Which is why my Outback is getting sold a few months before the warranty ends on the CVT. Good luck, future owner.
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tnsipla@reddit

I’ll probably still grab a new Subaru if my Outback goes kaput, but it’ll probably be one of the hybrids with the Toyota eCVT
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Euler007@reddit

I went with an XC60 T8. It's my second car, mileage was terrible because my wife basically does all cold start and goes a few miles, couple of times a day. Will all be done with the electric motor. It's also more fun to drive when you open up on the throttle and the engine and transmission goes ham.
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SpaceMonkeyEngineer@reddit

You went from a Subaru to a Volvo because the CVT in the Subaru is unreliable? Bless your heart.
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Euler007@reddit

I always hated the CVT feel, Subaru made me choose between a MT and the big engine. I really missed my 2006 Legacy GT Wagon with a MT. Driving my 3.6R feels like a boat and much slower than my upcoming XC60T8.
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dalekaup@reddit

Double check that it might just be Toyota parts at Subaru transmission case
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dalekaup@reddit

And at least some cases if not all Subarus CVT is actually Toyota parts repackaged to fit the space allotted in the Subaru it's exactly the same setup.
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ByeByeDemocracy2024@reddit

Something is off at least with the new Forester hybrid eCVT. The change over from electric to gas is very clunky sounding and that can’t be a good sign mechanically. The Honda system is smooth like butter.
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tnsipla@reddit

All cases, every Subaru hybrid is a Toyota Hybrid with a boxer engine and the Subaru AWD system Toyota owns a 20% non-controlling stake in Subaru, but this is less significant/less of an important factor tbh due to how Japanese keiretsu usually work
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dalekaup@reddit

I did see on wikipedia that some Subaru CVTs are chain driven unlike the Toyota/Ford eCVT
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tnsipla@reddit

Subaru did try it with the XV Crosstrek hybrid but it was so craptastical that it’s not worth mentioning The electric motor was built into the CVT for that experiment, not to mention that it was one of the first CVTs in the fleet All hybrids since that attempt have been Toyota
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Bobspineable@reddit

What about the regular CVTs that Toyota uses
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tnsipla@reddit

Toyota did a pretty good job with those, since they start with physical gearing before switching to a CVT belt- in theory it should be less prone to wear, but it’s still belt based and can fail just as well as any other belt CVT- I would probably pick it over Honda or Nissan’s CVTs but not over Subaru’s chain-based CVT
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Annual_Student_487@reddit

Honda also has eCVT in its hybrids.
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Ok-Square360@reddit

Any CVT that uses planetary gearsets, Toyota, Honda, Ford, GM, whoever, will have been exceedingly reliable. The rest of the car, that’s a different story
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IditarodDays@reddit

As does mazda
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meltingpnt@reddit

I believe honda also couples it with a clutch for highway speeds.
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PastBuy8484@reddit

Not just Toyota. Lots of brands have eCVTs now that are extremely reliable.
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Serialtorrenter@reddit

Apparently the newer Toyota CVTs (non-eCVTs) have a planetary first gear that greatly reduces the amount of torque the rubber band has to deal with. It's still a lifeless CVT though. CVTs are what you get when you go too far in the pursuit of efficiency. It may be more reliable than an older CVT without a first gear, but it's still a chore to drive, and you're liable to fall asleep at the wheel.
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shreddedsharpcheddar@reddit

did you know that renault is responsible for getting CVTs banned in formula 1, because their test car was immediately faster than everything else on the grid? did you know that the polaris pro r factory just won the mint 400 race using a CVT? lifeless and "too far in the pursuit of efficiency" my ass
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Serialtorrenter@reddit

I'm aware, but in real-world driving, fast acceleration isn't the main thing that makes a car fun. Being able to hear/feel the gear shifts always puts a smile on my face. Being able to turn off overdrive and hear the engine's depraved screams as you rev it to 4500rpm while passing someone before shifting back into overdrive makes the drive engaging. If you just want fast 0-60, get an EV. Not to mention that the CVTs used in racing are tuned to keep the RPMs at the engine's peak torque range. The CVTs used in passenger cars are typically designed to maximize efficiency instead. They definitely have their place, but they're not my preference.
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caatabatic@reddit

Just get a manual
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MSampson1@reddit

This is the way
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Serialtorrenter@reddit

I'm in the market for a second car, and that's definitely something I'm looking for. Since I already have '05 Civic, I'm eyeing an anti-Civic; something like a manual V6 Camaro or Firebird with the GM 3800 engine. It's all about finding one that was maintained and isn't rusted out. 4th gen Firebirds are sexier than 4th gen "catfish" Camaros, but either one will do. It would be cool to find one with T-tops that don't leak, but their existence might just be a myth.
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Illustrious_Law182@reddit

Idk man, yea sure you hear it shifting in a conventional AT, but you’re not the one doing the work. Sounds to me like you want to be a manual guy.
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Serialtorrenter@reddit

