Should you rent a manual or automatic car?

Not sure whether to rent a manual or automatic car?

• Manual cars offer a more engaging driving experience but come with a steep learning curve, and you may need a manual license to drive one.
• Automatic cars are much easier to drive, especially in unfamiliar surroundings.

When traveling abroad, renting a car is an exciting and freeing way to explore your destination. Once you’re behind the wheel, you can get around at your pace, so you won’t worry about public transit schedules or how to get back to your hotel. Renting a car also enables more spontaneous, off-the-beaten-path adventures.

If you’re considering renting a car for your trip, you’ve probably wondered whether to pick a manual or automatic car. There are pros and cons to both, with differences in price, licenses, and experience.

Keep reading to find out which car would work best for you.

Manual or automatic – what’s the difference?

While automatic cars are increasingly popular worldwide, manual cars are still very common in countries across Europe, South America, and Asia. However, in countries like the US, Canada, and Australia, automatic cars have been popular for decades.

There are several differences between driving a manual and an automatic car, and the majority center around how you change gears.

You can tell whether a vehicle has a manual or automatic transmission by looking at the gear stick and pedals. If the motor has numbered gears—usually from one to five—the car is manual. In an automatic car, the gear stick has options like “D” for drive, “P” for park, and “R” for reverse. Manual cars have three pedals, whereas automatics only have two.

The differences in driving the two types of vehicles are significant. If you passed your driving test in an automatic but would love to drive a stick shift, you should work toward getting your manual license. On the other hand, while manual drivers are qualified to drive automatics, the difference will still take some getting used to.

When deciding which car to rent, it’s important to take these differences into account.

Here’s what you need to know.

Manual car rental

In a manual car, the driver controls the gears. When you want to shift to a higher or lower gear, you need to press the clutch pedal and physically move the gear stick to its new setting.

It’s important for student drivers and those new to manual vehicles to master shifting gears quickly because failing to do so can lead to stalls or damaging the engine.

Automatic car rental

Ready to hit the road in your automatic car? All you have to do is start the car, shift the stick to drive, and step on the accelerator. There’s no need to press the clutch because, well, there isn’t one.

During the ride, the car will shift between gears automatically, depending on your speed and acceleration.

The benefits of renting manual cars

While manual cars might come with more of a learning curve, there are plenty of benefits to renting one.

If you rent a manual car, you’ll have much more control over acceleration and braking, which can make driving easier on hilly roads and other tricky conditions. If you’re a confident manual driver, you’ll likely find this type of car more engaging and responsive, too.

You also have more control over fuel efficiency, and manual cars often use less gas than their automatic counterparts. Rental companies typically ask customers to top up the tank, so opting for a manual car could save you some money.

Depending on your location, there may also be more manual cars available compared to automatics. In many countries across Europe, South America, and Asia, manual cars are the norm, which means more rental options to choose from.

And one last big benefit is that manual cars are generally cheaper to rent than automatics.

The benefits of renting automatic cars

The main benefit of renting automatic cars is that they’re much simpler to drive, with just two pedals and three settings on the stick. There’s no clutch or gear shifting, which is especially useful for driving in cities. Stop-and-go traffic means lots of quick gear changes for manual drivers. Automatics cars generally make for a smoother and more seamless driving experience.

If you’re renting a car, you’re likely to be in an unfamiliar location with new roads to navigate. An automatic car lets you focus on navigation and road signs without worrying about gear changes.

If you’re not used to a stick shift, renting an automatic removes the learning curve and any risk of stalling or damaging the engine.

Which transmission should you choose?

The most important thing to consider when choosing between manual and automatic is your license.

If you passed your driving test in an automatic car, in most places you won’t be allowed to rent a manual vehicle. Even if it is permitted, it’s not a good idea.

What if you learned to drive in a manual car, but it’s been years since you’ve driven one? It’s best to play it safe and opt for the type of car you’re most used to driving – especially when you’re navigating unfamiliar roads.

Also consider the terrain you’ll be covering. If you’re planning to drive mostly in cities, then an automatic will be a much easier option, whereas manuals can be better for hilly terrain.

If you want to save money and have more control over the driving experience, a manual is the right choice for you, as long as you’re confident about changing gears.

In the end, you should rent the type of transmission you’re most comfortable driving.

FAQs

1. If I learned how to drive in an automatic, can I rent a manual?

Most countries require a separate license to drive a manual car if you passed your test in an automatic.

You need a full manual license to drive one, which requires passing a test in a manual vehicle. If you learned to drive and passed your test in an automatic vehicle, you won’t be able to rent a manual at home or abroad.

However, if you have a full manual license, you can drive both manual and automatic cars without restrictions.

2. Is a manual or automatic car better?

Manual and automatic cars have different advantages and disadvantages, and the type of car you choose will depend on personal preference.

If you rent a manual, you’ll have more control over acceleration and braking, as well as a more engaging driving experience. As long as you drive efficiently, you’ll get better gas mileage in a manual.

Automatics, on the other hand, are easier and smoother to drive, especially in cities where there’s more traffic. You’re also very unlikely to stall in an automatic car.