Manual or Automatic ?

[Steve1962]

Not even worth a debate, Auto hands down. Not sure you can get a Tucson or Sportage in manual, but please, I could be wrong. 👍

I have a manual Sportage(KX4 2017) which is fine, however I have never driven an automatic so can’t compare- I just have a mate with the same age Sportage which is automatic and he won’t tow with a manual so I guess it’s down to personal preference and advice from experienced folk.

Steve

 

[Mr Plodd]

Having towed with both manual, and automatic versions of exactly the same make and model of cars (Mazda not Hyundai) there is no way on the planet I will ever revert to manual.
Having said that my auto's have all been what I term "proper" automatics, those with a torque converter and epicyclic gearboxes rather than multiple dual clutch ones.
Once you have driven an auto for a few days you get to realise how much better they are than a manual, and thats from someone who drove manual police patrol cars for the best part of 30 years, so I have a fair bit of experience.
For a performance car then its manual every time, but for everyday use (inc towing) it has to be an auto.
Those who dismiss automatics have rarely, if ever, driven one for very long.

 

[RogerL]

Having towed with both manual, and automatic versions of exactly the same make and model of cars (Mazda not Hyundai) there is no way on the planet I will ever revert to manual.
Having said that my auto's have all been what I term "proper" automatics, those with a torque converter and epicyclic gearboxes rather than multiple dual clutch ones.
Once you have driven an auto for a few days you get to realise how much better they are than a manual, and thats from someone who drove manual police patrol cars for the best part of 30 years, so I have a fair bit of experience.
For a performance car then its manual every time, but for everyday use (inc towing) it has to be an auto.
Those who dismiss automatics have rarely, if ever, driven one for very long.

These days, even high performance cars have mostly switched to automatics - although usually the dual clutch type.

 

[otherclive]

Having towed with both manual, and automatic versions of exactly the same make and model of cars (Mazda not Hyundai) there is no way on the planet I will ever revert to manual.
Having said that my auto's have all been what I term "proper" automatics, those with a torque converter and epicyclic gearboxes rather than multiple dual clutch ones.
Once you have driven an auto for a few days you get to realise how much better they are than a manual, and thats from someone who drove manual police patrol cars for the best part of 30 years, so I have a fair bit of experience.
For a performance car then its manual every time, but for everyday use (inc towing) it has to be an auto.
Those who dismiss automatics have rarely, if ever, driven one for very long.

Years ago the Swedish police moved their SAAB manual fleet to automatic SAABS. There was an outcry from the force drivers on the grounds it would negative affect their ability in pursuit as the autos had a slower acceleration time. The outcome was that overall fleet maintenance costs sharply reduced and average driver acceleration times reduced. After a short while the force drivers were fans of the autos.

 

[RogerL]

Years ago the Swedish police moved their SAAB manual fleet to automatic SAABS. There was an outcry from the force drivers on the grounds it would negative affect their ability in pursuit as the autos had a slower acceleration time. The outcome was that overall fleet maintenance costs sharply reduced and average driver acceleration times reduced. After a short while the force drivers were fans of the autos.

The same happened in many UK police forces - the use of automatics also frees up the driver's left hand to operate the plethora of electronics in modern police cars.

 

[Devonisheaven]

I have a manual Sportage(KX4 2017) which is fine, however I have never driven an automatic so can’t compare- I just have a mate with the same age Sportage which is automatic and he won’t tow with a manual so I guess it’s down to personal preference and advice from experienced folk.

Steve

Sorry Steve, I was referring to new vehicles. 👍

 

[Dustydog]

The same happened in many UK police forces - the use of automatics also frees up the driver's left hand to operate the plethora of electronics in modern police cars.

And future training for managing their Tesla massive TV screens to turn the heating up😉

 

[birdman101]

Having driven automatics for last 30+ years I will never go back to manual. My wife has had automatics for the last 20 years and although apprehensive originally when I suggested she changed, is now totally convinced she would not go back to manual. A friend of mine towed caravans for over 45 years and each time changing tow cars I suggested he go Automatic but he never did. When he stopped caravanning and changed car he went Automatic and now says he wished he had took my advise years ago, Grandaughter is in the Police and most of their cars she drives are now automatic, thus she has just changed her own car to Auto BMW,

 

[Ian Law]

I started towing with a Skoda Superb manual and then switched to a VW Tiguan auto. The auto is so more relaxing to drive with. I love it that as I slow down for junctions or entering roundabouts when towing I am not having to think of stomping clutches and waggling a gear stick repeatedly. I can just concentrate on other road users and where I am going. Much safer and am very happy to put up with the small additional fuel useage compared to a manual.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Old style automatics with Torque Converters(TC's) had a reputation for being generally slower than manual equivalents. and less efficient. but the advent of dual clutch(DC designs, with the exception of pulling away from a stand still, in many cases the auto boxes are faster to change, and becasue of the direct drive rather than having to pass through a TC they are virtually as efficient ans any manual box.

The big difference is the way they operate from stand still, and some designs of DC seem to be sluggish to engage drive.

I presently have a VW passat GTE which has an electric motor fitted between the engine and gear box so technically it has three clutches, but I cant fault he way it pulls away, becasue when the car comes to a halt, it turns the engine off, so there is no wear on the clutch plates. And it always starts moving using the torque of the electric motor alone from stand still, so again there is no clutch slippage, and its incredibly responsive and smooth. you can barely tell when the engine cuts in, and becasue its got a real engine there's no range anxiety.

Its rated to tow up to 1600kg, which isn't bad by many hybrid standards.

It suits my needs very well with home charging every night on the cheap rate electricity, but I fully understand it may not suit everybody's needs.

Its also important to understand other hybrids may not work in the same way.

 

[Dustydog]

Don’t forget some modern cars use “lock up torque converters “ rather than DSG or the old style TC.
VW use them on the Touareg.
Manual override is available using paddles behind the steering wheel for swifter F1 changes.
Auto boxes have come a long way since the 3 speed Borg Warners😉

 

[otherclive]

Don’t forget some modern cars use “lock up torque converters “ rather than DSG or the old style TC.
VW use them on the Touareg.
Manual override is available using paddles behind the steering wheel for swifter F1 changes.
Auto boxes have come a long way since the 3 speed Borg Warners😉

My Mk1 Mondeo auto had a lock up feature on third and fourth gears. But no paddle shifters.