- SUVs With a Manual Transmission of 2023
- Characteristics of The Best SUVs With a Manual Transmission
- What to Consider When Buying an SUV with a Manual Transmission
- Pros
- Cons
- FAQs About SUV Models With a Manual Transmission
- What are the best SUVs with a manual transmission?
- Is an SUV with a manual transmission more reliable than one with an automatic?
- What does a manual SUV cost?
- The 39 Cars, Trucks & SUVs That Have A Manual Transmission in 2023
- Sports Cars with Manual Transmissions
- Luxury Vehicles with Manual Transmissions
- Performance Sedans with Manual Transmissions
- Non Performance Sedans & Coupes with Manual Transmissions
- SUVs with Manual Transmissions
- Pickup Trucks with Manual Transmissions
- Why would you want a manual transmission?
- Why manual transmissions are dying?
- Is it hard to drive a manual transmission?
- Conclusion
- About The Author
- Austin
- The Only 2 NEW SUVs with a Manual Transmission (and 7 Used)
- 1. 2023 Ford Bronco
- 2. 2023 Jeep Wrangler
- Top 7 Best Modern Used SUVs
SUVs With a Manual Transmission of 2023
Driving a stick shift isn’t popular in the US, so finding an SUV with a manual transmission is likely to be tricky. Manual gearboxes are generally reserved for sports cars and vehicles aimed at providing an engaging experience for the driver, and since various types of automatic transmission options exist, the most efficient ones are generally made standard. The SUV segment, in particular, is almost devoid of manual transmissions — but if you know where to look, you may find one.
Here is a list of the best SUVs with a manual transmission available in the USA for 2023:
Characteristics of The Best SUVs With a Manual Transmission
- They are limited in number and variety
- They are generally rugged with off-road capabilities
- They get poorer gas mileage than their automatic counterparts
- They are typically cheaper than models with automatic gearboxes
What to Consider When Buying an SUV with a Manual Transmission
If you’re unsure whether to opt for an SUV with a manual transmission or not, here is what you need to keep in mind before signing up:
Pros
- Cheaper to buy than automatic versions
- Hands-on feeling to driving with more driver control
- Maintenance and repair on manual transmission SUVs are typically cheaper
- Dealing with low-traction surfaces manually helps to dig you out of snow or mud
Cons
- Poorer fuel economy figures than auto ‘boxes
- Less convenient in bumper-to-bumper traffic than an automatic
- Steep learning curve for driving a manual SUV
- Very few SUVs with a manual transmission in the United States
FAQs About SUV Models With a Manual Transmission
What are the best SUVs with a manual transmission?
The choice is very limited in the USA, with only three examples available at the time of writing. The Jeep Wrangler, Ford Bronco, and Subaru Crosstrek are all available with a manual transmission or an automatic gearbox. The latter is more expensive by some margin.
Is an SUV with a manual transmission more reliable than one with an automatic?
Experts suggest that the complexity of automatic transmissions makes them more expensive to maintain, repair, and replace, but with the advent of technology, there’s no reason one should be less reliable than the other. The overall quality of the specific model and its manufacturer is a more accurate representation of reliability.
What does a manual SUV cost?
With so few options, the price of a new manual SUV isn’t very broad. A manual Ford Bronco starts at around $35k (the automatic version is around $1,600 more expensive), while a Jeep Wrangler with a manual gearbox will cost you well under $35k. The Subaru Crosstrek is significantly cheaper, starting at under $25k with a manual transmission.
The 39 Cars, Trucks & SUVs That Have A Manual Transmission in 2023
In an age of ever-increasing automation, manual transmissions are becoming increasingly rare. However, there are still a number of cars, trucks, and SUVs that offer a manual option. For those who enjoy the challenge and satisfaction of shifting gears on their own, manual transmissions can be a great choice. In addition, manual transmissions often offer better fuel economy and can be more fun to drive. Of course, they also require more skill and practice to master. For those who are willing to put in the effort, though, manual transmissions can be a great option.
