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Subaru is a brand that has seen impressive growth in the past 10 years, and the Japanese automaker is doing one thing that customers love and another that they dislike with a passion. Subaru’s EyeSight is popular and is getting the brand top safety scores and customers want it. The CVT automatic is a staple in the Subaru stables and some customers loathe it. Why doesn’t Subaru move away from the CVT in the new 2019 Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, and Ascent if customers dislike it?
Subaru uses the Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT) transmission exclusively in their entire lineup of all-wheel-drive vehicles and won’t be dropping it because you have issues with it. They use the 6-speed standard gearbox in their sports cars for driving enthusiasts, but Subaru is committed to the CVT automatic in all their other vehicles and even use it in the sport-tuned WRX and BRZ sport coupe.
Subaru falls in love
Subaru was one of the first automakers to use the CVT. Do you remember the Subaru Justy? In 1989 the Justy became the first production car in the U.S. to offer CVT technology. The Justy was the first car in the world to come equipped with 4WD and ECVT. It was a big thing for Subaru and Justy was the car to introduce the world to the new transmission. Justy with 4WD offered all-weather capability and the new CVT offered fuel efficiency. The two were mated, worked well together and Subaru fell in love with the CVT. 30 years later, they still use a variation of the variable-speed gearbox now called Lineartronic.
Why CVT?
Subaru can get maximum power out of their small four-cylinder Boxer engines allowing for quicker and more responsive acceleration. The CVT is best suited for fuel-efficient city driving and a moderate load which works well in the small all-wheel-drive Forester, Outback, and Crosstrek vehicles. And maybe the biggest reason Subaru is love with the CVT, is because the gearbox is lighter in weight, delivers better power efficiency, and it helps improve a vehicle’s fuel economy over a conventional 6-or-8-speed automatic.
The CVT is ideally-suited for Subaru in their small and medium all-wheel-drive lineup of cars and compact SUVs. Subaru has also made it work well with their 2.0-liter WRX turbo Boxer engine and now coupled with the new 2.4-liter turbocharged Boxer in the larger 2019 Ascent family hauler.
Because there are no gears in a CVT, it allows for manual “shifting.” The belt-and-pulley system moves to preset points that simulate changing gears. This is accomplished by manually clicking the steering-wheel-mounted paddles. The CVT in the new Subaru Ascent SUV comes with paddle shifters and eight of these shift points.
Many customers find the sensation of continuous acceleration without shift points to be unnerving. Another common complaint is that a CVT gearbox tends to make the small SUVs seem excessively loud or harsh. That’s because it forces the engine to run at higher revs as the vehicle gets up to speed. Even if you hate the CVT in the new 2019 Subaru Forester, Outback, Crosstrek and Ascent all-wheel-drive vehicles, Subaru will never leave it.
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You Might Also Like: Very Few Buy Subaru WRX With EyeSight, Could It Be The Boring CVT Automatic?
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Photo credit: Timmons Subaru, Subaru USA
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Comments
Here is what is keeping me
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Here is what is keeping me from buying ANY new vehicle: Auto stop/start, CVT, 4-cylinder engines, cylinder deactivation, direct injection, auto/manual trans, turbos, timing belts, run-flat tires.
I definitely consider the CVT
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I definitely consider the CVT the weak point of my 2018 Legacy. It's unpredictable and sometimes the engine drones at low speeds. It's extra annoying when you're in reverse. It's dumb they have paddle shifters under the steering wheel.. I never use them but hit them accidentally or get my fingers pinched in them.
The CVT in my '16 Forester is
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The CVT in my '16 Forester is one of my favorite parts of the vehicle. So much smoother and more fuel efficient than the "always hunting for a gear" automatics in some competitors.
Please wait once you have to
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In reply to The CVT in my '16 Forester is by John Goreham
Please wait once you have to change the CVT which occurs at 100,000 miles . Then comment on how good the CVT is. .
I hope Subaru would listen to
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I hope Subaru would listen to customer. The customer is always right. make cvt and make manual for the who needs it, period.
Absolutely HATE the CVT in a
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Absolutely HATE the CVT in a car. Leave them in snowmobiles and mini bikes where they belong. Personal own a Nissan CVT and can't wait to dump it after the lease is up. Never again. We looked at the Subaru, but we found out it was CVT, we turned and ran.
My first and last Subaru is a
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My first and last Subaru is a 2016 Legacy. It only had 96,000 miles on it before the transmission failed. Not too great in the fuel economy department of you have to purchase a $5,000 to $7,000 transmission every 96,000 miles.
