CVT Car Gearbox

[pjphilli]

Hi

I am thinking about buying a Subaru XV compact station sedan.
However, these have a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission).

There is plenty of info on the next about CVT gearboxes but as usual a bit
contradictory. There appears to be suggestions that a CVT gearbox:
- is noisy
- causes the engine to rev very high when accelerating
- high maintenance

I must admit that the idea of a fixed chain transferring power between
a couple of variable ratio pulleys seems to be a recipe for wear but I am
still open minded.

Anyone had experience with CVT gearboxes?

Cheers Peter

[Astro_Bot]

Rubbish to all of that (IMHO, of course). CVT's are the quietest gearbox I've ever driven, rev lower not higher and require no more maintenance than any other gearbox. The catch is that when maintenance is required or something goes wrong, it's typically more costly.

You'd be much better discussing this on a Subaru forum. Honda, Nissan, Audi and Mitsubishi also have CVTs in some of their cars - you could check them out. There may be others.

[tlgerdes]

Have CVT in my Honda Jazz. Love it. Revs lower than my wifes Toyota for the equivalent speed. 6 years and not a beat wrong.

Take it for a drive and see for yourself.

For my car, off the mark acceleration is slower than a normal auto ie 0-20km/h, after that it is faster than a normal auto (for similar sized car). 40km/h+ acceleration is where it excels. Put your foot down the car revs to the crossover point between peak torque and power, then the gearbox winds you out in steady stream of acceleration.

[Omaroo]

I have a new 2013 XV and I'm really, really enjoying it. I genuinely think that it's one of the best cars I've owned. I was originally looking for a Forester, but the XV won me over, at least in top spec form with the 2.0iS. Once you get used to it, Subaru's "LinearTronic" CVT is very good - much better than Nissan and Honda versions I've driven - especially off road.

The car is not a speed demon, and its been lambasted a little in the international media for this, who probably expect a WRX-like 4WD of it. It isn't one, but its still well quick enough for most people. It's a blast on dirt roads, where the AWD system is in its element. It handles very neutrally and has very little body roll for being hoisted the best part of nine inches off the deck. It's actually a lot of fun to drive. You have to live with it to understand, I don't think that bloggers and magazine reviewers do any car they test any justice by going on first impressions.

With the vehicle dynamics control turned off, the CVT centre clutch pack works far better off road than the manual versions viscous LSD does. It's very quick off at the lights, and is returning 6.2 l/100km on the freeway where it does 110kmh and ticks over at a tad under 2,000 rpm while doing so. I tried the 6-speed manual and it's a rough gearbox in comparison - and thirstier but no quicker. The ratios up top are wayyyyy too high, making the CVT quicker up the hills without having to drop two gears. Stories of noise possibly relate to older CVTs from some years ago, but this one in particular is a gem. I'm so used to it now that I can make it perform the same as a typical 6-speed auto - and that's just on throttle pressure alone and not using the paddle shifts (which I dislike).

I have replaced the wheels and highway tyres with Forester steelies wrapped in Yokohama AT's and it performs offroad very well for an AWD.

Lots to know on: http://www.subaruxvforum.com/forum/

Mine:

[pjphilli]

Hi All

Thanks for all the advice and the impressive photos Omaroo. It appears that the CVT gearbox is a winner and I like the good ground clearance as my drive has a bump at the bottom that I regularly hit with my Camry. A friend who lives in Japan says that Subaru XVs are very popular there and he has not seen any adverse comment given that the Japanese are apparently quick to comment on any car problems. I will follow up on the Subaru forum as suggested. Just shows that you have to be careful with "advice" from the net.

Cheers peter

[alpharipper]

Nothing wrong with them from a mechanic. Good car and like all modern vehicles not much goes wrong. Yes there are the bad luck stories, and the ones that bag every vehicle. All vehicles have their issues some more costly than others.

You will love the xv.

[Starless]

Bad report on a Honda one.
Mates a mechanic and the tranny in his wifes Jazz just died.
He rekons they are a load of crap and warned me never to buy one.
Also says it's costing him big bucks to replace.

[Barrykgerdes]

Real men don't drive automatics
5 speed crash box (no synchromesh). Learn to double shuffle, heel toe. etc. Enjoy the drive! Way to go. and by the way ABS is just as demeaning.:thumbsup::lol:

Barry

[pjphilli]

Hi Barry
"Those were the days my friend, we thought they'd never end".
However, automatics are some advantage when frequently stuck in the Pennant Hills Road daisy chain.
Cheers Peter

[Larryp]

I remember it well. But I'm afraid these days I prefer an automatic.:)

[Astro_Bot]

Or Sydney Harbour Bridge/Tunnel, Cahill "expressway", M5, Military Road, ... :)

I used to get cramp in my clutch leg when I drove a manual, but the CVT is perfect for dense traffic. Once I got used to it, I didn't want to drive anything else.

[Starless]

So you're suggesting he fit a road ranger to the Suburu?;):lol:

[AstralTraveller]

Real gear levers are on the tree!

[Starless]

Real gear levers are operated by the left foot,
real clutches by the left hand.:P

[Wavytone]

While in the UK for a month I've been given a nice European car (manual) ... A bit of a novelty as it has been 10 years since I owned a manual...

It confirmed to me that I'm not keen on a pure manual, anymore, frankly. The Mazda 6 automatic I had previously was much more fun when driven manually (let the computer match revs and manage the change, very slick). The little Honda we have now has a CVT which also does quite well in its sport mode; it does a decent imitation of a 7 speed box and the changes are very quick. Only disappointment is the under-endowed engine; another 30kW or so would have made it much more fun. But it's my wife's car and she's happy in any case.

[SkyViking]

My 10 year old Nissan Primera has a CVT and there has never ever been the slightest problem with it. It's very quiet and has great acceleration too, much better than either manual or automatic in my opinion.

[pjphilli]

Hi All

Thanks for the further comments. I am all but convinced that a Subaru
XV is my next car - probably the 2 litre model since I will be stepping down from a 6 cylinder Camry. Except in certain circumstances I will probably leave
it in auto - nice to have the option of playing with the gearing though.

Oh - a further question: I see that the 2.0i has a towing capacity of 1200 kg. I will need to tow my boat which as an all up weight including gear/fuel etc of 675kg - presumably I would just need to fit a tow bar and trailer electrics adaptor and not have to have gearbox oil cooling etc?

Cheers Peter

[Astro_Bot]

Not sure on towing, but the transmission may already have an oil cooler - mine does.

[bigjoe]

Same for myself Laurie.When I was younger it was considered to be gutless and almost effeminite not to drive manual, if you were a real "bloke" you had to drive manual.But now i find myself driving slush boxes with fancy transmissions .Too painful in heavy traffic.Cheers.

[tlgerdes]

The trick for good acceleration in these little Hondas. Select Manual mode, put it in first, foot to the floor to take off, when it hits 5000rpm, hit the auto button and let the CVT take over.;)