Here's Every Six-Speed Automatic Still On The Market Today
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We’ve recently talked about how naturally aspirated V6s and V8s are going by the wayside, but there’s another powertrain component that is slowly fading into obscurity: the six-speed automatic transmission. It might not be as sexy as a big motor, but it’s still something to think about.
For years, six-speed autos were looked at as almost the luxury option for a lot of vehicles on the market, but as CVTs and transmissions with seven, eight, nine and even 10 gears come into prevalence, the humble six-speed automatic is being left behind.
I’m not going to sit here and say that’s a shame exactly. None of the cars on this list have a six-speed autobox that is going to set your soul on fire, and by design, they are less efficient than their CVT and greater-geared counterparts, but it is certainly something to note.
As it turns out, there are just 22 different vehicles (16 if you don’t count badge engineering) that come with a six-speed automatic from the factory. Let’s take a look at all of ‘em. Also, if I missed one, keep it to yourself. I’m not interested in what you have to say
Buick Envista / Chevrolet Trax
I’ve spent a whole lot of time with the Envista and Trax and their six-speed automatics. It’s not exactly a fun and engaging transmission to use, but it gets the job done. There are a few downsides, though. The first is that you cannot really manually shift it. There’s a gear limiter, but that’s not really the same thing. Second of all, because it just has six gears, highway gas mileage isn’t that great. GM claims about 30 mpg highway for both cars, and that’s not spectacular. I managed around 25 mpg in combined driving.
Hyundai Elantra Hybrid (DCT)
The biggest six-speed automatic enthusiast out there is clearly Hyundai/Kia. The two automakers put either a six-speed double-clutch unit or a traditional torque converter automatic in seven different models. My dad has an Elantra (non-hybrid) with the six-speed and seamlessly fades into the background. That’s exactly what you want in a little econobox.
Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid (Coming) & Kia Sorento Hybrid/ PHEV
This is cheating a little bit. Technically the Santa Fe Hybrid isn’t out just yet, but it will be soon, and that’s good enough for me. If you don’t get the Hybrid/PHEV, all other trims on both cars come with an eight-speed dual-clutch. That right there is a very good transmission.
Hyundai Tucson Hybrid / PHEV & Kia Sportage Hybrid / PHEV
This is the exact same unit that comes in the Santa Fe/Sorento in the last slide. It’s probably a bit more fun in this application because these cars are smaller. Who really cares? Ya know?
Kia Carnival Hybrid
This is the only minivan you can get with a six-speed, so if you’re in the market for a minivan and need only six gears, this is what you gotta go with.
Kia Niro PHEV (DCT)
I haven’t driven it, but I bet the Niro PHEV with a dual-clutch auto is probably a good bit of fun.
Lexus IS 300 / IS 350 AWD & Lexus RC 300 / RC 350 AWD
A fun little fact about the IS and RC: they’re the only vehicles that still offer a naturally aspirated V6, a naturally aspirated V8 and a six-speed automatic. These are some really old dogs, but you gotta love Lexus’s commitment to them.
Lexus RX 500h
I haven’t driven the RX 500h with the six-speed auto, but I have driven its bigger brother, and in that application, it’s totally fine. More on that very soon.
Lexus TX 500h & Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max
Wow did you feel how soon that was? I did over 800 miles of driving in the TX 500h, and its transmission was completely fine. You don’t really think about it at all. Oddly, Lexus does let you select your own gears with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, if you want, but what sort of weird would do that?
Mazda CX-30
After Hyundai/Kia, Mazda has the biggest crush on six-speed automatic transmissions. I remember once asking an engineer at the company why all their cars have six-speed autos, and they said it was because six is enough gears. I mean, I suppose so, but it sort of just feels like maybe Mazda can’t afford to develop a new eight-speed. What do I know?
Mazda CX-5
The one neat thing about Mazda automatics is that to manually shift them with the gear selector, pulling down goes up a gear and pushing up goes down a gear. It’s like you’re in a race car.
Mazda CX-50
Even Mazda’s newest products could with a six-speed. I guess if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, but c’mon now.
Mazda MX-5 Miata
If you have full use of your left leg and buy an automatic Miata, you should lose that leg. Sorry, I don’t make the rules
Mazda3
While building this list out, I was very excited to learn that the Mazda3 still existed. What a nice little surprise! If only you could get the beautiful 3 hatchback with a manual. That would really be something.
Ram 3500 High Output (Aisin)
This transmission is mounted to a high-output 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel inline-6 motor. It puts out an astonishing 420 horsepower and 1,075 lb-ft of torque. When you’ve got a power number like that, two things are true: you need a strong transmission, and you do not need very many gears.
Subaru BRZ & Toyota GR86
I have the same issue with automatic BRZ/GR86 buyers as I do with automatic Miata buyers. It’s just wrong. It’s honestly socially unacceptable. If your left leg works, put it to good use and press a clutch pedal.
Honorable Mention: Toyota 4Runner
Ok, so the Toyota 4Runner doesn’t actually have a six-speed automatic. No, sir. It actually has a five-speed automatic. It’s the last five-speed auto you can buy, and it won’t even be for much longer.
