My 2000 Honda CR-V (5-speed manual) had the original brakes @ 154,000 miles when it was rear ended/totaled in 2013. I bought the Honda used in 2004 with 20,000 miles. Most of the mileage was mine, & my brakes were still working better than the guy's brakes that rear ended me.
I only got about 80,000 miles out of 2011 Forester's (5-speed manual) front brake pads, & rear brake pads went about 7,000-8,000 mile later. I bought the Forester used in 2013 with 15,000 miles on it.
Brakes still seem fine @ 50,000+ miles on my Mirage.
I think it's hard to compare brakes, because there's a big difference between city driving verses highway driving. It may have nothing to do with transmissions?