Automatic or manual transmission? The choice of Argentine drivers

The preference towards the automatic transmissions is growing rapidly in the automotive sectordisplacing the traditional ones manual transmissions.

This change was driven by the automotive industry in what is known as the “democratization of the automatic transmission”, now more accessible even in entry-level vehicles.

In this context, the most popular options include: conventional, dual-clutch and CVT (continuously variable) automatic transmissions, each with its advantages and disadvantages in terms of smoothness and efficiency.

Premium and popular brands are embracing this trend, phasing out manual options and matching Prices between automatic and manual versions. These include well-known brands such as Audi, BMW, Mercedes Benz, DS, among other.

This transition reflects a clear consumer preference for the convenience and performance offered by automatic transmissions, while manual transmissions are in decline worldwide, with significantly low percentages in countries such as United States and China, According to the iProfesional website in its report.

In Argentinawhile, 35% of cars registered in 2022 were automatic, a notable increase from 7% in 2014according to data from the Association of Automobile Dealers of the Argentine Republic (Acara).

The most used automatic transmissions in Argentina and their features

The conventional automatic transmissions They replace the clutch disc of manual transmissions with a torque converter, ensuring smooth shifting, as in the Chevrolet Tracker 6 speedThey are praised for their smoothness and reliability, with fuel-efficient gear ratios and the option of sequential manual shifting. However, they can be slow to react and, in older models, prone to “slipping”.

The dual-clutch transmissions, such as Audi’s S-Tronic and Volkswagen’s DSG, They use two shafts to handle even and odd gears, ideal for sporty driving. They offer instant changes without loss of revolutions, although the cost difference with manual transmissions is considerable. The engagement can be abrupt when putting the car into reverse or when leaving the parking lot, and in some models they can generate some noise.

CVTs, such as those used in the Toyota and the Citroën C3 Aircross 2024 and Renault Sanderocontinuously adjust the transmission ratio by means of a chain, providing smooth acceleration without interruptions. They are fuel efficient and allow sequential changes, although they can slip when overtaking and, with low-displacement engines, they keep the engine at high revs, increasing fuel consumption.