Corolla 4-speed auto transmission or CVT

[Hookmaster]

Looking at a used car for my daughter. 2013 Corollas have a 4-speed automatic transmission while the 2014 have a CVT. Any negatives on the CVT? Are they as reliable as the 4-speed auto? My research says they can have higher rpms at times and don't feel like a normal transmission shifting but get 2-3 mph more.

[Jeremy airjer W]

NIssan, ford, and chrysler, jeep, audi, and I think the prius have been using them for some time (those are the ones I can recall off the top of my head). Nissan has had the worst track record. Have not run into issues with the fords, and a couple of issues with the chryslers.

 

As far as feel they work basically like a snowmobile clutch. You will not feel a shift, just a steady rise in speed. Depending on how hard you accel the rpms will typically stay in the same spot until you reach your target speed and then they will drop to the cruse RPM. They are weird to drive at first but you get use to it quickly.

 

As far as reliability, some manufacturers are doing better than others. IMO CVT transmissions seem to be becoming a popular option for smaller vehicles and smaller engines with less torque requirements. 

The transmission is manufactured by AISIN. They are a major manufacturer and supply to just about every major manufacturer.