Manual transmissions have nearly vanished from the SUV market, yet driver engagement and trail control still matter to many enthusiasts. With only a tiny handful of stick-shift SUVs left on sale, there is a clear gap between what purists want and what most automakers build. I see five current models that, based on their capabilities and positioning, would be even better if buyers could pair them with a manual gearbox.
1. 2024 Subaru Forester
The 2024 Subaru Forester is a textbook example of an SUV that feels like it is begging for a manual option. A detailed list of SUVs that deserve a manual singles out the 2024 Subaru Forester specifically because its outdoorsy character and all-wheel-drive traction would pair naturally with a clutch pedal. Subaru helped popularize the everyday SUV with true off-road capability, a point echoed in a brief note that credits Subaru and the SUV for setting a template rivals now chase, and the Forester is the clearest continuation of that formula. With standard all-wheel drive, a practical cabin and a focus on real-world usability, it already appeals to buyers who care about control more than outright speed, which is exactly the audience that tends to value manual transmissions.
That control focus shows up in the Forester’s hardware. An off-road overview highlights that the 2024 Subaru Forester offers a generous ground clearance of 8.7 inches, a figure that lets drivers tackle ruts and rocks without constantly worrying about scraping the underbody. In a comparison of the 2024 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2025 Subaru Forester, reviewers frame both as all-wheel drive compact SUVs that must be judged on how they perform in real-world conditions, not just on-paper specs, and that head-to-head video underscores how much the Forester’s personality leans toward thoughtful, engaged driving. If Subaru paired that 8.7 inches of clearance and its proven traction systems with a six-speed manual, I believe it would give enthusiasts finer throttle and engine-braking control on loose surfaces while also restoring a sense of mechanical connection that many owners remember from earlier Subaru models. For shoppers who already choose the Forester for weekend camping trips and light overlanding, the option to row their own gears would simply align the drivetrain with the adventurous image the rest of the vehicle already projects.
2. 2024 Ford Bronco
The 2024 Ford Bronco is already one of the most off-road-focused SUVs on the market, and it has become a benchmark whenever people compare rugged four-wheel-drive models. A research piece that pits the 2025 Ford Bronco against the 2025 Toyota 4Runner describes both as off-road centric SUV choices and uses the Bronco name repeatedly to signal its serious trail intent. Another comparison that asks which off-road SUV is better notes that the Bronco soundly beats the 4Runner across the board when it comes to performance, highlighting how much engineering Ford has poured into this platform. In that context, the idea of pairing the Bronco’s capability and available V6 power with a manual transmission is about maximizing driver control over such a potent package, especially in low-speed rock crawling or steep descents where precise gear choice can matter more than raw horsepower.
At the same time, the broader market reality is that manual-equipped SUVs are vanishingly rare. An analysis of why there are only two SUVs left with a manual transmission explains that the remaining stick-shift models are niche offerings, even as some buyers still seek them out, and that context on rarity underscores how unusual it is to find a clutch pedal in any modern utility vehicle. Another report on the shrinking field of manual SUVs points out that, even without the more powerful V6 or V8 engines elsewhere in the lineup, the manual Bronco is positioned as a driver-focused option, which shows how strongly enthusiasts associate this nameplate with hands-on control. I see that as a clear signal: when an SUV has the heritage, hardware and performance credibility that the Bronco enjoys, maintaining and expanding manual availability across more trims and engine pairings would only deepen its appeal to purists who want every shift to be part of the adventure.
3. 2025 Toyota 4Runner
The 2025 Toyota 4Runner arrives as a thoroughly updated SUV that still leans heavily on its body-on-frame construction and reputation for durability. In a comparison that sets the 2025 Ford Bronco against the 2025 Toyota 4Runner, both are described as off-road centric SUV models, which confirms that Toyota continues to position the 4Runner as a trail-ready choice rather than a soft-road crossover. A separate performance-focused look at Bronco vs 4Runner notes that the Bronco currently beats the 4Runner across the board when it comes to performance, a gap that matters for buyers who want both reliability and excitement. Against that backdrop, the argument that the 2025 Toyota 4Runner deserves a manual transmission, as highlighted in the list of SUVs that deserve a manual, is really about giving this long-running nameplate a more engaging way to deploy its proven toughness.
