Why CVT Are Hated and Misund

The Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is perhaps the most maligned component in the modern automotive world. Ask any driving enthusiast their opinion on a CVT, and you’ll likely hear words like "soulless," "drone," or "rubber-bandy."

While the visceral hatred for the CVT is understandable from an enthusiast"s perspective, it is often based on outdated misconceptions or a misunderstanding of what the transmission is actually trying to achieve. Here is the technical reality of why the CVT is hated, and why—for the vast majority of drivers—it is actually a marvel of efficiency.