What is the difference between CVT transmission and automatic transmission?
3 Answers
The differences between CVT transmission and automatic transmission are: 1. Different gears: CVT transmission only has forward and reverse gears; automatic transmission has parking gear, reverse gear, and forward gear. 2. Different structures: CVT transmission has a simple structure and is relatively small in size; automatic transmission has a more complex structure and is relatively larger in size. 3. Different transmission chains: CVT transmission uses a steel transmission chain; automatic transmission uses a gear set transmission chain. CVT transmission refers to a transmission system that can continuously obtain any transmission ratio within the transmission range. Through CVT transmission, the optimal matching between the transmission system and the engine operating conditions can be achieved. Automatic transmission means that the vehicle will automatically select the appropriate gear for driving based on the driving speed and traffic conditions.
I've always felt that CVT and automatic transmissions drive completely differently. The CVT is like a smooth silk ribbon that never pauses, with engine RPM rising steadily without noticeable shift points, making it particularly comfortable and effortless in city traffic jams; automatic transmissions have that gear-shifting jerkiness, similar to manual transmission upshifts and downshifts but fully automatic, providing more direct acceleration on highways. In terms of fuel consumption, CVTs are usually more economical because they can maintain the optimal efficiency range - like my friend's Honda CVT can go dozens of kilometers further on a tank of fuel. However, CVT belt systems may cost more to repair, while automatic transmission gear structures are prone to minor issues but have cheaper replacement parts. Overall, choose based on driving preferences - go for CVT if you love smoothness, or automatic if you prefer driving feel. Try both and you'll know.
Having driven for over a decade, the practical differences between CVT and automatic transmissions are significant. CVT transmissions have a simpler structure but higher maintenance costs. If the pulley or belt fails, repairs can easily cost thousands, and they're more sensitive. Automatic transmissions have fixed gears like a combination of several gears, requiring more frequent repairs but with parts that are easier to find and cheaper. In daily use, CVTs are more fuel-efficient, especially in stop-and-go traffic where the engine output is stable, but on highways, automatics respond faster with power. Personally, I lean toward automatics because they're better suited for long-distance driving and varied road conditions, offering higher stability. When buying used, also note that older CVTs tend to have more issues, whereas automatics are easier to handle.
