Best Automatic Transmissions

What are the best automatic transmissions according to American critics?

Automatic transmissions have come a long way in providing smooth shifting, enhanced performance, and improved fuel efficiency. As automotive technology continues to advance, several automatic transmissions have gained acclaim for their exceptional performance and innovative features. Exactly that will be today’s topic, here are three of the best automatic transmissions that have proved themselves throughout the years.

ZF 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

The ZF 8-speed automatic transmission has garnered widespread recognition for its impressive capabilities and seamless performance. Found in a variety of luxury vehicles and high-performance cars, this transmission excels in providing smooth gear shifts, precise control, and enhanced fuel efficiency. Its design includes a broad gear ratio spread, enabling optimal performance across different driving scenarios.

Why do people like it? The ZF is legendary for its use in BMWs and the power it provides for the rear wheels. Usually, RWD vehicles need stronger gearboxes so the ZF is quite robust.

The ZF 8HP automatic transmission is used in many cars, including:

• BMW: 7-Series, 3-Series, 5-Series, X5 50i

• Volkswagen: Gasoline and diesel engines

• Stellantis: Ram, Jeep, Hellcats, Alfa, and Maserati

• Aston Martin: Sports cars

• Jaguar: F-Type

• Rolls-Royce: Phantom

• Dodge: Durango, Charger, Challenger

• Jeep: Grand Cherokee

• Land Rover: Range Rover Sport 

MERCEDES 9G-TRONIC

Mercedes-Benz’s 9G-TRONIC transmission has captivated drivers with its sophisticated engineering and outstanding performance. This nine-speed automatic transmission is renowned for its seamless gear changes, quick response times, and remarkable fuel efficiency. It offers precise control and adaptive shifting algorithms, effortlessly adapting to driving conditions for an optimal balance of power and economy.

Why do people like it? The 9G-TRONIC is regarded as one of the best and smoothest shifting gearboxes ever made. Additionally, it greatly boosts fuel efficiency because of the big number of gears.

The Mercedes-Benz 9G-Tronic automatic transmission is used in many Mercedes-Benz models, including:

• C-Class: 2015–2021 W205 models and 2022 W206 models

• E-Class: 2014–2016 W212 models, and 2016–present W213 models

• S-Class: 2017–2021 W222 models, and 2021 W223 models

• V-Class: 2020–present W447 models with longitudinal engines

• GLC-Class: 2015–present models

• GLE-Class: 2016–2019 W166 models, and 2020–present W167 models

• GLS-Class: 2017–2019 X166 models, and 2020–present X167 models

AUDI S TRONIC AND VW DSG

Audi, along with its parent company Volkswagen AG (VAG), has developed a range of exceptional automatic transmissions that showcase advanced engineering and cutting-edge technology. Two prominent offerings include the Audi S Tronic and the Volkswagen DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox). These dual-clutch transmissions have redefined driving experiences with lightning-fast gear changes, sporty characteristics, and enhanced fuel efficiency.

Why do people like it? Its popularity and reputation are all due to the cheap maintenance costs and performance.

The Audi S Tronic and Volkswagen DSG are both automatic transmissions that are used in a variety of vehicles from the Volkswagen Group, including Audi, Volkswagen, Skoda, Seat, Lamborghini, Porsche, Bugatti, and Bentley: 

• Audi

  The Audi S Tronic is used in many Audi models, including the TT, TTS, TT RS, A3, S3, RS3, S4, S5, RS5, and S6. 

• Volkswagen

  The Volkswagen DSG is used in many Volkswagen models, including the Golf GTI, Jetta Hybrid, Jetta GLI, Passat V6, Golf R, CC, Eos, and Beetle R-line. 

These three automatic transmissions are considered robust although if not look after well they could break or require a complete overhaul. Repairing automatic transmissions can be a very expensive process.

Make sure your transmission has its AT oil changed when the service manual stipulates and change the filter at the same time.

Take care!

Prof. Carl Boniface