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HONDA CRVS " CVT transmissions"

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#41 ·
Franken CRV said:
We had a 2018 CR-V with the CVT, which we passed on to our daughter. We now have a 2022 Hybrid CR-V. Power delivery is better, especially from a dead stop. But it DOES have a CVT.
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The hybrid has no CVT in any conventional sense. See post #6 for a bit of a summary explanation.

www.crvownersclub.com

CR-V Hybrid Transmission - How Does It Work?

I was reading the thread about the CVT trannies in many Hondas but the Hybrid has supposedly something quite different. Every test driver on Youtube who drove the CRV Hybrid commented on it being an unusual setup, but failed to explain how it operated. Anyone want to chime in and educate me...
www.crvownersclub.com www.crvownersclub.com
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#42 ·
Dannynica said:
Hello everyone, I am looking to buy a new vehicle. I was willing to stay with another CRV but for what I have found out Honda is only making CVT transmissions after 2015

My opinion and for what i have read, I dont trust and will not buy another CRV because this issue
I am moving to a RAV 4 fromo toyota since they have regular automatic transmission

any thoughts on this matter guys???
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I have a 2018 CRV. No issues with my CVT transmission. My vehicle also came with a lifetime warranty on the entire driveline.
 
#43 ·
Franken CRV said:
We had a 2018 CR-V with the CVT, which we passed on to our daughter. We now have a 2022 Hybrid CR-V. Power delivery is better, especially from a dead stop. But it DOES have a CVT.
Click to expand...
It isn't really a CTV, they call it e-CTV but what it is is one of the two generators is the transmission. Hopefully someone can come along and explain this better than I can but your hybrid does not have a transmission at all. Here is a clip from Car and Driver.

"Behind the CR-V's upright grille is a standard 190-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder. It pairs with a CVT and either front- or all-wheel drive. This setup is standard on the EX and EX-L models. The Sport and Sport Touring only come with the hybrid powertrain, which pairs a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with two electric motors for a combined total of 204 horses."
 
#44 ·
Frank M 53 said:
My 2019 CR-V with 1.5 liter turbocharged engine, All Wheel Drive, and Continuously Variable Transmission have been flawless. I couldn't be happier with this car's performance. Only 57,000 miles so far but I would like to add that the Maintenance Minder does remind you when to change the transmission fluid. The literature I read online advised me to "be sure to also change the fluid in the transfer case (if equipped.)" The AWD vehicle has a transfer case but it is attached directly to the transmission, and shares the same fluid. No need to worry about another separate fluid change.
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If you have AWD the rear differential needs to have the fluid changed.
 
#45 ·
I was similarly suspicious when I bought my 2018. To date - no issues. I expect that there will be fewer problems as CVT have fewer parts and a number of years of production already on the road. I do not miss the stepping of geared transmissions. When I press on the accelerator/gas pedal, it just goes. No lag or downshift.

Different subject: 4 wheel drive differentials need frequent oil changes - 15-18,000 miles. This was a disappointment.
 
#48 ·
gjm22182 said:
I was similarly suspicious when I bought my 2018. To date - no issues. I expect that there will be fewer problems as CVT have fewer parts and a number of years of production already on the road. I do not miss the stepping of geared transmissions. When I press on the accelerator/gas pedal, it just goes. No lag or downshift.

Different subject: 4 wheel drive differentials need frequent oil changes - 15-18,000 miles. This was a disappointment.
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First one at 15k or so, subsequent at 30k.
 
#49 ·
Tony H said:
Agree 100% CVTs are not ready for cars, keep them in light snowmobiles. Nissan Altimas had them... Only good for abut 130K miles. Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has them, same deal only good for 120K miles. It wouldn't be bad if they could easily unbolt like an alternator and opened up easily to change out the belting and expanding pulley.
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Just because Nissan, and Mitsubishi can't design good CVTs is NO REASON to paint Honda CVTs with the same tainted brush.

