Subaru has begun surveying owners about their willingness to buy an SUV with a manual transmission in 2026, according to screenshots published on Reddit.
Reddit users u/Macgyver452 and u/VodkaChugger420 posted images of closed surveys that Subaru is sending to loyal customers. The key question is: "Would you consider buying an SUV with a manual transmission in the future?"
In the second version of the questionnaire, the company specifies interest in the appearance of a manual transmission in the Subaru Outback Wilderness model. This version is considered the most prepared for off-road driving in the brand's lineup. The return of the "mechanics" may strengthen the brand's position among active tourism enthusiasts.
Currently, in the SUV segment in the USA, only the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco offer a manual transmission. At the same time, over the past ten years, Subaru has gradually abandoned manual transmissions in crossovers. The Subaru Outback lost it in 2014, the Subaru Forester in 2018, and the Subaru Crosstrek lasted until 2023.