Best Used Automatic Cars

As one of the brand’s most popular models, the Volkswagen Polo is a hit amongst many thanks to its straightforward driving experience and well-equipped cabin.

Equipped with the DSG automatic gearbox, which is widely used across many of the Volkswagen group’s vehicles, automatic Polo variants perform well across the board, offering both refinement and performance when needed. The ride is supple too, ensuring the car is comfortable in both urban and rural areas.

Entry-level ‘Life’ variants come equipped with plenty of technology for you to enjoy and are one of the best cars for young drivers thanks to their low running costs. Equipment gradually improves as you work your way up the range, with the range-topping GTI offering the most dynamic experience available.

The Skoda brand is well-known for offering vehicles that are incredibly practical, and the Kodiaq SUV fits that mould.

As one of the largest Skoda models available, the Kodiaq refuses to sacrifice boot space and is excellent for road trips with family or friends. It’s a 7-seat SUV too, and with a maximum boot space of over 2,000 litres, it’s immensely spacious inside and makes light work of carrying luggage.

Available in both petrol and diesel variants, the Kodiaq offers a reliable DSG automatic gearbox that’s commonly used across the brand’s lineup. Those that often venture off-road will also find the 4×4 option appealing, allowing you to successfully take on the trickiest of terrains.

The Ford Fiesta may have been taken off sale in the new car market, but its popularity means that there’s plenty of choice in the used segment. While you might usually associate small, economical and budget-friendly cars like the Fiesta with a manual gearbox, the latest generation of this popular Blue Oval model is also available with a smooth-shifting automatic as well.

An automatic gearbox makes the Fiesta even better to drive around town, where its punchy yet efficient engines are allowed to shine. As with all Fiestas, you’ll find automatic versions to be a doddle when it comes to parking and while it might be more than adept to deal with a crawl through inner-city traffic, it’s just as capable at doing longer motorway journeys as well. A range of specifications, colours and interior shades allow you to one which fits your personality, too.

The popular Honda Jazz, in its latest form, is a well-rounded car that ticks a lot of boxes and is particularly beneficial for those looking for an efficient and easy-to-drive small automatic car.

While it won’t win any awards for its dynamism, the Jazz focuses on delivering practicality and a comfortable driving experience. Despite this, it’s still nippy enough to deal with urban traffic and can comfortably cruise along motorways, too.

The latest generation comes with a hybrid powertrain that utilises a 1.5-litre petrol engine that works in tandem with two electric motors. Not only do you get fantastically smooth gear changes, fuel economy is excellent, too.

The Ford Focus is still one of the most popular used cars in the UK and showcases all of the brand’s experience in creating well-rounded cars that appeal to the masses.

The ride in the Focus is comfortable for both driver and passengers, with lots of legroom in the front and back. There’s a sportiness about the Focus too, providing an engaging driving experience with excellent steering and handling.

Ford’s automatic gearbox is available on a variety of Focus models and generations, including 1.0-litre turbo petrol and 1.5-litre diesel variants. Choose petrol if you mostly do urban driving, or diesel if you regularly travel further afield.

While a lot of people may associate the Mini Cooper with a snappy manual gearbox, it’s actually the automatic version which has proven popular with a lot of drivers. It’s still engaging, mind you, but it makes crawling through traffic – where a lot of Mini cars spend their time – a little more comfortable.

It’s a smooth shifting auto ‘box, too, and when linked to a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine makes for a rounded package overall. While if you’re a keener driver we’d still recommend opting for the manual, this automatic Mini is still a great choice and retains much of the sense of fun that you’d expect to get from this hatchback.

As an SUV that combines practicality and performance, the Jaguar F-PACE has won plenty of fans since its introduction in 2016. It has been updated over time, but the same handsome and upscale design remains.

The steering is smooth, precise and inspires confidence, making it one of the most fun large SUVs in terms of driving. You’ll find that bumps and potholes do little to impact comfort, too, with the car being as smooth on rough country lanes as it is in the city.

Those leaning on the side of refinement will be more than happy with the 2.0-litre petrol or diesel powertrains. More powerful 3.0-litre variants are available on the used market too, although the increased performance will have a detrimental effect on running costs.

All used F-PACEs come as standard with an automatic gearbox, so you don’t need to look out for a specific version.

If there’s a brand that has some serious knowledge in the area of automatic gearboxes, it’s Mercedes-Benz. In fact, manual gearboxes are something of an oddity in this brand’s range of cars – both new and used – so you’re more likely to find an auto on most examples. The C-Class is the bread-and-butter car of Mercedes, rivalling the likes of the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 but bringing a distinctly premium finish with lots of good materials.

To drive, the C-Class impresses with its refinement. You’ll find a seven-speed automatic on most models – though some did get a nine-speed version – but either one is excellent in its ability to smoothly navigate the gears. Most allow you to take control of the gears via steering wheel-mounted paddles but, in truth, its best left to its own devices where it gets the job done effortlessly.

The BMW 3 Series has been one of the brand’s best-selling models for many years. The vast majority of cars sold from 2018 onwards were automatics, purely because BMW’s automatic transmissions are so revered by their customers.

The automatic gearbox found in the BMW 3 Series offers smooth gear changes regardless of which driving mode you’re in. Comfort mode, which is the tamest of the car’s settings, is focused on refinement, while switching to Sport mode enhances the driving experience further, with sharper responses to driver input.

Overall, you’ll be hard-pushed to find a car that’s as good an all-rounder as the 3 Series. It’s practical, looks the part, drives superbly well, and fuel efficiency is very good too, particularly on 2.0-litre diesel models. The interior is a very nice place to spend time, and despite the premium nature of the brand, pre-owned examples provide excellent value on the used car market.

The Porsche 911 needs no introduction, really, as it’s well-known worldwide for offering exceptional levels of performance and sublime handling.

Automatic variants come with the brand’s fabled PDK automatic transmission, taking the car from 0 to 62mph in as little as 3.5 seconds depending on which variant you opt for. Despite this level of performance, the 911’s overall ride is surprisingly relaxing when it needs to be, allowing you to comfortably cruise when required. Standard Carrera models have two back seats, too.

Convertible or Targa models may appeal to those looking for open-top driving, while performance-oriented variants such as the Turbo or GT3 are ideal for adrenaline seekers.