HR-V offers a five-speed manual or a continuously variable (CVT) 'MultiMatic' automatic transmission. The CVT replaces conventional gears with a steel belt-and-pulley system designed to eliminate shift shock and supply seamless power transfer under most driving conditions. Like the larger CR-V, HR-V uses Honda's on-demand Real Time four-wheel drive system, running in front-wheel drive for optimum fuel economy until it detects front-wheel slippage and transmits power through the rear wheels. CVT can be operated by buttons on the steering wheel as well as a floor-mounted lever. CVT varies the gap (or gutter) between two pulleys linked by a steel belt in response to the acceleration and speed of the vehicle. As a result, stepless alteration of transfer pitch diameter always seeks the transmission ratio appropriate to vehicle speed and engine revolutions. The manual's fifth gear ratio is kept low to provide good acceleration at higher speeds.