Does Lexus Have CVT Transmission? [All Models]

Lexus is a great luxury car brand because of its comfort and reliability. With reliable parts, it is common for people to wonder what kind of components makes Lexus a great car. With the help of experts, we will determine if Lexus has a CVT transmission.

Yes, some Lexus models have a CVT transmission, such as the UX, RX, LC500, ES 350, LQ, UX, and ES models. Lexus also has an E-CVT that operates similarly to a traditional CVT; you can find this transmission on Lexus's hybrid vehicles, such as the GS450h and the LS600hL.

Knowing what component your vehicle has is essential since this can make or break your decision to buy this vehicle. For more information about Lexus, keep reading below.

What Transmission Does Lexus Use

Transmission is an essential vehicle component, whether manual, automatic, or CVT. The transmission helps transfer the engine's power onto the vehicle's wheels.

Sometimes people find that the type of vehicle transmission can make or break their decision to buy that specific car. Different transmissions will give a vehicle a different feel; it would be best to test out a particular transmission to know if it suits you best.

Below are the types of transmission Lexus uses for its fleet of cars.

Manual Transmission

A manual transmission is one in which you'll have to shift the gears yourself. You can quickly tell if a car is a manual transmission by looking at the pedals and the shifter.

There are three pedals on a manual transmission car, accelerator, brake, and clutch. For you to shift gears, you'll have to engage the clutch. When it comes to the shifter, you may notice that it is in an 'H' pattern.

Lexus that comes in manual transmissions are:

IS 200
IS 250
IS 220d
IS 200d

Automatic Transmission

Automatic transmission is one of the most popular types of vehicle transmissions available to vehicles today. You don't have to step on the clutch with an automatic transmission to engage a gear; the car does it for you. All you have to do is put it in 'drive.'

Many people are fond of automatic transmission since it is easy to operate, unlike manual transmission. Automatic transmission is excellent for your daily driver since it is very comfortable to use, especially for city driving.

Lexus that comes in automatic transmissions are:

SUV

NX 200t
RX 300
RX 350
RX 200t
LX600
NX250
NX350

Sedan & Saloon

IS 200
IS 300
IS 250
IS F
IS 250
IS 200t
GS 300
GS 430
GS 460
GS 250
GS F
LS 400
LS 430
LS 460

Coupe & Convertible

IS 250C
SC430
RC 200t
RC F
LC 500
RC300

Automated Sequential Gearbox

The automated sequential gearbox made by Lexus is not on any other model except the LFA, which is Lexus hypercar. The LFA's transmission may feel like an automatic gearbox, but it is not one. Also, you can shift the gears using the manual pedals behind the wheel instead of a traditional shifter.

CVT & E-CTV

The CVT transmission comes with a single gear that is variable, and it uses a belt or pully to shift speeds. In theory, a CVT transmission has infinite gears, which is why some manufacturers try to recreate the feeling of a car shifting gears.

CVT is becoming more popular since it dramatically improves the vehicle's mileage. With the E-CVT, you can typically find hybrid cars made by Lexus.

Lexus that comes with a CVT or E-CVT are:

UX series
RX series
LC500
ES350
LQ series
UX series
ES series
GS 450h
GS 300h
LS 600h
NX 300h
RX 400h
RX 450h
CT 200h

Multi-Stage Hybrid Transmission

The multi-stage hybrid transmission is in development by Lexus for their performance hybrid car, the LC 500h. This transmission will work similarly to a standard automatic transmission since the vehicle has a 4-speed automatic transmission and a hybrid transmission.

Are CVTs Good

Knowledgeable about a car's parts is essential since this can help you identify if a vehicle is good. If you are ever wondering whether getting a car with a CVT transmission is optimal compared to any other type of transmission, here are some things you need to know about CVT.

Continuous variable transmission, commonly known as CVT, is a popular transmission type for modern vehicles. Unlike a traditional automatic transmission, a CVT does not have multiple gears. Instead, it has a belt or chain between two pulleys.

These pulleys spread open or squeeze close when under hydraulic pressure. This pressure forces the belt or chain to ride higher or lower on the pulley. With this method, the car's computer can easily adjust the pulley to whatever ratio the vehicle needs for the best performance and efficiency.

When driving a CVT vehicle, you may feel a lack of bumps, RPM increase, or gear changes, especially if you're coming from a traditional automatic transmission. With CVT lacking gear changes, this makes the ride a lot smoother.

Another thing is CTV dramatically helps with the vehicle's fuel economy. A fuel-efficient car is excellent for a daily driver since an everyday vehicle's most crucial trait is that it should be fuel-efficient, comfortable, and reliable.

When it comes to reliability, it is better than most automatic transmissions since most of them are almost maintenance-free. Still, you must protect it from the elements since this could cause you some significant problems. Another thing to look out for is your car's alignment, which can affect your car's CVT.

A disadvantage of a CVT is that they are pretty weak regarding performance. If you want a powerful car or plan to modify your vehicle to perform better, stick to a manual transmission or a traditional automatic.

Another thing to look out for is the lack of gear shifts, it may be surprising, but some people enjoy the feel of a car shifting gears, even if it is automatic. With a bit of driving, any driver should get used to a CVT transmission.

Overall the CVT is an excellent transmission choice, especially for standard cars, since it is fuel efficient, smoother, reliable, and lighter than other transmissions. But if you are looking at performance, it's best to look at another type.

CVT Vs. Automatic Transmission

CVT and automatic transmissions are the leading types of transmissions for modern cars today. They both may seem similar, but they have differences.

The first is an automatic transmission with a set number of gears; this could be 6, 7, 8, or more. With an automatic transmission, the driver does not have to physically change the gears of the car. Instead, the vehicle's hydraulic system responds to the pressure caused by the condition and determines which gear should be applied.

On the other hand, you have a CVT; this type of transmission has no gears but instead uses a set of pulleys and a belt or chain. One pulley connects to the engine, while the other connects to the car's wheels.

The pully will change power depending on how much the car needs. Because of this, you will have a lot of gear ratio as the pulleys and the belt is not fixed.

The upside to an automatic transmission is it still gives the driver the sensation of gear shifts even though the car does it for them. It can also handle more power than a CVT which is excellent if you like to mod your vehicle, and lastly, it is cheaper to have it fixed.

The downside of an automatic transmission is that it is less fuel efficient than a CVT, produces more emissions, and may feel rough when climbing hills.

When it comes to the CVT, it is a lot lighter, has a smoother drive because of the lack of gears, is excellent at driving steep roads, and is very fuel-efficient. These are great traits when looking for a daily vehicle.

The downside is that it is costly to repair, less engaging for the driver, and can't handle the same amount of power as a traditional automatic. These are the essential things to look out for when comparing the two types of transmissions.

It's only you that can decide which fits better to your driving style and preference which of the two is best for you since every driver is different.

Closing

There are Lexus with a CVT transmission; paired with the reliability and luxury of the brand. It makes an excellent car to own. Lexus has their version of the CVT, the E-CVT, which operates close to the CVT and is installed in most Lexus hybrid vehicles.

CVT is an excellent pick when choosing a transmission, especially if you get a daily drive equipped with it. The CVT is reliable, smooth, and very fuel-efficient. If you have a CVT vehicle, ensure the car is aligned and protect it from the elements since this could affect the transmission.

For more automotive topics and tips, check out the following post.

Lexus Won't Start But Has Power – What Could Be Wrong?

3 Best Oils For A Toyota Camry [With Other Oil Changing Tips!]

Ford Expedition Interior Lights Flashing—Why And What To Do?