The Last Stick Shift Standing: Ford’s Seven-Speed Bronco Defies the Automatic Takeover

The manual transmission was supposed to be a relic by now. Automakers have been phasing out stick shifts for years, swapping them for faster, more efficient automatics in everything from economy sedans to high-performance sports cars. But one rugged, body-on-frame SUV refuses to go quietly, and it’s offering something no other new vehicle in 2025 can match: a seven-speed manual gearbox.

That SUV is the Ford Bronco, revived in 2021 after a 25-year absence to take on the Jeep Wrangler. While the Wrangler still offers a six-speed manual paired with its 285-horsepower V6, the Bronco goes further with a seven-speed transmission sourced from Getrag. It features six conventional forward gears plus an ultra-low crawler gear, marked with a “C” on the shift knob, designed for maximum torque and control during slow-speed off-road driving.

3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, which produces 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. The more powerful turbo V6 and the 418-horsepower Bronco Raptor are automatic-only.

The seven-speed manual is available on trims from the base model to the Heritage Edition, and it can be paired with the Sasquatch Package, a bundle that adds 35-inch tires, Bilstein monotube shocks, locking front and rear differentials, and a shorter final drive ratio. 8:1 crawl ratio, letting it clamber over rocks, steep inclines, and rugged terrain with precision.

Pricing starts at $39,890 for a two-door Base model, with the manual standard and the 10-speed automatic a $1,495 option. For buyers who want an engaging, hands-on driving experience without giving up serious off-road capability, the Ford Bronco stands alone.