Manuals are better for fuel economy because they are more efficient. A torque converter loses more power as part of its design, it is unavoidable. Manual trans

Manuals are better for fuel economy because they are more efficient. A torque converter loses more power as part of its design, it is unavoidable. Manual transmissions are also typically lighter which also results in an efficiency gain. If you prefer an auto that's fine, you're in a huge majority. But the idea that they are more efficient than manuals is factually wrong. If you run across an individual model of car where the EPA estimates give an advantage to the auto that is because of gearing and nothing else. That tells you the manual transmission was given much more aggressive or "sporty" gearing, probably starting with the final drive ratio. But that's a rare situation.