I think you're right about that. I'm in the market for a second car, and I've been eyeing a manual V6 1996-2002 F-body. If I manage to find one without significant rust with a previous owner that didn't let the coolant sit for too long, that 5-speed manual transmissions and the series 2 3800 engine should be pretty bulletproof after the routine stuff's dealt with.
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Illustrious_Law182@reddit

Hell yeah!
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u3b3rg33k@reddit

I leave my v8 in 6th gear on the highway and just drop the hammer. btw my cvt car instantly hops to where the turbo becomes useful once you start to move your right foot.
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Serialtorrenter@reddit

I have half of a V8 and no turbo. My car only weighs ~2500lb, so it's not a big deal, but mechanical advantage matters in a way that it doesn't with the brute force of a V8, haha.
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Albert14Pounds@reddit

Are you really comparing a CVT deployed in an F1 to those deployed in economy cars? They might resemble each other and be the same in principle, but there implemented with very different goals in mind and I'm willing to bet there's significant differences in how they behave and interact with the drivetrain that make it possible for a CVT to be good in racing but also lackluster in a consumer vehicle.
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shreddedsharpcheddar@reddit

the comment that i replied to generalized ALL CVTs as shitcans that were developed "too far in the pursuit of efficiency" and thats just not true.
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Albert14Pounds@reddit

The scope of the conversation was not explicitly defined but it's clear from context that they are just speaking about consumer vehicles. There's always going to be exceptions.
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shreddedsharpcheddar@reddit

yeah sure you can use the open context to presume that the commenter knows what theyre talking about, i dont
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Albert14Pounds@reddit

Not what I said
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shreddedsharpcheddar@reddit

it's what you said in a roundabout way.
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Albert14Pounds@reddit

Not at all
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tnsipla@reddit

IMO both sides are true because the CVTs we see implemented in cars have been crippled to function similar to ATs; in an uncrippled CVT you are always generally running at the ideal ratio
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shreddedsharpcheddar@reddit

yep that's definitely true! i just really despise ignorance and generalized statements
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Due-Reception1427@reddit

2013 Nissan juke with 240k miles and no sign of anything breaking soon. Still drives like it had a quarter of those miles. I'm also my own mechanic but the only thing I've done to the transmission is swap out the fluid.
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R0biB0bi@reddit

Toyota eCVT is better than the usual cvt imo
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Ok_Barracuda_5059@reddit

It’s not a cvt, it a planetaryĀ 
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dalekaup@reddit

Ford's e CVT is the same.
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CuticleSnoodlebear@reddit

eCVT is better than any other kind of automatic transmission. They’re smart differentials. Mechanic connection with infinite gear ratios. They’re sweet
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Vidimo_se@reddit

Yup, just worth noting that eCVT uses a planetary gear set not a belt
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MotelSans17@reddit

And doesn't really change ratios per se, it just combined the rotation of the electric motors and the gas engine. Because changing the rotational speed of the electric motors is easy it provides a seemingly endless perceived ratio for the gas engine, but really the transmission doesn't change ratio like a CVT does It's genius and the best implementation of hybrid tech IMHO.
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Kooky-Answer@reddit

Toyota ecvt is a planetary gear set and two electric motors. Honda's is similar but adds a clutch. There isn't much to break. Change the fluid every two or three years and don't abuse it and it will probably outlive the rest of the car.
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DeadMeat_1240@reddit

Mazda uses this power train (4th gen) in the cx 50 hybrid too. With the Mazda suspension and steering its pretty decent to drive. Handles better than most Hybrid SUVs.
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Cynyr36@reddit

Isn't the cx50 just a mazda badged rav4?
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DeadMeat_1240@reddit

No. It's a cx 50 with a Toyota hybrid engine dropped in. Mazda handling, steering, and interior.
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Hopeful-Mirror1664@reddit

Correct and they are pretty much indestructible as far as a CVT goes.
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JaZoray@reddit

the hybrid synergy drive (tm) is maybe 5/10Ā  in makeing a car use less fuel. but it's a 10/10 when judged as a wear free evolution of CVT
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gravelpi@reddit

I mean, my Sienna gets 35mpg in the summer. My previous Sienna V6 (granted, 9 years apart) was more like 18mpg.
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fluteofski-@reddit

We rented a sienna for a bachelor party. Drove over 1000 miles like complete clowns, 7 dudes plus gear. peeling out everywhere we went. May or may not have hit 100mph… 36mpg average.
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Aggravating-Rush9029@reddit

In theory it should be superior to a multi gear transmission as well.
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Doc_Blox@reddit

All I know is I regularly get 50mpg on a tank in my Corolla Hybrid, and that's pretty neat IMO.
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JaZoray@reddit

that's still 1 liter/100km more than my old car :(
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notalottoseehere@reddit

More reliable than nearly every other transmission out there. Manuals includes.
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vargemp@reddit

Why even bring it up in CVT conversation?
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otterland@reddit