I'm going to look for an older Honda.
And has Torque news ran an in-depth article on the failing transmissions? If so, I missed it.
I love the CVT. I don't
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I love the CVT. I don't understand the hatred. Yep, they sound different and don't shift because they are at the optimal gear-ratio for the moment. It provides the best gas mileage, you can set your cruise and it won't do those hard downshifts going uphill, and it's smooth as silk. I hope Subaru keeps the CVT forever.
You shouldn’t get the hard
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In reply to I love the CVT. I don't by Ron Sloan (not verified)
You shouldn’t get the hard downshifts on a well-designed conventional automatic either with multiple gears to choose from. It should step down smoothly although not as smooth as a cvt, which is impossible to match because a CVT is technically not shifting. I would argue the ZF 8 speed automatic is easily better than most implementations of a CVT. Smooth shifts all around up and down. Durable up to 700 bhp, CVTs struggle with reliability over 300bhp.
Please wait when you need to
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In reply to I love the CVT. I don't by Ron Sloan (not verified)
Please wait when you need to change the CVT for 7,000.00 and then comment. the CVT will fail at 100 K. Like lots of owners here, you will be singing a different tune. CVT are poorly designed and cheaper. That is why nissan and Subaru use them. It uses a belt as opposed to gears .
Yup, I'm in the "never Subaru
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Yup, I'm in the "never Subaru with a CVT" crowd. I only like to experience Subarus with a manual transmission. My family has bought 3 manual Subarus brand new.
I was avoiding Subaru due to
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I was avoiding Subaru due to the CVT, but after test driving it, I found it worked fine. I bought the Forester with CVT and now think it's best transmission ever. It works flawlessly for power and efficiency. I've done mountain climbs to 7000 ft also. Love it.
I stand corrected, the BRZ 2
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I stand corrected, the BRZ 2 wheel drive sport coupe comes with a conventional automatic (probably a Toyota part).
Wait till your CVT
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Wait till your CVT Transmission start failing around the 100K-120K miles. And when have to foot a bill of $4000-$5000. That will be fun right ?
My 2012 outback is in the
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In reply to Wait till your CVT by Anonymous (not verified)
My 2012 outback is in the shop right now - waiting on me to decide on whether to pay $8000 on a new transmission. It only had 124,000 miles - only 45K of which I put on it after purchasing used in late 2016. I"m just sick to my stomach. I bought this car to go 300,000 miles. I feel cheated.
A CVT would keep me from
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A CVT would keep me from buying any vehicle. It's only good for the manufacturers who want to increase their reported fleet MPG to meet government mandates - not consumers who will be left with the repair bill. That's why we are looking at the Ford Edge with 6 speed geared transmission, 2.5 L4 FWD. That drivetrain is proven reliable over quite a few model years.
Hey guys, i saw some negative
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Hey guys, i saw some negative comments in you tube a while ago for the CVT transmission. After which i search for a discussion for CVT and found it here. Just to share, i already paid a reservation for the 2019 Subaru Forester 2.0 with eyesight. Currently i am a user of base model Ford Ranger 2010 with manual transmission. i feel kind of cancelling my intention to buy the Subaru Forester. Maybe its better to lost 50K than to suffer the problem of CVT. How about Masda cx-5? Is it ok if i change my mind. Please help here guys.
Mazda cx-5 is fun to drive
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In reply to Hey guys, i saw some negative by Nap (not verified)
Mazda cx-5 is fun to drive and has a real automatic transmission. My wife had 240,00 on hers before we trade. I have a 2019 c-5 turbo and loves it. my nphew has 2015 CX-5 with 275,00 and still running just normal maintenance. Surbaru are not reliable. too many issues. They market well but do not stand behind their product.
The new Subaru.... CVT issues
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The new Subaru.... CVT issues, motor oil burning, bad wheel bearings, axle shaft issues, rod knock, numerous recalls, bad head unit electronics, brake light switches, now some complain of GDI oil dilution and lets not forget older head gasket and brake component/chassis corrosion problems. Is it any wonder Subaru ranks so low in reliability, tied with VW and Chrysler/Jeep with 113 problems per 100 vehicles sold
Ironically the first
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In reply to The new Subaru.... CVT issues by Superslow (not verified)
Ironically the first generation Subaru Legacys with the 2.2L were one of the most reliable vehicles. Failures mentioned above were rare or non existent. That's when Subaru earned the 'Bullet proof' reputation.The 2.2L had a reputation for making it to 300k miles. Head gasket failures were very rare with that engine. It may have been because it was a 'closed deck; engine, more metal meaning less flexing over time. Modern technical advances certainly don't necessarily mean greater reliability, The refrigerator I had previously started having major trouble after only 5 years.
