7 Popular SUVs with Paddle Shifters (With Pictures)

Paddle shifters are not only convenient but add to the safety aspect of any SUV while out on the road.

Conveniently located on the steering wheel, paddle shifters allow for quick easy gear changes without taking your eyes off the road, they also allow for a more engaging driving experience when you have an automatic transmission.

Listed below are seven popular SUVs that come with paddle shifters.

#1: Ford Bronco

Technology has come a long way in terms of safety-related features that improve the safety aspect of any vehicle whether on an off-road trail or the busy highways of the city.

Paddle shifters are one of the most convenient tech safety features currently available on the Ford Bronco, and make for a safe drive by allowing the driver to gear up or down without taking their eyes off the road.

Possibly the best feature for automatic-transmission SUVS like the Ford Bronco, paddle shifters have made the traditional gearbox all but null and void.

Powering a twin-turbo, 3.0 liter Bronco on the busy highways is no easy feat, which makes the addition of paddle shifters a welcomed change to the more traditional method of switching gears.

Paddle shifter are sleek in design, and add a somewhat more modern element to the interior of the already classy Ford Bronco.

With a number of other tech-related safety features like a 360-degree all-around view camera available in the Bronco, the inclusion of paddle shifters just makes sense.

#2:  Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

Jeep is one of the best off-road SUVs on the market, and can regularly be seen making its way over sometimes treacherous terrain on offroad trails.

The addition of paddle shifters to this already impressive SUV has seen many more SUV lovers opting for the Rubicon.

With comfort, safety, and reliability are high on the list of requirements SUV lovers would look for when choosing their vehicle, Jeep fans can rest assured that the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon has it all and more.

Controlling a 2.0 litre, four-cylinder turbocharged SUV like the Jeep is no easy feat when you take your car offroad, and the addition of paddle shifters tends to make it a breeze as there is no need to focus on the clutch pedal and the gearbox while navigating a steep incline or bumpy road.

The newest Jeep Wrangler Rubicon includes paddle shifters that add to the sleek, stylish interior.

This also adds a lot of fun to the whole driving experience.

#3: Subaru Crosstrek

It would seem that more and more SUV manufacturers are heading towards including paddle shifters on all their newer models, and Japanese car-maker Subaru is just one of those that offer optional paddle shifters on their SUVs.

Great for using both on- and off-road, the paddle shift features on the Subaru Crosstrek are not only functional but add to the overall luxury of the interior too.

While the Crosstrek is one of the best subcompact SUVs available on the market, the addition of this extra safety feature only serves to boost the vehicle’s reputation as a safe, comfortable option for vehicle owners who might enjoy taking their SUV off the beaten track every now and then.

With a 7-speed continually variable transmission under the hood, the Crosstrek is a powerful SUV with many amazing safety and tech-related features. But, as many will agree, paddle shifters are undoubtedly one of the best, and was introduced to the Crosstrek in 2019.

#4: Acura RDX

If driving experience and safety are important to you, then you’ll be pleased to hear Acura added paddle shifters to the RDX in 2019.

Featuring a 2-liter turbo-charged four-cylinder engine system that is capable of an impressive 272-horspower, the Acura RDX is one of the best SUVs with unsurpassed performance and safety features.

The Acura RDX has a CVT 10-speed transmission, making it ideal for zipping through city streets or on long, winding country roads, and paddle shifters make the handling and performance of the vehicle on either terrain an easy task.

Paddle shifters on the Acura RDX are conveniently located on either side of the steering wheel, allowing for distraction-free switching of gears when you need it most. Adding to the sporty, yet luxurious interior of the vehicle, the paddle shifters are a great addition to the Acura RDX for their safety and design features.

#5: Nissan Rogue

The Nissan Rogue is an increasingly popular SUV that features a 2-speed CVT transmission to power the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine.

Complete with paddle shifters, the Rogue is a fuel-economy lovers dream, and is capable of an average of 116 miles on a single tank of fuel.

Taking the Rogue offroad is easy, and with a number of additional safety features including all-wheel drive and paddle shifters, controlling the SUV on any terrain is a breeze.

Paddle shifters are located on the steering wheel, all but voiding the need to divert your eyes from the road to change gears. With easy-to-use buttons, the paddle shifters only add to the attractive design of the interior of the Rogue.

Enjoy the safety and comfort of the Nissan Rogue’s paddle shifters, and focus on what really important – the road ahead of you.

#6: Land Rover Range Rover Sport

You would expect quite a number of incredible safety features and bells and whistles from Land Rover, and the Range Rover Sport is a vehicle with many.

With a 5-speed transmission, the 3.0 lire engine of the Range Rover Sport boasts an incredible 355-horse power. With a maximum top speed of 155 mph, the Sport is a fast, yet comfortable option for SUV lovers who want performance as well as safety features in their vehicle.

The addition of paddle shifters to the Range Rover Sport’s steering wheel is just one of the many tech-related features that help keep the car on the road and the driver and passengers safe, and allows for distraction-free changing of gears.

Whether out in the country or on a busy highway, conveniently located paddle shifters increase the comfort and safety of your drive.

#7: Audi SQ5

Audi released the V6 349 horse-powered SQ5 in 2014 and included a nifty little tech feature that makes the SUV a safe and exciting option for any road – paddle shifters.

Found on either side of the trendy steering wheel, the paddle shifters make gearing up or down that much easier, helping to control and maintain speed and performance of the vehicle.

With an impressive 8-speed Tiptronic transmission system, the need for an easier way to change gears became clear to designers who were looking for new and exciting ways to update an already-popular SUV. And so, the paddle shifters were introduced.

Sportier in design and capability than the every-popular Audi Q5, the addition of paddle shifters made sense in bringing new life to a fantastic design.

Paddle-shifters are now a standard feature in Audi’s Q-line, with many vehicle owners stating that the paddle shifters and high-performance engines are what make these vehicles stand out from the crowd.

Author:

  • Ian Sawyer

    Growing up with a father who was a mechanic I had an appreciation for cars and motorcycles from an early age. I shared my first bike with my brother that had little more than a 40cc engine but it opened up a world of excitement for me, I was hooked. As I grew older I progressed onto bigger bikes and...