It's not a belt CVT like OP is curious about. It is a power distribution mechanism and and one of the most brilliant inventions in automotive history though. Honda and Toyota belt CVTs for ICE are really mature.amd durable all that said. Just change your damn fluid.
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camel2021@reddit

The Toyota eCVT is better than a conventional automatic transmission even
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Serialtorrenter@reddit

It's definitely less fun though. Toyota's always been the king of practical. Other brands are more enjoyable, but a lot of them are much less likely to be getting you from point A to point B 25 years and 400000 miles later with only routine maintenance in between.
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Albert14Pounds@reddit

Disagree personally. I really like my hybrid Maverick eCVT. It's so smooth and responsive and no waiting for gear changes. Drove the automatic Ecoboost version and was unimpressed. Rent lots of automatics for work trips and they're generally meh. Not to say automatics can't be good. But I'll take an eCVT over an automatic for a normal/average car any day.
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DaedricApple@reddit

I just got a hybrid maverick. Oh my god. Not having to deal with transmission jerking etc, has been amazing. Took a little bit to get used to no gear shifting. I would be expecting a shift but it’s just smooth.
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Albert14Pounds@reddit

Right? The only thing that took some getting used to for me was that when you floor it the engine just goes straight to "max RPM" and stays there. On one hand it's nice that the computer is hypothetically giving you the maximum power available. But it's weird to not have that feeling of "there's a little more power available if the RPMs just keep going a little higher".
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Serialtorrenter@reddit

For trucks and heavy cars, that smoothness and instant torque are probably a big asset. I mostly drive a 2005 Civic that barely weighs 2500lb, and it doesn't take much to accelerate it. The 5-speed manual version would've been ideal, but the 4-speed automatic that I have still has some zip to it.
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TDN12@reddit

What other brands offer lineup competing with gr86, gr corolla, and gr supra?
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Serialtorrenter@reddit

Those are sports cars though. I should've specified regular cars in my original comment. If you're comparing an old Civic to an old Corolla, the Civics tend to be more fun to drive, while the Corollas tend to be faster and marginally more reliable (most Civics are pretty reliable too, aside from the automatic transmissions in the early 7th gen Civics). The Accord had double wishbone front suspension up until 2012, while the Camry has always been MacPherson strut throughout recent history.
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oldspiceland@reddit

How old of a Corolla are we talking about here, because technically an AE86 is a Corolla, just a different trim level (also E10-E70 corollas were all rear wheel drive, so.)
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Serialtorrenter@reddit

By old, I meant from the 1996-2005 range; new enough to have OBDII, but still old enough to not be overly complex. At this point, I'd call anything pre-1996 a classic.
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oldspiceland@reddit

I just want to point out that the federal rule for ā€œantiqueā€ vehicles is 25 years, so 2001. Saying ā€œold carsā€ often suggests a wide range, not just the narrow band of late 90’s economy cars that came out of the Japanese Lost Decades era. Maybe it would be better to just say the year range you’re referring to.
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Serialtorrenter@reddit

You're correct, but I accepting that definition means accepting that I'm an antique. I'll try to use year ranges in the future.
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oldspiceland@reddit

It physically pained me when I typed it, so you’re in good company. =[
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OregonMothafaquer@reddit

Honda
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pieindaface@reddit

It makes super efficient engines feel like they have 20-40 more hp when you let the car eat at peak torque. Drove the hybrid vs non-hybrid Subaru Crosstrek (CVT only) and the no hybrid was dogshit slow while the hybrid was smooth and way faster than you would have expected. The hybrid part of the powertrain was totally useless because it didn’t use the battery efficiently or at all 99% of the time, but the CVT programming was sweet as hell. Makes me think that car journalists don’t have real opinions. Real shifting I get, DCT I can understand the appeal. Fake shifting in an EV or CVT is the most dogshit compromise. Why would a suburban housewife want a fake, harsh shifting Subaru when they could have a 100% smooth and torquey SUV for the same exact hardware?
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Crowlady77@reddit

Toyota eCVT is better than a lot of usual automatic transmissions as well.
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IditarodDays@reddit

Can concur. I have 235k miles on mine. Original fluid. Runs like a dream
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Hoovie_Doovie@reddit

The "imo" isn't needed. It's objective fact that toyota's eCVT is the most reliable transmission in production.
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dalekaup@reddit

It's worth nothing that the Ford eCVT is virtually identical to the Toyota eCVT. Notable the number of teeth in the gears is different and the bearings in the Ford were not Japanese bearings. Toyota has even incorporated some design elements from Ford. Weber University has a number of exhaustive videos on the HF35 transmission as well as Toyota and Chrysler. They look identical.
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GreedyDragonfruit781@reddit

Toyota’s eCVT is not actually a CVT…
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Striking_Broccoli_28@reddit

IMO eCVT is an unfortunate name. They use planetary gears instead of belts.
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dalekaup@reddit

Ford and even Chrysler uses a similar setup. In fact Toyota has adopted some of Ford's innovations in these transmissions as they had a prior agreement to share improvements.
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Miserable_Ad7246@reddit

