The age of the manual gearbox may well be over. Cars with two pedals are taking an ever-larger share of sales in the UK, so when looking for the best leasing deals it’s not surprising that plenty of people tick the box marked ‘automatic’.
Automatics – or at least cars that act like them – are becoming more popular especially with the greater prevalence of hybrid cars and electric vehicles. The benefits are easy to see. A two-pedal car takes a variable out of the equation, often making for a more relaxing drive, especially in heavy traffic. Gone are the days when automatics were thirsty and slow – modern autos often have better performance and fuel economy than their manual counterparts.
Of course, many keen drivers will prefer the greater feeling of control that a manual gives, and having to replace a clutch every now and then is less hassle than worrying about what happens when a complex, dual-clutch automatic gearbox finally gives way out of warranty. There’s no right answer here, but manuals are destined to become a niche choice as electric vehicles – which don’t have a gearbox at all – begin to take over our roads. We’ve got a separate list of some of the best electric cars to lease.
Not all automatic cars are created equal, however, and a bad one can be thirsty, inefficient, jerky, and altogether inferior to a manual car. We’ve rounded up some of the best here.
The best automatic cars to lease 2023
Editor’s choice: Toyota Corolla
Hybrid power for the masses
Pros:
✅ Very efficient
✅ Unbelievably reliable
✅ Smooth and comfortable to drive
Cons:
❌ Not exactly thrilling
❌ Poor rear passenger space
The Toyota Corolla uses a continuously variable transmission – that is, one that doesn’t have defined ‘gears’ but instead uses one constantly-changing ratio – paired up to a self-charging hybrid system. It’s lineage can be traced back to the 1999 Prius, and in that time Toyota’s refined it to be smooth, responsive, and unobtrusive.
We’d opt for the recently updated 1.8-litre powertrain, which gives plenty of performance for most as well as the prospect of 60+mpg. Those who regularly travel with rear passengers should opt for the slightly roomier Touring Sports estate model.
Read our Toyota Corolla review
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Skoda Karoq
Sensible family transport at a competitive price
Pros:
✅ Space-efficient
✅ Clever touches inside
✅ Comfortable ride
Cons:
❌ No hybrid engine options
❌ Dull to drive
If you’re the pragmatic type of family car buyer you could do a lot worse than the Skoda Karoq. It’s one of our favourite mid-sized SUVs, with a wide range of engine options and a very good dual-clutch automatic gearbox that shifts quickly and makes the most of the car’s performance and reliability.
The 1.5-litre petrol is the best all-rounder, but don’t be discouraged by diesel if you do a lot of long journeys and want the very best possible fuel economy. And long journeys are a pleasure in the Karoq – even with kids – because its clever interior is packed with little touches that make family life more accessible.
Read our full Skoda Karoq review
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Honda Jazz
Seriously spacious hybrid hatch
Pros:
✅ Masses of room inside
✅ Clever seats
✅ Efficient hybrid powertrain
Cons:
❌ Expensive for a supermini
❌ Boot a little small
From behind the driver’s seat of the Honda Jazz you’d hardly believe this was a supermini. It’s incredibly spacious, easily accommodating four six-foot adults in airy, bright surroundings, and the clever rear seats mean you can carry loads of all shapes and sizes.
The Honda uses electric motors to drive it at low speeds, while the engine operates as a generator – then, on the motorway, the electric motors give way so the engine can drive the wheels directly. It’s a very good system, also used in the firm’s larger cars, and provides close to 60mpg with good performance.
Read our full Honda Jazz review
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Volkswagen Multivan
Looks like a van, drives like a car
Pros:
✅ Plug-in hybrid available
✅ Flexible interior
✅ Space for up to seven
Cons:
❌ Small boot with passengers in place
❌ Seats are heavy to lift
The Volkswagen Multivan may look like – and be named after – a van, but under the skin it’s actually closer to VW’s passenger cars, meaning the brand can offer it with its latest set of engines from petrol and diesel to plug-in hybrid. Automatic gearboxes are standard for the Multivan – a seven-speed dual-clutch on most models, and a six-speed for the plug-in hybrid.
Regardless of engine your passengers will enjoy considerable luxury in big, multi-adjustable seats all round. Those in the rear enjoy a sliding table with storage and plenty of USB chargers – though we’d recommend opting for the long-wheelbase model if you regularly want to take lots of luggage.
Read our full Volkswagen Multivan review
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BMW 3 Series Touring
A great-driving estate option
Pros:
✅ Spacious and practical boot
✅ Great engines, including PHEV option
✅ Fantastic to drive
Cons:
❌ Not that roomy for passengers
❌ Screen-heavy interior
BMW’s 3 Series has always been one of the best-driving cars in its class, and that accolade continues with the latest generation – and, of course, its Touring estate variant. This is a cracking car for a small family, with a big, practical boot and space for four adults in slightly cosy surroundings.
