Cars With CVT Transmission | Complete 2021 Guide

Of course, die-hard car enthusiasts aren’t particularly fans of CVT transmissions. Nonetheless, the relatively new technology still has its place in the automotive industry for various reasons, offering many benefits for daily commuters.

Automatic transmission was invented precisely 100 years ago and definitely matured since then. Not only did it improve significantly, but some brilliant innovations were born alongside it. Currently, there are four kinds of automatic transmission commonly used in mass-produced cars: single-clutch transmission, dual-clutch transmission, automated manual transmission (AMT), and continuously variable transmission (CVT).

While CVTs were invented even before regular automatic ones, being used in sawmills at the time, they only debuted in production cars in 1989 when Subaru installed the first modern CVT on the Justy. Since then, they have been an effective solution for customers favoring better fuel efficiency over performance.

What is a CVT?

CVT stands for Continuously Variable Transmission, a type of automatic transmission with an infinite range of effective gear ratios. Hence, there is no fixed number of gear. In fact, there’s only one really long gear. The transmission simply seamlessly changes the gear ratio without needing any input from the driver.

Thanks to their unique operation, CVTs can keep the engine in the most efficient RPM range at any speed. And unlike other kinds of automatic transmissions, CVTs are light, adding to the fuel efficiency. Consequently, it’s no surprise that a CVT provides an improved economy and lower emissions.

On the other hand, not being able to increase the RPM over the most efficient range also reduces the overall performance. But as with anything in life, you can’t have everything, right? After all, efficient cars are rarely powerful machines.

Which Cars Have CVT Transmissions in 2021?

Due to the ever more stringent emission regulations, the number of cars equipped with CVTs has kept increasing over the years. And many of them are actually ideally suited to this transmission nowadays. And although it comes with its own set of drawbacks, a CVT transmission does have many advantages, particularly for daily driving.

If you are interested in better fuel efficiency, you might be interested in a CVT-equipped car. If this is your car, here’s a list of the most popular vehicles in North America currently offered with a CVT in 2021.

Chevrolet and Buick Cars with CVT Transmission

At first, GM didn’t really have a good time with its modern CVT. Known as the VT40, GM used it on Saturn vehicles, and it was pretty problematic, to say the least. Since then, GM returned to the drawing board and ended up using them on Chevy models. It even led the Chevrolet Spark model to use an outsourced CVT.

Then, GM revised its VT40 CVT transmission and paired it to the 1.5-liter turbo unit in the Malibu sedan, effectively improving its economy rating up to more than 30 MPG and providing better acceleration, although with the CVT’s characteristic droning noise.

Soon, the Chevrolet Trailblazer and Buick Encore GX FWD models caught up with this transmission too. They both share the same 1.2-liter turbo unit, and the CVT works even slicker in this configuration. It delivers decent performance despite the relatively small engine and succeeded in maintaining a good fuel economy too.

Download your Chevrolet repair manual here.

Chrysler Cars with CVT Transmission

• Pacifica Hybrid

Like last year, the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is the brand’s only model to use a CVT. But thanks to it, there are a lot of nice things to say about the hybrid minivan.

To be exact, Chrysler uses an eFlite eCVT (electronically operated CVT) in the Pacifica Hybrid, paired to a V6 engine and two electric motors. Unlike other eCVTs, the one-way clutch eFlite transmission allows both electric motors to send torque to the front wheels during all-electric drives. As a result, you can drive the minivan up to 32 miles on electric power only, and it has a superb 82 MPGe combined route economy rating.

But being economical doesn’t mean the Pacifica Hybrid is a slacker. Accelerating from 0-60 mph takes just 7.8 seconds, and the power is delivered quite smoothly. Overall, combined with the engine and electric motors, the eCVT gearbox works competently.

Find Chrysler repair manuals here.

Ford and Lincoln Cars with CVT Transmission

Ford and Lincoln use a Toyota-source eCVT system and applied it to their mid-size SUVs. Ford uses it on its Escape Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid models, while Lincoln pairs it with Corsair’s top-of-the-range Grand Touring model (a Plug-In Hybrid).

All three SUVs have the same 2.5-liter 4-cylinder hybrid unit, and pairing it with Toyota’s eCVT makes it a great combo, resulting in a smoother ride on these hybrid crossovers. Also, it delivers an appealing fuel economy, reaching up to 40 MPGe.

We will explain further Toyota’s eCVT system in the ‘Toyota and Lexus with CVT Transmission’ section below.

Honda Cars with CVT Transmission

Honda has been in the CVT game for a long time and applies it to just about every vehicle with a small engine in its lineup.

The company uses CVTs for models such as the Civic (excluding the Type R, of course), Accord, HR-V, and CR-V. And interestingly, most of them are equipped with a Sports mode capable of simulating gear changes using paddle shifters. Meanwhile, eCVTs are used across the hybrid lineup — Insight, Accord Hybrid, CR-V Hybrid, and Clarity Plug-In Hybrid.

Honda’s CVT system is tough, reliable, and supportive of long mileage. It also helped the brand earn excellent MPG figures on its models, especially the hybrids, which can easily reach 40-50 MPGe.

