I replaced my automatic Honda Jazz with a newer model but why is the automatic gearbox of lower quality?

After five years with an automatic Honda Jazz, I have switched to the new Jazz (also fully automatic) and I find the transmission quite a disappointment. Whereas my first Jazz was a wonderfully smooth runner, the new one is jerky when slowing down. I thought it might need some adjustment but my local dealer told me, politely, that I will have to live with what I consider to be a car of much lower quality than its predecessor.

Asked on 12 May 2011 by DB, Ewell

Answered by Honest John

When did you buy this new Jazz? Initially the second generation Jazz was fitted with an automated manual ‘i-shift' transmission rather than the CVT-7 of its predecessor. Though the i-shift can be very fuel efficient, it proved unpopular, so from the 2011 facelift, in production from January of this year, the Jazz is back to a CVT-7 automatic transmission. I suspect you have an i-shift. If you do have an i-shift, what happens is the system damps the throttle in between upchanges to reduce torque reactions on the gearbox. Some drivers inclination is to compensate for this by pressing the accelerator harder, and it is this that induces a lurching effect. If you lift to anticipate the changes, or simply dive more gently, you will have much less of a problem.

Tags: i-shift automatics driving techniques cvt

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