Automatic transmissions that can change gears smoothly are known as continuously variable transmissions. The advantages of a CVT over a traditional automatic transmission include quicker shifting and acceleration, lower weight, and claims of being far more dependable and long-lasting.
In This Article...
Which Kia Models Have CVTs (Continuously Variable Transmissions)?
Currently available Kia models include a CVT as a standard or optional transmission:
- 2020 Kia Rio Hatchback and Sedan
- Kia Forte compact sedan, 2020
- upcoming Kia Soul CUV
- Kia Seltos Compact SUV 2021
Telluride: Is it a CVT?
Driving the 2020 Kia Telluride through one of the most picturesque routes in America, one has the impression that automakers have reached a degree of perfection unimaginable throughout the history of the car.
Reviewers have come to the stage where their criticism is limited to minor points, and those points keep growing smaller. The brand-new Kia Telluride succeeds by the slimmest of margins.
This brand-new midsize crossover sport utility vehicle has three rows of seats that can be configured for either an eight-passenger layout with a bench seat in the second row or a seven-passenger layout with captain’s chairs in the second row.
The price ranges from $32,735 for the entry-level LX trim level with front-wheel drive to $44,535 for the top-of-the-line SX with all-wheel drive. Each of the four variations can be driven with the front or all four wheels. The SX used for this review had a maximum price of $46,860 with extras.
The tester, however, performed on the road as well as some luxury midsize rivals that cost thousands of dollars more. It is propelled by a smooth 291 horsepower, 262 pound-feet of torque V6 engine. Although many manufacturers have switched to four-cylinder turbocharged engines, a V6’s smooth power delivery is still difficult to match. Of course, fuel efficiency comes at a price.
The eight-speed automatic transmission in the tested Telluride shifts so quietly that it could be mistaken for a continuously variable automatic with no shift points. This transmission sends power to all four wheels. Overall, it gets 21 miles per gallon.
On the road from Gateway, in western Colorado, to its namesake Telluride, the renowned ski town, Kia decided to unveil its largest new model. The 206-mile round-trip journey meanders through canyons encircled by astounding mountains, mesas, and crumbling rock outcroppings that are most likely more than a billion years old.
The best part was that highways 141 and 146 had no traffic and offered thrilling twists and turns as well as calm straightaways where drivers could take in the breathtaking view.
Southwest of Atlanta, in West Point, Georgia, a facility produces the South Korean Kia Telluride. It effortlessly adjusted to and navigated Colorado’s highways, tracked firmly on straightaways, negotiated turns with ease, and its soft suspension absorbed the numerous road imperfections. The absence of wind and traffic noise was the main thing that stood out.
More standard driver-assist safety features than any of its rivals, according to Kia, are included in the Telluride. These features include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane-centering and lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot detection with collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Other cutting-edge safety features include Kia’s safe-exit assist, which warns left-side passengers before stepping into the road when the system detects a vehicle approaching from the rear, and rear occupant alert, which sends an alert to a smartphone and sounds the horn if a passenger or pet is accidentally left behind when the driver exits the vehicle.
Other than that, the top-tier SX model with the optional premium package was about as well-equipped as anything you would find traveling the country’s highways. This included a quiet mode, which mutes the audio speakers in the second and third rows to let the front-seat passengers listen to music without disturbing the people in the back.
Is the CVT in the Kia reliable?
Three Kia cars received appalling predicted reliability scores due to poor ratings in key categories based on consumer feedback.
The manufacturer made significant mistakes when it installed a new continuously variable gearbox (CVT) to the most recent Forte and Soul. According to CR, the CVT performs a commendable impersonation of a conventional automatic transmission in both vehicles. Running errands around town is manageable, but it becomes noisy under stress.
Although the new transmission may boost performance and fuel efficiency, it did not enhance the ride comfort of either vehicle. The 2021 Kia Soul handles well and navigates turns enthusiastically, according to CR’s experts. They clarify that the ride seems less precise and controlled because there isn’t enough input.
With the CVT, the most recent Kia Forte is in a comparable situation. The CR team claims that the Forte’s ride quality is terrible, much like the Kia Soul’s. Due to their excessively stiff suspensions, both Kia models make it possible to feel every flaw on the road. When it comes to comfort, the Forte and Soul are near the bottom of their respective classes.
The 2021 Kia Niro EV is not without faults. In addition, it’s really noisy, you can’t have all-wheel drive, and not all states offer it. Despite having a respectable 239-mile range, it can take up to 10 hours to fully recharge using a 240-volt charger. The engine in the most recent model hasn’t been rated by CR yet, so the verdict is still out on it.
Kia has a CVT or IVT?
The Kia Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) System is one of the brand’s innovations. This technology, which is a type of continuously variable transmission, ensures smooth gear changes and offers excellent efficiency.
Which SUV does not utilize a CVT?
Kia: CVTs are not available in the Cadenza, Optima, Stinger, K900, Sportage, Niro, Sorento, Telluride, Sedona, and Forte (Optional).
How durable are Kia CVT transmissions?
The lifespan of a CVT transmission is the same as that of a conventional automatic transmission, and they are built to last the entire life of the car. The lifespan of a normal CVT is at least 100,000 kilometers. Some vehicles, like the Toyota Prius, frequently have a lifespan of far over 300,000 kilometers. Some brands, like other automotive parts, last longer than others when maintained properly.
