What Is The Best Automatic Gearbox? - Car Keys

Buying a car with an automatic gearbox is a popular thing in Britain and there’s more than one type which is used with current cars. But are there any which particularly stand out?

The best automatic gearboxes are those that can make gear changes feel seamless, giving the driver a smooth and more enjoyable driving experience with minimal interruption.

Most automatic gearboxes do a solid job in most driving situations, but some options stand out more than others in the current market. So, here’s our top five picks of the best automatic gearboxes used in new cars at the moment.

Our top 5 automatic gearboxes

Volkswagen DSG

The direct-shift gearbox (DSG) from Volkswagen is a dual-clutch system available in six-speed and seven-speed forms and it’s a high-quality gearbox indeed.

Even better, it is available not only with virtually all current Volkswagens but also many cars from other brands which VW owns. That means you can get DSG on cars from both the SEAT and Skoda ranges.

Delivering silky and responsive shifts when in automatic mode, the DSG can shift ratios manually with either a lever or steering wheel-mounted paddles if the driver prefers.

ZF 8HP

Quite a few brands nowadays make use of a highly-rated eight-speed automatic gearbox called the ZF 8HP. It’s built by ZF Friedrichshafen and is currently available as an optional or standard transmission for current cars from the likes of Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover and Maserati.

While it’s not quite as hi-tech as dual-clutch systems, the ZF eight-speed auto ‘box is a smooth and quick-responding unit that can combine beautifully with a range of engines from modestly-powered diesels to high-performance V8s.

Mercedes 9G-Tronic

The range of automatic gearboxes currently utilised by Mercedes-Benz includes its seriously impressive 9G-tronic. It represents the first nine-speed transmission to be released by a major manufacturer.

Its ground-breaking mechanics not only allow it to deliver engine power incredibly effectively on low or high speed roads, it’s also one of the most fuel-efficient transmissions among premium brands.

Porsche PDK

The seven-speed Porsche PDK is a dual-clutch automatic gearbox which shares quite a few components with the Volkswagen DSG. So, are they just alike then? Well, not quite.

While the DSG is set-up to suit a variety of different driving situations, mostly more casual everyday trips, the PDK is tuned to favour the driver-focused characteristics which Porsches are famous for.

While it’s much debated whether Porsche’s sports cars suit a manual or automatic ‘box, one thing for sure is that the PDK delivers seamless shifts in the automatic setting and rapid-fir changes when you take manual control. The launch control system available with PDK is also a delight for driving enthusiasts.

Subaru Lineartronic

Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVTs) are capable of delivering very easy, rapid-fire gear changes which allows the unit to strike a fine balance between performance and efficicency.

The Subaru CVT known as Lineartronic is a fine example of this type of automatic gearbox and is used in the vast majority of the Japanese manufacturer’s cars, as either a standard or optional feature.

A six-speed gearbox unit, the Lineartronic allows drivers to switch to a manual mode and control gear changes with either a small lever or steering wheel-mounted paddles.

For more wisdom on automatic gearboxes, you can check out links to the relevant guides below:

Different automatic gearbox types explained

Things to avoid when using an automatic gearbox

Differences between automatic and semi-automatic gearboxes