If you are learning to drive or buying your first car, one of the first decisions is whether to choose an automatic or a manual. For most new drivers today, an automatic is the easier and safer choice. A manual still has some advantages, though, and in some countries the type of car you learn in affects the licence you get. This guide explains the differences so you can decide.
How automatic and manual cars differ
In a manual car, you change gears yourself using a clutch pedal and a gear lever. In an automatic, the car changes gear for you, and there are only two pedals: accelerator and brake. Modern automatics come in several types, including traditional torque-converter automatics, CVTs (continuously variable transmissions) and dual-clutch gearboxes. For the driver, they all work the same way.
Learning to drive
An automatic is easier to learn. You do not need to coordinate the clutch and gears, so you can focus on steering, road position, mirrors and other traffic. Most new drivers feel confident sooner in an automatic, especially in heavy city traffic and on hills.
A manual takes longer to master. Stalling, rolling back on hills and choosing the right gear all take practice. Many drivers find that once they have learned, they enjoy the extra control.
Your licence may depend on your choice
In many countries, passing your test in an automatic gives you a licence for automatic cars only. In the UK, for example, an automatic licence does not allow you to drive a manual. Japan has a similar automatic-only licence, and most new drivers there now choose it. If you might need to drive a manual in the future, for work, when renting a car abroad or in a country where manuals are common, a manual licence gives you more freedom. Check the rules in your country before you book lessons.
Safety
An automatic lets a new driver keep both hands on the wheel and more attention on the road. Many automatic cars also come with driver-assistance features such as hill-start assist and adaptive cruise control, which work best with an automatic gearbox.
Many recent Japanese cars also include a system that helps prevent accidents caused by pressing the accelerator by mistake, for example when parking. When buying a used Japanese car, check the grade and equipment list to see which safety systems it has.
A manual is not unsafe, but it adds workload. In stop-and-go traffic, a new driver has more to think about.
Fuel economy
In the past, manual cars usually used less fuel. That is no longer true for most modern cars. CVTs and modern automatics with many gears are often as economical as a manual, and sometimes more so. Hybrids are almost always automatic and are the most economical choice for city driving. How you drive makes a bigger difference than the gearbox. Our article on ways to cut your fuel costs has practical tips.
Cost to buy and maintain
- Purchase price: in some markets manuals are cheaper. In Japan, however, almost all used cars are automatic, so manuals are rare and can cost more on popular sporty models.
- Maintenance: a manual needs a new clutch from time to time, especially if driven hard by a learner. An automatic or CVT needs regular fluid changes, and repairs can be expensive if it is neglected.
- Resale: in many countries automatics are easier to sell because more drivers want them.
Automatic vs manual: side-by-side
AutomaticManual Ease of learningEasier and quickerHarder, takes more practice City drivingRelaxed in trafficMore tiring in stop-and-go traffic LicenceOften limited to automaticsAllows both in most countries Fuel economyUsually equal or better on modern carsSimilar on most modern cars Availability in used Japanese carsThe vast majorityRare, mostly sports and commercial modelsVerdict: which is better for new drivers?
For most new drivers, an automatic is the better choice. It is easier to learn, more relaxing in traffic, and the type of car most used Japanese imports come as. Choose a manual if you want a licence that lets you drive any car, if manuals are common where you live or work, or if you simply enjoy the extra control. For a wider look at the trend, read would the death of the manual be such a bad thing?
If you are buying your first car from Japan, our guide on buying a JDM car as your first car and our guide on how to read an auction sheet will help you choose a good one.
