I had never driven an
I had never driven an automatic until I bought the crosstrek in 2013. The CVT is an excellent transmission. It is always in exactly the right gear for the throttle position selected. Yes, that means that it revs high, the optimum number for the conditions. Auto writers seem to hate them but I don't have any idea why. I really enjoyed the paddle shifters.
I have since purchased a car with a normal automatic, 9 speed, and the crosstrek was much better. Smoother, better gas mileage, and I really miss the paddle shifters.