It is a mistake, and misinformation, to try to prosecute all CVTs as evil just because a few brands are careless about their design approach.

Honda was late to introduce CVTs into their CRVs. Which is typical for Honda, to slow walk new technology into their vehicles until they are confident in their reliability. There is no history of reliability problems or short life on CVTs in CRVs.
 
#50 ·
dussaultdc said:
Stick shift is the only way to go. Don’t care for CVT but everybody is using them now, can’t get away from them.
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A well designed CVT that is provided all the torque it wants/needs (CVTs live on torque from the engine) are a marvel of modern engineering.

The thing getting lost in all the discussion here about CVT good or CVT bad... is Honda designed the 1.5T engine and it's CVT together, with the express purpose of optimized performance and reliability (the Honda Way) over the full driving range of the vehicle. This engine pushes out maximum torque from 1500 rpm all the way up to redline. So in a CRV so equipped, the CVT is never doing what some brands CVTs are forced to do... over rev the engines to find the torque needed for the driving conditions at that moment.
 
#51 ·
ABCCRV2018 said:
I believe you may be mistaken on this. I just did a quick google search, and from that it appears that the CVTs in the CRVs do indeed use a torque converter. At least since the gen 5 (2017) models with the 1.5L.
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Agree with ABCCRV2018 and some others who posted
The Honda Gen5 CRV uses a torque converter. There is also previously mentioned a misconception of the cvt needing torque vs horsepower. The cvt automatic transmission runs on hydraulic pressures controlled by a valve body and data inputs (coolant temp, air temp, rpm's, throttle input etc) to control the various gearing of the transmission. And in this fashion, not unlike many other automatic transmissions. The main difference in a cvt transmission vs the typical automatic transmission is a cvt has two separate pulleys and a metal belt. The pulleys expand and contract similar to a 10 speed bicycle with derailleur gears on the pedal sprocket and the rear wheel sprocket. Now to the op's question, the Honda cvt is very well proven. Look how many have been sold in the CRV, CIVIC, and Accord and the limited complaints. Honda been using cvt's for years just as Subaru has been. Does it take time to get familiar with the cvt; yes. Now when I drive my Camaro, I am constantly looking at the RPM's and wondering when the automatic trans it's going to shift. But for those who are younger, your parents said the same thing back in the day when cars most often had manual transmission. Hmm, most manufacturers don't make cars with manual transmissions anymore. Finally, I do agree that you should maintain with a cvt fluid change when the mm says or at least 40k to 50k miles. But then again, I also replace the auto trans fluid during that time frame on my Camaro as well.

Here's a good read.

www.motorverso.com

Honda CVT Reliability & Problems - Worth the Hate Or Overblown?

While Honda is well-regarded and known worldwide for the reliability of their vehicles, could the same be said about their CVT gearboxes?
www.motorverso.com www.motorverso.com
 
#53 ·
JFlower said:
When I was buying in late 2019, I went with the CRV over the RAV4 and Rogue. I did read about CVTs potentially being an issue, but I researched it thoroughly and my concerns were put to rest. I realized previous history and perception of CVTs were a greater issue than actual recent performance of CVT transmissions and that there were very few complaints actually reported about CVT transmissions on CRVs and Rogues in the recent model years leading up to the one I got. I haven't regretted getting the CRV once.

But, I have been very, and I mean VERY, relieved that I didn't get the RAV4. Before you get one, I would strongly suggest seeking out a forum such as this, but for RAV4s. I joined both at the time I was looking to get a better feel for anything I needed to know about the cars, and the number of little issues that I was going to have to problem solve were numerous on the RAV4. And the big problems with the 2019 model were indeed transmission issues. So numerous that owners were pushing for a recall, but Toyota only issued a software fix to correct the issue. It worked for some, but not for all. There were actually owners that were able to file under the Lemon Law to get their money back for their 2019 RAV4s because of their transmission problems. So, make sure you are choosing the year wisely, but also don't just assume that the regular transmission is good to go just because it is a Toyota.

