What type of transmission does the CRV use?

[MacWeston]

CRV is equipped with two types of transmissions: a 6-speed manual and a CVT continuously variable transmission. CRV is a classic urban SUV model produced by Dongfeng Honda Automobile Company, paired with Michelin Latitude series SUV tires. The engine it is equipped with is a 2.0L double overhead camshaft i-VTEC engine developed by Honda, with a maximum power of 110kW and a maximum torque of 190Nm. The dimensions of the CRV are 4621mm in length, 1855mm in width, and 1679mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2661mm. The vehicle features front-engine, front-wheel drive.

[LeEmmanuel]

I've been driving this CR-V for almost four years now, and it's equipped with a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). The driving experience is incredibly smooth, especially in traffic jams where it doesn't jerk like traditional automatic transmissions. I've heard that CVTs use a steel belt drive mechanism, which is simple in structure and fuel-efficient. In city driving, it averages around 8 liters per 100 kilometers, and even less on the highway. However, it's important to change the transmission fluid regularly—I follow the maintenance manual and replace it every 20,000 kilometers. The hybrid version uses an E-CVT, which is even more amazing, relying directly on electric motors for speed adjustment, making it as quiet as an electric car. Recently, it seems like the new models all come with CVTs for the gasoline versions.

[LeLuke]

The transmission setup of the CR-V is quite interesting. The mainstream 1.5T gasoline version uses Honda's in-house CVT with simulated shift functionality. I've observed the tachometer—during hard acceleration, it maintains high RPM ranges without the slippage seen in older CVTs. The hybrid version's E-CVT is essentially a power distribution device, where a planetary gear set seamlessly couples the engine with two electric motors. A friend who runs an auto shop mentioned that pre-fifth-generation CR-Vs used 5AT transmissions, but most units in the used car market now feature CVTs. This transmission design is simpler than dual-clutch systems and carries significantly lower maintenance costs.

[McGiselle]

Recent research on the CR-V hybrid revealed that its transmission is actually called an E-CVT. However, it is completely different from the CVT in gasoline-powered vehicles, lacking the steel belt and cone pulley structure. The engine charges the battery via a generator, while the drive motor directly powers the wheels, with a planetary gearset controlling the power distribution ratio. Driving it feels completely seamless without any gear shifts, and it features strong energy recovery during deceleration. The traditional gasoline versions uniformly use a CVT transmission, which Honda has tuned well—stomping on the accelerator can simulate the acceleration feel of an AT downshift.