Why these two SUVs are the last stand for manual transmissions in America

 Manual transmissions have steadily disappeared from the American market, pushed aside by automatics that are faster, more efficient, and easier to live with every day. Once common across nearly every segment, the stick shift is now a rarity, especially in SUVs, where convenience and comfort tend to take priority. Yet a small number of models continue to keep the tradition alive.

These two SUVs stand out as some of the last options that still offer a true manual driving experience. Brands like Jeep and Ford have resisted the shift to fully automatic lineups in select models, preserving a level of driver engagement that has largely disappeared from modern vehicles. Their continued availability highlights a commitment to enthusiasts who still value control over convenience.

As the industry moves further toward electrification and automation, the future of manual transmissions looks increasingly uncertain. These SUVs represent a final holdout—proof that while the manual may be fading, it hasn’t disappeared just yet.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites.

There are only two SUVs left in America that come with a manual transmission

Off-roaders with an old school soul

In a pretty short period of time, manuals have gone from being the standard transmission to something that you only find in enthusiast vehicles. If you're looking for an SUV with a manual shifter, your choices have been cut down to only two models in America. What is interesting is how closely these two models are linked, and how the manual fits their ideology perfectly.

The Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler are the only manual SUVs in 2026

Slowly but surely, the manual transmission has disappeared from the option sheets on SUVs. The only two new models left on the market that still offer it are the Ford Bronco and the Jeep Wrangler. As we mentioned earlier, manual transmissions are being reserved for enthusiast-focused models, and we think that these two SUVs are no exception.

Both the Jeep Wrangler and the Ford Bronco exist as serious off-road vehicles. You don't buy one of these thinking that you might try out its four-wheel drive capability at some point; you buy one with the intent of getting it dirty. It's in these scenarios that a manual transmission actually makes quite a lot of sense. A manual gives you more control, it is more predictable, and they are generally more reliable, which are all important in off-road vehicles.

Where did the other manual SUVs go?

Most people who want a manual really enjoy driving. They like to row their own gears because using their car is akin to a hobby for them. For most SUV buyers, this isn't the case at all. To the average person looking for a crossover, the most important things are practicality and comfort, and a manual infringes on both of those. This means that more hobby-like SUVs, like the Wrangler and Bronco, are the only place where a manual can really make sense, and a lot of the old options in this segment have either died off or become much softer than they used to be.

A six-speed comes standard in the Jeep Wrangler

Finding a manual Wrangler is easy

The Wrangler's entire identity is built around it being simple and sturdy. Everything is designed to feel old-school, and that is how Wrangler buyers like it. In this context, offering a standard manual transmission makes a ton of sense. You don't have to select very specific options or buy the most expensive trim, it is just there.

How to get a manual in a 2026 Jeep Wrangler

In base form, the Wrangler comes fitted with a 3.6-liter naturally aspirated V-6, four-wheel drive, and a six-speed manual transmission. This is the only layout that grants you access to the manual transmission. Most models can be optioned with a two-liter turbocharged inline-four, but this means you get an eight-speed automatic instead. Swapping to the four-cylinder doesn't cost anything, but the automatic transmission demands an extra $3,000.

Essentially, you can pick between the cheapest Wrangler trims or most of the top trims if you want a six-speed. The Sport, Sport S, and Willys are the most affordable models and all come standard with the V-6 and six-speed combo. The Rubicon and Rubicon X models also feature the same layout. Unfortunately, the top-of-the-line Moab 392 model with the 470-horsepower V-8 only comes with the automatic transmission.

Ford offers a unique 7-speed manual transmission in the 2026 Bronco

A dedicated gear for off-road scenarios

Much like Jeep, Ford offers their manual transmission as a standard offering. There are actually only a couple of models that don't offer the manual at all. What is more interesting in Ford's case is that they have opted for a seven-speed manual rather than a traditional six-speed one. Off-road enthusiasts will appreciate the way the transmission has been handled here.

How to get a manual in a 2026 Ford Bronco

Rather than a naturally aspirated V-6, the Bronco comes standard with a 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four. It is no slouch, though, putting down an impressive 300 horsepower. Once again, the manual transmission can only be had with the base powertrain. There are a couple of models in the lineup that offer a larger V-6, but these only come equipped with an automatic transmission. The Outer Banks, Stoppe Edition, and the twin-turbo V-6-powered Raptor are the only models that don't come with the seven-speed.

Usually, seven-speed manuals are saved for things like Porsches, where they are all about smooth efficiency. In the Bronco, the seventh gear is about capability. Ford has given the manual Bronco a dedicated crawl gear. It is labeled 'C' and is designed for high-torque, low-speed off-roading. It takes the amount of control you get that step further.

Manuals are only for fun cars

For the average driver, an automatic transmission just makes more sense. They require less work, they are smoother, and they deliver better levels of efficiency. It makes sense why they are becoming rarer as time marches on. However, we love that there are still fun SUVs like the Wrangler and Bronco that put enjoyment first. In these kinds of cars, where it is all about control, a manual transmission just makes more sense.