But I LIKE the "gearless" shifting of a CVT.

[cleanteamofny]

My car was in the shop for engine reseal

Well I had the opportunity to drive the 2015 Subaru Impreza and the CVT was very smooth but there are little hiccups that takes a little getting used to.

1: When putting car into reverse, the computer had has an 3-5 seconds delay before gears engage.
2: Every now and then when slowing down then pick up speed, gears somewhat hesitate between gears changes like how a bicycle changes gear when shifting.
3: Engine sounds bogged down when going up hill, I think it's just me getting used to the new sounds of the motor.

Would I like it in the future?
Maybe but in 3 years when more information comes in for transmission reliability!

 

[washer111]

I can't remember where the other thread on automatics was, but I'll post here anyway:

 

Driven my friend's Double-Clutch Focus (2011 model) some more - and I have to say these couple of points:

- When "granny gassing" around, the transmission is fine. In fact, its almost perfect 

- Give it anything resembling "normal" or "harsh," and the jumpiness and odd behavior become more apparent. Coming through a corner, I decided to "give it some," what followed was the engine revving up to around 3000, and a very pronounced "slipping" sensation, before we started accelerating, quite briskly. I backed off, and once again, no trouble. 

If you try and boot it from a stop - its like driving with someone who doesn't understand how to use a clutch smoothly. Jump, jerk, wheel slip. Postively dreadful. 

 

Gimme one of those new-fandangled 8-speed ZF units anyday, and I'll be happy (at least until it breaks). 

 

[gusherb]

A friend of mine bought a 2011 Focus and had the total opposite experience with the PowerShift transmission... He said it would act all crazy and buck around and such when driving it lightly, but when he got on it hard it would behave. He also said in traffic it would start emitting a terrible burning smell.

IDK what Ford did to that design but that experience is enough to keep me away forever. The design VW uses has been around for 12 years and has proven to be very reliable. My cousin has a 2009 Jetta Wolfsburg with the DSG and minus regular servicing it's never given a lick of trouble and is up to 140,000 miles.

On the 8spd note: I drove a family friends 2015 BMW X1 last week which has the 2.0 turbo and 8spd auto and loved it. It was always in the right gear and kept the engine in the meat of it's powerband and was so incredibly smooth. It was also very fast and in traditional BMW fashion wanted to be rode hard. hehehehe