I recently bought a 2004 Honda CR-V. The fuel economy is EPA rated at (if I remember right) 21/26 for the manual version and 22/27 for the slushbox. The engine is exactly the same in both versions.
While the automatic version gets marginally better milage, the manual version is faster and more responsive in the driving conditions I tested, so I bought the manual version. I have yet to drive an automatic that I liked.
Automatics are probably faster in drag racing, but in a road race (or spirited corner carving) where being in the right gear is critical, I'm pretty sure a manual will keep winning races.