Hyundai and Kia Cars with CVT Transmission

Hyundai and Kia use their own CVT system known as the Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). This system utilizes a chain belt, which drastically improves response without negatively affecting fuel economy. Besides, thanks to the innovative design, the IVT is also more reliable than traditional CVTs.

Hyundai has been applying this smart gearbox to the Accent, Elantra, and Venue. It is also confirmed that the Korean automaker would apply it to the 2022 Kona as well, but only on its two lower trims. Meanwhile, Kia uses IVTs on its smaller cars and SUVs like the Rios, Forte, Soul, and Seltos.

Although the IVT tech is still relatively new, there is no doubt it will be reliable since Hyundai is already well-known for its transmissions. And worth mentioning, the Hyundai Motor Group is currently the only carmaker in the world to offer cars with manual, single-clutch, dual-clutch, and CVT transmissions simultaneously.

Mitsubishi Cars with CVT Transmission

• Mirage
• Mirage G4
• Outlander Sport

Mitsubishi has been selling cars with CVT transmissions since 2008, and now, every single car in its 2021 lineup comes with one. Indeed, both the small Mirage and Mirage G4 are offered with an optional CVT, while the Outlander Sport crossover comes with it as standard. And, of course, all of these models are excellent city cruisers with wallet-friendly MPGs.

Worth mentioning, Mitsubishi’s 2022 Outlander PHEV is the brand’s sole plug-in hybrid model, but strangely the manufacturer claims it has a “single-speed transmission” instead of a CVT. Not sure why they didn’t claim it as a CVT since single-speed transmissions are basically CVTs… Maybe to stay away from CVTs bad press?

Regardless, there is some good news. After skipping over this year’s model, both the next-gen Mitsubishi Outlander and the facelifted Eclipse Cross are coming as 2022 model year with CVTs as standard. The Eclipse Cross, in particular, will have a more advanced system, as it will come with the ability to simulate gear changes of an 8-speed gearbox in Sports mode, similar to what Honda is doing.

Nissan and Infiniti Cars with CVT Transmission

Nissan was one of the manufacturers to pioneer the usage of CVTs. So it doesn’t surprise that today, most of its lineup uses the matured Xtronic CVT system.

The XTronic CVT is not only found in Nissan cars with smaller engines but also vehicles with engines as large as the 3.5-liter V6s used in its mid-size models like the Maxima and Murano. Rated at 23-24 MPG, these V6s are as economical as most smaller 4-cylinder engines, which is especially impressive for non-hybrid units. Consequently, these supposedly thirsty and powerful units now have a chance of competing against cars equipped with much smaller engines.

Furthermore, Nissan’s Xtronic system, in addition to delivering smooth acceleration and excellent fuel efficiency, also provides fun-to-drive traits. So much, in fact, that even Infiniti uses it on its luxury compact crossover, the QX50.

Subaru Cars with CVT Transmission

Subaru has what it’s called Lineartronic® CVT, which applies to all of its lineups apart from the WRX sports sedan. While other carmakers use CVTs almost exclusively on FWD vehicles, the Lineartronic® CVT is designed to work Subaru’s signature symmetrical AWD system most of its models adopt. It also features a 7/8-speed virtual manual mode with paddle shifters and a rev-matching adaptive control.

This transmission works incredibly well with these rally-pedigreed vehicles. Some of them are also still fun to drive despite lacking the control that a regular stick shift provides. But in our opinion, Subaru Ascent is the brand’s model that benefits the most from this transmission.

It is interesting how such a large three-row SUV could have a CVT, but also not surprising. Thanks to Subaru’s CVT, the Ascent has competitive advantages by having one of the best fuel economies in its class (at 22 MPG) and delivering one of the smoothest rides.

Toyota and Lexus with CVT Transmission

Toyota holds the record for the most models with a CVT in its lineup simply by applying this transmission in each of its hybrid cars (which are plenty). In fact, the Corolla and C-HR are the brand’s only non-hybrid CVT adopters.

Toyota’s current eCVT gearbox is part of the fourth-generation Hybrid Synergy Drive, and it’s one of the most well-developed eCVTs ever made. Instead of the traditional setup using two pulleys and a belt, the eCVT uses two electric motor-generators connected to a planetary gearbox.

As a result, it can maximize the use of electric energy in the hybrid powertrain. It does this by keeping the engine in the optimum power range while also recharging the batteries.

The success of this system is evident in the Toyota Prius, one of the most economical cars in the world. Even Lexus also adopted this eCVT transmission in its hybrid variants, and so does Ford with its Escape Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid models. Without a doubt, Toyota’s eCVT is a brilliant transmission system.

Last Words

As you can see, the menu for cars with CVTs is filled with plenty of options. Most of them are great contenders for daily drivers, and it is all thanks to manufacturers who could maximize the use of this highly efficient transmission model.

Of course, when compared to a dual-clutch system, the CVT does feel a touch soulless. However, it is by far the most efficient transmission system ever made, which has become more and more important lately. Besides, CVT cars feel closer to EVs, which also accelerate without changing gears.

In the end, if you just want a regular passenger car, it is hard to go wrong with a CVT. But based on reliability records, Japanese manufacturers seem to produce the most effective and least problematic CVT and eCVT systems. As a general rule, you shouldn’t worry about getting one of those hybrid Hondas or Toyotas but perhaps go on a test drive first before buying them. CVTs are definitely not for everyone.