[chiph]

With draconian CAFE requirements coming (49 mpg average [1][2] for vehicles the size of a Honda Fit), manufacturers are really ramping up their efforts to be compliant. Automatic transmissions now can deliver 1-2 better mpg than a manual, plus sometimes faster shift times. You're also seeing a lot more CVT transmissions vs. conventional planetary gear ones these days because they typically deliver 2+ mpg better economy.

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAFE#Agreed_standards_by_model_...

[2] I'm not saying the days of the V8 are over (like in Mad Max 2 -- "The last of the V8 Interceptors. A piece of history.") .. but if you want one, you might want to start thinking about buying one to keep.

[refurb]

That's the first time I've heard of automatic transmissions giving better mileage than manuals. I always thought the drive train loses on an automatic transmission (mainly the torque converter) was the issue? Has that changed?

[chiph]

Depends on the design, YMMV, etc. etc. But Consumer Reports found that the Ford Fiesta and Mazda 3 returned 1 mpg better when specced with an automatic.

http://consumerreports.org/cro/2012/01/save-gas-and-money-wi...

If you choose the CVT in the Nissan Versa, you'll get 5mpg better economy over either the manual or the automatic choices.

http://www.edmunds.com/fuel-economy/five-myths-about-stick-s...