eli5: Why does a CVT transmission still “shift” if it can be in any position and move seamlessly as they say?

Question

eli5: Why does a CVT transmission still “shift” if it can be in any position and move seamlessly as they say?

In: 579

Answer 1

I wonder if Subaru also wants to make it less obvious that it’s a CVT. The CVT in certain years of the Outback is infamous for poor reliability. Just make it perform the same as a slushbox and call it an automatic.