Sports Cars with Manual Transmissions
You can’t go wrong with a sports car that offers a manual transmission! In this segment of vehicles, having access to a manual transmission means that you have complete control over the shifting of gears, and you have a much more connected feel to the vehicle.
These reasons are why most people enjoy a good sports car where you can row through the gears! Here are the 11 sports cars you can buy new today with a manual transmission.
- Chevrolet Camaro
- Dodge Challenger
- Ford Mustang
- Hyundai Veloster N
- Mazda MX-5 Miata
- Porsche 718 Boxster
- Porsche 718 Cayman
- Porsche 911
- Subaru BRZ
- Toyota GR86
- Toyota Supra (Not Released Yet)
Luxury Vehicles with Manual Transmissions
So you want a bit of luxury in your car, but still want to physically move your vehicle from gear to gear? There aren’t a ton of luxury vehicles on the market today that offer this capability, however here they are.
- Aston Martin Vantage
- BMW M4
- BMW M3
- Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing
- Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
- Mini Hardtop
- Mini Convertible
Performance Sedans with Manual Transmissions
Non Performance Sedans & Coupes with Manual Transmissions
A manual transmission has considerably fewer components than an automatic transmission. That is why some manufacturers give a manual transmission as an option for a lower price! For those that like a transmission like this, that makes these a screaming deal of a vehicle. They are generally fun vehicles to throw around at a low price.
- Chevrolet Spark
- Honda Civic
- Hyundai Veloster
- Kia Forte
- Mazda 3
- Mitsubishi Mirage
- Nissan Versa
- Subaru Impreza
- Toyota Corolla
- Volkswagen Golf
- Volkswagen Jetta
SUVs with Manual Transmissions
You probably didn’t know that SUVs can have manual transmissions as well! While the manual transmission is generally used in SUVs for off-road purposes like in the Bronco and Wrangler, they are also used sometimes to lower the price point like the Hyundai Venue and Kia Soul.
Pickup Trucks with Manual Transmissions
You won’t find pickup trucks with manual transmissions much anymore! Nowadays they utilize 10-speed automatics with plenty of fancy gear to go along with them. If you are someone that still wants a manual transmission in your pickup, then here are your options!
Why would you want a manual transmission?
One advantage of a manual transmission is that it can be more fuel-efficient than an automatic transmission. This is because the driver can control when to shift gears, and they can avoid shifting gears too early or too late. As a result, manual transmissions can help to save fuel and reduce emissions.
Another advantage of manual transmissions is that they can provide more control to the driver. This is particularly beneficial when driving on challenging terrain or in difficult weather conditions.
Manual transmissions also tend to be less expensive than automatics, making them a good choice for budget-conscious drivers.
Ultimately, manual transmissions offer several benefits that make them an appealing option for many drivers.
Why manual transmissions are dying?
It used to be that you could opt for a manual transmission on just about any vehicle, and an automatic was the outlier, however, in modern days that has changed, and the manual transmission is dying out.
Manual transmission is in decline for several reasons.
First, automatic transmissions are more convenient. They don’t require the driver to shift gears, which can be difficult to do in heavy traffic or stop-and-go conditions.
Additionally, automatics are more fuel-efficient than manual transmissions, due to advances in technology.
Another reason is that it is expensive for manufacturers to develop a transmission. With people moving more toward automatics, they don’t see the number of people buying the manual that they need to justify the development costs needed to keep up with the manuals.
Finally, the manual transmission used to be the best way to get the most speed out of a vehicle! However with the arrival of dual-clutch automatic transmissions, and enhancements on automatic transmissions in general, these vehicles are now getting more speed out of them.
As a result of these factors, manual transmissions are increasingly rare on new cars. While they still have a devoted following among enthusiasts, manual transmissions will likely continue to decline in the coming years.
Is it hard to drive a manual transmission?
Many people are intimidated by the manual transmission, believing that it is difficult or even impossible to drive. However, with a little practice, anyone can learn to drive a manual transmission vehicle.
