Why is Subaru discontinuing manual transmission?

Subaru is not ending manual transmissions across its entire lineup, but it is scaling them back to a handful of performance-focused models as demand for manuals declines and the industry shifts toward automatic and electrified powertrains.

Current status of manual transmissions in Subaru's lineup

To understand the landscape, here is a snapshot of which Subarus still typically offer a manual transmission and which do not.

• WRX — continues to offer a 6-speed manual transmission, with a CVT available as an alternative in some markets.


• BRZ — remains a manual-focused model, with a traditional 6-speed manual transmission widely offered; availability of an automatic varies by market and trim level.

For most of Subaru’s mainstream models, automatic transmissions (including CVTs) have become the default, aligning with consumer preferences, fuel-economy targets, and regulatory expectations.

Why Subaru is moving away from manual transmissions

Industry trends and internal strategy explain why Subaru is trimming manuals from its broader lineup. The following factors are widely cited by automakers facing similar shifts.

• Declining demand for manual transmissions: Fewer buyers opt for manuals as automatics and CVTs improve, offering comparable or superior fuel economy and convenience.


• Electrification and future powertrains: As Subaru and the industry commit to electrified vehicles, automatics and single-speed or multi-speed transmissions are better suited to hybrid and electric architectures.


• Regulatory and fuel-economy targets: Stringent emissions and efficiency requirements push manufacturers toward transmissions that maximize efficiency across real-world driving.


• Cost, complexity, and supply chain considerations: Maintaining multiple transmission families adds cost and complexity, especially as production scales toward electrified platforms.


• Consumer experience and reliability: Automatic transmissions offer smoother operation, easier daily driving, and broader accessibility for new drivers and markets.

These factors collectively explain why Subaru, like many other brands, is concentrating manuals in a small, sport-oriented subset of its lineup while prioritizing automatic transmissions for the rest of its portfolio.

Subaru’s broader electrification plan and the role of manuals

Subaru has signaled a strategic shift toward electrification and more efficient powertrains as part of its long-term plan. In this context, manuals are typically less central to future product development, except where they reinforce a brand image or deliver a desired driving experience on specific models. The company emphasizes that its approach will preserve driving engagement on performance-focused cars while leveraging automated transmissions and electrified technology elsewhere.

Implications for future models

Looking ahead, observers expect Subaru to:

• Maintain manuals on a limited set of enthusiast models where there is strong demand and brand value, such as WRX and BRZ.


• Increase focus on CVTs and transmissions suited to hybrid and electric platforms for the broader lineup.


• Continue to balance performance, efficiency, and reliability as it expands electrified variants and explores new propulsion strategies.

These expectations align with Subaru’s broader goal of delivering practical, efficient vehicles for most buyers while preserving a gateway for driving enthusiasts.

Summary

Subaru is not abruptly dropping manuals across its entire range, but it is narrowing manual transmissions to its dedicated performance models. The broader shift reflects dwindling demand for manuals, a push toward electrified and automated powertrains, and considerations around cost and regulatory compliance. For drivers, this means manuals remain available on a limited number of models like the WRX and BRZ, while the rest of Subaru’s lineup leans on automatic transmissions and advanced drivetrains.

Will Subaru bring back manual transmission?

Yes, Subaru continues to offer manual transmissions, primarily in its performance models like the WRX and BRZ. The company has not completely abandoned manual gearboxes, but has discontinued them in some other models like the Crosstrek and Impreza to make its EyeSight safety technology standard on more vehicles, as well as for other reasons like fuel economy. 
You can watch this video to learn about the future of manual WRX models: 59sCircuit DemonYouTube · Aug 18, 2023

• Current manual models: As of 2024, the manual transmission is still available on the Subaru WRX and the BRZ. 
• Discontinued models: Subaru stopped offering the manual transmission in certain 2024 models, such as the Crosstrek and Impreza, often to make its EyeSight driver-assist technology available on those trims. 
• Future availability: While manuals remain in the performance lineup, their future in other models is uncertain. The focus for those models is on automatic transmissions for safety and fuel economy. 
• Reasoning for change: The shift away from manuals in mainstream models is part of a larger strategy to standardize advanced safety features across the lineup and improve fuel efficiency. 

Do any 2025 subarus have a manual transmission?

2025 Subaru WRX. Manual transmission is standard, agile and fun-to-drive, all-wheel drive offers all-weather performance.

Why did Subaru discontinue manual transmission?

They discontinued the MT from the Crosstrek due to sales. A very small percentage of Crosstrek owners want manuals while a majority of WRX owners want manual. It was a cost decision. Rob Neiswenter and yet in 2023 they made more MT's than any other year and sold all of them.

Why is manual transmission being phased out?

Manual transmissions are declining due to shifting consumer preferences for convenience, technological advancements in automatics, and economic factors. Modern automatic and dual-clutch transmission (DCT) systems are often more fuel-efficient and faster than manuals, while the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) and changing driving habits have further reduced demand. Manufacturers have less incentive to continue producing manuals when sales are low, making it more cost-effective to focus on a single transmission type. 
You can watch this video to learn about the factors contributing to the decline of manual transmissions: 50sBart's Car StoriesYouTube · May 14, 2025
Consumer preferences and convenience

• Increased desire for ease: Many drivers prefer the simplicity of an automatic, especially in heavy city traffic, as it allows them to focus on driving rather than shifting gears. 
• Lack of new drivers: Fewer people are learning to drive manual transmissions, leading to lower demand for them, particularly in the new vehicle market. 

Technological and performance advancements

• More efficient automatics: Modern automatic and DCT systems have become highly optimized for fuel efficiency, sometimes exceeding that of manuals. Many now feature more gears (8, 9, or 10) to keep the engine in its most efficient range at various speeds. 
• Faster and more reliable shifts: Computer-controlled automatics can shift gears much faster than a human can, improving performance. They can also offer a smoother driving experience and are often more reliable and require less warranty repair work. 
• Paddle shifters: Many modern automatics offer a manual-like experience with paddle shifters, giving enthusiasts the control they want without the need for a full manual clutch system. 

This video discusses the performance improvements in modern automatic transmissions: 48sRegular Car ReviewsYouTube · Jun 27, 2024
Economic and manufacturing factors

• Decreased demand: With fewer buyers, it becomes economically unfeasible for manufacturers to continue offering manual transmissions as an option. 
• Focus on fewer options: Automakers prefer to offer a single transmission choice for logical business purposes, reducing development and production costs. 
• EVs: The growing popularity of electric vehicles, which typically use single-speed or no traditional gearboxes, also contributes to the decline of manuals. 
• Emissions and regulations: Meeting emissions and noise regulations can be more challenging and expensive for manual transmissions, leading manufacturers to focus on automatics to meet these requirements.