I'm car shopping and have been watching just about every review on youtube of cars that I like. I've found that a lot of reviewers and auto enthusiasts bash CVTs (not specifically related to Lexus or this model). Why is that? I've read a thread on this forum and it appears that Lexus/Toyota has not had issues with CVT. Also, can someone please explain in simple terms what a CVT is and why a manufacturer would add that versus a 'regular' transmission. Thank you for your help!

 

Because there noisy and your hear engine wine.

 

Most users of these vehicles don't care much if the car is an 8 speed auto or a CVT or eCVT. A lot of the reviewers and/or auto enthusiast always complain about 0-60 or the CVT is not responsive or there is turbo lag. All good information and definitely something good to know. But I believe a lot of the drivers really care about other things and if the vehicle is reliable.

Even the touchpad which I agree is not as easy to use was complaining about it - even when they added a touchscreen. It's the job of the reviewers to find things to critique on so that there could be improvements.

 

Another point against CVT transmissions when compared to a normal transmission.

Regardless of performance, most CVT transmissions are not serviceable/repairable, they have to be replaced at a significant cost to the owners.

Most normal non-CVT transmissions can be serviced, without being replaced, at a much lower cost.

 

You will get a lot of opinions on this and many members are only familiar with the older CVT models, which were somewhat sluggish feeling to drive as they don’t have discreet shift points. The newer ones feel better, but they still don’t have any distinct shift points so they are smoother in motion - like an electric golf cart. They absolutely don’t meet everyone’s tastes so you really need to test drive one and decide for yourself if they match your driving style. If you enjoy spirited driving, it probably won’t appeal to you. If you are looking for spirited driving, there are many better cars anyway.

As to the comment that they are noisy, I would disagree. While you are driving a vehicle with a CVT, you can’t really tell any difference in noise level. A CVT is typically combined with a lower horsepower engine (or hybrid) so you will hear more engine noise if you are pushing the car hard. In the case of the hybrids, you can hear a mild whine from outside the vehicle, but only very rarely from inside the car. After owning 5 hybrids with CVTs, I would argue that they are actually quieter because at low speeds you spend quite a bit of time on battery, and the smoother transmission with no discernible shifts make for a very smooth acceleration. Toyota has improved their CVTs over the years and the ones in our current Lexus vehicles are definitely improved from the one in our 2006 Prius.

There are members on here that can describe a CVT far better than me, but I can share a bit of an overview - based on my understanding. A Continuously Variable Transmission is simpler than a standard automatic transmission, and most importantly maximizes fuel economy. It is designed to keep the internal combustion engine operating in its optimal/economical rpm range. So in its simplest concept, it is designed to keep the gas engine operating at a constant RPM and merely alter the gearing to propel the car forward. Now this idea only goes so far, so when you call up more power by stomping on the gas, then the engine must spool up to provide the requested power. Nissan recently used these in many of their cars, but they have been traditionally used more in hybrids, where the goal is increased fuel economy.

 

Point of clarification. Nissan started using the CVT's in the brand new built in Japan 2003 and forward Murano, which also has a nice V-6 engine. We bought one in July of 2003 and we still have this vehicle, and it has over 250,000 miles on it now.

The CVT was replaced in May of 2015, by the dealer at a cost of about ~$5,300 (183,000 miles, ) and the vehicle (less rust issues common in the upper midwest) continues to be very reliable transportation, at nearly 20 years later.

Toyota's CVT's and E-CVT's have an excellent reputation for performance and reliability.

The CVT's in general have continued to be refined in design and performance over the last ~20 years and can be very reliable, but keep in mind the replace versus repair issue if you decide to buy a vehicle with a CVT.

 

I remember with my first CVT thinking, "man, no gears, this is great".

Guess I'm not one of the cool kids.

 

There are two completely different designs involved here. The old Continuously Variable Transmission has been used since the Dutch
car company DAK (famous for the Amphicar!) started using one. Visualize a multispeed bicycle with large and small chainwheels. Major
difference is that bike chains were pulled, auto transmission compressed the chain plates. Move the pulley sides to change ratios. Lots
of friction and somewhat torque limited. Hard to control smoothly and the chain and pulleys shed metal filings into the oil.

The Toyota Synergy drive uses a Planetary system similar to a traditional stepped gear transmission. Power the inner "Sun" gear with
the Internal Combustion engine, power the caged "Planet" gears with the Motor Generator and send power to the wheels from outer Ring.
Very low friction and noise and reliable as a result. Run just electric or just IC or both. Coast and transfer torque back to the MG to regenerate.

With either system we are trying to keep the IC engine at its Torque Peak, the RPM it is most efficient. When riding a bicycle you have a
cadence that works best, too slow you can't climb a hill, too fast your feet fly off the pedals, right? While we are grew up loving the sound
of a nice 2nd gear chirp and the musical notes of a well done downshift it really was not the most efficient use of fuel.

 

Pretty sure that the new Lexus NX hybrid models will come with the P710 and P810 gearboxs. Enjoy some gear ****:

 

Fascinating video. Worth every one of the 40 minutes if you are interested in understanding how Toyota’s current hybrids operate. The engineering behind this seems like pure genius. Thank you for sharing!

 

Prof Kelly and the WeberAuto Youtube channel are an endless source of all things hybrid. He hasn't yet got hold of a Rav4 Prime to tear apart but pretty much all other hybrid models are covered in his videos. Word of caution: gear-heads can get lost in those videos and never be heard from again.

 

Every CVT i've driven feels like ****, and drives like **** and is loud and harsh. I've only driven them in nissan and chrysler products though- Caliber, Altima, rogue, compass, im forgetting a few others. and this was back in the early 2010's where i had to drive alot of rentals. have they gotten better? I don't know.

edit. i forgot that the current RX450H is a CVT. I definitely do not mind that transmission at all. So yeah,,, maybe Toyota/Lexus can actually produce a CVT that isn't all that i said above!

 

Watch the video above on post #9, and it should answer your question.

I did and as a still owner of a 2003 Nissan Murano (the first Nissan CVTY) learned a lot.

Toyota's E-cvt's of today are almost nothing like the original Jatco CVT's Nissan used (still uses?).

 

Because old CVTs really sucked. The new CVTs is cars are much better. My wife has an Avalon Hybrid limited with CVT ( very similar to ES300h ) and the CVT runs very well.

Most Nay-sayers don't have or haven't extensively driven the newer Toyota/Lexus CVT autos.

 

Commonly misunderstood topic. The Toyota/Lexus hybrid drive system is e"CVT" in acronym only. It has nothing to do with the common eCVT that journalists (who also get them mixed up cause they're dumb) bash.

So in terms of Toyota and Lexus hybrids, no need to concern yourselves with the word "eCVT" because it's a moot topic since it's not really an eCVT. It just shares the name. Nothing more.