The first step is to understand the basics of how the transmission works. The manual transmission has two pedals – the accelerator and the clutch – and a gear shift. The accelerator controls the speed of the engine, while the clutch determines when the gears should be changed. To change gears, the driver must depress the clutch pedal, move the gear shift into the desired position, and then release the clutch pedal. With a little practice, this process becomes second nature.
In addition, manual transmissions are often more fuel-efficient than their automatic counterparts, making them an ideal choice for drivers who are looking to save money at the pump. With a little patience and practice, anyone can learn to drive a manual transmission vehicle.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a vehicle with a manual transmission, there are still plenty of options available! From budget-friendly cars to luxury SUVs, there’s something for everyone. While manual transmissions are in decline, they’re still a popular choice among drivers who appreciate the control and convenience they offer.
I hope that I was able to point you in a good direction to help you out with this dying but fun breed of manual transmission vehicles.
About The Author
Austin
Hey guys, Austin here. I am the Founder of A Man and His Gear (AMAHG). What started as a crazy idea that I just couldn’t shake late at night, has now turned into my full-time gig! I first came up with the idea behind A Man and His Gear in December 2017. I picked up my laptop to write my first article, and haven’t put it down since. Learn More About Austin
The Only 2 NEW SUVs with a Manual Transmission (and 7 Used)
The manual transmission – it’s fun to drive, generally gets better gas mileage, and helps a ton with off-road driving. Regardless of these upsides, this breed of transmission is slowly dying out, especially in the SUV segment.
Even though in the not-so-distant past, SUVs like the Jeep Patriot, Kia Soul, and even the Mazda CX-5 all had a standard transmission, now we are down to just two SUVs that offer this feature instead.
The all-new Ford Bronco and the Jeep Wrangler are the only SUVs currently offering a manual transmission, which is purely for offroad fans. Outside of this, the Subaru Crosstrek was the last hold-out until the 2024 model year was announced and, with it, the manual.
Review the final two SUVs and learn which one might work best for you! I’ll discuss some modern used SUVs with manual transmissions that might work for you.
1. 2023 Ford Bronco
Outside of a messy engine bay and many production issues, the Ford Bronco is one of my favorite everyday vehicles on the road today. Ford hit it out of the park with its retro-yet-modern styling and off-road capabilities. This SUV truly put the Jeep Wrangler, which had been living off on its own, on notice.
The Ford Bronco is also one of the only SUVs on the market today that offers a manual transmission. In this case, it is a 7-speed manual (one of the gears is a crawling gear). It can be added to all trim levels up until the Wildtrak. The Heritage Limited, and the Bronco Raptor can only be equipped with a 10-speed automatic, as the 2.3L Ecoboost is required for the manual. These trim levels use the 2.7L Ecoboost or the 3.0L Ecoboost in the case of the Raptor.
If you are looking for great off-roading credibility but still want on-road comfort, the Bronco has no actual match (at least one that can have a standard transmission, anyways).
2. 2023 Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler has been a mainstay in the industry and has been chugging along with its manual transmission since its introduction in 1986 (replacing the CJ series, which also had a manual transmission). In the most current iteration, the Wrangler is offered with a 6-speed manual transmission, all the way from the base Sport trim up to the Sahara (anything after can only be equipped with the 8-speed automatic).
You can’t go wrong with a Jeep Wrangler; they have had manual transmissions in their vehicles for decades and are quite proven. The major downside I see with the Wrangler is that the Bronco rides considerably better on the road than a Wrangler. I don’t feel enough of the reviewers mentioning the stark difference between the two’s on-road performance.
That said, the Wrangler is a fantastic off-roader, and the aftermarket support on these vehicles is the best in the world. The other significant benefit to these is the fact that there are plenty on the used market for you to get, making this a great budget option if you go that route.
Top 7 Best Modern Used SUVs
With only two new SUVs offering a manual transmission, you might have to buy a used SUV instead! That is why I have some of my favorite modern SUVs that provide a third pedal, so you can decide if they are right for you.