If you are looking for a new ride, you must have come across cars with paddle shifters as well. Cars with automatic transmissions are yesterday’s news.
Paddle shifters are becoming highly popular, especially among young drivers. If you want to have a fun-filled driving experience, then vehicles that come with paddle shifters are the answer.
The cars that have paddle shifters offer a more engaging driving experience by giving the driver greater control over the vehicle’s acceleration and speed. Truth be told, paddle shifters are a fairly new technology which makes it hard to find cheap vehicles loaded with them.
But don’t get disheartened. Today we have a well-detailed list of some of the affordable cars that come equipped with paddle shifters and go easy on your pocket.
So without any delay, let us get started.
What Are Paddle Shifters?
Now that you have the list of cars with paddle shifters, it is time to learn about the device.
Paddle shifters are the mechanisms that are built into the back of the steering wheel of the car that operates the gears of the vehicle. The left paddle downshifts while the right paddle upshifts. But in a few vehicles, both the paddles are designed to shift up or down for top tolerance.
Paddle shifters are most commonly found in sports cars and high-performance vehicles, although they are increasingly being included in more mainstream cars as well.
How Do Paddle Shifters Work?
Paddle shifters allow the person driving the car to control the vehicle’s gearing through each paddle based on its transmission.
In general, the clicking of the right paddle upshifts the transmission while doing the same for the left paddle downshifts the transmission.
Some paddles, like the ones found in supercars, can do both the upshift & downshift unaffected by which side of the paddle is used.
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List of 7 Best Cheap Cars With Paddle Shifters 2023 You Must Know About
Earlier, the paddle shifters were restricted to sports cars only. But now, they are being introduced into every kind of vehicle in the market, starting with sedans, crossovers, to even minivans.
- 2023 Honda Fit
- 2023 Toyota Yaris
- 2023 Hyundai Veloster
- 2023 Ford Ecosport
- 2023 Acura TSX
- 2023 Ford Taurus SHO
- 2023 Toyota Supra
Finding a car that is affordable and comes with this latest innovation of paddle shifters can be hard. Paddle shifters are a useful high-end feature found in new modern-day automatic vehicles.
If you are looking for cars with paddle shifters under 10k, then you can go for used models from 2012 to 2015 years. With the help of paddle shifters, you can take manual control over the gearshifts of your car that have an automatic transmission. It is like getting complete control of your ride without any fuss.
Below we have a list of cheap cars with paddle shifters that you can go for without thinking twice.
1. 2023 Honda Fit
- MSRP: From $16,990
- Engine: 1.5 L 4-cylinder
- Horsepower: 128 to 130 hp
- MPG: Up to 33 city / 40 highway
The first car on our list of cheap cars with paddle shifters is Honda Fit. This 2023 model comes with paddle shifters that enhance its performance to great extent.
The paddle shifters on the Honda Fit are mounted on the steering wheel and allow drivers to manually change gears without a traditional gear shift lever or clutch pedal. The car is fuel-efficient and easy to park. Generally, the car is not said to be fun until you throw in the paddle shifters.
The paddle shifters make this car fun to ride. With a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that is capable of producing up to 130 horsepower, you can own this car for a starting price of $16,990.
2. 2023 Toyota Yaris
- MSRP: From $23,740
- Engine: 1.5 L 4-cylinder
- Horsepower: 106 hp
- MPG: 32 City / 40 Highway
The second affordable ride that you will not regret buying is Toyota Yaris. You can find this car with paddle shifters for the starting price of $23,740.
To enjoy the switching between the automatic and manual transmission, Yaris is the ideal car under a curbed budget.
The 1.5 L 4-cylinder gives you the power of 106, making it ideal even for teen drivers. If you like, you can also read about the best cars for teenagers. With its sleek and sporty design, this subcompact car is not only practical and fuel-efficient but also offers a unique and exciting driving experience.
3. 2023 Hyundai Veloster
- MSRP: $24,420
- Engine: 1.6 L 4-cylinder, 2.0 L 4-cylinder
- Horsepower: 147 to 201 hp
- MPG: Up to 28 city / 34 highway
The next car with paddle shifters list is the Hyundai Veloster. The Veloster comes with two different engines. However, if you want a vehicle with paddle shifters, you need to look out for the model equipped with a 1.6 L 4-cylinder engine.
