Why Aren’t Automatic Cars Popular in the UK?

Over in the States, automatic vehicles are ubiquitous. So much so, in fact, that if you want to drive a “stick shift” over there, you might see a raised eyebrow or two. Can you blame them? It does seem to make sense: automatic cars are simpler to drive, they allow you to focus more on your road positioning, and they’re more reliable and less susceptible to driver abuse than a manual. With all of this in mind, why do us Brits still cling so dearly to our manual gearboxes? Let’s find out.

Why Do Brits Drive Manual Cars?

Driving tests

If you’ve taken your driving test in recent years, your parents probably told you something like the following: “you want to take your driving test in a manual, otherwise you will only be able to drive automatics all of your life”. This is because, in the UK, if you take your test in an automatic, you will receive an automatic license which, as you can imagine, is restrictive. Acquiring a driving license which allows you to drive both manual and automatic vehicles means you have much more flexibility when it comes to driving, say, rental vehicles.

A compact road network

Unlike the over in the US, where their roads seem to almost exclusively be straight highways which stretch on for eternity, the UK suffers from an extremely compact road network. The upshot: lots of tight corners. To combat this, some UK drivers believe it best to choose a manual because they offer engine braking and lag-free acceleration which, in theory, gives you much better control around cornering.

The cost

There is no getting around the fact that automatic vehicles carry with them a greater upfront cost. This alone can be off-putting to some motorists, as they feel that they’re getting a better deal if they opt for a manual. On top of this, automatic gearboxes are more complex and require additional servicing. While this is perhaps offset by the fact that they won’t suffer from worn out clutches, many UK drivers will take their chances.

Performance

Some UK motorists believe that a true “driver’s driver” will opt for a manual because you get much more control over the performance output of the vehicle. That is, if you buy a sports car, a manual gearbox means that you can accelerate quickly with no lag, and take corners with greater precision.

Perception

One of the key reasons why many UK drivers still choose manuals is due to a sort of superiority complex. That is, many manual drivers tend to view automatic vehicles as a sort of crutch – an option for people who “can’t drive properly”. This is rarely true, of course, but people will think what they will.

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