Manual transmissions in new cars went from being threatened just a few years ago to a severely endangered species today. Consumer demand and increasing efforts to electrify cars have spelled doom for the clutch pedal in many new vehicles from brands like BMW, Fiat, and Volkswagen. 

Even on sports cars, the Chevrolet Corvette no longer offers one, and the Aston Martin Vantage and Porsche 911 coupes only gets a manual transmission on certain versions. It's a similar story for pickup trucks like the Toyota Tacoma.

There are other reasons for manual transmissions rapidly falling out of favor among both consumers and automakers. Today’s automatic transmissions can use various methods to improve performance and fuel economy. Some have as many as 10 forward gears and continuously variable transmissions to let the engine work less at cruising speeds, while automated dual-clutch transmissions offer quick starts and shifts under hard acceleration. With the fuel economy and performance advantages ceded to self-shifters, dealers only want the models that can sell quickly and for the asking price. That’s what’s killed off most of the manual transmission-equipped cars.

And among SUVs and crossovers, manuals were already long falling out of favor. Today, they’re scarce. 

These are the five 2021 and 2022 SUVs and crossovers that are still available with a manual transmission. And some are much more SUV-like than others.

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### Jeep Wrangler

![2021-jeep-wrangler-ext](https://www.autolist.com/6tuem73u73an/77voUgi44USbSVSE3kjSQm/cff8616d039037cc38bdae71fd24019f/2021-jeep-wrangler-ext.jpg)

Perhaps the only one out of the five here that is widely offered with a manual transmission, the Jeep Wrangler has gone from being a niche throwback to World War II to an enormously popular (and expensive) vehicle in a relatively short amount of time. More than 200,000 were sold in the US last year, and that number was even down amid the tumult of 2020 and introduction of the related Gladiator pickup truck.

There has been a raft of new Wrangler variants released even after the current generation’s 2018 introduction, including the new-for-2021 Rubicon 392 with a ludicrous 470-horsepower, 6.4-liter V8 (and $75,000 price tag), and the Wrangler 4xe with its plug-in hybrid drivetrain. 

But neither of these new developments is available with the six-speed manual transmission offered on other, more conventional Wrangler variants. 

The manual transmission comes only with the 285-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6 engine. It’s the engine most Wrangler buyers go for, but it also means more interesting options such as the 270-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbo four mild hybrid, the V6 mild hybrid, and the turbodiesel V6 are off the table. 

All come with a part-time four-wheel-drive system, with a range of no more than 25 mpg highway with a manual transmission, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

![2021-jeep-wrangler-int](https://www.autolist.com/6tuem73u73an/qlm4GwjKYnSrnE08LBrXC/b26643f3f6fac51e98c2e03cdc77c632/2021-jeep-wrangler-int.jpg)

Wrangler prices vary widely between trim levels and available options. The two-door Sport model starts from $29,790 and the four-door Sport Unlimited from $33,570. And it’s available on nearly every trim up to the leather-upholstered Sahara four-door and the serious off-roading Rubicon models. 

However, those models start at more than $40,000 and can easily crest $50,000 with a few options. And the Wrangler options list is extensive with roof choices, paint selections, differentials, and other off-road gear. That’s even before opening up to modern options such as different infotainment screen sizes, heated seats, exterior cameras, and driver assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and LED headlights and taillights, to scratch the surface.

The Jeep Wrangler still isn’t the most civilized SUV to live with daily, no matter how many convenience features are added. But it is one of the most capable off-road machines out there, and the manual transmission availability underlines that focus.

[Browse Jeep Wrangler listings here](https://www.autolist.com/jeep-wrangler#year_min=2021&year_max=2021&transmission%5B%5D=manual).

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### Ford Bronco

![2021-ford-bronco-ext](https://www.autolist.com/6tuem73u73an/14PaEwEpvDcV689Xo7q1cC/e7038379f1eccf3da364515b00e82670/2021-ford-bronco-ext.jpg)

After numerous delays and some confusion with an unrelated new Ford with a similar name, the revived 2021 model year Ford Bronco will finally arrive this summer. Unsurprisingly, in its attempt to cash in on the Wrangler’s tremendous popularity, Ford is pitching the Bronco very closely at the Jeep competition. That means it will challenge the American off-road king not only on capabilities on the trails but also on equipment and prices, and it's offered with either two or four doors. That includes offering a manual transmission on its various trim levels.

