@mngrif Usually automatic transmissions have one single program on how and when to shift. You are stuck with that, like or not. It's good if you are in congested traffic, less demanding on you.

Some more advanced models might offer a choice of driving modes, like normal, cruising, sportier, which will change the way shifting happens - taking it to a higher rpm before upshifting, if you were on a sportier mode, for example.

Yeah, it automatics are the most common cars around, a standard model will cost more.

In Europe I found the opposite, and was glad to enjoy a nice Skoda Flavia wagon, really cool car on the twisty mountain roads I drove for the first time there. 6 sp manual.