10 SUVs with a Manual Transmission

2016 Mazda CX 5

In the past, most SUVs could be ordered with a manual transmission, but the ranks have thinned considerably over the years. Americans may love a bargain, but they love convenience even more. Manual transmissions are lighter, easier to fix, and less expensive than automatics. Alas, they’re not for lazy folks. While a stick shift is a hoot to drive under the right conditions, it’s a different story when stuck in traffic (or in the drive-thru). The list of SUVs that once offered a manual transmission in the US is super long, and it included the likes of the Toyota FJ Cruiser, RAV4 and 4Runner, the Ford Bronco, the Chevy Blazer, the Jeep Cherokee, the Isuzu Trooper, the Suzuki Samurai and Sidekick, the Geo Tracker, the Nissan Xterra, the Isuzu Rodeo and Trooper, the Jeep Cherokee, the Hummer H3, and oldies such as the International Harvester Scout.

Although manual transmissions have fallen out of favor here in America, here are 10 SUVs currently avaialble in the US that let you, not some onboard computer, shift the gears.

2016 Jeep Renegade

The 2016 Jeep Renegade is available with a 6-speed manual transmission, in both front-wheel-drive (FWD) or four-wheel-drive (4WD) versions. The base engine in the FWD and 4WD Renegade is a turbocharged 1.4-liter inline-4 of Fiat origin. A 2.4-liter naturally aspirated 4-cylinder is available in the lower trim levels of the Renegade (it's standard in the Renegade Limited and Trailhawk), but this engine is available only with the 9-speed automatic transmission. The Renegade, for the record, shares its underpinnings with the Fiat 500X. The official EPA fuel economy rating for the 1.4-liter Renegade with manual tranmsmission is 24 mpg city/31 mpg highway for both FWD and 4WD. The Jeep Renegade’s starting MSRP is $17,995 with FWD and $19,695 with 4WD.

Photo by Jeep

2016 Mazda CX-5 Sport

Looking for a small sport-utility vehicle that offers solid driving dynamics and good fuel economy? Check out the 2016 Mazda CX-5 Sport, which is available with a smooth-shifting 6-speed manual transmission, but only with front-wheel drive. Fitted with an efficient 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, the CX-5 Sport has an official EPA rating of 26 mpg city/35 mpg. That's good, but remember that an all-wheel-drive CX-5 is not available with a manual transmission. Touring and Grand Touring versions of the 2016 Mazda CX-5 are equipped with a more powerful 2.5-liter 4-cylinder mated to a conventional 6-speed automatic transmission. The Mazda CX-5 Sport’s starting MSRP is $23,595.

Photo by Mazda

2016 Subaru Crosstrek

The 2016 Subaru Crosstrek is based on a lifted version of the Impreza hatchback. It provides solid handling, a comfortable interior, and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). If you’re a fan of the Impreza but need a bit more ground clearance to handle light off-roading, you’ll want to give the Crosstrek a good long look. Best of all (for those who like to shift for themselves), the Crosstrek 2.0i and 2.0i Premium are available with a manual transmission. It's a 5-speed, and it mounts to a 2.0-liter flat-4 engine with a distinctive grumble. The manual-equipped Crosstrek has an EPA fuel economy rating of 23 mpg city/31 mpg highway. That's good, but Crosstreks fitted with Subaru's CVT automatic are more efficient, rated at 26/34 by the EPA.

The 2016 Subaru Crosstrek starts at $21,595. For the record, the fuel-efficient Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid is not offered with a manual transmission.

Photo by Subaru

2016 Jeep Patriot

The 2016 Jeep Patriot is available with a 5-speed manual transmission, with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). A 2.0-liter inline-4 is the base engine in the FWD Patriot. A 2.4-liter inline-4 powers the 4WD Patriot and is optional in the  FWD version. The Patriot rides on the same platform as the Jeep Compass and Dodge Caliber. While the Compass is expected to see a significant refresh in 2017, the Patriot may not last past the 2016 model year.

On a positive note, that may mean there are deals to be had. The Patriot already is the least expensive SUV offered with a manual transmission for the 2016 model year. FWD models start at $17,695; 4WD versions begin at $19,695.

