Since they have no shift points (unless programmed in to the computer for a manual mode), a CVT can greatly cut down on the feeling of acceleration, even though you may be accelerating at the same rate as you would in a car with a regular transmission.

Some people are also feel disconnected with a CVT because engine RPM's do not rise and fall normally. You may be under heavy acceleration, but the engine will stay at the same RPM and produce a steady whine, instead of one that varies.

However, since a CVT + computer has the ability to always run the engine at the optimal speed for peak power and efficiency, they are the way to go to get the most power out of an engine while using the least gas possible.

 

It goes back to the Subaru Justy. They had a lot of problems with the trannys on those.
Ive got lots of experience with CVTs. Ive owned many snowmobiles and ATVs that had CVT trannys and they are nice. A CVT tranny can come up with the perfect gear ratio for the given situation and keeps the engine in the heart of it's powerband.
In terms of ease of use and efficiency, nothing rivals a CVT.

 

Actually two identical cars, one with CVT, one with a regular automatic, the CVT car should accelerate faster as it keeps the engine in the peak power RPM, where as the automatic shifts in and out of the peak power band.

CVT is actually an old technology and as Octane said used in many ATVs and Snowmobiles, the reason they just recently showed up in more automobile applications is that because the Materials Technology today has taken leaps from 15 years ago, this allows them to manufacture CVTs for higher power applications with good reliablility.

 

Going along with what the other posters said, the disconnection of no shifting points, I felt ackward when I test drove the Prius awhile ago, I accelerated and it seemed the engine just keept on going and I was expecting shift, really wierd feeling if you been driving a traditional tranny equiped car...but from what I hear manufacturers are designing the CVTs so they aren't like that as much or give the driver more of a "connected" feeling...I'm sure they got a lot of complaints. But like Octane said, its one of the most effecient trannies out there.

 

Actually two identical cars, one with CVT, one with a regular automatic, the CVT car should accelerate faster as it keeps the engine in the peak power RPM, where as the automatic shifts in and out of the peak power band.

CVT is actually an old technology and as Octane said used in many ATVs and Snowmobiles, the reason they just recently showed up in more automobile applications is that because the Materials Technology today has taken leaps from 15 years ago, this allows them to manufacture CVTs for higher power applications with good reliablility.

They are rather old. The first CVT design was made by Leonardo Da Vinci, hundreds of years before the first car was invented.

Going along with what the other posters said, the disconnection of no shifting points, I felt ackward when I test drove the Prius awhile ago, I accelerated and it seemed the engine just keept on going and I was expecting shift, really wierd feeling if you been driving a traditional tranny equiped car...but from what I hear manufacturers are designing the CVTs so they aren't like that as much or give the driver more of a "connected" feeling...I'm sure they got a lot of complaints. But like Octane said, its one of the most effecient trannies out there.

I consider that to be a plus. It gives a smoother and less noisy ride. I hope that they continue to develop the non-connected CVTs for those among us who do not like noise, as I would like to drive a car with one of them some day.

I hear that the automobile manufacturers are switching over to 6 speed automatic transmissions to cut costs though. :sosad:

 

Im not a fan of 6-speeds. Last year my parents were looking at getting a new Explorer and they test drove a V8 Explorer which gets a 6-speed automatic.
My father didnt like it because he said it felt like the tranny was never sure what gear it should be in and seemed to be almost constantly shifting. They went with a V6 Explorer which gets the old 5-speed automatic instead.
My neibor has a Prius and when she first got it she let me take it for a short drive because she knows how much I love Toyotas. Im not used to hybrids, so the whole experience was weird for me, but the car is so quiet that you really dont notice that it doesnt shift. I found it to be really eerie because the cars is almost totally silent unless you are accelerating hard. :ugh:
Im kinda oldschool and Im not ready for a CVT hybrid yet. Gimmie a 4-banger with a 5-speed manual tranny and Im a happy camper. :thumbsup:

 

I am not really a fan of the hybrids. They look great on paper but that does not take into account weaknesses in the battery technologies, as the batteries do not last more than three to five years, replacement batteries cost five thousand dollars each and they are integrated with the engine in such a way that you have to go to the dealership to get it replaced. The fuel economy savings is interesting, but I would much rather have one of these engines instead:

http://www.allpar.com/mopar/turbine.html

I do not believe that there is anything stopping someone from using one of them with a continuously variable transmission. Theoretically it should work if everything is wielded correctly. The only problem that the US Government had Chrysler discontinue development of the engine when it was ready for mass production.

 

The battery pack is warrantied for 100,000 miles, so I wouldnt worry about it. You are going to recoop the cost of the hybrid technology in about 3 years (depending upon how many miles you drive a year).
I wouldnt buy a hybrid either, because I dont want to mess with all that electronic BS, but it is cool nonetheless.
I just give Toyota credit for developing hybrids when everyone else said they would never gain market acceptance. Unlike some "other" manufacturers who are seem to think that stuff a V8 in everything is the answer, Toyota isnt afraid to try new things, take a risk and be a leader instead of a follower.

 

people resist change. If it's something they're not familiar with, they'll put it down. CVTs are great for fuel economy and help keep the engine in its optimal range but because people are so used to feeling the surge of acceleration a regular transmission gives, they just assume a car with a CVT is weak (weird, considering the Murano has 240hp).

Really, with no shifting, you accelerate faster. It's really funny when you see a noob manual driver or just those that accelerate hard with an automatic and the auto doesn't shift as fast. You see them keep up, then fall back when they shift.