I think anyone who drives off-road in the mountains knows how much better sticks are then automatics. It's extremely frustrating to take automatic trucks on steep off road terrain.
-I beg to differ. My current 4x4 fun vehicle is an old Land Cruiser with an auto box. I do not miss manual shift at all. Low 2nd and off I go, for the most part.
No need to work my left foot like a drummer in a speed metal band.
Having some sort of terrain response system like just about any current 4x4 does makes it even simpler.
Actually, it seems that the recent trend for off roading is embracing normal automatics, because you literally can't burn a hydrokinetic clutch. No matter what the terrain - you add some gas, and you move. I think anyone who has driven a modern LR Discovery off road will agree here.