Good luck with whatever your final decision is for your next car.
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Oh wow. The 2019 Toyota RAV4 was one of my final 3 I was considering. I had really wanted a Toyota and expected I'd be buying one until I drove it and found the seat just uncomfortable and seemed small compared to the Honda. That was a deal-breaker for me! Glad I chose the CRV!!
 
#54 ·
williamsji said:
Just because Nissan, and Mitsubishi can't design good CVTs is NO REASON to paint Honda CVTs with the same tainted brush.

It is a mistake, and misinformation, to try to prosecute all CVTs as evil just because a few brands are careless about their design approach.

Honda was late to introduce CVTs into their CRVs. Which is typical for Honda, to slow walk new technology into their vehicles until they are confident in their reliability. There is no history of reliability problems or short life on CVTs in CRVs.
Click to expand...
Actually, Honda was one of the early dabblers with CVTs. Back in 2000, they had the Civic HX which was CVT equipped. It was a horrible design and nearly everyone who had one had problems with it by the time it got to 60,000 miles, or often even less. Our friend had one and was told it would cost $3500 to replace back then around 2004. I researched it for her and found tons of people who had the exact same issues she had and many had their CVTs replaced free. So I gathered all the printouts and she gathered her service invoices (she had Honda dealers do the trans fluid replacement every 30,000 as recommended, etc.) and went back to the dealer where they finally agreed to "comp" her a Honda rebuilt transmission. She used it for a couple more years before selling it as I told her not to put more than 35 or 40K on it as almost none failed before that.

Anyway, to make a long story short, the new generation CVTs from Honda introduced in 3 models in 2015 and all 4 cylinder models from 2016 are vastly different than the first generation. I believe they learned a lot from their foray into CVTs back with the Civic HX so their CVTs now seem to be very reliable. Note however that there is no CVT in V6 models and some 2.0L turbos as the power from those engines probably exceed the capability of the CVT in terms of longevity.
 
#55 ·
Garfy said:
Actually, Honda was one of the early dabblers with CVTs. Back in 2000, they had the Civic HX which was CVT equipped. It was a horrible design and nearly everyone who had one had problems with it by the time it got to 60,000 miles, or often even less.
Click to expand...
Not necessarily. My 2002 HR-V had a CVT of likely similar design and it was great. 10 year warranty included.
 
#56 ·
judyoake said:
Oh wow. The 2019 Toyota RAV4 was one of my final 3 I was considering. I had really wanted a Toyota and expected I'd be buying one until I drove it and found the seat just uncomfortable and seemed small compared to the Honda. That was a deal-breaker for me! Glad I chose the CRV!!
Click to expand...
When my HRV was totaled Enterprise gave me a Rav4. I have never gone from loving a car to hating it so quickly. They are just awful and uncomfortable.
 
#57 ·
My 2019 CRV has a CVT. I also had one in an 2006 Escape Hybrid. No problems with either. I was surprised by how nice the driving experience is with both. One big reason I chose the CRV over the RAV4 and the Mazda was how much smoother the acceleration is. I hate the jerky surge/hesitation, surge/hesitation etc. most new cars have. To have one with only one surge/hesitation from stop to full speed is a real delight. Of course if I could get a manual......
 
#58 ·
cytodog said:
My 2019 CRV has a CVT. I also had one in an 2006 Escape Hybrid. No problems with either. I was surprised by how nice the driving experience is with both. One big reason I chose the CRV over the RAV4 and the Mazda was how much smoother the acceleration is. I hate the jerky surge/hesitation, surge/hesitation etc. most new cars have. To have one with only one surge/hesitation from stop to full speed is a real delight. Of course if I could get a manual......
Click to expand...
Get a CRV hybrid and you can eliminate that one remaining surge!
 
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