I suspect most of the reason automatics got a bad rap efficiency-wise is the torque converter, which is inherently lossy and absent on manuals. However, today'

I suspect most of the reason automatics got a bad rap efficiency-wise is the torque converter, which is inherently lossy and absent on manuals. However, today's autos have typically 8 or 9 gears, allowing the gearbox to present a near ideal load for the engine at all times; I suspect they now tie or even win with manuals efficiency-wise. Also, autos are said to be more reliable - primarily, I suspect, as they are immune to much of the abuse a driver can expose a manual to.