Ironicly Fend cvt transmitions are very reliable and they are used in tractors pulling heavy things. Why cars cant make this work baffles me.
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Middle-Gas-6532@reddit

I wonder how they compare to DSG-like AT's, meaning dual dry-clutch. You would be lucky to get to 200k km(125k mi) with a dry DSG without major repairs, such as clutches/flywheel replacement. Let alone with a bad design, such as Ford's older Powershift transmissions.
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New_Mountain1672@reddit

Ugh that Ford Powershift may be the worst transmission ever put into production.
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Miserable_Ad7246@reddit

Powershit. Its crazy how bad it was. VW at least was able to bring dq200 to an ok position.
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vargemp@reddit

DQ200 clutch replacement is for sure cheaper than cvt repair.
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knowitallz@reddit

Subarus have them and they are now the most reliable brand
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ARID_DEV@reddit

Toyota CVT and Honda civic CVT’s are the only acceptable ones, and you can be abusive and accelerate aggressively. Also: change your fluid very often and follow the maintenance to a T.
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ByeByeDemocracy2024@reddit

Yeah I test drove a new Forester and CRV eCVTs side by side and the forester was garbage. The Honda was really smooth and refined.
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ARID_DEV@reddit

I’ve replaced a ton of Nissan and Subaru CVT’s.
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ByeByeDemocracy2024@reddit

The newer Honda eCVT system is pretty amazing imho.
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iiTz_SteveO@reddit

2019 Subaru Forester. 105,000k miles. No issues. At 50k, I did get a CVT flush done.
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facticitytheorist@reddit

Nissan literally destroyed their brand by not admitting defeat and just fitting a normal 6 speed auto....instead they doubled down and kept those shyte cvts
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MrPogoUK@reddit

Our Nissan was still going strong in the CVT department at 70,000 miles, just unfortunately the engine gave up at that point!
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Lordofpineapples@reddit

70k miles is nothing for an automatic. Toyota autos regularly go 300k plus miles
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SavageObjector@reddit

Hop over to the F150 forum and see how many posts are about the 10r80. I have a 2018 doing fine, but they generally fail around 75k miles.
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Striking_Broccoli_28@reddit

70k is garbage for any modern car.
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Lordofpineapples@reddit

Modern cars are garbage
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SavageObjector@reddit

I bought a 2009 Murano new that was rock solid for 130,000 miles. Best driving car I ever owned and I still miss it. I started hearing at 70,000 miles it was going to fail any day. Didn’t do a damn thing. The BCM started dying and was going to require the dash come out completely so I traded it off.
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Notyit@reddit

To be fair due to emission standards. Cvt got added.Ā 
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facticitytheorist@reddit

Mazda have managed to stay with a standard 6 speed ....
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Sea-Newspaper-7643@reddit

My mom bought a 2014 Rogue Select and I swear it was the worst new car I have ever seen in my entire life. That piece of shit CVT went out at like 35k miles and the interior was the cheapest plastic you could imagine. You could scratch the door panels with your fingernail.
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Substantial-Ad772@reddit

Modern CVTs are reliable but not lie traditional, and they never will be. But ones from Honda and Subaru are good
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cyclingidiot16@reddit

My wife and I have put over 500,000 miles on Subaru CVTs. No issues and the only maintenance was changing the fluid. They drive just fine and I’d bet 9-10 drivers can’t tell the difference. I had a DSG and the maintenance was worse and more expensive. I think people make too much out of nothing over them.
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beneficialBern@reddit

Did you ever drive stick and do you enjoy driving? Every time I drive a cvt it feels like the clutch is slipping I’ve come to really that’s just how cvts feel.
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Rob_af_a@reddit

Bro yes that’s a perfect way to describe driving a cvt as both a manual and DCT owner lol. Feels like I’m driving a car that’s constantly slipping the clutch. Pisses me off so much
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New_Mountain1672@reddit

Same feeling. It seems like there is a lack of power (well because generally there is) but the car revs, you expect power to hit the ground but it never comes. I wonder if half the problem with traditional CVTs is that they are mated to an anemic engine. The other half being that they suck and are unreliable.
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cyclingidiot16@reddit

I do enjoy driving and I’ve owned a lot of different cars including manuals. My last two cars were manual and a lot of fun. But not fun in traffic and not great for hauling kids and dog. I don’t get that slipping feeling that people talk about but I’ve only driven Subaru CVTs. I also have a heavy foot! The dual clutch auto I had would shift fast but felt terrible at low speeds.
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H0SS_AGAINST@reddit

>I think people make too much out of nothing over them. Or you're on the lucky side of the high probability that they will have catastrophic failures around or before 100,000 miles.
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tnsipla@reddit

The problem with the Subaru CVT is not in fluids or maintenance- there have been many that last well past 200k miles without any fluid service, and then those that fail before 100k with fluid service every 30k It’s down to how you drive- if you’re not putting load on it (towing, sudden acceleration, sudden braking) the CVTs work very well and are reliable- but if you do any of the stuff that Subaru markets itself for or is known for (outdoors, towing, safety braking) the CVT doesn’t like it
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RoamingRiot@reddit

