In recent years there are more and more doubts buy a car with manual or automatic transmission. If we go back in time a couple of decades, very few cars were offered with a good automatic transmission on the European market. They were practically reserved for high-end or premium models. Yes, there were also some generalist car versions available with automatic transmission, but the operation was not very pleasant.
Interestingly, in those years, in the late 90s and early 2000s, super sports cars were beginning to market automatic gearboxes that were faster, more efficient and more interesting. In addition, some integrated paddles behind the wheel in the purest Formula 1 style. Yes, those paddles that are common today even in compact 100 hp. But focusing on the idea of this article.Which is better, manual or automatic transmission? I leave you the main reasons, differences and advantages of each one, and I will also give you my opinion.
Why are there more and more automatic cars?
Probably many of you wonder why, if before, as a general rule, they were so little appreciated, now they are being so demanded. The answer is simple. Automatic transmissions have come a long way in recent years. Now they are faster, smarter and more efficient.
Previously they were slow, very heavy, greatly increased fuel consumption, significantly reduced engine performance and their operation left much to be desired. Nor were they as smooth as they should be when maneuvering or starting up hills. That is why, if you stop to think, at the end of the 90s they were only equipped in large and powerful vehicles. Generally in high-end models. At least in Europe, because in other markets, such as the American, it is much more popular.
Thanks to electronics and the search for improvement, it has been possible to refine many details and adapt the transmissions to European tastes. With The electronic many parameters and the way we are driving can be taken into account. In this way, they have been able to become more intelligent, knowing the right moment to raise or lower a relationship.
On the other hand, it is also true that development and production costs have been greatly reduced. This has made it possible to bring automatic, robotic and double-clutch gearboxes to cheaper models that show satisfactory behavior for customers. They still are more expensive than identical models with a manual transmission, but the price difference is not that great.
For years it has not been strange to see a compact model or even a utility car with an automatic transmission and that has a good operation. Some time ago, as we have said before, they also existed, but their driving was not pleasant for most. That is why practically all users did not even consider buying a conventional car with automatic gearbox.
Also, this has helped us use logic. We have electric windows, automatic lights and windscreen wipers, push button start, parking sensors… why do something as basic as changing gear or fiddling with the clutch when coming out of a traffic light? Yes, it is true that you do not have the same sense of control over the mechanics as when you drive a manual car, but do you really have that need?
If we are used to manual transmission and have never driven an automatic car, we may not notice. But if we have an automatic car and we drive one with a manual transmission, we always miss the automatic transmission. when we have a long traffic jam or drive through narrow streets, with a lot of traffic and on steep slopes. I say this from my own experience and also from the opinions of colleagues, friends and family.
price differences
Always speaking of conventional models, everyday cars for citizens with normal salaries, let's see Price differences between a model with a manual gearbox and another with the same engine and equipment but with an automatic gearbox. I leave you some examples of different brands and segments according to the configurator prices.
| Model | Finish | Motor | manual price | automatic price | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Finish | Motor | manual price | automatic price | Difference |
| Peugeot 208 | Active | PureTech 100 | 15.350 € | 16.950 € | 1.600 € |
| Seat Arona | xcellence | 1.0 TSI 115 HP | 20.860 € | 21.360 € | 500 € |
| Peugeot 3008 | Allure | Blue HDi 130 | 28.500 € | 30.700 € | 2.200 € |
| BMW Serie 1 | Basic | 118i (140 hp) | 30.300 € | 31.319 € | 1.019 € |
| Nissan Qashqai | N-Connect | dCi 115 HP | 23.550 € | 25.300 € | 1.750 € |
| skoda scala | Ambition | 1.0 TSI 115 HP | 22.630 € | 24.230 € | 1.600 € |
As you can see in the table, in some cases there are very notable differences and in others they are barely 1.000 euros. They are totally normal cars, from different segments and in-demand engines. The choice has been random, the first models that have come to mind. Note that in the case of the Arona the price difference is only 500 euros. The car that presents the greatest economic jump is the Peugeot 3008, being the only one that exceeds 2.000 euros between manual and automatic transmission.
