‘We tested best automatic cars on sale and there was surprise winner’

A group of automotive experts have tested the best automatic cars on sale and come to a surprise verdict on which is the best.

Automatic gearboxes have become increasingly popular since the turn of the 21st Century, and almost every new car on sale in the UK has some form of automatic transmission option.

When it came to deciding which was the best though, the reviewers omitted electric cars because of their lack of automatic transmissions due to their powertrains. As a result, their list is compiled of petrol or diesel cars only.

Despite the electric omissions, the result was still surprising with much cheaper models taking the glory ahead of those with six figure price tags and low production numbers.

In the end the experts, from motoring publication Auto Express, decided the BMW 3 series was the UK’s best automatic on sale, beating the famed Porsche 992 911 to claim top honours.

Speaking about the renowned Munich model, the experts said: “BMW appears to be trading on wacky, controversial styling as of late, but the latest 3 series remains resolutely sensible – and brilliant.

“Modern BMWs go a little too heavy on the touchscreen-based controls, but it’s hard to fault the cabin’s quality of design. The 3 is a big car these days, so passenger accommodation is now pretty good.”

While the BMW was a much cheaper prospect than the sportscar it beat, with a starting price of £41,220 nearly three times lower than it’s Stuttgart-based competitor’s £103,700, it was the car in third that really shone through.

Starting from £20,115, the latest Citroen C3 is five times cheaper than the Porsche and nearly half that of the BMW. Despite that price difference, it was able to complete the podium ahead of the likes of the Mercedes S-Class and Bentley Continental GT.

The reviewers explained: “In the supermini class, the Citroen C3 stands out for its focus on comfort and practicality, particularly in the automatic petrol version.

“The C3 is more about comfort than sportiness, with light, precise steering and soft suspension…the cabin is thoughtfully designed, with clear, user-friendly controls and a spacious feel that ensures comfort for the driver and passengers.”

Other vehicles that featured in the top ten included affordable models such as the Dacia Duster, MG3, Skoda Octavia, and Renault Clio, models which also come with manual transmissions.