Honda Accord Forums - The DriveAccord community is where Honda Accord 2003+ owners can discuss reviews, service, parts, and share mods. banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

Who Else Hates the CVT?

1 reading
Jump to Latest
1 - 20 of 376 Posts
B

baymowe335

· Registered
Joined
·
67 Posts
Reaction score
6
Discussion starter · #1 ·
Why is the CVT so bad? I never realized how much I hate the Accord's CVT until I decided to drive it relatively hard over the weekend. Not fun at all.

I can't ever tell what it's doing and it feels extremely slow, labored, and unpredictable.

I've decided to switch manual mode and use paddle shifters when I choose to drive in a more "spirited" fashion. That was marginally better.

I haven't timed them or anything, but CVT feels dreadful compared to manual mode. It almost feels like the transmission is slipping, but after watching several videos, I see is normal.

Yes, it accelerates just fine, but it's just an odd feeling that the transmission is never predictable. I absolutely hate it.

I guess I will just drive in D after loosing the desire to drive it hard. Awful. I can't be the only one.
 
#3 ·
It's not bad in most situations, but yes, there are times the CVT seems confused and unsure of what it needs to do. I've had this happen when trying to accelerate really fast to merge from a near dead stop. Can actually be dangerous when you push on the pedal expecting it to shoot ahead, but nothing happens. It just sits their droning away until you ease up on the gas.
 
#5 ·
baymowe335 said:
Why is the CVT so bad? I never realized how much I hate the Accord's CVT until I decided to drive it relatively hard over the weekend. Not fun at all.

I can't ever tell what it's doing and it feels extremely slow, labored, and unpredictable.

I've decided to switch manual mode and use paddle shifters when I choose to drive in a more "spirited" fashion. That was marginally better.

I haven't timed them or anything, but CVT feels dreadful compared to manual mode. It almost feels like the transmission is slipping, but after watching several videos, I see is normal.

Yes, it accelerates just fine, but it's just an odd feeling that the transmission is never predictable. I absolutely hate it.

I guess I will just drive in D after loosing the desire to drive it hard. Awful. I can't be the only one.
Click to expand...
One of the BMW's in your signature says you drive a manual. The CVT's will get better as technology advances, but I doubt anyone who really appreciates and uses a Manual Transmission to its full potential will ever have nice things to say about a CVT.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#8 ·
baymowe335 said:
Why is the CVT so bad? I never realized how much I hate the Accord's CVT until I decided to drive it relatively hard over the weekend. Not fun at all.

I can't ever tell what it's doing and it feels extremely slow, labored, and unpredictable.

I've decided to switch manual mode and use paddle shifters when I choose to drive in a more "spirited" fashion. That was marginally better.

I haven't timed them or anything, but CVT feels dreadful compared to manual mode. It almost feels like the transmission is slipping, but after watching several videos, I see is normal.

Yes, it accelerates just fine, but it's just an odd feeling that the transmission is never predictable. I absolutely hate it.

I guess I will just drive in D after loosing the desire to drive it hard. Awful. I can't be the only one.
Click to expand...
A CVT is made for mpg with decent acceleration, not for sporty driving. Keep it in (S)port mode, but probably what you're looking for is a manual. I'm puzzled that you bought a CVT and expected it to be sporty....?

I've gotten 36-40 mpg on the highway in our 2013 EXL CVT, which is 20-30% more than I get in our 2008 EXL 5MT.
 
#13 ·
You CAN get good performance out of the Accord CVT. There's a video on here somewhere of a guy driving one at the track. The performance just comes in a different way. Everyone's used to getting maximum performance out of a traditional automatic transmission (and obviously a MT too) so naturally a CVT is going to feel a little off-putting at first. New ways of doing things always feel weird at first. You have to learn how to drive it effectively for whatever purpose you're trying to achieve. If it's performance only that you're after there MAY be better choices, but the CVT can and will deliver if you operate it right. Try going down the road at about 35-40mph and punch it until you're up to 60-70. That's one area I find the CVT to be very potent!
 
#14 ·
baymowe335 said:
Why is the CVT so bad? I never realized how much I hate the Accord's CVT until I decided to drive it relatively hard over the weekend. Not fun at all.

I can't ever tell what it's doing and it feels extremely slow, labored, and unpredictable.

I've decided to switch manual mode and use paddle shifters when I choose to drive in a more "spirited" fashion. That was marginally better.

I haven't timed them or anything, but CVT feels dreadful compared to manual mode. It almost feels like the transmission is slipping, but after watching several videos, I see is normal.

Yes, it accelerates just fine, but it's just an odd feeling that the transmission is never predictable. I absolutely hate it.

I guess I will just drive in D after loosing the desire to drive it hard. Awful. I can't be the only one.
Click to expand...
Dude you have to sell the car, or trade it in. Hurry, before Flyboy shows up. He can smell CVT hate from miles away!!
 
#15 ·
At first I thought that a CVT would be a deal breaker but after having one on my wife's CRV I find it adequate just not very engaging. Would I buy one for my car, no way but for a workhorse/appliance application for those that need to get from point A to B it's acceptable. That's where the hate comes from, those that expect a little more "feel" from a Honda don't appreciate the muted experience. Face it, any love of a CVT comes from an efficiency perspective and even that is questionable (my take).
 
#17 ·
I don't hate the CVT. It's just not my cup of tea.

That being said, I've driven the CVTs from other car companies and I have to give it to Honda. They make the best CVTs out there right now. Ever drive the new Altima with the CVT? Feels like you're on a giant rubber band.
 
#18 ·
I have been authorized to deduct 10% off of your monthly dues if you sign up for both the CVT Hater's Club and the He-Man Woman Hater's Club by Sept 1.

No, that was a Little Rascal's joke.

I don't know if this is a fair thread. You are outright baiting Flyboy. There is no sport in this...no honor. The thread title is the "sort of general malaise that only the genius possess and the insane lament." - Dr. Evil
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#19 ·
I need to go test drive a new Accord...can't say I have driven a car with CVT as my 06 doesn't have it and pretty sure my 13' Ridgeline doesn't either...
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #20 ·
BenzAccord said:
One of the BMW's in your signature says you drive a manual. The CVT's will get better as technology advances, but I doubt anyone who really appreciates and uses a Manual Transmission to its full potential will ever have nice things to say about a CVT.
Click to expand...
Right. I have a lot of experience in manual transmissions and have driven one in my primary vehicle for 15 years.

The CVT is unbelievably bad. Worse than any standard automatic I've driven and obviously a lot worse than a DCT.
 
1 - 20 of 376 Posts
About this Discussion
375 Replies
101 Participants
Last post:
jeb
Honda Accord Forums - The DriveAccord community is where Honda Accord 2003+ owners can discuss reviews, service, parts, and share mods.
posts
2.1M
members
146K
Since
2003
Drive Accord forum, a community where Honda Accord owners can discuss reviews, service, parts, and share mods.
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
The 8th Generation The 7th Generation The 9th Generation The 10th Generation Audio, Electronics & Lighting