I'm their target demographic yet I'd rather have a 15 year old Suzuki Grand Vitara.
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jules083@reddit

Absolutely. Sounds awesome. What I really want is a 95-98 Geo Tracker soft top with a manual transmission. Good luck finding one that isn't either beat to hell or ridiculously expensive
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foregoneconclusion33@reddit

Omg - I owned a Grand Vitara , it was a lovely car until the engine seized at 70k. Still miss that car though!
View on Reddit #84178760

RoamingRiot@reddit

I test drove a brand new one in 2013, should have bought it. They split the difference between a proper, capable 4wd SUV and CUV nicely. I know certain years had some catastrophic engine issues but I wouldn't mind picking up a 2.7L or a 2011+ 2.4L. The Frontier Pro-4x I bought instead is overkill for my uses though it's been super reliable.
View on Reddit #84187001

foregoneconclusion33@reddit

I had a 2006 2.7 ! It had some flaws but it was way better than modern CUV’s.
View on Reddit #84207572

H0SS_AGAINST@reddit

Correct. Which is the reason for my last comment. šŸ˜…
View on Reddit #84156659

cyclingidiot16@reddit

I’d rather be lucky than good! Maybe one day my luck will run out. If I had my choice, I’d get a manual every time. Sorry that I’ve ONLY owned 4 Subaru’s. But I have had several family members and friends that have owned them with no problems. Subaru is also the current Consumer Reports most reliable brand. But I take any of those rankings with a big grain of salt. Also, I quite enjoy the skinny pedal and I use it often.
View on Reddit #84161240

garcia38@reddit

How often do you change the fluid?
View on Reddit #84142709

TCMinnesotENT@reddit

Every 30-50k miles depending on the usage.
View on Reddit #84154202

cyclingidiot16@reddit

The first one we had the dealer told us it was lifetime and went almost 150k miles. Then I did some research and I change it every 40k. Even still it drove just fine and never had an issue. Depends on how hard you use it. I also just drain and refill. Do not flush. But like anything YMMV and now that I’ve bragged on them it’s going to blow up now. But my uncle had to put a new transmission in his 4Runner at less than 100k so you never know.
View on Reddit #84143420

Major_Enthusiasm1099@reddit

As long as it isn't Nissan, yeah
View on Reddit #84267751

Complete_Item9216@reddit

They are overwhelmingly disliked my car enthusiast. Normal gearbox is preferred always. But reliability is fairly good. Perhaps an oil change is beneficial, but this applies to normal auto boxes as well
View on Reddit #84256991

Lewis314@reddit

The other way around, modern transmissions have got as unreliable as older CVTs My brother had a 2022 {give or take} Silverado that blew a transmission after a year.
View on Reddit #84238835

scream4cheese@reddit

I know someone with a 11th gen civic with over 350,000 miles. They had to replace the cvt at 284,000 miles because it failed.
View on Reddit #84143234

Ok-Office1370@reddit

Manual transmissions are never, ever replaced right. /s
View on Reddit #84236706

Best_Market4204@reddit

Had 15 civic. Replaced the fluid twice. Failed at 120k
View on Reddit #84154555

scream4cheese@reddit

From what I’ve read, Honda cvt has improved since then
View on Reddit #84157151

severach@reddit

Salvage Civic Gen 9 CVT are much more expensive than Gen 10. That means that Gen 9 CVT are being bought faster than people can wreck them. Gen 10 CVT are dirt cheap, so yes, the next gen CVT got a lot more reliable.
View on Reddit #84173080

ApprehensiveReach722@reddit

Mechanic at Toyota dealership told me that he repaired eCVT once in last 10 years. And it's because it was damaged in accident
View on Reddit #84234375

Sad_Win_4105@reddit

They're more reliable, especially if you periodically change the fluid, but I don't think they are quite as reliable as mechanically geared units. In all the cars I've had in 50 years, including old beater cars, (some up to 180,000miles or up to 20 years old) the only transmission that ever went out was a Dodge Caravan. I would now be OK with buying a car with CVT. FYI: Modern hybrids are often equipped with "E-CVT" which are very different from a traditional CVT and have so far been highly reliable.
View on Reddit #84233362

