Manual vs automatic: which is better?

Deciding between a manual or automatic car? There's plenty of factors to consider, like driving experience and car insurance premiums.

In this guide, we'll break down the pros and cons of both, so you can decide which transmission suits you best. Let's start!

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

The biggest difference between a manual and an automatic transmission? It's all about how the gears are controlled.

With a manual transmission—you're in charge. You shift gears using a gear stick and a clutch pedal. The clutch is key because it disconnects the engine from the wheels, letting you change gears as you need.

Mastering the clutch can be hard at first, but it's a must for anyone that wants to drive a manual car.

Automatics, on the other hand, do all the hard work for you. You won't need to worry about controlling the clutch, just the brake and accelerator.

The car's system handles the gear changes based on your speed and driving conditions. So, it should come as no surprise to hear that they're generally easier to drive.

In short—manuals offer more control, while automatics deliver unmatched convenience.

Manual vs automatic cars: Which are best?

The choice really depends on your driving style and personal preference!

Let’s break them both down below:

Pros of Automatics

• Easier to drive: Automatic cars don’t have a clutch, which makes them easier to drive than manuals. Choose ‘D’ to drive and, after that, all you’ll need to focus on is accelerating and breaking.
• Easier in traffic: It can be pretty frustrating to have to constantly stop and start a manual transmission car. Automatics are ideal for busy traffic situations, because you won’t have to worry about clutch control or gear changing.
• Smoother: Automatic transmission cars seamlessly switch between gears for you, which means no more shuddering or stalling!

Cons of Automatics

• Can be more expensive: Automatic cars tend to be more expensive than manuals, both to finance and buy outright.
• Can cost more to insure: Automatic car insurance tends to be on the pricier side, as automatics often sit in higher car insurance groups. For example, the average automatic car costs £1,039 toinsure, compared to just £867 for a manual.*

   

*Confused.com data Q3 2024.

Pros of manuals

• More control: With a manual, you can control which gear you use. This can be ideal when dealing with wintry road conditions, where higher gears are considered safer.
• Tend to last longer: Manuals have fewer moving parts than automatics, which means that they can last longer if properly maintained.

Cons of manuals

• Less safe: Manuals require you to take one hand off the steering wheel when changing gears. With an automatic, you can keep both hands on the wheel the entire drive.
• Harder to drive: With gears to think about too, driving a manual is trickier for most people than driving an automatic.

Should I learn to drive in a manual or an automatic?

It's entirely up to you—but there's a few key things to consider.

As we mentioned above, driving an automatic is undeniably easier, especially for beginners. There's no clutch pedal or gear stick, so all you'll have to do is focus on the road.

But, if you learn to drive in an automatic, your license will only allow you to drive automatic cars. That's something to think about, especially if you might want to drive a manual car in the future.

Learning to drive in a manual comes with its own perks. First, it'll give you more versatility. Once you've passed your test, you'll be able to drive both manuals and automatics. Plus, insuring a car with a manual license is often much cheaper. For instance, it could cost you £1,780 to insure an automatic car with an automatic-only licence. But, with a manual licence? That same car could be insured for an average of just £953.*

If you value ease and convenience, an automatic might be the way to go. But, if flexibility and cost savings matter more to you, a manual could be the better choice.

*Confused.com data Q2 2024. Comprehensive policies only.

Are automatics less fuel efficient?

Not anymore! There used to be a time when manual transmissions were the clear winners in fuel efficiency. But, those days are long gone.

Modern automatic transmissions have come a long way with features like extra gears, improved torque converters and dual-clutch systems. These upgrades allow automatic cars to shift gears more efficiently, which can optimise engine performance and fuel consumption.

Many automatics today also feature eco-modes, which can adjust the car's settings to prioritise fuel savings. For example, eco mode might reduce how much the car accelerates, or change how the gears shift to keep the engine running at its most efficient speed. These systems can help drivers get the most out of each litre of fuel without much effort.

With these improvements, modern automatics often match, or outperform, manual cars in fuel efficiency—whether you're driving in the city or cruising down the motorway!

Will manuals be phased out?

It's looking that way! It all comes down to the rise of electric vehicles (EVs).

Here's why: most EVs are automatics. Unlike petrol or diesel cars, they don't need traditional gearboxes because their electric motors deliver instant torque—which is the force that gets your car moving.

With no need for gear shifting, manual transmissions simply aren't needed.

Plus, the planned 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel cars is also likely to seal the deal for manuals. As manufacturers pivot to electric models, the production of manual cars is expected to decline rapidly.

So, while manuals might stick around for enthusiasts or older vehicles, the shift towards EVs is making automatics the new standard. The days of the clutch pedal and gear stick could soon be behind us!