Which is better, E-CVT or 8AT?
2 Answers
Both E-CVT and 8AT are reliable. E-CVT has only 22 moving parts (compared to over 100 in an automatic transmission), so theoretically, its failure rate should be lower. Strictly speaking, this question cannot be answered definitively. Firstly, these two transmissions are completely different and cannot be directly compared. Secondly, even the most reliable transmission cannot guarantee 100% freedom from failures. Here are some additional details: 1. E-CVT is not a CVT transmission; they are entirely different concepts. E-CVT is used in hybrid vehicles and employs a planetary gear mechanism, while 8AT is used in gasoline-powered cars. 2. The principle of E-CVT: It uses a set of planetary gears to "blend" the power from the engine and the electric motor. Therefore, E-CVT is essentially a power combination solution rather than a traditional transmission. 3. 8AT refers to an automatic transmission with 8 forward gears. AT stands for automatic transmission, also known as automatic gear. The number of gears is akin to comparing a gentle slope with many steps to a steep slope with fewer steps—which is more tiring to climb. Increasing the number of gears allows the transmission to have closer gear ratios, reducing engine speed and thereby lowering fuel consumption.
I mainly use my car for commuting and family transportation, and I find the ECVT more practical than the 8AT because it operates smoothly and seamlessly, without the jerky gear shifts. It's especially comfortable in urban traffic congestion, preventing passengers from feeling carsick, and it also helps save a lot on fuel costs—the ECVT maintains the engine speed in the efficient range through continuous adjustment of the gear ratio, typically consuming about 10% less fuel than the 8AT. Over time, these savings add up. However, it's not perfect; during rapid acceleration, it produces a 'buzzing' noise that isn't pleasant to hear, and under high loads like climbing steep hills, it feels a bit underpowered. But considering daily family use and the need to save money, the ECVT is still the better choice.
