Subaru Gauges Interest in Manual SUVs—Outback Wilderness Tops List

Despite the growing rarity of manual transmission vehicles, Subaru remains committed to keeping this option alive. Following the BRZ and WRX models that offer manual gearboxes, the company recently sent an internal email survey to customers to gauge interest in purchasing a manual-transmission SUV, specifically asking about their enthusiasm for a manual-equipped Outback Wilderness. Currently, only two SUVs in the U.S. market—the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler—offer a manual transmission. Subaru’s last SUV with this configuration was the Crosstrek, which was discontinued in 2023. While such surveys don’t always lead directly to production, if a manual-transmission SUV were to make a comeback, the rugged, off-road-oriented Outback Wilderness is widely seen as the most logical candidate.