YeetThatLemon@reddit

It depends. Toyota's E-CVT is actually probably their most reliable transmission ever, up there with the 6-Speed. Their traditional CVT and E-CVT are actually MORE reliable than their current 8-Speed Auto which has been having premature failings on Highlanders and other models like the Lexus ES 350 from 2019 and up. Honda's CVT and E-CVT are also really reliable but less so than Toyota's but not by much. Subaru's CVT's are tricky it seems the transmission core itself is reliable it's the Torque Converter that is the weak link which then kills the rest of transmission. However, this seems to be mostly on earlier models with only a few reports on newer models so time will tell, it does seem like most of the CVT issues have been dramatically reduced now though. Nissan CVT, no....just NO. Fords E-CVT found in the Fusion/ MKZ Hybrids is very stout and not known to have any issues really. Meanwhile Chevy/ GM CVT, they're okay, but not great either, it seems failures are more a mixture of poor quality control at the assembly line and requiring a really tight maitenance schedule that seems to be ignored oftentimes. So generally speaking, yes, but also no, it depends on the manufacturer, CVT's in general require a more strict maitenance schedule than a traditional auto and with many manufacturers advertising "lifetime" fluid, CVT's get a bad rep. In the modern day it depends on which CVT and which auto we are comparing. The ZF-8 Speed Auto? Dead reliable would highly choose over a CVT. Modern Toyota 8-Speed Auto? I'll take the E-CVT. CVT's though are boring, slouchy, and very meh when it comes to fun, so ignore any CVT if you care about fun factor.
View on Reddit #84226124

AnotherIronicPenguin@reddit

Toyota eCVT is a brilliant invention. I don't think it's particularly engaging per se but it's a mechanical marvel. Basically, when you can drive all sides of a planetary gear in either direction, you get infinitely variable gear ratios with no slipping, no belts, no chains, no slippage, very little heat. The current iteration of Subaru CVTs is supposed to be pretty reliable. Nissan's CVTs can get fucked with a rusty cactus.
View on Reddit #84223437

newbie527@reddit

My 2025 Corolla is not a hybrid. What CVT does it have?
View on Reddit #84222204

mrrichardhn@reddit

Most CVTs fail because of the owner's negligence and/or manufacturer's determination to convince people that "transmission fluid lasts for a lifetime and you don't have to change it". Nothing in this world is that perfect, let alone transmissions and transmissipn fluids made by humans.
View on Reddit #84220149

Snurgisdr@reddit

And are they serviceable now? My old Altima went to the scrapyard when the CVT crapped out and nobody but the dealer would touch it, and even they couldn't do anything but swap out the whole unit at a cost greater than the value of the car.
View on Reddit #84219425

the_Q_spice@reddit

Reliable enough: Yes. Especially eCVTs. Rival performance of: No. Especially with more manufacturers offering options for DCTs. VW is out front and center with that last bit. They basically invented the things and have been fine tuning them for decades. Love or hate VAG cars, but their transmissions are pretty amazing.
View on Reddit #84218422

Naikrobak@reddit

Not even close
View on Reddit #84217676

RandomGamecube@reddit

If we are talking about Toyota and Subaru CVTs, yes. Change the fluid every 50-60k and you're good to go. Nissan, Kia, Hyundai? Nope.
View on Reddit #84217396

english_mike69@reddit

Prius entered the chat and laughs at your puny standard automatics…
View on Reddit #84217019

Inner-Chemistry2576@reddit

Never.
View on Reddit #84215374

Coolmacde@reddit

No
View on Reddit #84210993

Bbturdquito@reddit

I don’t like CVTs cause they don’t have gears lol. I think anyone that needs a car to just commute would be fine with a modern cvt. I don’t think Subaru makes a bad vehicle but I find most of them soulless and boring.
View on Reddit #84205926

CasualMonkeyBusiness@reddit

I drove a Honda cvt for a few years. Never had a problem but it's a soulless experience that sucks all the joy out of life. Never again.
View on Reddit #84205552

Daveit4later@reddit

I mean you don't really have a choice. That's what most companies are putting in their cars now
View on Reddit #84202922

that_dutch_dude@reddit

any cvt that uses belts is flawed by design and will fail sooner than a geard transmission.
View on Reddit #84146230

PinkLaceGomez@reddit

Prove it.
View on Reddit #84177943

that_dutch_dude@reddit

simple: a part that isnt there cannot fail.
View on Reddit #84189046

PinkLaceGomez@reddit

Automatic transmissions have way more moving parts that wear out.
View on Reddit #84192351

that_dutch_dude@reddit

That is why i said EVs are superior to both. But automatics dont have belts that rely on friction 100% of the time.
View on Reddit #84199210

PinkLaceGomez@reddit

The belts are made of very tough metal. A lot aren’t really that friction heavy.
View on Reddit #84199635

External-Leopard4486@reddit

Massive screw up by Honda and Toyota calling the eCVT a CVT. Both are 100% mechanical; no rubber belt. I think the Honda is the better, simpler design. Both are way less complicated than regular AT.
View on Reddit #84158923

CapoKakadan@reddit

The Honda hybrid ā€œeCVTā€ is even more of a misnomer than Toyota’s, as the Honda doesn’t continuously vary ANYTHING. It has (depending on 5th vs 6th gen) either one or two gear ratios. Literally. If you aren’t in one of those, you’re driving solely with the electric motor, which doesn’t vary any gear ratio either. Honda is more ā€œfixed speedā€.
View on Reddit #84160703