![2021-ford-bronco-int](https://www.autolist.com/6tuem73u73an/4WPoj2fT8Uw3vS4bEhLacR/acc0377c03fe8b2ebada04de2959743d/2021-ford-bronco-int.jpg)

The Bronco one-ups the Jeep by offering a seven-speed manual transmission as standard equipment on many trim levels, mostly there for an extremely low crawler ratio for more steady progress on off-road trailers more than to improve fuel economy (as of this writing, the EPA hasn’t posted its estimates). 

Like the Jeep, only one engine gets the manual transmission, and it’s the 270-horsepower, 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine derived from models like the Ford Mustang. The more powerful 310-horsepower, turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 comes only with the 10-speed automatic that’s optional with the turbo four. 

All Broncos come with four-wheel-drive, with a part-time system standard on lower-end models and an automatic on-demand setup offered throughout the lineup.

Also, like the Jeep, the new Bronco is offered in several different trim levels with varying styling themes and devotion to off-roading. Of the seven models offered, only the Outer Banks, Wildtrak, and super-expensive First Edition lack the standard manual transmission. 

The $28,500 base model is somewhat sparsely equipped but provides options to add auxiliary lights and other gear to dodge off-road obstacles. Slightly more expensive models offer Ford’s Co-Pilot360 driver assistance tech suite and other niceties like dual-zone automatic climate control, built-in navigation, and a 110-volt power outlet.

It’s uncertain whether the revived Ford Bronco will lure fans away from the incredibly popular Wrangler, but it’s likely to find fans amid an SUV boom. 

[Browse Ford Bronco listings here](https://www.autolist.com/ford-bronco#year_min=2021&year_max=2021&transmission%5B%5D=manual).

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### Subaru Crosstrek

![2021-subaru-crosstrek-ext](https://www.autolist.com/6tuem73u73an/5L3HMF10MQV1ltvvpWzWng/17405b1e624d74b83a2c8ad3d601cb6a/2021-subaru-crosstrek-ext.jpg)

Not only is the Subaru Crosstrek one of the least expensive crossover SUVs around, but it’s also surprisingly capable given its diminutive stature. But a reasonably spacious Impreza-derived interior, standard all-wheel-drive (AWD), and generous 8.7 inches of ground clearance make it an extremely practical choice. And a manual transmission that’s offered not just on the base model helps its case, too.

![6 2020 Crosstrek](https://www.autolist.com/6tuem73u73an/79ft1Jb1s4kjHAHjOlUxpC/c4c0465459f025149104e01c4b5e585c/6_2020_Crosstrek.jpg)

The base Crosstrek and better-equipped Crosstrek Premium come standard with a six-speed manual transmission and the lower-powered 152-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. 

While it doesn’t have the much-needed guts of the newly-available 182-horsepower engine offered on higher trim levels, the six-speed manual doesn’t suffer from any droning from which the optional continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) can be susceptible to. And an estimated 33 mpg on the highway makes it more efficient than larger SUVs that aren’t as capable off-road and are not any more comfortable on the pavement.

Starting from $23,295, the Crosstrek is all the SUV many people need. And even the least-expensive Crosstrek is relatively well-equipped against automatic-only peers like the Honda HR-V and the front-wheel-drive-only Toyota C-HR. 

Standard equipment on all models includes 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, while the Premium trim level includes heated front seats and front fog lights. Unfortunately, Subaru’s EyeSight suite of driver assistance features is only available on models with the CVT.

Still, the Crosstrek remains a well-rounded and high-value proposition among small SUVs, and the manual transmission setup puts it in a rarefied class.

[Browse Subaru Crosstrek listings here](https://www.autolist.com/subaru-xv+crosstrek#year_min=2021&year_max=2021&transmission%5B%5D=manual).

