I can't find where this was discussed but here is an informative link.

 

Not sure how it relates to cars, but I have driven an ATV (Polaris) with a CVT. It sucked, plain and simple.

It was larger, more powerful and had 4WD, which my small one does not. Yet I was able to accelerate more quickly and it's just a much smoother ride.

 

Sorry. I wasn't clear in the title. He explains why you get peak acceleration at peak power not peak torque a few mins. in. Har! I have to use a Polaris almost every day. It's loud, hot, dusty, won't turn, I could go on. For what they cost I'll take an old cj7 with air and heat any day.

 

i tired to backup my driveway with a CVT and it was very hard to do.