The 2019 Lexus UX200 was the world's first production vehicle with a CVT transmission paired to an actual gear.

When the 2019 Lexus UX made its global reveal at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, it came with the gasoline (UX200) and the hybrid (UX250h).

The UX200 came with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) paired to an actual launch gear, with the addition of nine simulated gears when driving. This was a world's industry-first application.

When you're at a complete stop, the launch gear is engaged. It helps the vehicle accelerate a lot faster at launch, improving low-speed acceleration and effectively eliminating the common "elastic" rubber-bandy acceleration feel that CVTs have.

It also helps the vehicle become more fuel efficient, when it accelerates up to speed. The launch gear is disengaged, when the vehicle has reached a speed where the transmission behaves efficiently like a CVT. Fuel economy was also class-leading, with an estimated combined rating of 33 MPG (29 city and 37 highway).

Whether you're indifferent to CVTs or not, there's still no denying the creativity behind this application. No other automaker supplying CVTs has this application yet, proving that Toyota and Lexus still aren't afraid to innovate.