Car features Automatic gearbox FAQs

Manual cars are usually cheaper to buy

What’s a semi-automatic gearbox?

This is a gearbox that does not have a clutch pedal or traditional gearlever, but still allows the driver to control the gearchanges. This is either through an electronic gearstick, or ‘paddles’ behind the steering wheel.

What’s the point of ‘flappy-paddle’ gearboxes?

Such gearboxes answer the criticism of some drivers that automatics lack control. The driver can override the gearbox instantly, shifting down gears at will. They also increase the fun factor on twisting roads, as the driver can exploit the full rev range of the engine.

Aren’t automatic cars slower?

Conventional automatics do tend to be a bit slower, yes. But twin-clutch gearboxes are often faster than even highly skilled drivers. They change gear super-fast and computers mean they are always in the right gear at the right time.

To even approach the speed that twin-clutch gearboxes shift, drivers would have to treat a manual gearbox brutally, which most owners are unwilling to do.

Conventional automatics do tend to be slower

Aren’t automatic cars thirstier?

Not necessarily. Older torque-convertor autos are, but official fuel consumption figures generally show clutchless manual and twin-clutch gearboxes are more economical.

They have electronic controls that change gear at the optimal point – something few drivers do.

Is it worth having an automatic gearbox in a small car?

Automatic gearboxes have a fixed cost. This makes them proportionally expensive for small-car buyers. Traditional autos also soak power, which can be in short supply in small cars, and mean they use more fuel.

For this reason, most makers prefer to fit cheaper, more efficient, city-orientated semi-autos to .

How much extra does it cost to drive a car with an automatic gearbox?

On top of the higher purchase price (over a manual), you must also consider the greater fuel consumption of some automatics. They don’t cost more to service, but repairs can be costly if they go wrong.

As the list price of automatics is higher, they’re more expensive to buy on finance, and not all of this will be recouped when you come to sell the car.