What type of transmission is in the Kia Telluride?
Transmission. With an 8-speed automatic transmission and SportmaticTM shifter, the Telluride’s 3.8L V6 engine is mated. This offers a compromise between the control you receive with a manual transmission and the simplicity of use that comes with an automated transmission.
Mileage
The continual movement of the belt between the pulleys ensures that power is always sent to the wheels, making CVTs the most fuel-efficient gearboxes available. The ideal transmission to choose in terms of mileage output is a CVT automatic, especially if you operate your car primarily on urban roads. DCT automatic, on the other hand, is significantly better for fuel economy since it minimizes the time between gear changes.
Servicing, maintenance, and replacement
Since the majority of its design is simple to understand, the CVT automatic is considerably less prone to malfunctions and costly maintenance (two pulleys and one belt). The CVT has a low cost of maintenance. Even though they are expensive, CVT replacement parts are still more affordable than DCT automatic.
Driving experience
The DCT automatic outperforms the CVT automatic in this situation. Since the pulley in a CVT automatic transmission transmits power through a belt system, there is a definite lack of reaction in the power flow. The rubber-band effect and lack of power that driving enthusiasts would want are common with CVT automatic transmissions. While the gear selection in a dual-clutch transmission is automatic, the gears mesh similarly to those in a manual transmission, giving it far more energetic and high-octane performance. This is why sports cars frequently have DCT automatic transmissions.
Overall cost-benefit
DCTs often cost more than CVTs due to their complicated infrastructure and design, though this also depends on the vehicle. The most expensive versions of the automobiles come with both transmissions. In terms of durability and fuel efficiency, CVTs are comparatively more dependable than DCTs.
Here are the top DCT and CVT vehicles in India based on performance and price.
What kind of automatic transmission is used by Kia?
The new eight-speed automatic transmission from Kia has been announced; it is intended for use in front-wheel drive vehicles. This is the company’s first attempt to package and produce a similar torque converter-based transmission for transverse applications, despite having prior expertise with rear-drive eight-speed cars.
Who produces the most trustworthy CVTs?
There are several Toyota models on this selection, as you’ll see. The Japanese automaker is one of the leading producers of CVT gearboxes and is known for building incredibly dependable vehicles, a reputation that is well-deserved.
The brand’s family SUV, the Toyota RAV4, competes with vehicles like the Mazda CX-5, Honda CR-V, and Volkswagen Tiguan. The most recent model, which was introduced in 2019, is better than ever because of its upscale interior and exceptional build quality.
There is only one available engine, a fantastic 2.5-liter gasoline engine paired with an electric motor and a classy CVT automatic transmission. Both two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive are options; we recommend the former (unless you plan to venture that far off the beaten track).
Is the CVT more trustworthy than the automatic?
Considering purchasing a CVT-equipped vehicle as your next vehicle? It depends on whether you want to operate a gear-driven vehicle or not.
Although continuously variable transmissions (CVT) are not a recent technology, it has only been in recent years that drivers have gotten increasingly accustomed to them.
The DAF 600 was first made by the modest Dutch company van Doorne Automobiel Fabriek (DAF) in 1958. Even though it was one of the first mass-produced vehicles using a CVT, the vehicle was a failure. Subaru released the Justy, a CVT-equipped vehicle, in 1987. However, it was also a market failure for a number of reasons, such as worries about CVT dependability and the noise they omit.
Despite their often unfavorable reputation, CVTs do have some benefits, including as significantly increasing an engine’s fuel efficiency when it accelerates and being said to be less expensive than current eight- and nine-speed automatic gearboxes.
What Is a CVT?
The majority of automatic transmissions run on gears. Conversely, CVTs don’t even have any gears. The alternate name for them is pulley transmission since they run on a system of movable pulleys connected by a belt.
Drivers began to accept CVTs after Japanese carmaker Nissan introduced its Murano SUV with one in 2003. These days, CVTs are a ubiquitous sight on our roadways. Nissan, for example, provides the CVT on a variety of its models, including the Murano, Altima, Maxima, Rogue, Sentra, and Versa. Additionally, some Jeep Compass and Patriot models, BMW Minis, Mercedes-Benz Class Bs, some Honda Civic Hybrids, Mitsubishi Lancers, and a few Toyota vehicles all come with CVTs. Both Chrysler and Ford offered CVT-equipped automobiles, but they changed course after a while because customers believed the reliability of CVTs was in question.
CVT Maintenance and Repair Advantages and Disadvantages
The reliability of CVTs is comparable to that of conventional automatic transmissions in most cases. However, it’s possible that their use is more appropriate for smaller cars than for larger ones.
However, proactive preventative maintenance on some CVT models may necessitate regular transmission fluid changes, especially when compared to conventional sealed automatic transmissions, which can function for up to 100,000 kilometers or more before requiring maintenance. The CVT’s biggest enemy is heat. As a result, certain oils are needed for certain transmissions.
How trustworthy is a Kia Telluride?
The Kia Telluride: Is it dependable? The projected reliability rating for the 2022 Kia Telluride is 85 out of 100. A predicted reliability score from J.D. Power of 91 to 100 is regarded as the best, 81 to 90 as great, 70 to 80 as medium, and 0-69 as fair and below average.