The Most Reliable Automatic Transmission, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the automatic transmission you think is the most reliable!

Updated on Apr 30, 2024 06:54

In a world full of diverse automotive options, finding a car with a reliable automatic transmission can significantly ease the daily commute. Durability, efficiency, and smooth shifting are key for any driver looking to enhance their driving experience. This list of highly esteemed transmissions comes directly from user experiences and popular opinions, ensuring that newcomers can make informed choices based on collective wisdom. The beauty of this dynamic list is that it grows and transforms with each vote cast, reflecting real-time changes in user experience and preferences. By participating, you contribute to a broader base of knowledge, helping others make sound decisions based on up-to-date reliability scores. Whether you're a seasoned driver or a first-time car buyer, your input is invaluable in crafting a resource that benefits all.

What Is the Most Reliable Automatic Transmission?

1

72
votes
Toyota Aisin AW30-43LE

Aisin AW

This transmission is known for its durability and longevity. It is used in many Toyota vehicles and has proven to be reliable over the years.
The Toyota Aisin AW30-43LE is an automatic transmission developed by Aisin AW, a subsidiary of Aisin Seiki Co. Ltd. It is commonly used in Toyota vehicles and is highly regarded for its durability, smooth shifting, and efficient performance.

Type: Automatic Transmission

Number of Gears: 4

Weight: Approximately 77 kg

Maximum Torque Capacity: 430 Nm

Fluid Type: Toyota WS ATF
2

44
votes
Honda 5-speed automatic

Honda Motor Co., Ltd

Honda's 5-speed automatic transmission is known for its smooth shifting and reliability. It is used in many Honda vehicles and has a good track record.
The Honda 5-speed automatic is a highly reliable automatic transmission system developed by Honda Motor Co., Ltd. It is designed to provide smooth and efficient shifting performance while delivering excellent durability and reliability.

Number of Gears: 5

Type: Torque Converter

Gear Ratios: 1st: 2.7 / 2nd: 1.55 / 3rd: 1.02 / 4th: 0.68 / 5th: 0.49

Shift Control: Electronically-controlled

Lock-up Torque Converter: Yes
3

32
votes
Lexus 8-speed automatic

Lexus

This transmission is used in Lexus vehicles and is known for its smooth shifting and reliability. It has been praised for its durability and longevity.
The Lexus 8-speed automatic transmission is a highly reliable and advanced automatic transmission system developed by Lexus, a luxury vehicle division of the Toyota Motor Corporation. It is designed to provide smooth and efficient gear shifting for an enhanced driving experience.

Number of gears: 8

Transmission type: Automatic

Gear shifting mechanism: Electronically controlled shift-by-wire system

Gear ratio range: Wide range for optimized performance

Smoothness: Seamless gear shifts with reduced shift shock
4

24
votes
Porsche PDK

Porsche

Porsche's PDK (Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe) is a dual-clutch automatic transmission that is known for its precision and quick shifting. It is used in many Porsche vehicles and has proven to be reliable.
The Porsche PDK (Porsche Doppelkupplung) is a dual-clutch automatic transmission system that provides precise and lightning-fast gear changes.

Transmission Type: Dual-clutch automatic

Number of Gears: 7

Gearshift Time: as low as 60 milliseconds

Efficiency: improved fuel efficiency compared to a traditional automatic transmission

Performance: enhanced acceleration and smoother gear changes
Porsche PDK in other rankings
- Position 4 of 10 in Most reliable transmission
5

15
votes
Audi S-tronic

Audi

Audi's S-tronic transmission is a dual-clutch automatic that is known for its quick shifting and smooth operation. It has been praised for its reliability and durability.
The Audi S-tronic is a dual-clutch automatic transmission system developed by Audi. It is designed to provide precise and fast gear changes, offering a smooth driving experience and high performance.

