Manual transmission wagon, truck or SUV for outdoorsy family

The CX-5 and Outlander aren't available with AWD and a manual. Only FWD and a manual on the base trims. I wouldn't consider a Mitusbishi because they have not made a competitive car for a very long time. Their current lineup is still lackluster.

The CX-5 is the best option I'd say. It is fun to drive, efficient, and reliable. I would test drive it to see if it is powerful enough. The previous generation had the underpowered 2.0L on the base trim with a manual. They make one of the best traditional non-DCT automatics, but it ain't a manual. Road noise and the stiff ride are the only complaints I would note from 2013-2016. 2016 had a better infotainment system and some other upgrades. 2017 was a major redesign without a manual. The 2.0L engine is good for the small Mazda3, but not as much in an SUV. The manual is definitely the better choice to use all 155 hp.

The best "automatic" transmission is probably the VW DSG found in the Alltrack and many other VW products. It requires maintenance every 40k miles or so, but I think it is worth it. The manual is available with the S and SE trims. I would just worry about long term reliability with the Alltrack because VWs usually need some expensive repairs when they age. It is the only SUV/wagon I could find that has a manual and AWD except the Subaru Forester.The Subaru is a good choice, but less engaging and Subaru isn't an option for you.

If you want something not mentioned, the Honda HR-V is worth the look. It is more efficient and smaller than the CX-5 and Alltrack, but the trunk is much larger and more useful than the numbers suggest. This is the major selling point of the car. The LX and EX trims have a manual. The manual has longer throws I've heard and is not one of Honda's best manuals. Reliability will be up there with the Mazda or maybe better.

Alltrack and CX-5 are my top choices. Please tell us what you buy in the end. Good luck!

As you mention, the two crash testing services are different. Most manufactuers put their money into meeting the government regulations - or NHSTA. It is also where the recalls come from. Doing well in that crash test is like the "seal of approval" from the federal govenment as they are constantly making that test harder - and then IIHS follows sometimes (or not).

The insurance one is done so the insurance companies set their rates on the cars based off of those instrumented tests. The manufactuers like to do well here as well but note the priority for them is to do well on NHSTA (and not fall down on IIHS in the process).

May not be the answer you are looking for, but it is the reality behind both those tests. Cars tend to sit similar in both tests, but you are right - some don't test the same. Also, you cannot compare the American results to other continents - the safety tests in America are harder and more extensive than anywhere else except Sweden (the one exception).

I am not commenting on what Lectofuel wrote because I agree with it. You took out the cars with manual and AWD with your exclusion list - manual is going away across the board in any case (Subaru is with its redesigns dumping it as well now). The new Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is testing better for the first time in years for Mitsubishi but like Lectrofuel says, probably better to avoid as it is brand new and who knows what the quality will be.

In what way was the JSW boring? If you mean boring to drive, it's going to be hard to find a more fun-to-drive crossover for $17k. In my experience the CX-5 is only fun relative to direct competitors. The current Golf SportWagon does drive considerably better than the JSW. I compared it to the CX-5 here. I'd drive one before ruling it out.

A manual-trans Subaru Forester might work, if you can find one. It's a different, truckier sort of driving experience than in the VW or the Mazda.

For fun-to-drive the current Mini Clubman comes to mind, but it likely won't have enough cargo capacity. The latest Minis have been reliable so far based on a small amount of data, but they're still young. Will they remain reliable as they age? Hard to say. Possibly worth a look.

I'm shocked about the HR-V's safety scores. They really aren't that good. It is still a safe car, but not as strong as the newly designed cars or even the previous CX-5. Perhaps because it is based on the Honda Fit, which is a smaller less substantial car. The Forester would seem like a slam dunk in your situation since you prefer AWD and manual.

The Forester and most other Subarus prioritize substance over style. They are much better than they were a decade ago. The Forester won't give you a sporty driving experience, but a comfortable one. Michael was correct when he said it feels more like a truck than the Alltrack or CX-5.

I would not consider the Mini if I were you. It is a budget BMW (BMW owns Mini), which means you'll be paying a lot for repairs once the warranty ends. Even if the TrueDelta scores are decent for the car. It does what you are looking for though, just not reliability. I've heard a lot of horror stories and it is logical to assume it will be as reliable as BMWs are. BMW has the highest repair costs of any brand.

If the JSW didn't have enough ground clearance, then the Clubman certainly won't. The Countryman might have enough, but the current gen is probably then too new to fit within your budget. The previous generation Countryman was smaller and has proven unreliability. Even the current one is likely too small for your needs.

I'm sensing that you're going to do all of this and end up with another VW.

Thanks for giving us an update! I think you made a good decision. Maybe consider buying a set of smaller wheels and tires with a thicker sidewall for the tough terrain. Usually, the TDI wagons have lower-profile tires that can't take much of an impact.

Best of luck with your purchase, thanks for sharing! Be careful lifting a vehicle. There are a lot of issues that can be caused by a lift. Scotty Kilmer, who is a mechanic with ove 50 years of experience, now shares it on YouTube (he also used to share on CBS in Texas). He is really knowledgeable and gives the risks of a lift. You may want to see this just to be aware of the risks associated with a lifted vehicle.

https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=mcafee&p=Scotty+Kilmer+liftied+cars#id=1&vid=5fada4bb872e67c105ff705f10d225c8&action=click

I thnk that is a great idea indigobluish. A panzer skid plate won't mess with all the other things that Scotty Kilmer points out that can go wrong with a lift. Wishing you the best with your purchase (and the great idea of a skid plate)!