Is Subaru Quietly Working on a New Manual SUV?

Subaru is apparently having second thoughts about dropping the manual transmission in some of its SUVs. A current owner and member of the Subaru Reedit community recently posted what appears to be a screenshot of a customer-driven survey, gauging the interest for a manual-equipped SUV.

It doesn’t look to be a one-off situation either. Another owner purportedly received a similar survey question. It asked if he or she would be interested in a manual transmission on the Outback Wilderness.

Could this be Subaru’s way of hinting at its interest in reviving the manual for its regular models?

Why else would they be gauging people’s interest?

Chris Chin

It’s been years since Subaru got rid of the manual in nearly all of its cars, especially with the proliferation of continuously variable transmissions. Disappointingly, this has even extended to its performance cars, like the WRX.

However, following overwhelming demand, the company backtracked and began offering three pedals in the WRX. Otherwise, the only way to get a manual Subie is with the BRZ.

Chris Chin

Now, with the survey questions arising, it appears Subaru may be pondering the manual’s revival.

Manufacturers sending out customer-driven surveys isn’t new. As a producer of major consumer goods, automakers want to know what owners think of their automobiles and what interests them in future products.

However, given that manuals continue disappearing, having an automaker gauge people’s interest is likely to generate a lot of hype and feedback. Especially in contrast to its slow march to obsolescence.

Chris Chin

Manual transmissions might no longer be popular in the mainstream world. But car and driving enthusiasts alike still prefer them for fun and involvement.

This isn’t the first time Subaru called upon the public to help determine the outcome of its future product plans. During the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon, the company also candidly called for feedback on how fans would like to see the company resuscitate its STI performance brand.

People still want to save the manuals

Subaru

The manual transmission has seemed to be on its way out for quite some time now, as automatics have improved exponentially over the past several decades. The stick shift’s disappearance over the years has upset enthusiasts and casual drivers alike.

Once seen as more fuel- and power-efficient than automatics, manuals ruled as the standard kit for most cars south of the luxury segments. Even then, premium cars featured the option for those seeking driver input.

Chris Chin

But as auto transmissions improved, they’ve helped automakers achieve improved fuel efficiency and better power conversion. Previously, automatics used to be a major source of parasitic power loss between engine output at the flywheel and the axles driving the wheels.

Advancements in auto transmission technology, however, rendered these power losses virtually negligible if not irrelevant. Add in the huge influx of focus on commuter culture, and the manual’s demise was inevitable.

Subaru

We reached out to Subaru to see if they have a comment on the matter. If not, and you’re a Subie owner who received this survey and want more manual-equipped models, now’s your chance to speak up.

Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.

Related Topics