7 Cars With The Most Gears (Manual & Automatic)

When manual gearboxes where in vogue, the most gears you would get on a car was four or five gears.

But the ascent of automatic transmissions has seen an astronomical increase in vehicle gears available.

The case for more gears is that they offer better fuel efficiency, smoother shifts, and improved acceleration.

In this article, we’ll explore vehicles with the highest number of gears across manual and automatic cars. Let’s dive into it!

1. Ford Mustang

Make a list of famous American sports cars and it would be blasphemy not to include the Ford Mustang.

Over the course of many years, the Mustang has earned its stripes as one of the best sports cars for the money.

In 2018, Ford announced that the new Mustang would come with 10 different gears.

While some may see a 10-speed transmission as needless, Ford showed the usefulness of the feature.

For instance, having more gears allows the Mustang to consume less fuel than normal.

Moreover, the 10-speed gearbox increases engine efficiency, boosting track performance.

More importantly, multiple gears make it easy for the engine to find its “sweet spot”. This sweet spot refers to the point where the engine is operating at optimum.

2. Ford F-150

The Ford F-150 is another of the earliest Ford models to get a 10-speed transmission. While the 10-speed gearbox on the F-150 has received some criticism, it is obviously here to stay.

The General Motors Company has put an Allison 10-speed transmission in their heavy-duty diesel trucks for years.

Ford started offering F-150 transmissions with 10 gears in 2017, making it perhaps the first truck with such technology.

What’s impressive is that the 10-speed transmission doesn’t weigh more than the six-speed transmission it replaced.

This is because of the lightweight materials used in producing the transmission.

In our research, we found that increasing the number of gears on the Ford F-150 helped it in many ways.

The 10-speed transmission boasts smarter shift logic that ensures more control in different driving situations.

The transmission also makes gear shifting easier, which is important for truck drivers.

It also helps the EcoBoost engine achieve a lower fuel consumption and save gas costs.

3. Porsche 911

The Porsche 911 is the only car with a manual transmission on this list. Want to know why?

It’s simply because manual gearboxes can’t afford to have an incredible amount of gears like their automatic counterparts.

You can order the Porsche 911 models with transmissions that have up to seven gears.

While this is much lower than other vehicles on the list, it’s still impressive (for a manual vehicle).

Porsche itself has come out to say that increasing the number of gears from six to seven increases fuel efficiency.

Usually, manual Porsche models hit top speed in the sixth gear.

Having a seventh gear reduces the engine RPM at any speed range. This ultimately reduces fuel consumption and cuts on the vehicle’s carbon emissions.

Make sure to also read our article about whether Porsches hold their value.

4. Jeep Renegade

The Jeep Renegade is an excellent two-row vehicle that has all the goodies you’d want in an SUV.

It has supportive and comfortable seating and plenty of headroom and legroom for passengers.

The vehicle has the awe-inspiring off-road performance that is the preserve of most Jeep models.

The Jeep Renegade uses a 2.4-liter V4 engine that produces a little under 200 horsepower.

You can complement the engine’s performance with smooth shifting courtesy of the nine-speed transmission.

Yes, you can have up to nine gears on your Renegade.

As is common with optional equipment, opting for the nine-speed transmission will likely raise the price of your vehicle.

Nevertheless, it’s extremely worth it—especially as you’d be shifting more easily and getting better fuel economy.

Please also read our article about Jeeps and mileage.

5. Lexus LC500

The Lexus LC500 has enough performance and creature comforts to justify its “luxury sports car” description.

With a V8 engine churning out 471 horsepower, the LC500 is the perfect car for performance enthusiasts.

No matter how much power a sports car gets, its appeal will depend on how well it handles.

The LC500 has remarkable handling qualities, thanks to its available 10-speed transmission.

Why use 10 gears? Well, the higher number of gears on this Lexus L500 grand tourer gives it better handling. It also makes the car more fun to drive.

Ask any owner; running through the 10 available gears is an experience that’s both thrilling and satisfying.

Sure, you might never use most of the available gears on the L500. Nonetheless, it still helps to have more options in case you need better control.

6. Jeep Compass

The Jeep Compass is an ideal option for anyone looking for a crossover with the Jeep badge on it. Buyers get typical luxury seating, active safety features, and Jeep-esque off-road performance.

The Jeep Compass features a 2.4-liter inline-four engine that pumps out 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque.

You have the option of opting for the standard six-speed manual transmission or the nine-speed automatic transmission.

Before you decide, know that the nine-speed gearbox is available only for all-wheel-drive Compass models.

The front-wheel-drive Compass models are only available with the six-speed transmission.

Also, the nine-gear transmission comes standard only on the Trailhawk and Limited trims. You’d have to pay extra to get it on lower trims.  

Also read our article about flat-towing Jeeps.

7. Fiat 500X

The Fiat 500X adds a bit of Italian razzle-dazzle to the subcompact SUV segment.

While some might say it’s expensive and not practical enough, there’s no denying the 500X looks good.

But the 500X has more than just looks going for it.

It provides some driving fun, which is evident from the turbocharged 177 horsepower engine.

The handling becomes even better when you get the optional nine-speed transmission.

Surprised a Fiat 500X has up to nine gears? Well, don’t be anymore.

The nine-speed transmission promises a more dynamic driving experience, and we’d recommend it for everyone.

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