Autos cannot touch elite regular strains, that is the best regular strains. But you can be damn sure autos smash A WHOLE HELLUVA LOT of regular strains.
I guess it depends on the auto, the Spyder I am smoking right now is extremely psychedelic and cerebral and is just as good as the elites. I am fortunate enough to get to smoke dozens of elites every week, and Spyder is right up there with them. People are amazed when I tell them it is an auto, if I didn't tell them it was an auto they wouldn't even know.