Automatic vs manual car rental in Spain: What to choose?

One of the crucial decisions that you’ll have to make while booking your vehicle in Spain is choosing between the transmission types.

You will be amazed to know that manual cars dominate the country’s rental fleets, while automatic cars are comparatively fewer and sell out quickly. You should have proper knowledge of these two before making a reservation, as going for the wrong option can impact your driving experience.

In this article, we are going to discuss everything you need to know about automatic vs manual rental cars in Spain, including their availability, pricing differences, demand trends & some practical suggestions to help you save money.

Why transmission type matters in Spain

Many of you might not know that Spain is very different from North America and some parts of Asia when it comes to driving culture.

Manual cars are still preferred by locals and they are the standard across most of Europe, therefore you’ll see that the rental fleets also reflect this tradition.

If you prefer automatic vehicles & blindly select the “automatic” transmission without checking availability or price, you can end up:

• Paying significantly more
• Facing limited vehicle choices
• Struggling to find a vehicle during peak season
• Taking a risk to drive a manual you’re not comfortable with

To put in simple words, in Spain, transmission choice affects these three things i.e., availability, price and your driving comfort. Therefore, you have to make the right choice early to save both time & money.

Availability: Manual cars are everywhere

Manual car rentals

Manual transmission vehicles make up the majority of the rental fleet in Spain. You’ll be able to find them easily at airports, downtowns, small towns, with local rental agencies and even for last minute bookings.

Here you will notice that the economy cars, compact models and many mid-size vehicles almost always come standard with a manual transmission.

It is the best option for budget travelers and if you already know how to drive stick.

Automatic car rentals

Automatic cars are available but are relatively less in number than the manual ones. They are still growing and you will mostly get good options at large international airports like Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga and Valencia.

This transmission type is more common with the popular rental brands in SUVs, premium cars, hybrids & electric vehicles.

However, you must note that they sell out quickly, especially during summer holidays starting from June till end of September, Christmas season, Easter or school breaks.

If you just rely on last minute bookings, you may not find any automatics left at all! So, it is best to reserve at least 3 to 4 weeks in advance for your regular trips & 2 to 3 months early for summer travel.

Quick check: Many of you actually assume that “standard” means automatic. This is not true!

Pricing: Which option is cheaper?

Manual = Budget friendly

In Spain, a manual car is often the cheapest rental option. If you opt for this transmission, chances are that you will get lower daily rates, more exclusive deals, better availability in the economy category and thus, lower overall trip cost!

If you compare similar vehicles, you will notice that manuals cost 10–20% less than automatics.

Automatic = Slightly higher cost

An automatic rental will generally cost you more because the companies have fewer cars in the fleet but the demand from tourists is high.

Another factor is that there are newer or higher-spec models, which require frequent maintenance, so ultimately, rental companies have to spend more.

During peak season, the price difference can increase even further. Give it a read: Why do car rental prices differ for the same car category?

Demand trends: Who chooses what?

Local drivers

Spanish drivers traditionally learn on manual cars. This is the reason that many locals still prefer it, as they feel more comfortable.

Some of the models (particularly older & smaller) use slightly less fuel and the overall cost to rent or buy is also less. Keeping all such reasons in mind, rental companies keep large manual fleets.

International travelers

Our team collected data to drive the result for automatic vs manual rental cars in Spain & came to the conclusion that we got bookings for automatic transmission mainly from customers located in the U.S., Canada, Australia and some parts of Asia.

We can say that many of them haven’t driven a manual before or simply want a more relaxed experience.

Additionally, demand for automatics is especially high among families, first-time visitors, older travelers, urban drivers and for long-distance road trips. All this growing demand explains why automatics sell out so fast.

Driving conditions in Spain: Does transmission matter?

The country has a mix of driving environments and your transmission choice can affect overall comfort during your journey. So, let’s find out what you should opt for in different scenarios:

City driving (Madrid, Barcelona, Seville)

Stop-and-go traffic and frequent lights can make manual driving a little tiring. We suggest automatics for an easier and less stressful journey.

Mountain & coastal roads

Regions like Andalusia, Costa Brava or the Canary Islands have steep hills and winding routes. In case you’re not confident with clutch control, automatic is a safer and smoother option.

Highways

On highways, both these transmission types perform equally well. So you can go for any option after considering your priority for comfort, budget & any specific car model preference for your long drive.

Automatic vs manual rental cars in Spain: Pros & cons

Common queries

• Are automatic rental cars available in Spain?

  Yes, automatic rental cars are available in Spain but they are less common than manual vehicles.

• Should tourists rent an automatic or manual car in Spain?

  It depends on your driving experience. If you’re not used to driving a manual transmission, an automatic is the safer and more comfortable option, especially in busy cities or hilly areas. However, if you know how to drive a manual, you’ll have more choices and lower prices.

• Do automatic cars sell out faster in Spain?

  Yes, automatic cars sell out faster in Spain because they are in higher demand among international travelers. During summer holidays, Easter and Christmas, they often sell out first. Early booking is strongly recommended to avoid last-minute shortages.

• Can I request an automatic car at pickup if I booked a manual?

  Generally, you only get the car with the specifications that you have booked. To be able to switch to a different transmission is subject to availability and the permission totally depends upon the supplier. This change can also cause price fluctuations.