There is no getting around how popular the Crosstrek is. As a small SUV, it comes with standard AWD, a usable interior, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance. And for the 2024 model year, Subaru has introduced a new generation. That means Subaru’s small SUV has better safety, a slightly new design, and something that could be a disappointment.
Does Subaru Crosstrek have a manual transmission?
If you asked this question before the 2024 model year, the answer is yes. For years, if you wanted one with a manual transmission, you could get one in the form of the Subaru Crosstrek. And in 2018, Subaru even upgraded the standard transmission from five to six gears.
it even drives on the Subaru Global Platform, which is seen as a big improvement.
You can no longer get a new Subaru Crosstrek with a manual
It’s not all that surprising, but it only comes with Subaru’s CVT. Now, it’s important to note that Subaru has one of the best CVTs in the business. It’s not as problematic as Nissan’s were in the past. But you lose the ability to row with your gears.
It’s no secret that manual transmissions are becoming a thing of the past. At least on non-sports cars like the Crosstrek. I’m not going to pretend that most consumers went out to buy a new stick-shift SUV, but it’s something that’s nice to have.
According to , the powertrains of the 2024 Crosstrek are practically the same as the second generation. So it seems that if Subaru really wanted to, they could have kept the standard transmission a bit longer. But it was probably not financially practical.
Can you still get a new SUV with a stick transmission?
Sadly, if you believe #SaveTheManuals, what will allow you to row your gears is only getting smaller. In 2023, you can get Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler with a manual. There simply isn’t much more out there that will allow you to shift gears with a clutch pedal alone.
Now, the 2024 Crosstrek hasn’t arrived yet. So, you can probably still track down the previous generation with a manual. With that standard AWD system, rugged features, and practical design, there’s definitely a reason Subaru’s small SUV is a solid offering.
Unfortunately, the Crosstrek manual is now dead. Taking its place in the graveyard of utility vehicles that offered hand-crafted shifts. Going forward, the CVT will be the only option.
