I wanted one of these vehicles, but at least up here in Canada, they do not offer a 4X4 model with a manual tranny. What kind of stupidity is that? Any compact model SUV should have a manual tranny option. I hate automatic trannies..They cost more, are more to fix, have less power, and worse gas mileage...even the damn Pathfinder Chilcoot edition offers a manual tranny option. I bet Ford would sell way more Escapes if they offered it.

 

I sure can't argue with that one. It seems manual trannies are getting scarcer by the day, and the only way you'll see Ford build a V6/ 5-speed Escape is if enough people write to them and demand it.