[jcp123]

I myself have kinda wondered about this. 5- and 6-speed autos seem right for the task at hand - more than that and it does seem like there's a bit of busywork along with a lot of marketing. I am told that these designs are not really more heavy or complex but I do wonder on that count.

The 6-speed on my wife's Chrysler (I really need to update my info here, lol) seems to border on busy but works pretty well considering it's a nearly 4800lb vehicle with a 3.6l engine tugging it along, and according to the FCD it's been getting mid-high 17s on my wife's in-town drives, along with 30+ on the freeway.

I had good access to a smorgasbord of cars in the 2011 period and I was generally happy with the 6-speeds I had. CVTs seemed a bit more picky - smallish Nissans did well but the Quest felt as busy as anything around. The 5-speed auto in my Dad's Passat felt similarly competent.