Every car I owned as a teenager had hand-crank windows. Not because power windows didn’t exist—I’m not quite that old. My cars had crank windows because I wanted them. I couldn’t exactly explain why, but I was never quite satisfied with a button doing the work for me. The benefits of avoiding power windows are minimal, but they have a few positive impacts. For one, if you wash your car on a cold day and the doors freeze shut, you can always force the window down by hand. I guess that’s pretty helpful, right?
But can you still buy a car with manual windows? Yes, you certainly can. When I needed a new car in 2017, I bought one with manual windows. That’s right—I bought a brand new 2017 vehicle with crank windows. And then I bought another one in 2019. Those cars (and more) are still available without power windows in 2020. So if you’re looking for a bit of basic technology on today’s ultra-computerized cars, stay tuned and see what’s still available. Here’s the thing—they’re (almost) all trucks.
Ford has one of the best looking pickups on the market, and you can still get a new one with manual windows in the base-model XL trim. Most people choose the inexpensive 101-A option group on the XL, which includes power windows, among other features. Crank windows are available on two and four-wheel-drive F150 models and with nearly every engine choice. Thanks to Ford, you can still build a classic single-cab short bed truck with a V8, a vinyl bench seat, and manual windows. Awesome, way to go Ford.
The Nissan Frontier is the longest-running pickup truck available in the American market. The basic body style and the interior hasn’t changed since 2005—and Nissan buyers like it that way. It’s a great truck with a powerful engine and minimal frills. Plus, you can have one for less than $20,000. The base-model S frontier is available in extended cab and crew cab, with optional four-wheel-drive and an automatic transmission. Manual windows are still standard on the four-door crew cab model.
Ford gives another nod to the past in the newest versions of the F250. The F250 is available in two and four-wheel-drive (like the F150), and manual windows are an option on the base-model XL trucks. And yeah, you can still get a 6.7-liter Powerstroke diesel with crank windows in multiple cab configurations. Plus, that is one good-looking pickup just as it is, with or without the fancy bells and whistles.
Jeep absolutely nailed it with the new Gladiator. The truck has a solid front axle, the proven 3.6L Pentastar V6, an available manual transmission, and loads of off-road options. Plus, you can still get a base-model Jeep Gladiator Sport with manual windows in 2020. The next vehicle, which Jeep also produces, is the only one on the list that isn’t technically a pickup truck.
To be clear, you can get a new Jeep Wrangler with power windows—most people do. You can also get a base-model ‘Sport’ trim Wrangler with crank windows, which is a huge draw for the Zippo lighter and cassette tape crowd. It makes the doors easier to remove and improves the long-term ‘cool-factor’ of the vehicle. Plus, it’s pretty damn satisfying to roll the windows down by hand. Thanks, Jeep.
