Nissan Xtronic CVT Transmittion

[Thrasher]

I am thinking of getting the Nissan Versa Hatchback. I was wondering about the Xtronic CVT Transmittion offered for the SL model. Is it worth spending the extra bux to get this trasmittion? Is it that much better than a regular automatic transmittion?
I know with the SL model you get lots of extras included, which is nice, but not really necessary for me.
Is it justifyiable paying the extra $3K for the new transmittion?

[S N Frost]

Personally, I can't stand CVT's. The more 'pure' CVTs I find disconcerting because the engine will rev up, and then the car will speed up while the engine stays more or less at the same number of revs. It sort of feels like the car catching up with the engine, or like a regular automatic transmission slipping.

I don't think that I'm alone in not really liking this feeling, so some manufacturers have reprogrammed the controller on their CVTs to change ratio in steps, rather than smoothly. This makes it feel more like a regular automatic transmission. However, by doing this it negates some of the benefit of a CVT. Chrysler's CVT in the Caliber does this, and it feels awful.

The Nissan CVT in the Versa is better, without as much of a laggy feeling when accelerating, and it keeps the engine very quiet on the highway, but it just feels dead to me. I would much rather have the 6-speed manual.

So, my order of preference for the transmissions in the Versa would be the 6-speed manual first, the CVT second, and the crappy 4-speed conventional automatic last.

[malecoke]

Ive hated CVT ever since the first day my gf picked up her Versa SL.
Not only it feels "dead", theres abslutely no kick down when you need it (dangerous at times) and theres a very annoying buzz around 1500-2000rpm which makes city driving very buggy.

[ES_Revenge]

A CVT should save you gasoline but for driving it's really the worst feeling transmission overall. I.e. It's not really a driver's transmission. Then again the Versa is certainly not a driver's car either, lol. So, they kind of go hand in hand.

CVTs are supposed to keep [atmospheric] engines operating as close to 100% volumetric efficiency as possible. But other than fuel savings, there's not much point IMO, because your driving experience suffers a lot.

What makes CVTs even more mind boggling these days is the fact that many manufacturers (Nissan in particular) put "command shift" modes on their CVTs, so that you can operate them as if there were different gears. That one has always puzzled me

[D-3vil]

Been driving a Civic with a CVT since July of last year. While it felt a bit unusual at first, I'm quite used to it now and don't mind it at all.

[blakjak]

I have a Nissan Murano and just love the CVT and the smoothness and power it provides. I feel the kickdown on it is quite good and the plenty of power is available at all RPMs. I find it really weird driving anything else now because of the "shift shock" - I feel no gear changes (cause there are none) and I don't notice the engine RPMs increasing and decreasing. I have had my Murano for 4 years now and I have never noticed the buzzing noise some people refer to. I have driven a Versa several times, but the CVT in the Versa does not feel as refined (that could also be attributed to the smaller engine in the Versa, and not the tranny itself). It still drives nice, just not as nice as the Murano.

To the OP, if I had the choice of a Versa with a CVT or one without, I would opt for the one with the CVT, especially seeing that it has a 4 cylinder engine. Just one word of caution, though. Nissan does not repair CVTs or train their technicians how to repair them. If it fails for whatever reason, they will replace it. This is fine under warranty, but will cost you about $2500 out of warranty. Another thing to note is that the transmission fluid costs about $25 a liter - my Murano takes 11 liters. I can't remember when it needs to be replaced, but it's no less than every 100,000 KM. But still...OUCH!

[mrlooneytoon]

I drive a CVT and yea it definitely takes some time getting used to. But once you do, you can never go back.

[THINKPADT61]

Reliability is my concern... beside, Versa doesn't have a good rating according to consumer report... I would look at other cars...

[guppy98]

We've had our 2008 Versa Hatch SL with CVT since Sept 2007. Verdict. Love it. I generally only drive manual tranny but the wife cannot drive manual (don't ask!). I cannot stand automatics but the CVT is actually pretty darn nice. VERY smooth on the highway, I find the pickup pretty reasonable for an econocar.

Overall, I'd buy another versa SL in a second.

[malecoke]

We've had our 2008 Versa Hatch SL with CVT since Sept 2007. Verdict. Love it. I generally only drive manual tranny but the wife cannot drive manual (don't ask!). I cannot stand automatics but the CVT is actually pretty darn nice. VERY smooth on the highway, I find the pickup pretty reasonable for an econocar.

Overall, I'd buy another versa SL in a second.

The dash rattles like crazy and the A/C make LOUD weird noises upon start up.....i wouldnt go near one if i were buying my own car

[vincent-poon]

been driving an 2008 altima since last year, and it was weird at first. But u just cant beat the smoothness of it compared to an auto. I guess its all personal preference, some motorists like to hear the car change gears, while others just want smooth and enjoyable driving.

[nx2k]

The Versa is an absolute blast to drive.
The CVT is smooth as butter, i've not driven the 6 spd but can imagine it is even more fun.
i was hesitant first at the CVT, but once you drive it, there's no comparison when it comes to smoothness and comfort.

i can only think of 1 complaint of the versa and that's teh steering wheel audio controls sticking out but you can't go wrong with the CVT.

[ES_Revenge]

Reliability is my concern... beside, Versa doesn't have a good rating according to consumer report...

LOL Consumer Reports

Though I'd never be caught dead buying a Versa, it's certainly not because of what was published in CR.

[phucyall]

If gas is your concern, CVT is definitely better. Also the CVT has the potential to get much better performance from a smaller engine by keeping the RPM at the peak power level.

However, since it's controlled electronically if the software is not well designed CVT will be pretty useless.

[Thrasher]

So the opinions on the transmittion and the car vary here. Is Versa really that bad to drive? Is a Toyota Yaris more fun to drive? What about a Mazda 3?