Require advice before purchase of 2021 Hilux SR5 - First-time UTE buyer

[HMC]

Hi all

New to the forum, but not new to Toyota having owned several in the past, and currently own two of them (2018 and 2019 model).

For the past year, my wife's been wrongfully using her Corolla hatchback as a UTE, hence after quite a bit of consideration we've decided that we'll be trading it in for an actual UTE in the very near future, a 2021 Hilux SR5.

However, this is totally new territory for me.  What to consider? What to avoid?

I think we've got the brand settled on.  It wasn't an automatic "gotta be a Toyota" decision for us.  I've weighed the pros-and-cons of the Amarok, Ranger and Hilux, and have in the end settled on the Hilux SR5 with the Ranger coming in a close second.    I think one of the things that swayed us from Ford to Toyota is how great our local Toyota dealer handles our current cars.

What I'd like some help with is the following:

1.  Manual or automatic?  My wife's a big manual fan, being from the UK.  I prefer automatic.

2. Factory installed Toyota tub liner or aftermarket?

What other accessories are a must, and which ones are a waste of time?

Also, there's an option on Toyota's website to delete the factory-fitted chrome sports bar (roof roll bar) that comes standard on the SR5.  Is the sports bar something that I should consider keeping or removing?

I haven't purchased yet, but knee-deep in pre-purchase research.  

Looking forward to hearing from you all.

Regards

HMC

[HMC]

Hi again.  Forgot to add a sentence.  The UTE will be used primarily to haul around gardening supplies and plants, and to tow a trailer.