Best automatic cars 2024 – the best autos to buy right now

With any coupé, you naturally want it to drive as its sleek looks suggest – and that's exactly what the BMW 4 Series Coupé does.

Our favourite version – the 420i – has a 181bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine and an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The pair work very well together; not only does does gearbox add to the sporty driving experience with its super slick gear changes, but it's also very smooth to drive around town.

Those reasons, along with the fact that it's plush inside, comfortable to drive and surprisingly practical, are why the 4 Series is also our 2023 Coupé of the Year.

Read our in-depth BMW 4 Series review

With its slick gear change and tight mechanical feel, the manual version of the Porsche Cayman GTS is hard to beat when it comes to thrills. However, the seven-speed 'PDK' automatic GTS is also a brilliant alternative for driving fun and everyday comfort.

For example, in the GTS, the shifts are so quick that it actually boosts performance (0-62mph takes 5.3sec with the manual and 4.9sec with the PDK). But of course, if you wish to do so you can change the gears yourself with the steering wheel-mounted paddles, or you can leave the car in auto mode so it can do the work for you.

Read our in-depth Porsche Cayman review

The BMW 3 Series is a sporty, practical and well-built executive car that is the go-to choice for many buyers.

Why is that? Well, that's partly down to the way it drives. Our favourite version – the 330e plug-in hybrid – offers brisk performance (0-62mph takes 5.8sec) and very smooth transitions between the engine and electric motor.

The eight-speed automatic gearbox only aids refinement further by seamlessly flicking through the gears as you press on the accelerator. In fact, the gearbox never dithers and it always responds instantaneously to inputs.

Read our in-depth BMW 3 Series review

The automatic gearbox in the Honda Civic hybrid is unlike any other on this list.

How so? Well, the Civic only has one forward gear, which means that the hybrid system only has to shift between the electric motor and engine to drive the wheels. The result of this is a very smooth set-up, and the system can even fool the driver into thinking it's changing gears by pumping sound through the car's speakers.

The other benefit of the Civic's hybrid system include its impressive real world fuel economy; we managed a very respectable 49.5mpg during our Real MPG tests.

Read our in-depth Honda Civic review

The Porsche Cayenne is a sports SUV that will happily munch up the miles – especially in V8 S form.

It has a 468bhp 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine and an eight-speed automatic gearbox that combine to provide incredible straight-line performance. When asked to do so, the S can dispatch 0-62mph in just 5.0sec (or 4.4sec with the optional Sports Chrono Package). 

The Cayenne is also a joy to drive on a twisty back road, and it feels incredibly nimble for such a big SUV. In fact, it handles so well that at times you can question whether you're driving an SUV at all.

Read our in-depth Porsche Cayenne review

If you're in the market for an automatic small car, then you’ll find that the Honda Jazz is the best car for the job.

That’s because it's a hybrid and runs mostly on electric power at low speeds. So, if you live in an urban area and drive with a delicate right foot, you’ll find that the Jazz is remarkably hushed. 

On the contrary, the calm can be interrupted when you plant your right foot (the CVT gearbox keeps the engine revs high when accelerating), but it is still quieter than the CVT in the Toyota Yaris. It's also a lot smoother to drive than the automatic Peugeot 208 around town.

Read our in-depth Honda Jazz review

With its lengthy official electric-only range of 80 miles, the Mercedes GLC 300e is one of the best plug-in hybrids you can buy. However, there's more to it than just range; the GLC 300e is quick (0-62mph takes 6.7sec), practical and comfortable. It's a refined car to drive on the motorway, too. 

We also like the nine-speed automatic gearbox that you get in the GLC 300e. At low speeds the electric motor assists the gearbox and engine to provide instant power, and once up to speed the gearbox stays in the highest gears to help improve fuel economy.

Read our in-depth Mercedes GLC review

It might have a new design, more space and a plush interior, but beneath the surface the new Santa Fe is closely related to the previous version.

Mind you, that's no bad thing, because the Santa Fe hybrid continues to be a 7-seater that's well suited for driving around town, where progress is smooth, quick and efficient. The system itself is also very refined, and that's aided by the eight-speed automatic gearbox.

At high speeds, refinement is also generally very good with a low level of wind and road noise. The gearbox itself responds quickly to inputs, too, and kicks down swiftly when you need a sudden burst of speed.

Read our in-depth Hyundai Santa Fe review

The clue is in the name with the Range Rover Sport, because if you like the idea of a full-size Range Rover but want a more engaging drive, then this is the luxury car for you.

Indeed, our favourite D300 version comes with an eight-speed automatic gearbox that provides effortless performance, plus the firmer, but supple air suspension allows for less vertical body movement over undulating roads than its full-size sibling. 

Of course, being a Range Rover, the Sport offers a luxurious feel behind the wheel; road noise is kept to a minimum and the engines are incredibly hushed. You also get that a brilliant view of the road thanks to its high driving position. 

Read our in-depth Range Rover Sport review

It can be easy to denounce the CVT gearbox in the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports.

However, the benefits of its use are clear; the CVT gearbox keeps engine revs low and consistent when cruising, which results in better fuel economy, plus it has less moving parts than a traditional automatic which improves reliability.

Indeed, those factors are proved by the fact that the Touring Sports is one of the most efficient estate cars you can buy (with its official fuel economy figures of more than 60mpg), plus the fact that Toyota is the second most reliable car brand (out of 32) according to the 2023 What Car? Reliability Survey.

Read our in-depth Toyota Corolla Touring Sports review