Los cars with automatic transmission They are a global phenomenon with a local replica. And although it is a trend that has arrived late here, the offer has been growing by leaps and bounds in recent years.
Phrases like “The feeling of driving a manual car is incomparable” o “I shift gears when I want, not when the box says so”, among others, stopped listening. Even fewer and fewer people distrust their efficiency and durability.
And that is reflected in sales, which in 2023 represented 47.2%, according to data revealed to Clarion by the Association of Dealers of the Argentine Republic (ACARA). Yeah, Almost half of the cars sold in the country are automatic.
This means a growth of more than 5% compared to 2022, when sales of vehicles with automatic transmission represented 41.9%.
Likewise, there are more and more ranges that are nourished by this type of versions; to the point that, for example, There are no more midsize sedans with manual transmission.
Why does this trend occur? Ease of handling, comfort and efficiency are the virtues that this type of transmissions provide. It has always been said, and with quite certainty, that whoever tries the automatic transmission never leaves it.
The 10 most economical automatics
1- Toyota Yaris XS CVT 5 doors. (from $17,568). The Japanese brand offers an automatic option (continuously variable) from its entry-level version, which stands out for its comfort and safety equipment.
The most important thing lies in its Siete airbagsthe hill start assistant, the multimedia system with a 7” LCD screen compatible with Android Auto and Apple Car Play devices, and cruise control, among others.
Mechanically it is equipped with a 1.5 liter gasoline engine that delivers 107 horsepower and a maximum torque of 140 Nm.
The Yaris also has 4-door automatic options, whose values start from $ 19.077.000.
2- Toyota Corolla XLI CVT (from $20,711,000). Although it may seem surprising, the best-selling midsize sedan in the world is the second most economical model with automatic transmission in Argentina.
Toyota Corolla None of the five versions (two are hybrids) of the Corolla range have manual transmission options.
The standard variants have a 2.0-liter 171-horsepower engine and a direct shift CVT with 10 pre-programmed speeds.
While the hybrids have a 1.8-liter 98 HP gasoline engine and another 72 HP electric engine that, together, deliver a power of 122 HP. The eCVT (electronically controlled) box.
Regarding equipment, the most notable thing is that all versions have the system Toyota Safety Sensea package of driving assistance capable of detecting a variety of dangers and alerting the driver to avoid or mitigate accidents.
3- Renault Sandero Intens CVT ($21,106,000). Unlike Toyotas, the French brand’s model only offers automatic transmission (CVT) in the top-of-the-range variant.
Renault SanderoManufactured at the Santa Isabel plant, province of Córdoba, this version offers front and front side airbags, hill start assist, parking sensors and rear view camera, fog lights and multimedia system with 7″ touch screen, among others. .
He Stepwaythe stylish and adventurous-looking variant of the Sandero, also has an automatic version, and costs $21.381.000.
The engine of both is the well-known 1.6 liter (gasoline) with 115 HP, which in the Life and Intens versions is combined with a five-speed manual gearbox.
4- Citroën C3 AT Feel Pack Design ($ 21.249.300). The French compact, manufactured in Brazil, reserves the automatic transmission for the most equipped version (there is also another but limited edition).
Citroen C3It is the only model among the five cheapest automatics with an automatic transmission with torque converter (the rest are CVT).
In terms of equipment, the difference from the rest is that it has a two-tone body, front fog lights and a rear view camera. While all offer four airbags (front and front side), hill start assist, variable electric steering and air conditioning as standard.
This version has the 1.6-liter 115 HP engine, while the rest of the range (except the Feel Pack Design) has the 1.2 with 82 HP.
5- Nissan Versa Advance CVT ($ 22.000.000). The compact sedan manufactured in Mexico offers automatic variants starting from the intermediate versions. .
Nissan Versa SRMechanically, it has a 118 HP 1.6-liter gasoline engine, associated with a CVT transmission.
Although the entire range offers six airbags and driving assistance systems (autonomous emergency braking and forward collision warning) as standard, the Advance CVT variant has some differentials such as a wireless cell phone charger and Sport driving mode.
The rest of the automatic models that complete the top 10 of the most economical are:
6. Fiat Cronos Drive 1.3 Pack Plus CVT ($ 22.100.000)
7. Peugeot 208 Active AT ($ 22.140.000)
8. Chevrolet Onix LTZ and Onix Plus LTZ ($ 23.436.900)
9. Fiat Strada Volcano CVT ($ 23.700.000)
10. Chevrolet Tracker LTZ AT ($ 23.814.900)
Types of automatic boxes
There are different types of transmissions on the market; and although the objective of not passing changes is perfectly met, each one works in a different way from the other.
– With torque converter: This is a mechanism that replaces the traditional clutch and is what makes the connection between the gearbox and the engine. It is the most used system among automatic transmissions. And in general it is usually the one that provides the most comfort due to the smoothness it has in each step of travel.
– CVT or continuous variator: The name Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) refers to the possibility of offering infinite relationships in its operation. Each gear in a gearbox is made up of a gear that has a particular size and that meshes with another each time that gear is selected.
But CVT boxes are made up of two conical pulleys that can vary their diameter and thus allow the chain that joins them and transmits the force of the engine, to have infinite variability of relationships. The sensation is like accelerating a moped, without bumps or jerks since there is no specific change of ratios like with any other gear.
CVT boxes are characterized by being comfortable transmissions, by the smoothness of their operation. But when you need to accelerate a lot, they give the sensation of not responding with the requested energy: the noise generated by the engine when accelerating is not related to the speed gain.
– Double clutch: They are the most comfortable boxes with the most technology. As their name indicates, they are made up of two clutches. One of them is in charge of the even gears and the other of the odd ones, so that there are always two gears engaged but one is disengaged. When changing gears, one of the clutches is disengaged while the other is engaged. The transition between gears is almost imperceptible.