You get a posh cockpit packed with the latest tech and a range of excellent petrol and diesel engines. Whichever you choose you get a car that corners and handles like a true sports saloon, but remains comfortable enough to ply the motorways with ease. All variants share the same smooth eight-speed automatic gearbox, too.
Read our full BMW 3 Series Touring review
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Peugeot 208
A small automatic worth recommending
Pros:
✅ High-quality cabin
✅ Great eight-speed automatic
✅ Efficient engines
Cons:
❌ Cramped rear seats
❌ Pricey compared with rivals
Small cars in general are a bit of a dying breed but Peugeot’s 208 is one of the best-sellers in Europe, and for good reason. It’s premium-feeling inside and out, with a solid and luxurious cabin and a range of peppy petrol engines.
An automatic gearbox is an option on mid-spec engines and standard on the more powerful units, and it’s a cracker – a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic with such a long top gear that this is a really relaxed motorway car. Add in those supermodel looks and this is a real supermini winner.
Read our full Peugeot 208 review
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Honda Civic
Our reigning Car of the Year 2023
Pros:
✅ Powerful and efficient
✅ Brilliant interior
✅ The best hatchback in its class
Cons:
❌ Not that efficient on the motorway
❌ Small fuel tank
You really have to nit-pick to find something wrong with the latest generation of Honda Civic, and that it’ll probably return around 50mpg on the motorway and its fuel tank is comparatively small is all we can really come up with. The Civic is spacious, comfortable, fantastic to drive, and pretty much ticks every box we can think of. No wonder it was our Car of the Year for 2023.
Its hybrid powertrain is similar to that in the Jazz above, but more powerful yet somehow even more fuel-efficient. It’s the interior we’re most impressed by, though, as it’s not just good-looking and well-built but still utilises a lot of physical switchgear – hallelujah!
Read our full Honda Civic review
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Ford Puma
Great-driving small SUV with hidden practicality
Pros:
✅ Huge boot with clever ‘megabox’
✅ Efficient mild-hybrid engines
✅ Fantastic handling
Cons:
❌ Slightly low-rent interior
❌ No true hybrid or EV model
The Ford Puma is a multiple Parkers award-winner and one of our very favourite compact SUVs. We love the way it drives, feeling almost as agile in the corners as the Fiesta supermini it’s based on. Unlike the Fiesta, though, there’s space inside for adults, plus a large boot with a hidden, waterproof ‘Megabox’ under the floor.
While our favourite Pumas are equipped with manual gearboxes the dual-clutch automatic is a good compromise if you want or need two pedals – it’s quick-shifting and responsive.
Read our full Ford Puma review
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BMW X5
Luxury SUVs don’t come much better than this
Pros:
✅ Great to drive
✅ Fantastic, luxurious interior
✅ Surprisingly efficient
Cons:
❌ Massive to manoeuvre
❌ Third row of seats not that useful
The BMW X5 is a luxury SUV on par with a Range Rover Sport in terms of drivability, comfort, and desirability. It drives amazingly well for such a big car – not only is it supremely comfortable but it handles brilliantly too, though the sheer size of the X5 does mean it’s not exactly a city car.
Even the petrol is remarkably efficient, while the plug-in hybrid offers around 50 miles of pure electric range making it very usable everyday. All get BMW’s excellent eight-speed automatic for smooth shifting.
Read our full BMW X5 review
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Porsche 718 Cayman
Mid-engined fun from the makers of the 911
Pros:
✅ Fantastic to drive
✅ Surprisingly roomy
✅ Brilliant build quality
Cons:
❌ The best features are optional
❌ Lower models lack pace
An automatic sports car might sound like sacrilege but it really does turn this Porsche Cayman into something you can use everyday (provided you never need more than two seats, of course). Equally at home in traffic, slogging along the motorway or blasting down a B-road at the golden hour, the Cayman is brilliant to drive in all scenarios.
The well-built interior benefits from several well-chosen options, and those who are looking for a proper sports car should probably go for the Cayman S with its extra power – it really makes the most of the car’s fantastic chassis.
Read our full Porsche 718 Cayman review
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Tom Wiltshire is a Senior Staff Writer working for the Bauer Digital Automotive Hub. He’s written for numerous outlets, including Auto Express, evo and the Press Association, and now divides his time between Parkers and CAR. Tom’s a committed Peugeotist but buzzes off almost any car that’s tiny and silly.
These deals are indicative examples of some packages available as of July 2023, but are subject to change without prior notice. Everyone’s financial circumstances are different and the availability of credit is subject to status. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Parkers cannot recommend a deal for you specifically.
Bauer Consumer Media Limited is an appointed representative of ZenAuto Limited for the broking of regulated consumer hire agreements. ZenAuto Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. ZenAuto Limited’s registered office is Number One, Great Exhibition Way, Kirkstall Forge, Leeds LS5 3BF. ZenAuto Limited’s company registration number is 10967345. ZenAuto is the trading name of ZenAuto Limited.
