Our leading contender was the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport (made here in Normal), until I found out it can only be had with a CVT or manual, and my wife can't drive a manual.

About the same number that race on all weather tires. Your point??

Sure. If you're into the whole "matronly" thing. Who am I to judge?

I guess i missed that part of the story:)

sounds like his wife chose the baby sitter

Sorry to wander from the "photos of babysitter" thought, but I'm on my third Subie Outback. First was my wifes, and hence - needed to be an auto. That was a '98, and a traditional automatic. Our second (my car, at that point - but wife still needed to be able to drive it when necessary) was also a 4-speed auto. Certainly nothing to write home about.
My current daily driver is a 2011 Outback with the 2.5 4cyl and the CVT. I expected to hate it, but quite to the contrary - it works pretty well. I do prefer it over the traditional automatics that we've had. This one is indeed a steel belt design, and also must be replaced - not serviced. I'm only 18k miles into ownership, but so far - so good. Milage is significantly better than our 2008. During the summer, I usually see about 28mpg on avg.

YMMV (couldn't help the pun.)