What Honda has a 10-speed transmission?
Only a subset of Honda’s lineup uses a 10-speed automatic transmission, with the Honda Accord featuring the 2.0-liter turbo engine as the most prominent example. Several Acura models—Honda’s luxury division—also employ the same 10-speed unit in recent years.
Overview of where Honda uses a 10-speed automatic
The 10-speed automatic is not standard across the entire Honda family. It is predominantly paired with turbocharged engines and is more common in Acura models. Base Honda models and many non-turbo variants continue to use CVTs or other transmissions.
Below is a quick guide to current production models that have adopted the 10-speed automatic in recent years. Note that transmission options can vary by model year, trim level, and market.
- Honda Accord — 2.0-liter turbocharged engine paired with a 10-speed automatic (widely available across trims from model year 2018 onward).
- Acura TLX — 2.0-liter turbocharged engine in many configurations uses a 10-speed automatic.
- Acura RDX — 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with a 10-speed automatic in recent years.
- Acura MDX — newer generations offer a 10-speed automatic with turbo or V6 configurations, depending on year and trim.
Models with non-turbo powertrains or older configurations may not use the 10-speed transmission, and some markets may have different setups. Always verify the exact specification for your year and trim.
How to verify the transmission in your Honda or Acura
To confirm whether a specific vehicle uses a 10-speed automatic, consult the official brochure or the Monroney sticker for the exact transmission specification. You can also check the owner’s manual, the vehicle’s infotainment or settings menu, or contact a local dealer with the VIN.
Why the 10-speed matters
The 10-speed transmission aims to balance quick shifts with efficiency, improving acceleration in turbocharged engines while preserving fuel economy. For buyers considering performance trims or upscale models, a 10-speed setup is often paired with sportier driving dynamics and smoother highway cruising.
Summary
In short, Honda’s 10-speed automatic is most commonly found in the Accord with the 2.0T engine and in several Acura models, including TLX and RDX, with MDX joining in newer model years. If you’re shopping, verify the exact transmission by year and trim since configurations can change over time.
Is the Honda 10-speed transmission good?
The Honda 10-speed automatic transmission is generally considered good, offering strong acceleration, good fuel economy, and smooth shifts, especially in sportier models with the 2.0T engine. However, some models and years have been criticized for occasional jerking or hesitation at low speeds, and there have been some reports of premature failures, particularly in minivans like the Odyssey.
You can watch this video to learn about the Honda 10-speed transmission and potential issues: 58sLegend17YouTube · Aug 19, 2019
Benefits
- Performance: It is praised for quick and decisive shifts, especially when using sport mode or paddle shifters.
- Fuel Economy: The wide range of gears helps keep the engine in its most efficient RPM range, leading to better fuel economy, particularly during highway cruising.
- Smoothness: Many owners report that shifts are smooth and the transmission is unobtrusive, making the driving experience more refined.
Drawbacks
- Potential for low-speed issues: Some owners report inconsistent or jerky shifts at lower speeds.
- Reliability concerns: While many models are reliable, there have been reports of premature failures in some applications, particularly in earlier models like some of the 2018-2021 Odysseys.
- Cost of repairs: When a failure does occur, the repair costs can be significant.
What to consider
- Model and year: Reliability seems to vary by model and year. For example, the 10-speed in the 2.0T Accord is generally viewed more positively than in the Odyssey.
- Maintenance: Some issues can potentially be mitigated with proper and timely transmission fluid changes.
- Extended warranty: Given the higher potential repair costs, purchasing an extended warranty may be a wise consideration for some buyers.
What vehicles have a 10-speed transmission?
Cars with 10-speed automatic transmissions are commonly from brands like Ford and General Motors, and models include the Ford F-150, Ford Mustang, Chevy Camaro, Cadillac Escalade, and Chevrolet Silverado. These transmissions are designed to improve performance and fuel efficiency by providing more gear ratios, which allows for quicker acceleration and lower engine speeds at highway cruising speeds.
This video explains the features of a 10-speed transmission: 59sScotty KilmerYouTube · May 1, 2018
Ford models
F-150, Mustang, Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ranger.
General Motors (GM) models
Camaro ZL1, Tahoe, Suburban RST, Yukon Denali, Cadillac Escalade, and Chevrolet Silverado.
How they work
- The 10-speed transmission is designed to balance performance and fuel economy.
- The higher gears are overdrive gears, which lower the engine's revolutions per minute (RPM) on the highway to save fuel.
- The lower gears have high gear ratios to allow for rapid takeoff and acceleration.
- Some models, like the Ford F-150 Raptor and Chevy Camaro ZL1, were among the first to feature this transmission type.
What year did the Honda Odyssey get a 10-speed transmission?
The Honda Odyssey first received a 10-speed automatic transmission in the 2018 model year, but it was only available on the top-tier Touring and Elite trims. The 10-speed became standard on all trims starting with the 2020 model year.
- 2018–2019: The 10-speed was exclusively on the Touring and Elite models. Lower trims (LX, EX, EX-L) came with a 9-speed automatic transmission.
- 2020 and later: The 10-speed automatic transmission was made standard on all Odyssey models.
How long has Honda had the 10-speed transmission?
Most of Honda's automatic transmissions are unusual in that they do not use planetary gears like nearly all other makers, however, Honda has recently introduced (2017) an all-new, in-house designed 10-speed automatic that uses planetary gears.
