8 Car Brands with CVT Transmission (+Models List)
Continuously variable-speed transmission (CVT) improves fuel economy compared to traditional automatic, and these car manufacturers still use it to great effect in their smaller passenger vehicles.
This post includes each make’s models that utilize the CVT automatic gearbox.
Car Brands with CVT Transmission
#1 Toyota
Toyota makes some of the most reliable models and is renowned for excellent product quality and efficient people mover with low ownership costs.
The Japanese marque is a leader in the gas-electric technology space, and its use of the CVT gearbox extends to the hybrid models to further improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emission.
If you want to own a CVT-equipped Toyota, the extensive model list will please:
- Toyota Corolla – compact sedan and hatchback.
- Toyota Corolla Hybrid – compact sedan.
- Toyota Prius – hybrid hatchback.
- Toyota Prius Prime – plug-in-hybrid hatchback.
- Toyota Mirai – fuel-cell electric sedan.
- Toyota C-HR – subcompact SUV.
- Toyota Corolla Cross – compact SUV.
- Toyota RAV4 Hybrid – compact SUV.
- Toyota RAV4 Prime – compact SUV.
- Toyota Highlander Hybrid – midsize SUV.
- Toyota Venza – midsize SUV.
- Toyota Sienna – minivan.
The relevant model years with the continuously variable transmission are as extensive as the Toyota vehicles with CVT.
#2 Honda
Honda, another giant in the automotive industry, has a front-running model in almost every body style.
Like its arch-rival, Toyota, Honda has long adopted the CVT transmission in their passenger vehicles, including some of the most recognizable nameplates in the industry, like the Civic, Accord, and CR-V.
Besides the popular models, other Honda CVT cars also benefit from that transmission:
- Honda Civic – small sedan and hatchback.
- Honda Insight – small hybrid sedan.
- Honda Clarity – small plug-in-hybrid sedan.
- Honda Accord – midsize sedan.
- Honda Accord Hybrid – midsize sedan.
- Honda HR-V – extra-small SUV.
- Honda CR-V – small SUV.
- Honda CR-V Hybrid – small SUV.
#3 Nissan
Nissan has never quite reached the heights that its more-famous Japanese rivals were able to scale in sales and reliability reputation.
Still, this manufacturer makes fuel-efficient and good-quality CVT vehicles, often at a slightly lower price than the equivalent offering from Honda and Toyota.
Nissan’s smallest and midsize vehicles use CVT to lower production costs and improve fuel economy:
- Nissan Kicks – subcompact hatchback.
- Nissan Versa – subcompact sedan.
- Nissan Sentra – compact sedan.
- Nissan Altima – midsize sedan.
- Nissan Maxima – midsize sedan.
- Nissan Rogue Sport – subcompact SUV.
- Nissan Rogue – compact SUV.
- Nissan Murano – midsize SUV.
#4 Subaru
Subaru is known for producing affordable fast cars – like the BRZ and WRX – and SUVs with above-average ground clearance and off-road capability.
Still, those features cannot compare to Subaru’s all-wheel-drive (AWD) offering, standard across all but one model, the BRZ coupe.
Couple AWD and CVT, and you get Subarus with added desirability:
- Subaru Impreza – small sedan and hatchback.
- Subaru WRX – small sedan.
- Subaru Legacy – midsize sedan.
- Subaru Crosstrek – small SUV.
- Subaru Crosstrek Plug-In-Hybrid – small SUV.
- Subaru Forester – small SUV.
- Subaru Ascent – midsize SUV.
- Subaru Outback – midsize SUV.
The Subaru CVT vehicles post contains more details on the relevant model years and trim levels.
#5 Hyundai
Hyundai has been rising through the design and reliability ranks among global automakers with value-for-money, aesthetically-pleasing models.
Although Hyundai CVT cars aren’t as many as its main Japanese competitors, the continuously variable transmission technology is available in the popular small and extra-small vehicles.
They include:
- Hyundai Accent – subcompact sedan.
- Hyundai Elantra – compact sedan.
- Hyundai Venue – subcompact SUV.
- Hyundai Kona – subcompact SUV.
If you want to know which model years have the continuously variable transmission, head to the Hyundai CVT cars post.
#6 Kia
Mimicking its corporate cousin, Hyundai, Kia offers tonnes of value and an industry-best warranty.
Plus, Kia’s smallest entrants benefit from the CVT’s improved efficiency in fuel consumption and production costs:
- Kia Rio – extra-small sedan.
- Kia Forte – small sedan.
- Kia Soul – extra-small SUV.
- Kia Seltos – small SUV.
The Kia CVT models post has more details.
#7 Chevrolet
This American make has an extensive lineup across various body styles, best known for sports cars like the Camaro and Corvette, long-time favorites among speed enthusiasts.
Still, the CVT transmission is only available in the automaker’s smaller passenger vehicles:
- Chevy Spark – subcompact hatchback.
- Chevy Malibu – midsize sedan.
- Chevy Trailblazer – subcompact SUV.
#8 Buick
Despite being one of America’s oldest automotive brands, Buick does not have an extensive lineup, and fewer still with CVT.
Its sole CVT model is:
- Buick Encore GX – extra-small SUV.
While this American marque had a rich history of innovation aimed at upper-class professionals, Buick vehicles today target mainstream buyers, establishing itself as more of a middle-class car manufacturer.
Automakers Without CVT
Apart from the premium car and truck-specialist brands, these mainstream manufacturers do not produce vehicles with CVT:
- Mazda.
- Ford.
- Jeep.
References:
https://automobiles.honda.com/vehicles
https://www.nissanusa.com/vehicles/new.html
https://www.subaru.com/index.html
https://www.hyundaiusa.com/us/en/vehicles
https://www.kia.com/us/en/vehicles