Is Subaru Quietly Exploring Manual Transmissions for Future SUVs

Subaru might be working on a manual-transmission SUV. The company sent out surveys to owners. They asked questions about interest in manual SUVs. Some owners got surveys asking about the Outback Wilderness specifically. It seems like more than one person received similar questions. Subaru dropped manuals from most of its vehicles years ago. But the WRX came back with three pedals after demand. Now they are gauging whether SUV buyers want them too. It is not clear if this will actually happen. The surveys might just be market research. Or they might mean something more.

2026 Subaru WRX

The WRX is the one Subaru that still has a manual. It is a sedan not an SUV. People who want to row their own gears buy it. You own a WRX and you shift and you feel connected. The engine is turbocharged. It goes fast when you ask it to. Manual WRX owners probably feel like they are part of something smaller. It is the only manual AWD sports sedan left in America maybe. Owning one feels like you made a specific choice about what matters to you.

2026 Subaru Forester

The Forester is an SUV that does not have a manual transmission. It has a continuously variable transmission. Some versions have paddle shifters which is not the same thing. You own a Forester and it drives fine. The engine is 2.5 liters. It makes 180 horsepower. There is a hybrid version that gets better mileage. The Forester Wilderness exists for people who want to go off-road a bit. Owning a Forester is practical. It works for families who need space.

2026 Subaru Crosstrek

The Crosstrek is smaller than the Forester. It is also an SUV. You can get it as a hybrid. The Crosstrek Hybrid gets around 36 miles per gallon or something. People own Crosstreks because they are efficient and small. They fit in parking spaces better. The interior is tight but functional. Owning a Crosstrek means you probably value fuel economy. The ride is higher than a sedan. You sit up and see better. But it is still basically a car.

2026 Subaru Outback

The Outback is the wagon-crossover thing. It sits between the Forester and the legacy wagon idea. People own Outbacks who like the wagon look but want more ground clearance. The Outback Wilderness is for people who want to go further off pavement. Owning an Outback means you might want a manual. The survey Subaru sent out asked about manual interest in the Outback Wilderness. So maybe Subaru is thinking about putting one in. It would be different from everything else they make.

Subaru BRZ

The BRZ is a sports car. It is the other Subaru that still has a manual transmission option. It is not an SUV. The BRZ is small and light. People who own them enjoy driving on twisty roads. The manual is standard on the BRZ. You sit low in it. The steering is direct. Owning a BRZ is not practical for most purposes. It is for fun. It is about the experience of driving not about getting places.

2026 Subaru Trailseeker EV

The Trailseeker is an all-new electric SUV from Subaru. It has 375 horsepower. The acceleration is exciting because electric motors work that way. It has all-wheel drive. Owning an electric Subaru changes things because you have to charge it. The range is decent. It can handle rough terrain better than many EVs. The battery preconditioning helps in cold weather. You own a Trailseeker and you drive silently off-road mostly. The future is arriving but not everywhere yet.

2026 Subaru Uncharted EV

The Uncharted is another new EV from Subaru. It has three trim levels. The base model has front-wheel drive. The higher trims have all-wheel drive and more power. More than 300 miles of range for the entry model. More than 285 for the others. The horsepower varies. You own an Uncharted and you drive it electric. It competes with Hyundai and Kia EVs. Owning one is becoming normal now. Electric cars are just cars. They just plug in instead of fueling up.

Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V is a crossover. Many people own them. It does not have a manual transmission. Honda stopped offering manuals in most things. The CR-V is reliable and practical. You own one and it just works. It is not exciting. It is supposed to be dependable. Families use them for trips. The interior has enough space. Owning a CR-V is a safe choice. It will probably run for a long time without problems.

Toyota RAV4

The RAV4 is everywhere. More people own RAV4s than Foresters probably. It is a crossover. It does crossover things reliably. Toyota makes a lot of them so they are available. You own a RAV4 and you are part of a huge group. The ride is smooth enough. The controls are intuitive. There is no manual option. Toyota decided people do not want to shift anymore. Owning a RAV4 feels invisible in traffic because so many others look similar.

Jeep Wrangler

The Wrangler can come with a manual transmission. It is one of the only SUVs in America that offers one. People who want a manual SUV often choose a Wrangler. It is designed for off-roading. You own a Wrangler and you can take the doors off. The top comes off too. Manual Wranglers feel connected to the road more maybe. Or maybe it just feels that way because you have more control. Owning one is about capability and choice.

Ford Bronco

The Bronco is the other SUV that offers a manual. It came back after being gone for years. People who wanted a manual SUV were waiting for something like this. The Bronco is rugged. Owning one makes you feel like you chose adventure. The manual adds to that feeling. You shift gears and you navigate terrain. It is not for everyone. But for the people who want it the Bronco delivers something specific and real.