Should I get a manual or automatic car?

If you’ve been shopping around for a new car, you might be wondering whether you should buy one with a manual or an automatic gearbox.

One might be better for you than the other, after all, as each has its own pros and cons. They can also serve up different driving and ownership experiences, so it’s worth doing some research before taking the plunge.

To work out which gearbox is the right choice for your next car purchase, be it one of the best small family cars or a new sports car, and to help you avoid making an expensive mistake, check out our comprehensive guide to manual and automatic cars below.

What’s the difference between a manual and an automatic gearbox?

When you’re driving a car with a manual gearbox, you’re the one responsible for selecting the right gear at the right time. If you’re moving off from a standing start, for example, you’ll want to use first gear.

In a manual car, you also have to use the car’s clutch, which interrupts the flow of power from the engine to the gearbox. As well as letting you change gears quickly and easily, the clutch also allows you to stop the car, or set off in it, without stalling the engine.

An automatic, on the other hand, does both jobs for the driver. It’ll monitor things such as the speed of the car, and how hard the engine is working, and then pick the right gear for you. Automatic gearboxes also have parts inside that do the job of a clutch in a manual car, without you needing to do anything, so you don’t have to worry about stalling. That’s why, if you look at the pedals in an automatic car, you’ll find only two: an accelerator, and a brake.

Those who enjoy driving, particularly when it comes to sports cars, typically prefer to go for manual gearboxes. They can be more engaging and fun, and more rewarding, and you’re in control of the whole experience. But if you’re regularly driving in heavy traffic, or you want a more relaxed and stress-free driving experience, an automatic car can be a great choice.

Manual vs automatic cars: Which is better?

There are advantages and disadvantages to manual and automatic gearboxes, so there’s no simple answer to which is the best. Really, it depends on the car you’re looking at, its type of gearbox, the type of driving you do, and your personal preference.

You could buy a car with a terrific manual gearbox, for example, but if all your driving is done in traffic, you might end up regretting your decision. Similarly, if you don’t like automatic gearboxes, even the best in the world might not prove to your liking.

The trick is to be aware of the positives and negatives of both, and how and where you’re going to be using the car, before making your choice. With all that in mind, you’ll be able to pick the best option for you to suit your unique needs.

This is particularly important when it comes to automatics. There are lots of different types out there, including the automated manual transmission (AMT), constant velocity transmission (CVT), torque-converter-based gearboxes, and dual-clutch transmission (DCT). You’ll need to do your homework if you’re looking at older automatics, too, as they can behave differently from their modern counterparts.

Automatic transmission pros and cons

There are several pros and cons to automatic transmissions that are worth thinking about before you buy one.

Pros

• An automatic gearbox makes a car easy to drive
• They’re make driving more relaxing and less tiring
• Good automatic cars can be fun and enjoyable to drive

Cons

• If an automatic gearbox goes wrong, you can get hit with a big bill
• Purchase and running costs can be higher than a manual car
• Some automatics don’t offer a great driving experience
  

Manual transmission pros and cons

You might be considering a manual transmission but, before you buy one, it’s worth bearing in mind these advantages and disadvantages.

Pros

• Manual cars are typically cheaper than automatic ones
• Driving a manual car can be more fun and engaging than an automatic
• Manual gearboxes don’t often go wrong, and big bills should be rare
  

Cons

• Changing gears and using the clutch can be tiresome and annoying
• Some advanced driver aids won’t be available in manual cars
• A manual gearbox might not be available with the engine or trim you want

Auto vs manual: Which is more fuel efficient?

It used to be that automatic transmissions were less efficient than manual alternatives, so it wasn’t uncommon for automatic cars to be thirstier. These days, the gap between the economy figures of manual and automatics is often smaller, and sometimes in favour of the automatic.

When deciding which car to buy, you can compare the quoted manufacturer economy figures between the same car in automatic and manual flavours. This will give you an idea of the fuel economy difference between them, helping you avoid unexpected bills. You can find websites that offer more realistic real-world economy figures too, which might give you an even better idea of how much you’ll end up spending on fuel.

It’s also worth checking the emissions figures of any car you’re interested in, as the numbers can change with the gearbox type. This is important because a higher figure can mean you’ll end up paying more in VED, Vehicle Excise Duty, to tax and drive your car every year. If you’re not sure what those costs might be, the government’s website lists all of the price brackets, so you can see the monthly, six- or 12-month prices before you make your choice.

Is it easier to learn to drive in an automatic?

Learning to drive in an automatic is definitely easier than learning to drive in a manual car. In an automatic, you don’t have to worry about clutch control or selecting the right gear, which means you can concentrate and focus on everything else that’s going on.

The downside is, if you end up with an automatic-only licence, you won’t be able to drive a manual car later. That might not seem a problem but, for example, you could end up in a situation on holiday where the only hire car that’s available is a manual one.