Outside of fuel efficiency, what's the big deal with transmissions with more than 6 speeds? Earlier this year I had a rental with an 8 speed automatic transmission and it was annoying as hell. I would never buy a car with an 8 speed transmission. Lexus is advertising an 8 speed transmission as if it's hot shit, and I just don't get it.

Is there a reason outside of fuel efficiency for an 8 speed transmission? Is this just to combat putting a CVT in the car?