Honda Jazz CVT vs i-shift?

My wife and I have a 57-plate Honda Jazz CVT. It's a pleasant car to drive and we get high 40s to the gallon, up to 50mpg + on a long run. We now want to upgrade to a newer Jazz. Currently our car is worth about £1800 at trade-in; however, people appear not to like the i-shift, although they are more economical than the CVT. I gather they need a technique to get the best out of them? Are they unreliable?

The new car has to be automatic. We like the smoothness of the CVT, although CVT failures are eye-wateringly expensive. How reliable is the CVT in the long run? Or do we just stick with our current car and run it into the ground and get another when it finally dies?

Asked on 2 October 2018 by flying_porker

Answered by Honest John

An i-shift is a relatively cheap automated manual using an actuator and electric motor to operate the clutch and make gear-changes. It does require careful use of anticipation and technique to drive smoothly and can still catch you out on occasions. Additionally, clutches and actuators can require expensive replacement. So my recommendation is not to buy an I-Shift. Buy a CVT-7.

Tags: automatics buying a used car

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