Find out why the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric is our New Car of the Year 2026!
Published 4 days ago
Your questions answered
Automatic cars have a couple of key differences from manual cars.
Most obviously, automatic cars don't have a clutch pedal. Automatic cars also come with a simplified gearbox that will change gears for you and decide when you shift gear.
With a manual car and gearbox, you must shift gears yourself using the clutch and gearstick. Manual cars tend to be cheaper than automatic though, and the higher costs can extend to repairs.
Automatic cars tend to offer a simpler driving experience. Whether it's easier than manual depends on what you're used to and your personal preference.
Manual cars come with five or six gears (plus reverse) – which offers greater control but also requires more work.
Automatic cars have simplified gearboxes that usually come with four modes:
Park (P)
Drive (D)
Reverse (R)
Neutral (N)
Essentially, you just need to move the selector from park (P) to drive (D) to set off, then use R and N accordingly. The car will choose the right gear based on your speed and the road conditions.
Automatic cars are usually preferred by drivers who struggle with the gearstick, or drivers with physical restrictions that mean they need a modified car.
Automatic cars can also be popular among city and motorway drivers. When stuck in heavy traffic, not having to repeatedly use the clutch and gearstick can help reduce driver fatigue.
When driving on the motorway, automatic gear changing can also help reduce fuel consumption by offering a smoother ride.
You can drive an automatic car using a full UK manual driver's licence, but not vice versa.
If you learned to drive in an automatic car and have an automatic driver's licence, you'll have to take another driving test and get a full manual licence to drive a manual car.
