The availability of new SUVs with manual transmissions is decreasing. Once the choice for work trucks and off-roaders, manual transmissions are fast giving way to s. If you’re looking for a new SUV with a stick, now might be the time to buy it. We may be witnessing the last gasps of the SUV in the United States
3 new manual transmission SUVs remain
Second , three new 2023 . Unsurprisingly, each model is leaning towards the sporty, off-road crowd rather than the comfortable crossover market.
. The Bronco’s base turbocharged four-cylinder engine is available with a seven-speed manual transmission. It’s a six-speed with a low-range track. But you’ll need to get an automatic for the bigger Bronco engine.
1 SUV with manual transmission will leave in 2024
It’s still here for 2023, but will be dropping the manual transmission option. All trim levels will come exclusively with a CVT. Only Subaru’s WRX and BRZ sport models will be available with forward shifters. It’s a departure from tradition for Subaru, whose lineup has featured dozens of manual SUVs and station wagons over the decades.
Are there any advantages to driving a manual SUV?
Once upon a time, driving with a manual gearbox meant gaining benefits such as superior fuel economy. But transmission technology has developed significantly and this is no longer the case. The SUV has largely overcome its inefficient 4- and 5-speed automatics, switching to 8- and even 10-speed options that maximize fuel economy. As far as crossovers go, most brands switch to CVTs for the same reason.
As a result, the main advantage of a manual transmission SUV is enjoyment. In an era where more and more systems are becoming automated, a stick shift keeps the driver more involved. Rather than just pointing your rig down a trail and handling the throttle, a manual requires constant attention to gear selection, clutch engagement, etc.
Why are manual gearboxes disappearing?
Sales matter to automakers, and sales of manual SUVs and crossovers have declined dramatically over the years. Cars with manual transmissions account for a single-digit percentage of vehicle sales annually. If buyers aren’t interested in manual transmission models, OEMs won’t produce them.
The other elephant in the room is electrification. Electric and hybrid SUVs are becoming more common every year. While these vehicles offer excellent performance benefits, their technology is not compatible with standard manual transmissions.
The verdict is that manual transmission SUVs are not long for this world. If you want to row your gears, now is the time to make it happen.