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### Kia Soul

![2021-kia-soul-ext](https://www.autolist.com/6tuem73u73an/5bkj5zPTJ2FtOjQ4x9o2Fv/a8682fb160546dd9af2249fba62d65c7/2021-kia-soul-ext.jpg)

There’s some debate between marketers, writers, and the EPA about where the Kia Soul lands in the vehicle classifications. But with its tall roof and elevated driving position, we’ll call it a crossover for these purposes. And unlike the similarly priced Jeep Compass, Hyundai Venue and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, the Soul still offers a manual gearbox.

It has other crossover similarities. With about 24 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 62 cubic feet with them folded down, the Kia Soul is far more spacious inside than small SUVs like the Mazda CX-3 and the far more expensive Mini Countryman — and it’s not far behind Kia’s own and pricier Seltos. The box-like shape not only creates generous headroom for both front and rear-seat riders but features tall windows that make it airy inside and allows for decent visibility out. 

![2021-kia-soul-int](https://www.autolist.com/6tuem73u73an/1xnsH0ZCOcU8bUzs08Ab4E/cb437029c1f4d120d701c3576320f749/2021-kia-soul-int.jpg)

Only the base Soul LX is available with a six-speed manual transmission, and the only engine available is the 147-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder. That’s still more standard power than small SUVs like the Chevrolet Trailblazer and Nissan Kicks, though, and it’s good for an EPA-estimated 31-35 mpg highway. 

These sound like features expected on new cars today, but some vehicles that sticker for $17,590 don’t offer these amenities, and the Kia Soul is one of the least expensive new cars on sale. But like the Subaru Crosstrek, driver assistance technology like automatic emergency braking isn’t offered with the stick shift or even on the base LX model. It may not scream SUV, but the Soul provides what most people want in a small SUV.

[Browse Kia Soul listings here](https://www.autolist.com/kia-soul#year_min=2021&year_max=2021&transmission%5B%5D=manual).

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### Chevrolet Spark ACTIV

![2021-chevrolet-spark-activ-ext](https://www.autolist.com/6tuem73u73an/2x9TGBkPI5Vg4EgZjJijjz/17d53be6c73b041b3ca2d06fee277bcf/2021-chevrolet-spark-activ-ext.jpg)

The least-expensive entry on this list is perhaps the least SUV or crossover-like. At least it has a manual transmission as standard equipment. The Chevy Spark ACTIV is easily recognizable as a traditional hatchback dressed up to look more like an SUV. 

The standard manual transmission only has five speeds when the slightly more expensive Kia Soul has six speeds. But even without another cruising gear, the Spark ACTIV is still good for 38 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA. That’s the benefit of having a mere 98 horsepower coming from the 1.4-liter inline four.

![2021-chevrolet-spark-activ-int](https://www.autolist.com/6tuem73u73an/5jag685LnvRjFMyJhcS3qJ/cb77cccbddb0ffcc8d0c398ff1006639/2021-chevrolet-spark-activ-int.jpg)

The Spark ACTIV’s subcompact hatchback shape makes it an asset in congested areas, however, where a lack of horsepower isn’t such a detriment and the ability to shift gears yourself is an asset. The unadventurous design lends itself to good visibility to the outside world from the driver’s seat. Space for four people (there are only four seats) isn’t as generous as the Soul or Subaru Crosstrek, but it’s respectable considering the Spark is more than a foot shorter than a four-door Mini Cooper. Cargo space is sparse with the split-folding rear seats up, but folding them down creates about 27 cubic feet of space.

There isn’t much off-road ability from the ACTIV part of the strictly front-wheel-drive Spark. Changes from the standard model are limited to 15-inch alloy wheels, sporty-looking roof rails, fog lights, and chunky gray lower exterior trim, as well as synthetic leatherette upholstery inside and heated front seats. Every Spark also gets 10 airbags and a 7-inch touchscreen audio system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. At just under $18,000, the Spark ACTIV may not be the first SUV-like car that comes to mind, but some of its attributes are ideal for urban driving.

[Browse Chevrolet Spark ACTIV listings here](https://www.autolist.com/chevrolet-spark-activ+cvt#year_min=2021&year_max=2021).

SUVs and crossovers with a manual transmission have become few and far between. Here are the five 2021 SUVs and crossovers that still offer a stick-shift.

Manual Transmission SUVs and Crossovers for 2021

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