Subaru Won't Offer A 6-Speed Manual In The New Crosstrek Sport-Here’s Why

I'm still driving my previous gen WRX hatch hoping they announce for 2021 they'd bring it back with the next gen. When I heard about the Crosstrek 2.5 I thought it might be a decent 2nd option to stay in a Subaru if they don't, but if there's no manual then that idea is out the window. Guess it's either WRX hatch or I'll be moving into the new Acura RDX for my rear biased AWD fix.

Subaru are also comforted in the knowledge that an ever growing majority are eschewing manual transmissions anyway. In a sense they have nothing (but a few diehard customers) to lose and many more to gain. And simplifying their production process is always a benefit

I love stick shifts.. I will move away from Subaru fir CVT.

I'm not in love with all manual transmissions, but do like good ones (like Subaru's 6-speed). I also like good, conventional automatics. CVTs remain controversial, with shorter lifespans, common $8,000 replacement costs, and requiring very careful maintenance. Opinions regarding fluid changes vary wildly, anywhere between 24,000 and Subaru's optimistic 100,000 miles. The slight increase in fuel economy is more important to Subaru (meeting CAFE standards) than me.

Subaru has no interval of CVT maintenance in the owners manual other than front differential fluid service. But I agree that they're a lot different than when I started working for them. My valets don't know or need to know how to drive stick anymore. Went from 10% to around 2% of the cars as manual since I started. I don't think it's that people don't want the manual, Subaru just cut them out of the equation and customers either deal with it or leave. Not like any other manufacturer is offering a manual in anything but a subcompact or sports car.

You know why they only sell 6% with manual transmission?
1. Can’t get leather
2. Can’t get a sunroof
3. If you want one, your stuck with an engine that can’t get out of its own way.
4. Most tother trim packages aren’t available.

I’ve been waiting for the 2021 Crossrrek to come out with the hopes that the engine would be bumped but still available in stick. I’ve been literally looking a salvage yards so that I could grab leather seats. I’ve been looking at aftermarket sunroofs.

All because they refuse to put manual in a ‘normal car’.

Reminds me of a conversation I had at work with 10 guys. Another guy and my self have manual transmission cars, two weren’t interested. As for the other six, all wanted to have manual transmission but couldn’t get it in the car/truck they wanted.

Result: six people don’t like their cars. No brand allegiance. Just it’s a “thing”.

The trend to people who being in a “transportation module” and not a car is disturbing.

Want your kids not to text while driving, give them a stick shift.

It’s sad.

Have to look at a *gasp* Jeep. Blah!

Thanks for confirming. Saves me waiting to find out. Now I can go buy my second choice manual vehicle: Toyota Tacoma. Subaru had an opportunity to pioneer a new “Sport SUV/Crossover” but chose not to. Not everyone who wants a manual wants a couple/hot hatch. Thanks to Honda and Toyota for keeping the manual available in every-day vehicles.

All my cars have been exclusively manual. Still waiting for a sporty , powerfull, quality manual , But chances are slim. The next year bigger engine is not manual but i was very pleasantly surprised with brand new manual Crosstrek that i just bought for my wife. I was surprised how fast the thing can go. Yes , engine is small but it does not feel like iit. The RPM required for each gear is set much higher , very sportsy . And without strain somehow. Plus the new global platform gives the comfort and stability to move it. I am mentioning this to manual gears enthusiasts because it is hard to get a test drive of the newest generation manual. I had to order it without trying.

It's really a disappointment that Subaru has decided to axe yet another MT option. Out of the 4 Subaru's we've owned, all manual, the 2002 Impreza Outback with a 2.5 litre and MT was my favorite. My wife and I were excited to replace our current underpowered 2.0 liter Crosstrek with the 2.5 MT. This is the proper engine and transmission matchup for the Crosstrek, and should have been from the beginning. It's clear that Subaru has gone SOFT. They are tailoring cars for the distracted driver, and even go to the extent of encouraging it with Eyesight.

I am a 47 year old female who started out on a manual and refuse to drive a automatic. I plan on buying the top of the line white Subaru Crostrek when I graduate from Nursing school in 2024. YOU HAVE CRUSHED MY DREAMS

I currently own a 2019 Impreza sport 5speed. I could not get a sunroof or a 6speed option. Subaru seems so desperate to push this eyesight technology that they are willing to lose potential customers over it. Eyesight tech is very annoying if you enjoy driving and Subaru only wants idiots driving their cars, hence the reason for the elimination of manuals and turbo options for all their cars. I will no longer be a customer of Subaru if they do no not provide 6speed manuals to their newer vehicles other than base models with a garbage 2.0 motor. Very weak motor and should be scrapped on all models.

"It's about safety"

As if you couldn't engineer EyeSight to work with a manual transmission. Just do what Mazda does - if it has to slam on the brakes, oh well, the car can stall; if you didn't crash, you can start it again and drive away.

Fuck off with your automatic zealotry.

Well, ditch the manual and and I ditch Subaru. Subaru CVTs are the absolute worst. My wife's Outback lasted 90k miles. TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!

I love my 2018 Crosstrek Premium and was so excited when I heard about the extra 30 hp to be let down when reading about it not being offered with a manual. I am a Parts Manager for Hyundai and know first hand the credibility of the CVT 0%

In Canada, you can get the Crosstrek in the Sport trim level with sunroof, 8-inch infotainment and other features with the 6MT. Curiously, I think the car is built in Indiana.

I just learned about this in an ad for a trade up. I've got a 2019 crosstrek and I love the 6-speed. It actually makes the car fun to drive despite the lack of power (the car's one downside imo). I test drove the cvt and it was booooring, not to mention the problems with cvt longevity. I was kind of hoping a crosstrek sport would come out with a 6 speed turbo or something like that. This news is a bummer tho.

The only reason I ever considered a Subie was for the manual. With that gone, so is the appeal.

I love the 6-speed manual in my 2018 Sti. If they ever drop the manual in the WRX I won’t buy an other. I’m 73 and love shifting.