I am glad that our Micras DO NOT have a CVT. If they did I would not have bought one.
I bought my 2008 Rogue SL AWD expecting the same reliability as my 95 Altima (380,000km sold), 98 Maxima (375,000km accident and written off) and 2003 Sentra (1,000,000+ km before engine and tranny died). The Altima and Sentra were both 5 speed manuals and the Maxima was an automatic. I foolishly expected the same level of durability and reliability out of my Rogue. Unfortunately the Rogue only lasted 273,000 km of highway driving (Scarborough to Oakville commute) before the CVT belt disintegrated while travelling on highway 404 just after rush hour at 100km/h. I barely had enough time to flip my hazards on and drive the car to the shoulder and was nearly hit by a fully loaded container truck.
The way the transmission failed was very disturbing. One second I'm cruising along at 100km/h and the next there was no power. No warning lights, no difference in the transmission or engine sound etc. The engine was able to rev but there was absolutely no power to the wheels. $4500 later I managed to get my car back on the road. Nissan also only warranties the replacement transmissions for 20,000km as opposed to the original 100,000km that they then extended to 200,000km. I am glad I do not own the Rogue anymore.
The problem with Nissan CVTs (manufactured by Jatco) is that they can fail randomly and often without any warning. A friend had his 2009 Rogue SL AWD model fail at 106,000km and there are many reports in the US of CVT equipped Nissans failing anywhere from 16,000 miles to higher mileage like mine.
Yes CVTs can be more fuel efficient (provided the driver allows it to work instead of flooring the pedal) and when they work properly they are very smooth especially at highway speeds. But with the way my Rogue's CVT died I would never buy another CVT equipped Nissan car again especially with the way Nissan Canada Corporate treats their customers. Unfortunately when their Senior VP of Customer Relations, Bill McLullen is the type of guy that says he will "personally" look into a matter only to then have a lackey call the customer back, well let's just say it doesn't paint a very inspiring picture for customer relations and their priority towards it.