Originally Posted by
RubeRad
Right. Whereas in the past, automatics were significantly worse.
Oldest cars I could find on fueleconomy.org were 1984. Looked up 1984 Honda Civic.
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=26573
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=26574
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=26572
Automatic (highest mpg listed) / Manual (same 1.5L engine) / Manual (highest mpg listed 1.3L engine)
Combined Mpg: 27 mpg / 30 mpg / 41 mpg
Probably a bigger gap if you could go back further in time. It's different today though.