American SUVs : Remember when you could walk into almost any dealership and find an SUV with a stick shift? Those days are fading fast, and if you’re someone who loves the feeling of clutching in and shifting gears yourself, 2025 might be your last chance to get exactly what you want.
The reality hits hard when you look at the numbers. In 2024, there were 36 vehicles available with manual transmissions across the entire U.S. market. This year? That number dropped to just 32. And when it comes to SUVs specifically, you’re looking at exactly two choices. That’s it. Two.
Your Only Options: The Final Pair
The Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco remain the last two SUVs still offering a manual transmission in 2025. Both vehicles share something important beyond their stick shifts – they’re built for people who actually want to go places most SUVs never will.
The Jeep Wrangler: Keeping Tradition Alive
The Wrangler has been carrying the manual transmission torch longer than most of us have been driving. You can opt for the manual transmission on the following trim levels when paired with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, though not every Wrangler variant gets the option. The six-speed manual connects directly to that 285-horsepower V6, giving you complete control over power delivery when you’re crawling over rocks or navigating tricky terrain.
What makes the Wrangler special isn’t just that it has a manual – it’s that the manual actually serves a purpose. When you’re inching down a steep incline or trying to maintain momentum through deep sand, having that direct connection between your foot and the wheels makes all the difference. Off-road enthusiasts often prefer manuals for their ability to modulate power delivery in technical terrain.
The price point remains reasonable too, especially considering what you’re getting. You’re not paying a premium for the privilege of shifting your own gears – in many cases, the manual is actually the standard equipment, keeping costs down for buyers who want that authentic off-road experience.
The Ford Bronco: The Newcomer with Old-School Soul
Ford’s decision to bring back the Bronco was bold enough, but including a manual transmission option showed they really understood their target audience. The 2025 Ford Bronco starts at $37,995 and comes with a 2.3-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine that makes either 275 horsepower on regular fuel, or 300 horsepower on premium fuel. It gets a seven-speed manual as standard.
That seven-speed setup is actually pretty clever. Ford gives you loads of options when it comes to configuring your Bronco, but not all of those choices let you get the stick. The seven-speed manual is available only with the 275 horsepower 2.3L turbocharged four-cylinder and not either V6. What this means in practical terms is that if you want the manual, you’re getting the base engine – but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
The first gear in that seven-speed is what Ford calls a “crawler gear,” designed specifically for ultra-low-speed off-road situations. Think of it as having a built-in reduction that lets you creep over obstacles at walking pace while maintaining engine power. It’s the kind of feature that shows Ford really thought about how people would actually use this truck.
Why These Two Survived When Others Didn’t
The survival of manual transmissions in the Wrangler and Bronco isn’t accidental. Both models appeal to off-road enthusiasts, who prefer the engagement and control of a manual gearbox. But there’s more to it than just capability.
These vehicles represent something that’s become increasingly rare in the automotive world – authenticity. When you buy a Wrangler or Bronco with a manual transmission, you’re getting an experience that connects you directly to the vehicle’s purpose. There’s no computer deciding when to shift, no algorithm trying to optimize your fuel economy. It’s just you, the engine, and the terrain ahead.
The practical benefits matter too. Manual transmissions are generally simpler to maintain and repair than their automatic counterparts. When you’re far from civilization and something goes wrong, a stick shift is more likely to get you home. Manuals are typically cheaper to produce and repair, which helps keep base-model pricing attractive.
What You’re Actually Giving Up
Let’s be honest about the trade-offs. Choosing a manual SUV in 2025 means accepting some limitations. You won’t get the latest engine options – both the Wrangler and Bronco reserve their most powerful engines for automatic-only configurations. Your fuel economy might not be quite as good, especially in stop-and-go traffic where modern automatics excel.
You’re also choosing a more demanding driving experience. If your daily commute involves heavy traffic, that left leg workout might get old quickly. Modern automatics have become incredibly sophisticated, often shifting faster and more efficiently than even skilled manual drivers.
The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters
The near-extinction of manual SUVs reflects broader changes in how we use these vehicles. Modern SUVs almost exclusively utilize all-wheel drive and automatic transmissions, two features that benefit traction and confidence in bad weather driving on pavement. Most SUV buyers today prioritize comfort, convenience, and fuel efficiency over the engaging driving experience that comes with a manual transmission.
This shift makes sense from a business perspective. The vast majority of SUV buyers will never take their vehicles off-road, and even fewer would choose a manual transmission if given the option. Automakers are simply responding to market demand by focusing on what most customers actually want.
Your Window Is Closing
The future of manual SUVs beyond 2025 is uncertain. Industry trends suggest that even these last holdouts might not survive much longer. Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly common, and electric motors simply don’t need manual transmissions. As automakers pivot toward electrification, the business case for maintaining manual options becomes harder and harder to justify.
If you’ve been thinking about getting a manual SUV, 2025 might be your last real opportunity. The Wrangler and Bronco represent not just transportation, but a philosophy about driving and adventure that’s becoming increasingly rare in our automated world.
For those who understand the appeal, these vehicles offer something you simply can’t get anywhere else: the satisfaction of being completely in control of your driving experience, whether you’re commuting to work or conquering a mountain trail. In a world increasingly dominated by computers and algorithms, that direct mechanical connection between driver and machine feels more valuable than ever.
The choice is simple, even if the options are limited. If you want a new SUV with a manual transmission, you have exactly two paths forward. Choose wisely – this opportunity won’t last forever.
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