Your assessment is close to mine. Most carmakers are putting Jatco CVTs in their automobiles and they're horrible trannies. Honda and Toyota make their own and are supposed to be improved over Jatco. However, problems still remained with power and durability. That's what this "launch gear" thingie was supposed to solve. Came out a few years ago. Still trying to learn exactly what that is but it gives a lot more pop off the line and reduces stress in the transmission (most of which occurs in 1st gear). I guess it's kind of a hybrid geared-CV design. First gear is a gear that switches to CV beginning in 2nd. Not even sure I said that right.

 

That actually isn't such a bad idea. Still and all, I like my geared transmissions better. Yep. I am a luddite.

 

You're an old fart stuck in your ways.

So am I and I prefer geared trannies too (given the choice) and the less gears the better. I'm not sure I've been sold on these 10 speed automatics to save fuel. 8 gears is too many. All to meet fuel standards.

 

This dude kind of explains it. Of course, leave it up to Toyota to come up with these things. Bugs me that we allowed the Japs to take over the automobile industry but truth is truth...they have. And it's for reasons like this. They just take a longer view of things whereas Americans look only to the next quarterly profit report. My understanding is Honda followed right behind Toyota with the "launch gear" design.

 

More speeds are necessary when the engine isn't up to snuff. Added complexity is never good.

I've got an '04 Ford Expedition that doesn't run. I've been tracing issues for week. It cranks fine, but won't hit a lick. A 5 year older vehicle I'd have traced and fixed long ago.

 

Considering you don't need keys to start cars anymore I'm pretty certain I wouldn't know how to start a new car. That's progress?

 

I have no experience with the launch gears myself. I recently had the AUTOMATIC transmission on my '16 Mazda services. I was talking to the transmission shop owner and asked about CVT units. He rebuilds them around 60,000 miles. My experience with them is when you step on the throttle, you get noise but not much speed.

 

Exactly the problem with CVTs not to mention they don’t last. The Japs made noticeable improvements and then Toyota and Honda made an even bigger leap with the launch gear design. So far all the feedback has been good. I thought they came out 3 years ago but that video I posted above is 6+ years old so they’ve been out a little while now. I’m guessing they’re in Mazdas too since Toyota shares technology with them.

 

One reason I bought my CX-5 years ago was the lack of CVT transmissions in any Mazda vehicles. I had a search program running for cars and two CX-5's popped up one day. I was looking for a red small SUV and had never heard of the CX-5. Consumer reports rated it highly except for infotainment systems. In several years of ownership, CR was spot on.

Mazda is a wholly owned company. They might get some components sourced from Toyota but Toyota doesn't own part of Mazda.Up to 2012 or so, Ford owned part but since then, Mazda is owned by its shareholders. They do have a combined vehicle with Stellantis. The MX-5 is also the basis for Alfa Romero Spyder. I have also seen surveys where Mazda has surpassed Toyota and Honda in quality. They have gone from #1 and #2 to #2 and #3 with Mazda being #1.

 

Toyota owns 5% of Mazda (also 20% of Subaru). Perhaps more importantly, they have a $2.3 billion investment in a joint venture with Mazda in Alabama...called Mazda Toyota where they plan to make several models. I do know the launch gear was first introduced by Toyota in 2018 and I believe Honda followed up with something similar. As far as I know, no one else has introduced a launch gear CVT. I'm always wary of surveys and consumer reports and the such to be honest with you. There always seems to be ways that interested parties influence those things. Most of my opinions come from mechanics I know. And they wince as well when they admit Toyotas and Hondas are the best made cars on the road today. However, they also say Mazda has made a very solid comeback after slipping for awhile. As for the other Japanese carmakers, Subaru is a decent car, Nissans and Mitsubishi are horrible. Once you get away from the Japanese cars the quality takes a nosedive for the most part.