2016 Fiat 500X Pop

The 2016 FIAT 500X is a stylish little crossover with a well-appointed cabin. While it’s a stretch to refer to the 500X as an SUV, it rides on the same platform as the Jeep Renegade. The base model 500X Pop is available with a 6-speed manual transmission, but only when equipped with front-wheel drive (FWD). The 500X Pop is fitted with a turbocharged 1.4-liter inline-4 engine. The 500X Easy, Trekking, and Lounge models are fitted with a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter inline-4. This larger engine is available in FWD and all-wheel-drive (AWD) 500Xs, but it's not offered with a manual transmission. The FWD 2016 Fiat 500X Pop starts at $20,000.

Photo by FCA Media

2016 Honda HR-V

While the package may look small on the outside, the 2016 Honda HR-V offers a roomy and flexible interior, providing more total cargo capacity (58.8 cubic feet) than any other subcompact crossover. The HR-V is available with a 6-speed manual transmission in the LX and EX, but only when equipped with front-wheel drive (FWD). The HR-V is fitted with a 1.8-liter inline-4.  Unfortunately, an all-wheel-drive (AWD) HR-0V is not offered with a manual gearbox. The new HR-V rides on Honda's versatile Fit platform. For the record, Honda’s larger CR-V (based on the Civic platform) was offered with a 5-speed manual transmission from 1998 through 2006. The 2016 Honda HR-V’s starting MSRP is $19,215. EPA Fuel economy for the HR-V manual is 28 mpg city/35 mpg highway.

Photo by Christian Wardlaw

2016 Jeep Compass

The 2016 Jeep Compass is available with a 5-speed manual transmission, with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The base engine in the FWD Compass is a 2.0-liter inline-4. A 2.4-liter 4-cylinder is standard in the 4WD Compass and optional in the FWD version. The FWD manual Compass is rated by the EPA at 23 mpg city/30 mpg highway with the 2.0-liter, and 23/29 with the 2.4. The 4WD Compass with manual transmission and the 2.4-liter is rated at 22/27.

Look for a new Jeep Compass in 2017. The current Compass, the 2016 model, starts at $19,695 with FWD and $21,695 with 4WD.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport ES 2.0

If hauling capacity and a manual transmission are at the top of your list, the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is worth a look. The Outlander Sport ES 2.0 is available with a 5-speed manual transmission, but only when equipped with front-wheel drive (FWD). The Outlander Sport ES 2.0, fitted with a 2.0-liter inline-4 engine and the manual transmission, is rated by the EPA at 23 mpg city/29 mpg highway. The Outlander Sport ES 2.4, SE 2.4, SEL 2.4 and GT 2.4 models are fitted with a more powerful 2.4-liter inline-4 and available all-wheel drive (AWD), but they cannot be ordered with a manual transmission. The 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport ES 2.0, equipped with the manual transmission, starts at $19,595. With an automatic transmsission, a CVT, the starting price jumps to $20,795.

2016 Subaru Forester

The 2016 Subaru Forester offers a spacious interior built to haul the crew and their gear, with plenty of room in the back seat for taller passengers and nearly 75 cubic feet of total cargo area. The base Forester 2.5i and Forester 2.5i Premium models are fitted with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter flat-4, all-wheel drive and a 6-speed manual transmission as standard equipment. The Forester 2.5i’s starting MSRP is $22,595. The official EPA fuel economy rating for these 170-horsepower models is 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway. When it's fitted with the CVT automatic transmission, the Forester 2.5 is notably more efficient, rated by the EPA at 26/32. Moving up in power and price, the Forester 2.0XT Premium and Touring models are equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter boxer engine with a healthy 250 horsepower. Unfortunately, these potent Foresters are not offered with a manual transmission.

2016 Jeep Wrangler / Wrangler Unlimited

No question about it; the 2016 Jeep Wrangler is the most capable off-road SUV currently offered with a manual transmission. Its roots run back to the original Jeep CJ, introduced more than 60 years ago. All 2-door Wranglers and 4-door Wrangler Unlimiteds are equipped with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engines and 4-wheel drive. Every other SUV offered with a manual transmission has a smaller engine and much less off-road capability. The 2-door Wrangler Sport, with a 6-speed manual gearbox, starts at $23,895. It’s rated by the EPA at 17 mpg city/21 mpg highway. Not good, for sure, but the Jeep's classic shape, with that flat windshield, does the Wrangler no aerodynamic favors. The 4-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport, which starts at $27,695, is rated at 16/21. Look for a new Jeep Wrangler to arrive in 2018, likely with an available diesel engine.