Is the gas mileage really better with a manual than with an automatic transmission?
Right now, automakers are in the middle of releasing their 2010 models. The Subaru Forester is the only widely available small SUV from the 2010 model year with a manual transmission, but there are many 2009 models that fit your requirements, which we’ve listed below.
For most small SUVs, there isn’t a huge difference in gas mileage between the automatic and manual transmissions. Traditionally, manuals were rated with better mileage than automatics, but that’s not always the case nowadays. EPA ratings for the Forester’s automatic and manual transmissions are actually the same, at 20/26 mpg city/highway.
Elsewhere in the segment the 2009 Ford Escape with a manual transmission is rated at 22/28 mpg; the automatic gets 20/28 mpg. The 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan’s mileage is 19/26 mpg for the manual and 18/24 mpg with the automatic.
A car with a manual transmission typically costs less because automatics are commonly optional equipment. A manual also increases the fun-to-drive factor, but they’re harder to find because automatics are the preferred transmission in this class. For only an additional 1-2 mpg savings, finding a manual transmission might not be worth the trouble unless, of course, you really like to drive stick.
2009 Compact SUVs With Manual Transmission
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Thanks for the catch. It's been added.
I have been driving manuals forever. If automatics were good on mileage the Europeans would be driving them in the land of 10 dollar a gallon gas. But they are not, even the rental fleets are ALL manuals. Manuals are superior in everyway. They are cheaper to make, last viturally forever because of very few moving parts, more fun to drive, superior gas mileage and they make better drivers (It is tough to drink a latte, put on make up and talk on the phone when you have to shift!
Manuals may be superior, but I am a woman who has driven a standard transmission all her life and I will have to be very, very, very old before I switch to a manual. Simply, I like to drive, really drive, not just pushing my foot down on the pedal. I enjoy down-shifting, taking the curves on Hwy1, mmh mmh! I don't talk on the phone or put on makeup when I drive, I will drink a soda, but I have never had a problem with that, or even eating in my car when on the go. It just all comes down to have much fun a person has while driving.
OOps! Read over my blog and saw I put manual where I meant to say automatic,,,Sorry!!!
GOT A FAMILY NOW, BUT THIS GIRL CANNOT GIVE UP MANUAL
Thanks for listing the 09 SUVs available with manual transmission. My husband and I have just started a family, and we hope to have more children very soon. I currently drive a 2-door Civic (manual, of course) and have been resisting the idea of driving a "family mobile" of any sort (and I REFUSE to drive automatic - they're so boring, like driving a golf cart, except somehow a golf cart is more fun than driving an automatic)... besides, my parents raised me and my two brothers in a 1960s Mini Cooper (we grew up overseas). So it should be easy to keep my coupe for a few more years, right? Well, possible, yes. Easy, not so much. I'm 5'9" and it's not so cool having to "slither" into the backseat to change a diaper or to feed. Also, adult passengers are incredibly uncomfortable because they must either sit very close to the windshield in the front seat or squished behind the driver's seat.
To me, SUVs are vehicles people buy when they're too insecure for a mini-van. I mean, they seem the same to me - only the SUVs sit higher, which just means that I'd be more likely to roll the darn thing (I don't take turns slowly). Unfortunately, the Mazda 5 is the only mini-van to have the option of a manual transmission, but reviews show that the acceleration isn't so impressive. With no other vans to compare it to and with reluctance, I decided to look into SUVs. THANKS to your list, my research time was made much shorter (not too thrilled with the vehicle choices for manual options). In the end, I've decided that fun is better than convenience. Until I have to squeeze two child seats and a booster into my life, I've decided to keep driving my modified Civic.
I will never drive an automatic transmission until I am absolutely forced to -- as long as I can find a car with a manual. I love the control it gives me. I swear, people are so lazy!
AAAARGH... this has been a huge source of frustration for me lately! Looking to upgrade my beloved 2004 Scion xB (with manual tranny) for something with more power and safer for my new baby girl. I want a wagon with a decent engine and manual tranny. Of course Subaru has stopped making the Outback XT, and the 2009s are soooo hard to find, not to mention much smaller than the 2010s. And the new 6-speed manual Outback only comes with the 4 cylinder. The Forester is available in turbo, but not with manual!! There is nothing in the price range with AWD (we live in New England), manual, and fun engine. Even in a small SUV there's nothing. Tiguan comes with manual but only FWD. X3 is too expensive, pre-owned 328xi wagons are hard to find and expensive, etc. etc. AAAAARGH!
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C'mon, Joe, you left out the best-performing small SUV with a manual; the BMW X3. I've been driving only stick for all my car-owning life -- just because I like to -- and in small SUVs I used to drive a RAV 4 until I discovered the X3 which is a blast. Not too big (the RAV became bloated), and a great transmission.