They'll go away when
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They'll go away when customers starts leaving because the cars barely last over 120k. Thanks for the 100k extended cvt warranty Subaru. Looking forward to mines going out at 101k
2015 Outback 2.5 Limited
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2015 Outback 2.5 Limited owners here,.. our current situation (July-Sept 2019) .. at 86K miles, the transmission begins stuttering/bucking at different speeds, loads and a lot when it's hot... they re-trained. replaced the torque converter, re-trained.. then the FSE claimed it was the upper intake manifold issue... NOTHING HAS FIXED THE SUTTERING PROBLEMS!... so, Subaru America said, they have done all they could.... I protested with a sign and the Subaru Santa Cruz step up and offered to replace with a NEW transmission....(out of their pocket).... well, it still STUTTERS?!?... yeah crazy, makes us think,.. something is 1: the CVT again or 2: the electronics?
Sorry Subaru. I wont buy any
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Sorry Subaru. I wont buy any CVT car. They just won't hold up for the long haul and the driving experience is unpleasant. Too bad cause I loved my 2008 Impreza. Ditch the CVT!
Yeah, we will see, the FSE
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Yeah, we will see, the FSE sent the data to Japan for review yesterday (Oct .3, 2019) ....now, we wait...................................
I stopped by a subaru dealer
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I stopped by a subaru dealer in birminhgam alabama to take a look at the subaru asent a 40 grand plus vehicle to replace my aging 580,000 mile ford explorer. I did not pay attention to the window sticker were it states that it had a cvt transmission, but i knew it it when i test drove it. As the dealer was trying to run a rubber dick up my ass on the price i was trying to tell him i was not gonna but any brand of vehicle with a pos cvt transmission period. He ask why and i told him i was a retired ford mechanic and that the ford 500 cvt that was failing at 60,000 miles and the nissan altima's ctvs that failed at 50 to 120,000 miles that cost upwards of 5 grand to replace to me was unacceptable and that my 580,000 mile ford explorer still had it's original never rebuilt engine and transmission. So i purchased a new 2019 ford explorer ans it may vever give the service that i got from my old one but it don't carry a pos cvt transmission.. I will never in my life ever own a gm branded vehicle or one of any brand with a cvt transmission. every ford i have ever owned has gotten over 400,000 trouble free miles because i service all fluids including break flulid flushes every 2 years and use only amsoil products from front to back. jusy like jesus christ is king when it comes to salvation //// amsoil may be pricey but they are the king of fluids. I still have my old explorer drive it every day and i guess the original starter and alternator will never crap out the factory battery lasted 12 years.
I’ve owned three very recent
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I’ve owned three very recent Subaru’s, including my present 2019 Forester. I have no hesitation saying the more I drive the Forester, the more my hatred for the CVT is reinforced. It’s very loud, makes the engine struggle with high RPMs, and my mpg is not impressive. However, I like the rest of the car so much that I keep buying Subaru’s, for several reasons.
But this will probably be my last Subaru, since it’s obvious they’re going to stick with the CVT for who knows how many years. I just can’t tolerate the loud noise it makes even under moderate throttle.
I really love their look of
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I really love their look of the imprezza wagons and the fact they have plenty of room, but that cvt is a no go for me...looking at Hondas now
2016 Outback. CVT failed at
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2016 Outback. CVT failed at 79k. Complete failure. Subaru replacing with "remanufactured" under extended warranty. I am never buying another Subaru vehicle.
The CVT in my 2014 Outback
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The CVT in my 2014 Outback made the car drive like a slug! It had NO get up and go. 0 to 60 took an ETERNITY and the engine and tranny sounded awful all the while. Interestingly, it wasn't that noisy on delivery but the noise just got worse and worse after about 3 weeks of driving. Metallic clanking on startup was deemed "normal" on multiple visits to the dealer for service. Thank God it was a lease. I despised it and had to suffer for 2 and 1/2 years before I could trade it in early on an older model with a traditional automatic transmission. NO THANK YOU! I will never drive another vehicle with a CVT.
I would never buy a car with
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I would never buy a car with a CVT. I am in the process of buying an Audi Allroad after looking at the Subaru Ascent