While SUVs have become a staple of American roads over the past couple of decades, very few new examples remain that are available with a manual gearbox. Truth be told, the manual isn't being sold as an option with many cars these days, given the public's switch towards more relaxing and smooth automatic transmissions, which have advanced significantly in recent times. Plus, many modern autos have a manual shifting mode of sorts, which still allows drivers to have some sort of manual control that ramps up the fun factor, but without having to work a clutch.Still, if you're resolute in having an SUV equipped with a manual, it is still possible. Just. Only two new models are offered, with one in 2025, both of which are made by American manufacturers.This piece analyzes which is the cheapest new manual-equipped SUV you can buy in the US in 2026. Every SUV sold in the US with the option of a manual transmission was considered for this article, with the vehicle with the lowest base MSRP being crowned the winner. The Jeep Wrangler Is The Cheapest Manual-Equipped SUV Left In 2026 Jeep The only two SUVs still to feature any sort of manual transmission in this day and age are the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco, both of which are angled towards the off-road adventure sector of the market. Of the two famous nameplates, the Wrangler has enjoyed a much longer run. Having first been introduced in 1986 as a replacement for Jeep's old CJ range of vehicles, the Wrangler has been continuously developed over the last few decades to remain as relevant as ever.As is traditional in the adventure SUV class, the Wrangler boasts its recognizable retro styling, which has thrilled off-road junkies in various guises since World War II. It enjoyed the sector pretty much all to itself for years following the discontinuation of the Ford Bronco and Chevrolet S-10 Blazer. However, the return of the former in 2021 means it has had to deal with fresh competition in recent times. The Latest Wrangler Arrived In 2018 Jeep The current fourth-gen JL Wrangler was introduced back in 2018, and brought along refinements like a more modern cabin, up-to-date technology, as well as a range of new engines and an enhanced automatic transmission. These upgrades were developed to ensure the Wrangler remained up to date, though the model was still focused more towards being an off-road beast than a comfortable on-road cruiser. A Manual Wrangler Can Be Had For Considerably Cheaper Than Its Ford Rival Jeep The Wrangler is easily the cheapest way of picking up a new manual SUV in 2026, with the Jeep setting you back around $6k less than the cheapest Bronco will cost you. A six-speed manual gearbox is the standard transmission option on the base Sport trim, which can be had in two or four-door forms. The most affordable is the smaller two-door model, which starts at $35,790. At this price, the gearbox comes mated to Jeep's venerable 3.6-liter naturally aspirated Pentastar V6 engine.Given its relatively low price and focus towards being an effective off-roader first and foremost, don't expect to get an endless list of toys as standard. It comes with adequately comfortable and supportive manually adjustable cloth bucket seats, a 12.3-inch UConnect touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, as well as basic air conditioning. You do at least get a decent suite of safety equipment, such as a rearview camera, Electronic Roll Mitigation, as well as front and side airbags. Some Extra Cash Will Net A Nice Range Of Extras Jeep If you fancy jazzing up your new Wrangler, then there are a fair number of options you can spend your hard-earned cash on. On the outside, you can purchase more upmarket-looking mods like a satin black grille, more dynamic colors, graphics, and even stainless steel sidesteps, all of which set you back under $1,000 apiece. You can also have a hardtop roof, which remains detachable like the standard canvas component. On the inside, the cloth seats can be upgraded to Nappa leather chairs for a shade under $2,000, while stainless-steel door sill guards also help to bring a bit more energy to the generally drab cockpit.If you feel the two-door Wrangler is a little limited from a practicality standpoint, then the four-door variant can be yours starting at $37,290. The 2026 Wrangler Is An Excellent Off-Roader, But Still Decent On-Road Jeep For the 2024 model year, Jeep made a raft of changes to the Wrangler to improve not only its off-road ability, but its on-road poise too. Aside from a refreshed face, the model also received superior sound deadening compared to the previous model, which reduced road noise by around 2.5 decibels. CarBuzz found that while the ride remained more on the firm side when we drove it in 2024, its considerable suspension travel and huge tires meant comfort wasn't too badly compromised.The Wrangler really shines off-road, thanks to features like its part-time four-wheel-drive system, an off-road-geared 3.45 gear ratio, as well as a heavy-duty rear axle and differentials front and rear. It even comes with protective gear, like a fuel tank shield to prevent damage when crawling over objects, as well as skid plates for the transmission and transfer case. Its specially-developed suspension setup ensures that even beginners can enjoy taming the wilderness. At the same time, the 285-hp V6 provides enough grunt to ensure it can lift itself across a range of challenging terrain. For those who enjoy the challenge, the Wrangler's standard manual transmission puts more value on precision.While there are better-suited SUVs for drivers who spend 99% of their lives on the road, those who enjoy a bit of exploring will love the mighty Wrangler. The Bronco Is The Better Daily Driver, But Demands A Premium Ford If using your new manual SUV on the road is more important, then the Wrangler's Ford Bronco rival might suit you better. Its rack-and-pinion steering setup offers more precision, and therefore better driver confidence, than the Wrangler's aging recirculating ball configuration. The Bronco's ride is also more supple. Its cockpit is better put together than that of the Jeep's, meaning the Ford comes out ahead in terms of being a refined daily cruiser. That said, even the base two-door version would cost you $38,995, considerably more than the Wrangler demands.Bring a Trailer For this, the Bronco boasts a more powerful and efficient powertrain. Its turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-pot kicks out 300 hp, but can also achieve 21 MPG on average, two up on what the Wrangler can manage. The Bronco also gets a seven-speed manual gearbox, with the extra gear being reserved as a crawler gear to help keep the vehicle's speed as low as possible when traversing tricky terrain. The Ford is an excellent option off-road, though it still sits in the shade of the trusty and more rugged Wrangler in this regard.The choice is simple then. If off-road performance matters most to you, the cheaper Wrangler is a no-brainer when it comes to buying an SUV with a manual. If daily driving is a bigger priority, then the more expensive Bronco bears considering.
