Backlash is the source of an uncomfortable acceleration phenomenon, which in the automotive industry is called “shunt and shuffle”. Until recently, only simple controllers have been used to reduce the discomfort, and the tuning of these is made quite subjectively. A number of approaches to control of systems with backlash are reported in the literature, but very few are directed towards control of automotive powertrains. This paper evaluates four different controllers for powertrains with backlash, by means of simulation. The results show that active nonlinear controllers have a potential for improved backlash control. However, the robustness of these controllers needs further investigation.