Manual transmissions are regaining popularity even as the number of models offered with one shrinks. According to USA Today, vehicles with a stick shift will account for 6.5 percent of total sales in 2012 based on first-quarter data, a considerable increase from 2011's 3.8 percent and the most since 2006.
The trend of disappearing manuals is especially apparent in the light truck and SUV segment. It is no longer possible to get a half-ton truck with a manual, and in the three-quarter and one-ton segment, only the Ram 2500 and 3500 remain available with a stick.
On the SUV side, one example is the Ford Escape, which offered a manual on the base XLS model for 2012 but went automatic-only for the all-new 2013 model. Models that simply dropped the three-pedal option without an accompanying redesign include the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport and Hyundai Santa Fe. With its 2009 redesign, the Subaru Forester also dropped the manual transmission from its U.S. lineup, although the wagon-ish Outback still offers one. The Toyota RAV4 has not offered a manual in the U.S. since its 2006 redesign.
If you're a truck and SUV enthusiast looking for a model with DIY shifting, here are the 2012 models available with a manual transmission.
Transmission: 5-speed
Engine: 2.9L/185-hp/190-b-ft I-4; 3.7L/242-hp/242-lb-ft I-5
Availability: Work Truck 2WD, 4WD
Price: $18,285 (2WD), $21,790 (4WD)
Unlike the bigger Silverado, which has gone full-auto across the board, the Colorado is still available with a shift-it-yourself transmission. The stick is available with both the base 185-hp, 2.9-liter I-5 and the available 3.7-liter, 242 hp I-5 (the optional 300-hp V-8 is auto-only). Unfortunately, opting for the stick limits you to the utilitarian Work Truck trim level and regular cab body style, but you do get the choice of two- or four-wheel drive. A new model is coming in 2014, but its engines and transmissions remain a mystery.
Transmission: 5-speed
Engine: 2.9L/185-hp/190-b-ft I-4; 3.7L/242-hp/242-lb-ft I-5
Availability: Work Truck 2WD
Price: $18,300
The Colorado's virtual twin mirrors its Bow Tie sibling's configurations, with the manual available only on the entry-level Work Truck trim with a regular cab. Unlike the Chevy, the GMC forces you to get the automatic if you want four-wheel drive.
Transmission: 5-speed
Engine: 2.0L/165-hp/146-lb-ft I-4
Availability: GL, FWD
Price: $19,970
The Hyundai Tucson offers a manual transmission only on the bare-bones GL trim level. That gets you a 165-hp, 2.0-liter I-4 and a five-speed manual, while the rest of the lineup gets a 176-hp, 2.4-liter I-4 and a six-speed automatic. The higher-trim models are available with all-wheel drive, plushier interiors, navigation, and other bells and whistles, but the GL's only standard features of note are keyless entry, power windows, and a satellite-ready audio system with an iPod connector.
Transmission: 5-speed
Engine: 2.0L/158-hp/141-lb-ft I-4; 2.4L/172-hp/165-lb-ft I-4
Availability: Sport
Price: $20,220 (4x2), $21,970 (4x4)
The Jeep Compass is not one of our favorite vehicles, especially in the shadow of the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee, but we're glad Jeep hasn't gone totally soft on us with its entry-level crossover. Unfortunately, unlike the Wrangler, the Compass does force you to settle for the entry Sport trim level to get the manual. But you do have a choice between a 158-hp 2.0-liter or 172-hp, 2.4-liter I-4.
Transmission: 5-speed
Engine: 2.0L/158-hp/141-lb-ft I-4; 2.4L/172-hp/165-lb-ft I-4
Availability: Sport 4x2, 4x4, Latitude, Altitude (2.0, 4x2 only)
Price: $16,920 (4x2), $18,670 (4x4)
Think of the Patriot as a Compass wrapped in a more angular and traditional-looking package. The powertrain options and availability mirror that of its sleeker, urbanized sibling. Like the Compass, the 2.4-liter/manual combo is available with front- or all-wheel drive on the Sport trim level; all other trim levels with the 2.4 require the selection of the CVT. The 2.0-liter and manual combination is limited to the front-drive version.
Transmission: 6-speed
Engine: 3.6L/285-hp/260-lb-ft V-6
Availability: All
Price: $22,970 (Sport), $26,470 (Unlimited Sport)
The Wrangler stays true to its roots by offering a six-speed manual on both two-door and four-door Unlimited models. Unlike many of the over vehicles on this list, the manual is offered on all Wrangler trim levels, from the entry Sport to the top-of-the-line Rubicon. Although a case can be made for why an automatic is better for off-roading, we're glad Jeep still gives us a choice and doesn't force us into the hair-shirt trim level to get it.
Transmission: 6-speed
Engine: 2.4L/176-hp/168-lb-ft I-4
Availability: Base FWD
Price: $19,300
Like its Hyundai Tucson sibling, the Sportage limits you to the base trim level, which in this case is called just that -- Base. However, in keeping with Kia's reputation as the sportier of the two Korean brands, the Kia offers the manual with the larger 2.4-liter, 176-hp engine, and the transmission is a six-speed instead of the Tucson's five-cogger. If you want all-wheel drive, whoever, you're out of luck, as this combination is limited to front-wheel-drive models.
Transmission: 6-speed
Engine: 2.0L/155-hp/150-lb-ft I-4
Availability: Sport, FWD
Price: $21,490
Of almost all the brands with a small crossover, we figured Mazda would be the most likely to offer a manual transmission option, and it does. But there are some caveats. It's offered only on the front-drive Sport models and though you can theoretically get a manual-transmission CX-5 with navigation, you'll be hard-pressed to find one sitting on a dealer lot.
Transmission: 6-speed
Engine: 1.6L/121-hp/114lb-ft I-4; 1.6L/181-hp/17-lb-ft turbocharged
Availability: All
Price: $22,950 (Cooper Countryman), $27,750 (Cooper S All4)
Some feared Mini was going soft and mainstream with the introduction of the Countryman compact SUV, but as anyone who has driven this model can attest, it oozes Mini's cheeky character. And Mini's notorious dizzying availability of custom configurations carries over to the Countryman and its transmission options. The six-speed manual available on all three trim levels with the naturally aspirated or turbocharged engine and FWD or AWD.