The robust engine can power up your ride up to 201 horsepower, making it a good ride with good features. With a small size, it is one top pick for city driving and gives a good ride on the highway also with a powerful engine.
This vehicle with the desired engine can be hard to find. But if you do, you can expect to pay around $24,420 for your purchase. In 2023, you also got some additional safety features to make you secure in standard trim.
4. 2023 Ford Ecosport
- MSRP: From $23,335
- MPG: Up to 27 city / 29 highway
- Horsepower: 123 to 166 hp
- Engine: 2.0 L 4-cylinder
The next on the cars with paddle shifters list is the popular SUV Ford Ecosport. Paddle shifters in the vehicle come with the Titanium variant.
The turbocharged engine 2.4 L 4-cylinder can produce up to 166 horsepower, making it a family car that gives you ease at driving. The EcoSport is a small and agile SUV that’s designed for city driving.
It comes with a 4.2-inch infotainment display, a rearview camera, and a six-speaker audio system standard features. Make this vehicle yours for the initial price of $23,335. It is criticized due to a lack of interior space and outdated design.
5. 2023 Acura TSX
- MSRP: $39,850
- Engine: 2.4 L 4-cylinder, 3.5 L V6
- Horsepower: 201 to 280 hp
- MPG: Up to 22 city / 31 highway
Another cheap car with paddle shifters that you must know about is Acura TSX. Acura is well known for its line-up of comfortable & powerful engines along with adequate fuel economy.
This affordable car with paddle shifters is like a dream come true as not many affordable models are available in the market. With its striking design, advanced features, and exhilarating performance, the Acura TLX is more than just a car.
It’s a true driving experience, one that will leave you feeling invigorated and inspired with every journey you take. With acceptable choices in engine and transmission, you can make TLX yours for the manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $39,850.
6. 2023 Ford Taurus SHO
- MSRP: $26,000
- Engine: 3.5 L V6
- Horsepower: 365 hp
- MPG: 16 City / 24 highway
The affordable car on this list of cars with paddle shifters is Ford Taurus SHO. The car comes with a strong 3.5 L V6 engine that can produce up to 365 horsepower.
The looks of the vehicle are good enough to catch a second glance. The paddle shifters will provide you with an easy drive, especially on the highways. The Taurus SHO also features a sport-tuned suspension system, with stiffer springs and dampers to provide sharper handling and improved road-holding.
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Inside, the Taurus SHO is well-appointed, with leather-trimmed seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a high-end audio system as standard. With the capability of producing 365 hp, you can own this car for a $27,800 sticker price.
7. 2023 Toyota Supra
- MSRP: $44,040
- Engine: 3.9 L 6- Cylinder
- Horsepower: 255 to 382 hp
- MPG: 25 City / 32 Highway
The 2023 Toyota Supra is a premium paddle-shifter Japanese sports car that gives you a smooth and responsive highway driving experience. It is available with two engine options, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder or a 3.0-liter six-cylinder in higher trim levels, producing 382 hp.
The adaptive variable sport suspension makes the GR Supra a more comfortable daily driver and more exciting for spirited driving. The interior is finished with high-quality materials such as leather and Alcantara and is equipped with modern technology.
One of the key features of the Supra is its impressive performance. Accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.0 seconds, the Supra is a true speed demon capable of delivering an exhilarating driving experience.
Overview 7 Sports Cars with Paddle Shifters – Automatic
Affordability is the basis for any purchase. Whether you are looking for vehicles with paddle shifters or any other specific feature.
Now that you have read about cheap cars with paddle shifters, we have this exclusive list of 10 sports cars that also come with the same feature.
We know high-end sports cars do not go along with the word affordable. But there is no harm in learning something new.
- Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat
- BMW M3
- Alfa Romeo 4C
- Subaru WRX
- Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
- Nissan GT-R Nismo
- Volkswagen Golf R
Types of Transmissions that Use Paddle Shifters
There are three kinds of transmissions that use paddle shifters.
- Automatic Transmission
- Manual Transmission
- Automated-Manual
How To Use Paddle Shifters Cars?
Want to learn how to use cars with paddle shifters? Let’s get started.
1. Usage of automatic transmission
- Start the car and slot it over into the manual.
- Begin to shift the vehicle’s gears using the paddles that are attached behind the steering wheel.
2. Usage of manual transmission
- First, depress the clutch pedal.