Type: Dual-clutch automatic transmission

Number of Gears: 6 to 7

Gear Change Speed: Milliseconds

Efficiency: High fuel efficiency

Shift Type: Fully automatic or manual sequential
6

10
votes
Mercedes-Benz 7G-Tronic

Mercedes-Benz

This transmission is used in many Mercedes-Benz vehicles and is known for its smooth shifting and reliability. It has been praised for its durability and longevity.
The Mercedes-Benz 7G-Tronic is a seven-speed automatic transmission system developed by Mercedes-Benz. It is designed to deliver excellent performance and smooth shifts for enhanced driving comfort.

Number of Gears: 7

Transmission Control: Electronically controlled with adaptive shift logic

Type: Automatic

Shift Type: Sequential

Gear Ratios: Wide range of gear ratios for optimal performance
Mercedes-Benz 7G-Tronic in other rankings
- Position 6 of 10 in Most reliable transmission
7

18
votes
BMW 8-speed automatic

ZF Friedrichshafen AG

BMW's 8-speed automatic transmission is known for its smooth shifting and reliability. It is used in many BMW vehicles and has a good track record.
The BMW 8-speed automatic transmission is a highly reliable and efficient automatic transmission system designed for BMW vehicles. It is known for its smooth shifting, quick response, and fuel efficiency.

Number of Gears: 8 gears

Gear Ratios: Wide gear ratio spread for enhanced acceleration and efficiency

Shift Speed: Rapid and precise gear changes

Adaptive Transmission Control: Intelligent system that adjusts shift patterns based on driving style and road conditions

Gear Selector: Comfortable and intuitive gear selector design
8

10
votes
Christian Flores · Public domain

Ford 10R80

Ford Motor Company

Ford's 10-speed automatic transmission is known for its smooth shifting and reliability. It is used in many Ford vehicles and has been praised for its durability.
The Ford 10R80 is a 10-speed automatic transmission designed and produced by Ford Motor Company. It is widely recognized as one of the most reliable automatic transmissions in the automotive industry.

Number of gears: 10

Gear shift type: Fully automatic with manual shift capabilities

Applications: Used in various Ford and Lincoln vehicles

Gear ratios: Multiple gear ratios for optimizing performance and fuel efficiency

Torque capacity: Designed to handle high torque levels
9

11
votes
General Motors Hydra-Matic 10-speed

General Motors

GM's Hydra-Matic 10-speed automatic transmission is known for its smooth shifting and durability. It is used in many GM vehicles and has proven to be reliable.
The General Motors Hydra-Matic 10-speed is an advanced automatic transmission known for its reliability and efficiency. It is a cutting-edge transmission system developed by General Motors.

Gears: 10-speed

Torque Capacity: 650 lb-ft

Weight: ~200 lbs

Gear Ratios: Wide ratio spread

Technology: Electronic transmission control
10

12
votes
Mazda SkyActiv-Drive

Mazda

Mazda's SkyActiv-Drive transmission is known for its smooth shifting and reliability. It has been praised for its efficiency and durability.
Mazda SkyActiv-Drive is a highly reliable automatic transmission system developed by Mazda. It is designed to provide smooth and efficient shifting while maximizing fuel efficiency and performance.

Type: 6-speed automatic transmission

Gear Ratios: Wide range of gear ratios for optimized performance

Direct-Shift Control: Quick and precise gear shifting

Efficiency: Improved fuel economy compared to traditional automatic transmissions

Lightweight: Compact design with reduced weight for enhanced vehicle dynamics

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About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most reliable automatic transmission. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or transmission is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

13031 views
210 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each transmission once every 24 hours. The rank of each transmission is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most reliable automatic transmission

Automatic transmissions have become increasingly popular over the years, as they offer a convenient way to drive without the need for manual gear changes. However, not all automatic transmissions are created equal, and some are more reliable than others. When it comes to choosing the most reliable automatic transmission, there are a few factors to consider. These include the type of transmission, the manufacturer, and the specific model. It's important to do your research and choose a transmission that has a proven track record of durability and performance. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to make the right choice. That's why we've compiled a list of the most reliable automatic transmissions to help you make an informed decision.