Body-on-frame SUVs like the 4Runner are often used in situations where gear selection is part of the experience, whether that is easing down a rocky descent or holding a lower gear on a steep climb with a full load of camping gear. A manual gearbox would let drivers of the 2025 Toyota 4Runner manage engine braking and torque delivery with more nuance than most automatic modes, which is especially valuable when traction is marginal. The 4Runner’s reputation for long-term durability also aligns with the mechanical simplicity many enthusiasts associate with manual transmissions, which can be perceived as easier to maintain over very high mileages. I see a manual-equipped 4Runner as a way for Toyota to signal that it still builds SUVs for purists who care about feel as much as features, while also differentiating the 4Runner more clearly from its own crossovers that are firmly automatic-only. In a market where off-road branding is everywhere but true driver involvement is rare, that combination of rugged construction and a clutch pedal would give the 4Runner a distinctive identity.
4. 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe has been redesigned into a bold, boxy SUV that leans into adventure styling while still serving as a practical three-row family hauler. A detailed review of the Hyundai Santa Fe describes it as a 3-row family SUV and focuses on a Hyundai Santa Fe XRT trim that emphasizes rugged looks and outdoor-ready features. That same review frames the Hyundai Santa Fe XRT as a version that tries to blend everyday usability with a more adventurous image, which is exactly the kind of positioning that could benefit from a manual transmission for buyers who want their family vehicle to feel more involving on a twisty road. The list of SUVs that deserve a manual includes the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe for that reason, arguing that its mix of practicality and personality would be more compelling if drivers could choose their own gears.
Powertrain variety is already part of the Santa Fe story, with hybrid versions such as the Hyundai SANTA FE HEV appearing in comparisons that Compare MSRP and features against rivals like the Kia Sportage Hybrid. That focus on efficiency and value does not have to conflict with offering a manual on select trims, especially lower or mid-level models aimed at cost-conscious buyers who still enjoy driving. A manual-equipped Santa Fe would give Hyundai a way to stand out in a crowded segment where most competitors rely solely on automatic transmissions and continuously variable units, which can feel detached. I see particular appeal in pairing a manual with the more rugged-looking XRT or similar trims, where the visual promise of adventure could be matched by a more interactive driving experience. For families who split their time between school runs and weekend road trips, the option of a manual Santa Fe would turn routine drives into something more memorable without sacrificing the space and comfort that define this SUV.
5. 2024 Kia Sportage
The 2024 Kia Sportage is a compact SUV that has built its reputation on value, style and a surprisingly refined driving experience for its size. In a comparison that sets the 2023 Hyundai SANTA FE HEV against the 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid, analysts line up MSRP, invoice pricing and key features to show how closely the Sportage competes with larger, more expensive models. That kind of cross-shopping highlights how important it is for the Sportage to offer something distinctive beyond just a low price, especially as more buyers look at compact SUVs as their primary family vehicle. The list of SUVs that deserve a manual identifies the 2024 Kia Sportage as a model that could boost its fun-to-drive character with a manual option, particularly in non-hybrid trims where a conventional gearbox would be easier to integrate.
From a dynamics standpoint, the Sportage already leans toward agility, with tuning that makes it feel more responsive than some rivals in quick lane changes or on winding roads. A manual transmission would amplify that agility by letting drivers keep the engine in its sweet spot, rather than relying on an automatic’s programming to guess their intentions. In the hybrid context, the 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid shows that Kia is willing to experiment with different powertrain layouts to meet efficiency and performance goals, which suggests there is room in the lineup for a driver-focused variant as well. I see a manual-equipped Sportage as a way to attract enthusiasts who might otherwise default to compact hatchbacks, giving them SUV practicality without sacrificing engagement. In a market where, as one analysis notes, there are only a couple of SUVs left with a manual transmission and that rarity of manuals is becoming a talking point in itself, a stick-shift Sportage would send a clear message that Kia is listening to drivers who still want to be part of the shifting process.
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