- Select the gear you want to use with the help of the paddles.
- Now give a little boost to the car as you release the clutch.
- Now, without touching the clutch, use the paddle shifters to scale down or up the gears.
- If you want to stop, just downshift until the first gear or neutral and depress the clutch once again.
Benefits of Paddle Shifters SUV, Crossover, or Pickup
Using paddle shifters is not only about showing off and ease. The device comes with a lot of advantages that you must learn.
1. Control
The paddle shifters allow the driver to have more control over the ride. With the help of the shifters, the drivers have the choice of using the paddles for more manual handling of the vehicle.
2. Going Downhill
In extreme weather, going downhill can be risky. However, with the paddle shifters using the left one will help your engine to handle the load better.
Not only this, it prevents excessive wear & tears on your brakes. The computer might not be able to handle such extreme conditions, but you can have full control with the paddle shifters.
3. Downshifting
When you require to rapidly slow down & tightly turn around a corner, using the left paddle will allow you to lower your transmission by a gear or two as it provides you extra torque to steer fastly.
4. Upshifting
Some paddle shifters allow people to start their vehicle in second gear instead of first. This helps in reducing torque that further helps to prevent wheel spin to achieve & maintain good traction, especially in the snow.
FAQs Related Cars That Have Paddle Shifters
Can an automatic transmission car with paddle shifters reach the same speed as a manual transmission car?
No, The acceleration power of a vehicle has nothing to do with the paddle shifters. In addition, in everyday driving situations, the difference in speed between a manual and automatic transmission car with paddle shifters may not be significant enough to notice. Paddle shifters allow drivers to manually shift gears without a clutch pedal, allowing for more precise control of the vehicle’s acceleration and speed.
How do I drive a car with paddle shifters?
You can do it in two ways:
Usage of automatic transmission paddle shifters
- Start the car and slot it over into the manual.
- Begin to shift the vehicle’s gears using the paddles that are attached behind the steering wheel.
Usage of manual transmission paddle shifters
- First, depress the clutch pedal.
- Select the gear you want to use with the help of the paddles.
- Now give a little boost to the car as you release the clutch.
- Now, without touching the clutch, use the paddle shifters to scale down or up the gears.
- If you want to stop, downshift until the first gear or neutral and depress the clutch once again.
What cars have paddle shifters?
Here is the list of 9 cheap cars with paddle shifters that you can buy. Some of them offer paddle shifters as an optional feature, other give them standard features.
- Honda Fit
- Toyota Yaris
- Hyundai Veloster
- Ford Ecosport
- Acura TSX
- Chevrolet Corvette
- Ferrari 488 GTB
- Ford Mustang
- Ford Taurus SHO
If I buy a car with paddle shifters, can I ever drive it completely automatically?
Yes. Using the paddle shifters is a matter of choice. If you do not wish to use it, you can still drive your car with its actual transmission. This can be useful when you want more control over the car’s acceleration and speed, such as when driving on winding roads or when overtaking other vehicles on the highway.
How do you drive an automatic car with paddle shifters?
- Start the car and slot it over into the manual.
- Begin to shift the vehicle’s gears using the paddles that are attached behind the steering wheel.
- To use engine braking, downshift using the left paddle. This will slow down the car without using the brakes.
What if a car came with an automatic transmission with paddle shifters, will you damage the engine if you never use the paddle shifters?
Absolutely not. Cars with paddle shifters will not harm their engines because of a feature enhancement. If you choose not to use the paddle shifters, the car will operate just like a regular automatic transmission car. In fact, many drivers of cars with paddle shifters never use the manual shifting feature and rely entirely on the automatic shifting mode.
Why do people use paddle shifters?
The main benefit of paddle shifters is better to control of your vehicle. You don’t have to reach for the shifter every time you want to shift because you can do it with a swipe of your finger.
This makes the entire ride smooth, intense and much more driver-oriented. Also, it’s smoother and takes a lot less time to change gears.
Conclusion
Finding cheap cars with paddle shifters is not easy. The technology benign new in regular cars is not that easy to locate.
But along with learning about vehicles that come with paddle shifters, you must also acquire these things. We hope this article will help you understand the concepts of paddle shifters along with your search for your next affordable ride.
I own a 2008 Infiniti G 35 x S with paddle shifters in Vermont. It performs great in the snow especially !