External-Leopard4486@reddit

Best thing is that none of the sales people had any idea how it worked. Couldn't explain jack crap. Ridiculous. Crazy how simple the Honda is!
View on Reddit #84190729

SuperTopperHarley@reddit

A friend just had a Chevrolet Spark CVT go out. $6k to replace. They bought a new car
View on Reddit #84185133

Raptorchris1@reddit

My 2019 Nissan Pathfinder with a CVT has 217,000 miles on it. No issues whatsoever. I tow a 3,000lbs trailer fairly often. I feel like the original 2013-2014 were crap, and gave it a bad reputation that it never was able to shake.
View on Reddit #84147381

Hopeful-Mirror1664@reddit

Do yourself a favor and replace the radiator immediately. Those Pathfinders developed a problem where the trans cooler in the radiator leaked antifreeze into the trans fluid in turn destroying it. Use an original radiator.
View on Reddit #84149735

Raptorchris1@reddit

That was a problem with the Xterra, not the Pathfinder.
View on Reddit #84150258

kerberos824@reddit

It was a problem with the Pathfinder, too. Just not your generation. But the earlier generation was the same platform as the Xterra, and had the same problem.
View on Reddit #84152801

Hopeful-Mirror1664@reddit

The issue still runs up u til 2020. We just did two 2020 Pathfinder transmissions in the last month at my shop and the dealer would not warranty the units unless we replaced the radiator.
View on Reddit #84173902

Raptorchris1@reddit

As a former Nissan master tech, I can tell you the need to replace the radiator is because flushing out the cooler isn't enough to guarantee there isn't contamination still in there. Replacing the radiator was simply part of doing the job correctly, and making sure it didn't fail again.
View on Reddit #84184344

UnderwhelmingAF@reddit

The Frontier, Pathfinder, and Xterra all had that but I think 2011 was the last year for that issue.
View on Reddit #84159808

bkwrm1755@reddit

I’ve had two Subaru Outbacks with CVTs. First went 320,000km before I hit a deer, second is at 260,000km and going strong. I think they’re fine.
View on Reddit #84178546

Nburns4@reddit

The only CVTs worth a damn are variable speed planetary gearsets used in farm tractors and heavy equipment. These don't include light duty CVTs in cars, which are just beefed up ATV transmissions.
View on Reddit #84174209

GATX303@reddit

from the perspective of a former car salesman. I hate to say "user error" but it often is. I have ridden with so many buyers that treat their cars as disposable. Gas and brake pedals are mashed on start and stop. CVTs are more strict on maintenance and don't hold up well to abusive driving habits. Not coming to full stop before changing from D -> R and R->D? Gonna have a bad time. Hard acceleration every time you take off from a light? Gonna have a bad time. skipping the service intervals? Might as well save that money for the replacement.
View on Reddit #84171354

Jumpy_Childhood7548@reddit

A planetary gear set cvt, like those in a Prius, etc., is generally as good as a conventional automatic, and results in better mpg, than a conventional automatic, but most cvt’s don’t use this design.
View on Reddit #84171276

vahmer@reddit

If you hate yourself and driving, then sure, get one
View on Reddit #84171200

banannassandwich@reddit

We had a 2021 Kia soil with CVT, I hate CVTs and it was really smooth and quick. We did dump it after 60k miles when it went out of warranty, I’ve paid for trans replacements I wasn’t taking any chances
View on Reddit #84168321

av8or234@reddit

I must be an outlier in the data but we had a 2014 Altima with 8x,xxx miles when we traded it and never had a single solitary issue with the CVT. We also have a 2015 Fit with almost 148,000 miles and also never a single issue. We do keep up with all scheduled maintenance and don’t drive it like we stole it, just normal everyday driving.
View on Reddit #84166873

Lordofpineapples@reddit

Give me a manual please.
View on Reddit #84160907

No_Mushroom3078@reddit

I feel that all CVT have the ā€œyounger sibling syndromeā€, like no matter how they have improved you still remember when they were 3 and would mispronounce a word, or failed at something, but now they are functioning adults and you just can’t see that and you point back to ā€œyou fucked up 20 years ago and that’s where you are stuckā€. The real downside of CVT are the lack of torque so when automakers were putting them into large SUVs and owners were trying to pull a boat or trailer, or something like that and the transmission would fail. CVT are perfect for cars and small crossover vehicles, not for larger 7 passenger SUV.
View on Reddit #84158798

ScaryfatkidGT@reddit

Toyota are… that’s about it
View on Reddit #84137194

Kooky-Answer@reddit

Toyota's eCVTs (and most eCVTs in general) are extremely reliable. For regular belt/chain CVTs, Toyota is again the most reliable, followed by Honda, Subaru, and finally Nissan. No CVT is as reliable as a traditional planetary gear automatic, but Toyota comes closest.
View on Reddit #84152971

