Ok I have to throw in an opinion here, I have owned manuals all my life and my X is my first Automatic. I do not have numbers or statistics but I will say this, whenever we are on the trail the Automatics have less of a problem climbing, overcoming obstacles and overall control of their vehicle. Now you could chalk it up as experience, so maybe an Automatic is easier to learn how to wheel with?

Either way after our run yesterday I am convinced for the 50th time that Xterras rule.