Obviously it is understandable that 1.000, 1.500 or 2.000 euros is a significant amount of money. However, it is no less true that installing a panoramic roof and large wheels can represent the same price difference in the final product. But of course, everyone has their tastes and preferences. Missing more! I do not want to convince you of anything, just expose the differences and advantages.
What is each type of transmission better at?
It is not one type of exchange that is better than another, but each one has some aspects in which it is superior to the other. Let's see:
Advantages of manual cars
The manual gearbox always gives the driver a greater sense of control on the vehicle. It is us at all times who decide what gear ratio we use. We can also stretch more each gear and downshift at the time we consider. Also, we can play with the clutch simply whatever the speed.
For drivers who like to drive, the manual transmission is often more attractive for the above reasons. Also, the manual transmission always gives a satisfying more emotional for being we who have control, for choosing the exact moment of the change and for feeling in the palm of our hand the management of the transmission. In the next video you can see how drive a manual gearbox in such a way that extend the life of the clutch and get smooth and fast gear transitions:
Of course, it is no less true that the vast majority of manual gearboxes are not particularly sporty.
On the other hand, manual gearboxes they do not have any specific maintenance, something that does not happen with all automatic transmissions. You don't have to change the oil, for example. In addition, it is no longer common to replace or repair a manual gearbox, as they usually last the entire useful life of the car; although logically they can also be damaged.
If we focus on the 4×4 cars, the all-terrain, when you are going to do a demanding offroad driving and you have a lot of experience, the change manual will be a better ally than the automatic. Of course, if you do not have much experience, it is more advisable to have a 4 × 4 car with automatic transmission to avoid forcing the clutch too much or using it when it is not the time, for example on a complicated descent.
To top off, the price of manual cars is more adjusted. As we have seen above, the differences are not usually as great as they were a few years ago, but there is still a slight gap between the same cars with automatic and manual transmission. Without a doubt, even if it is just over 1.000 euros, this also affects the final decision of many clients.
Advantages of automatic cars
Surely you all know the main advantages of cars with automatic transmission, but it is worth remembering and reviewing. The main positive point is the comfort and less stress while driving because we totally forgot about the clutch pedal. Let's face it, we've all gotten nervous at some point starting off or maneuvering up a steep grade.
Logically, where an automatic car offers us more advantages is in the city. Of course, it is where we use the gear change the most and we have to play with the clutch! When we are thinking of buying a car, we must take it into account. Believe me, if you live almost daily with the traffic jams of a big city or, directly, you are tired of changing gear manually, you will appreciate that extra outlay for an automatic gearbox.
Put yourself in situation. Very slow traffic jam. You go with a manual car and constantly stop, put neutral, start, drive slowly, hesitate between going in first or second, reduce, brake, clutch... And so on for a long time every day, for years. In an automatic car it boils down to stepping on the brake, lifting your foot off the brake and touching the accelerator. The end.
As we have mentioned above, thanks to electronic management they are quite “intelligent”. Depending on the speed, the position of the accelerator pedal, the steering angle or the selected driving mode, they choose the ideal moment and rotational speed to shift up or down. As a general rule, they also enjoy a sequential mode. Besides, already they are quite fast and smooth, both when maneuvering and when jumping from one speed to another.
What consumes more, manual or automatic transmission?
As we have said throughout this article, the automatic transmission has historically been characterized by consuming more fuel than the manual transmission. Slippage was higher and there was much more energy loss, whereas manual shifting is more direct. But for some time now its efficiency has improved a lot.
All the double-clutch and converter-type gearboxes are very efficient currently. Its weight is not very high, the internal and mobile components are light, the losses are minimal and the timing of the gear change depending on the driving situation is very well studied. Although it depends on each model, as a general rule they usually spend very little more than their manual counterparts, there are cases in which they are even more efficient. The difference is practically imperceptible.
Automatic type changes CVT (continuously variable transmission), or continuously variable transmission, as a general rule they tend to spend more fuel than manuals. The difference is somewhat greater and, in addition, its operation is not very European taste. Few brands currently use it, although it is true that, for example, all Toyota and Lexus hybrids mount it.