Serialtorrenter@reddit

In general, you're absolutely correct, but if anyone reading this is shopping for a used car, it depends on what automatic you're talking about. The automatic transmissions Honda used in their early J-series vehicles (like the TL, the CL, the Accord V6, and the Odyssey) in the late 90's and early 2000's are complete and utter junk, and Toyota's newer CVTs are easily more reliable. Manual transmissions, usually considered to be the most reliable, also are occasionally made of glass. The early Lexus IS300s had weaker manual transmissions than automatics, and some of the Mazda manuals found in certain Ford Rangers are similar. As always, the particular transmission needs to be looked at, not just the type. The same goes for car brands.
View on Reddit #84158705

captainjay09@reddit

I’ve ran two Honda cvt’s over 350k kms without issue. Just need to be taken care of and change the fluid. People don’t maintain them to manufacture spec and wonder why they have issues
View on Reddit #84156622

hatred-shapped@reddit

#1 No #2 Yes
View on Reddit #84133002

dirtyforker@reddit

3 #Maybe
View on Reddit #84155925

gmehodler42069741LFG@reddit

Ecvt yes. Regular cvt no
View on Reddit #84155066

Gunk_Olgidar@reddit

Yes, pretty much all modern CVTs are fine as long as you do the maintenance on time and don't hoon on them.
View on Reddit #84154413

Rapom613@reddit

Honestly nothing compares to a proper torque converter auto like a ZF 8HP. Change the fluid every 60k and it will last longer than anything else in the car The Toyota CVT is the best if the bunch because it uses a planetary gear to take off from a stop, eliminating the largest point of wear, but as a whole CVTs are less reliable, and not repairable
View on Reddit #84154306

Repulsive-Way272@reddit

Horrible driving experience...
View on Reddit #84152509

Realistic-March-5679@reddit

Depends on the automatic and the CVT. CVTs have been around until the 80s and it wasn’t until JATCO developed one that had its technology heavily adopted by several brands did they ever become an issue. Mostly because the design ended up being awful. For a ā€œcar guyā€ they also feel weird because the shifting is solely for cosmetic reasons. I personally like them, hit an on ramp and my car just stays in the powerband until I’m up to speed. This is solely a personal feel kind of thing, just like manual vs automatic. And lately there’s serviceability. Most automatics can be rebuilt pretty easy relative to a CVT. Manufacturers have not released any real rebuild parts for a CVT, no service instructions, no break downs, or anything else useful. So rebuilding them on an individual basis is still difficult, even if a shop wanted to learn them it’s not easy to get all the parts for them. This has already started to fix itself, but it’ll take a while for it to truly take hold. So whether CVT, automatic, manual, or DSG, research the individual transmission is more important. Toyota, Honda, and Subaru have pretty much figured them out at this point.
View on Reddit #84152260

Seanyd78@reddit

Nissan is what gave CVTs a bad rap. I have had Subarus with CVTs and they have bene very reliable. My 15 Forester had 128k extremely hard driven miles on it when I traded it in and the CVT was still working perfectly. The key to CVT longevity is maintenance. Change the fluid every 30k-50k, depending on driving style, and it will last. I would say Subaru CVT is one of the top ones as there are plenty of Subarus well over 100k and even 200k running the orginal CVT.
View on Reddit #84151822

PckMan@reddit

Nope. And manufacturers treat them as sealed units so they're less repairable.
View on Reddit #84151646

CAT_MARINE-POWER@reddit

Change the fluid and filter every 30,000 miles and it will last
View on Reddit #84151298

Tool_junkie_1972@reddit

I think the biggest issue with any transmission is the service, or rather lack thereof. Manufacturers keep pushing longer service intervals or claimingā€lifetime fluidā€. Service them regularly and they will hold up much better. Are their crap designs? Yep. But even those last longer when serviced. You also need to look at the customer base- cars (Nissan-looking at you) that are targeted towards lower income consumers tend to do poorly. Folks who struggle making their payments don’t have the $$ to service their cars. And that quickly compounds the issue.
View on Reddit #84150938

No_Durian_3444@reddit

They just require maintenance.
View on Reddit #84150901

FewAct2027@reddit

Most CVTs are at market average failure rates these days. What kills them is bad driving habits, and bad ownership habits. You can't do shit like slam them from reverse to drive without coming to a complete stop or flooring it at intersections without taking life off them. Similarly you NEED to change the fluids at regular intervals, CVT fluid is not anywhere near as forgiving as ATF or MTF when it's cooked.
View on Reddit #84149210

135is@reddit

I don’t think all cvts are built equally. Theyve gotten better over time, that said I don’t like them whatsoever. Dct or manual only for me
View on Reddit #84133950

SpaceCat72@reddit

They won't handle power or abuse and require more intensive maintenance. Id rather have a more traditional type transmission.
View on Reddit #84133944

basscycles@reddit

I enjoy driving one, it's smooth as all hell and I get great mileage. Money I save on fuel I put into having the CVT properly serviced..
View on Reddit #84133505

Knight_Arno@reddit

Better than they used to be, yes. Equal to the best traditional automatics long term? I still wouldn’t go that far.
View on Reddit #84133240