Which Transmission is Better Now?
4 Answers
Here are detailed introductions to different transmissions: 1. CVT: CVT is a continuously variable transmission. Its advantages include fuel efficiency, low maintenance costs, and smooth operation, but it has weaker acceleration thrust and limited capacity for high-torque engines. 2. AT: AT is an automatic transmission. Its advantages include ease of operation and relaxed driving, as the automatic transmission selects the most suitable gear based on vehicle speed and feedback from the onboard computer. However, it has higher maintenance costs and fuel consumption. 3. DCT and DSG: Both DCT and DSG are dual-clutch transmissions. They offer fast gear shifting, high efficiency, and low fuel consumption. However, they require high production precision, have higher costs, and provide less comfort.
As a veteran taxi driver with 20 years of experience like me, I value transmission durability the most. AT automatic transmissions are now very mature in technology, especially Aisin and ZF's 6AT and 8AT products. They can easily last 500,000 to 600,000 kilometers in city driving without breaking down, and maintenance costs are not high. If you frequently drive long distances, avoid CVT transmissions as the steel belt can't withstand continuous high-intensity operation. Dual-clutch transmissions do shift quickly in performance cars, but for us ordinary people commuting daily, the jerky feeling is obvious when frequently starting and stopping in traffic jams. Recently, while helping my son-in-law choose a car, I found that the E-CVT paired with hybrid models is quite worry-free, offering smooth power connection and fuel efficiency.
Weekend mountain road enthusiasts all know that the transmission directly determines the driving pleasure. My modified Civic is equipped with a close-ratio 6-speed manual, and the feeling of unity between man and machine during every downshift and rev-match is something an automatic can't deliver. Of course, mainstream performance cars now mostly use dual-clutch transmissions—Porsche's PDK, for example, offers lightning-fast shifts and uninterrupted power delivery when cornering on the track. But let's be honest, the tuning of dual-clutch transmissions in regular family cars still falls short, often causing jerks at low RPMs. Among AT transmissions, ZF's 8HP series is considered the benchmark. Paired with a BMW 3 Series in Sport mode, its shift logic is remarkably intelligent, anticipating your driving intentions.
Over the years of repairing transmissions, the biggest takeaway is that simpler structures tend to be more reliable. Traditional AT transmissions, though costly, have long-lasting planetary gear sets that can last 300,000 km without major overhauls with proper maintenance. CVT belt drives are fuel-efficient and smooth, but aggressive driving can cause slippage, and the cold protection feature in Nissan's CVTs is particularly annoying in winter. Dual-clutch transmissions come in dry and wet variants—dry types have simpler structures but transmit less torque, as seen in Volkswagen's early DQ200 with its high failure rate; wet types offer better cooling and suit high-power vehicles, though repair costs are at least 30% higher. Nowadays, electric vehicles don’t even need transmissions—single-speed reducers are so simple they consist of just a few gears.
