Is the 8th Generation Accord Equipped with a CVT Transmission?
3 Answers
The 8th Generation Accord is not equipped with a CVT transmission; it uses an AT transmission, also known as a torque converter transmission. This type of transmission connects to the engine via a torque converter and contains multiple clutch plates and planetary gears, making it a widely used transmission type. The 8th Generation Accord has body dimensions of 4945mm in length, 1845mm in width, and 1480mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2800mm. It is powered by three engine options: a 2.0L naturally aspirated engine, a 2.4L naturally aspirated engine, and a 3.0L V6 naturally aspirated engine. The 8th Generation Accord features a double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension.
I've driven an eighth-generation Accord for ten years, so I'm very familiar with the transmission. For the domestic Accords from 2008 to 2015, both the 2.0L and 2.4L versions were equipped with a 5AT automatic transmission, and even the top-end 3.5L V6 model had a 5AT—definitely not a CVT. Honda only started widely using CVTs from the tenth-generation Accord. My own 2.4L Accord has clocked 180,000 kilometers, and while the AT transmission has some shift jerkiness, it's built to last! Back when I was getting it serviced, the mechanic mentioned that the solenoid valves in these 5ATs are prone to failure—when the gear shifts start feeling more jarring, it's time to check the transmission fluid and replace it with an improved valve body to extend its lifespan.
After studying the complete configuration list of the Accord, all eighth-generation models with automatic transmissions were equipped with traditional planetary gear transmissions. I drove the 2.4L EX version for three years, and its 5-speed forward gear setting resulted in relatively high RPM during highway cruising—around 2,500 RPM at 120 km/h, which is about 500 RPM higher than current CVT models. However, the AT transmission could handle higher torque, making it a popular choice for modifications back then. A simple ECU tune could easily add 30 horsepower. If a CVT had been used at that time, the steel belt would have been prone to slipping under high loads, making it unsuitable for aggressive driving.
