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Midsize Sedans 2.0

18212 messages,  Last post on May 23, 2013 at 9:43 AM

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What is this discussion about? Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Volkswagen Passat, Mazda MAZDA6, Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Malibu, Kia Optima, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 1742 of 1822

#17407 of 18212 Re: Motorweek comparison test [stickguy] by m6user

Jan 27, 2013 (9:53 pm)

Replying to: stickguy (Jan 27, 2013 9:05 pm)
Yeah, I wasn't really refering to this specific comparo test but to all the mags/blogs that do the same thing. Just would be nice to know.

#17408 of 18212 Re: 2014 Mazda6 [lightfootfl] by ivan_99

Jan 27, 2013 (11:05 pm)

Replying to: lightfootfl (Jan 27, 2013 9:40 am)
I can't help but think there might be a ?slight ? exaggeration here....14 hours at 5K
 
Unfortunately not...southern state all the way up to Canada. It was probably closer to 5.5 - 6K rpm. 17 hour trip in 14 hours, but surprisingly good mpg in the low 20's.
 
I think I'll leave this event out of the curriculum when I teach my boys to drive

#17409 of 18212 Re: 2013 Nissan Altima VS 2013 Ford Fusion, which one would you choose? [m6user] by mlmcgahee

Jan 28, 2013 (6:12 am)

Replying to: m6user (Jan 27, 2013 3:28 pm)
Nissan CVT explained
 
Mike

#17410 of 18212 Actual 2013 Nissan Altima CVT video..... by cski

Jan 28, 2013 (10:27 am)

This video is more technical and describes the improvements made over conventional....or last gen model CVT's. This unit is in all Altima and Maxima sedans in place of a conventional automatic. A six speed stick is still available.
 
There is no doubt that the CVT is more efficient than automatics in this class.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdqt84_3t-k

#17411 of 18212 Re: Actual 2013 Nissan Altima CVT video..... [cski] by m6user

Jan 28, 2013 (11:30 am)

Replying to: cski (Jan 28, 2013 10:27 am)
So if the new Mazda6 can get 38hwy with a conventional 6spd auto, what would be a WAG MPG if they incorporated a CVT trannie. Should be substantially better I assume. On the flip side, if the Altima were using all the improvements that Mazda has come up with in their skyactiv system then the Altima would probably get substantially better MPG, again assuming.

#17412 of 18212 Re: Actual 2013 Nissan Altima CVT video..... [cski] by backy

Jan 28, 2013 (11:55 am)

Replying to: cski (Jan 28, 2013 10:27 am)
There is no doubt that the CVT is more efficient than automatics in this class.
 
Hmmm... the Mazda Skyactiv 6AT does pretty well for itself, e.g. 40 mpg from a 155 hp engine in the Mazda3, while the Sentra gets 39 mpg (40 with the extra cost FE+ variant) but with only 130 hp; and 38 mpg with a 189 hp engine on the Mazda6 (vs. 38 mpg with 182 hp on the Altima).
 
Looks to me the automatic tranny is not dead yet, compared to the latest CVTs.

#17413 of 18212 Re: 2013 Nissan Altima VS 2013 Ford Fusion, which one would you choose? [stickguy] by m6user

Jan 28, 2013 (12:25 pm)

Replying to: stickguy (Jan 27, 2013 3:32 pm)
The mazda has a bunch of other tricks to up MPG. But the Altima and Accord get very good MPG while also having more HP.
 
I believe the new Mazda6 has more HP than the Altima but gets as good of MPG.

#17414 of 18212 Re: Actual 2013 Nissan Altima CVT video..... [backy] by gimmestdtranny

Jan 28, 2013 (1:44 pm)

Replying to: backy (Jan 28, 2013 11:55 am)
I tend to agree with this, and I also think that if you regularly loaded one of these mid-sizers with their max payload, or often towed a small trailer with no more than 1500 lb including trlr weight (what I do often since I don't have a pickup...must be the English blood in me) then you would see (CVT) algorithms, designed to look good in EPA, scattering for cover to avoid the "how comes" cuz I am quite confident that the numbers would not stand up to the same test using a 6 sp auto.
 
Some of my bias against them is due to some time that I have spent in an Outback that had one. It boasted fairly impressive highway numbers, but in the real world, you'd have to draft every semi-truck you could find in order to actually get them. That thing could smell a grade with revs a half mile off.
 
And the other thing I have against them..and granted it is a mental thing but still counts if you can't get over it...but I had a hard time mentally convincing myself that that trans wasn't slipping everywhere I went. With the revs all over the place, the only car I can think of that would be even more disconcerting in this regard would be the Volt once you had exhausted all batteries and were on gas generator.
Now I imagine a person must get over that sorta thing, but I am a very visceral seat-of-the-pants type driver. Irregular noises like engine revs that have nothing to do with your actual speed etc really rob some of the fun I (still) get from driving. And for this reason I doubt I would ever spring for a Prius type car if it was my only ride. It'd be strictly an A - B fuel saver. I still have to drive one, but my guess is that in 'go' mode it is easier to take than a CVT in, let's say that 10?Subaru or the 09? Altima I last drove that had it...that is until you applied the brakes..then all bets are off as for any normal visceral feedback that you would normally associate with braking a car..
 
That said though I hear the new Accord has really nailed making the CVT as...well..apparently it's CVT works quite 'normally' (doesn't spin up unexpectedly compared to what you are asking of it).

#17415 of 18212 Re: Actual 2013 Nissan Altima CVT video..... [gimmestdtranny] by backy

Jan 28, 2013 (3:25 pm)

Replying to: gimmestdtranny (Jan 28, 2013 1:44 pm)
I will say this in favor of the CVTs, based on 3 years driving a 2010 Sentra with a 2.0L engine and CVT: it's possible to get super-EPA FE numbers if you have a light foot. That's because the CVT keeps engine revs very low when the engine isn't taxed. That also contributes to low engine noise while cruising. And the "turbine" feel when accelerating, no shift points, is kinda neat.
 
But there's also the downsides... pretty sluggish when pressed (at least my Sentra is, but it's not Nissan's latest CVT design), and high engine noise at high revs.
 
My preference is still a good 6MT, although there's some really good 6+ automatics out there now that are easy to live with. My wife's 2013 Sonata has a very smooth 6AT, and it has a manumatic feature if someone really wants to shift for themselves (which I think is kinda dumb with an automatic, but whatever).

#17416 of 18212 Re: Actual 2013 Nissan Altima CVT video..... [backy] by pegasus17

Jan 28, 2013 (4:12 pm)

Replying to: backy (Jan 28, 2013 3:25 pm)
"My wife's 2013 Sonata has a very smooth 6AT, and it has a manumatic feature if someone really wants to shift for themselves (which I think is kinda dumb with an automatic, but whatever)."
 
I have a 2011 Sonata with that same 6 speed AT and it is very smooth with decent gas mileage (hwy 31 avg at 70mph). the manumatic feature works very well and really shows the power that DI engine has at 198hp.

Messages Page 1742 of 1822

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