Do All Cars Have Power Windows Now?

No. While power windows are standard on virtually all new mainstream passenger vehicles in 2025 across the U.S., Canada, and most of Europe, there are still exceptions: some base-trim work trucks and commercial vehicles, certain ultra-low-cost models in emerging markets, and a few budget trims that may have manual rear windows or front-only power windows. For most shoppers in developed markets, power windows are effectively universal, but they are not literally present on every new car globally.

The 2025 Market at a Glance

Power windows have become the default in modern passenger vehicles due to consumer expectations, convenience, and minimal incremental cost at scale. In developed markets, you’ll almost always find them standard from the lowest trim upward. However, regional price pressures, fleet-spec needs, and vehicle types geared for commercial use still keep manual windows in circulation, particularly outside North America and Western Europe.

United States and Canada

Among retail passenger cars and SUVs, power windows are standard equipment nearly across the board. Manual windows are now uncommon and typically confined to specific base or fleet-oriented configurations—often in work-focused pickups or commercial derivatives—depending on body style and ordering channel. In used vehicles, especially those from the early 2010s and earlier, manual windows remain more common.

Europe and the UK

Power windows are standard on most new cars, especially from mainstream and premium brands. Budget marques may still offer manual rear windows or very basic base trims with manual fronts in certain markets to meet aggressive price points. Safety expectations and regulations have also nudged manufacturers toward standardized power-window features where they’re fitted.

Asia, Latin America, and Africa

Market diversity is widest here. Entry-level city cars frequently retain manual windows on base trims, with mid-tier versions adding front power windows and top trims offering power windows all around. In fast-growing markets where price sensitivity is high, manual windows can still be a common sight on new, ultra-affordable models.

Where You’re Most Likely to See Manual Windows Today

The following segments and situations are the most common places to encounter manual (crank) windows in 2025, despite the broad dominance of power windows in mainstream cars:

• Base, fleet, or work-truck configurations, particularly in regular-cab pickups or chassis-cab variants.
• Ultra-low-cost or entry-level models in price-sensitive markets, where manual fronts and rears help hit target MSRPs.
• Commercial vans and utility vehicles ordered with fleet-friendly, low-spec interiors for durability and cost control.
• Rear doors on some budget models or base trims, where only the front windows are powered to save cost.
• Older used vehicles (especially pre-mid-2010s), which are far more likely to have manual windows.

In short, manual windows persist where cost, durability, and simplicity outweigh the convenience expectations that dominate most retail passenger-car segments.

Why Some Vehicles Still Use Manual Windows

Even as power windows have become the norm, a few practical and economic reasons keep manual windows alive in specific niches:

• Cost control: Manual mechanisms reduce parts and assembly cost on the lowest-priced trims.
• Fleet durability: Simpler hardware can be easier and cheaper to maintain for high-usage fleets.
• Simplicity and weight: Fewer electrical components can slightly reduce weight and complexity.
• Regional market strategy: In markets where price and tax brackets are pivotal, manual windows help hit aggressive targets.

These factors matter most to fleets and budget-focused buyers, while the broader retail market continues to standardize power features.

How to Verify Window Equipment on a Car You’re Considering

If you’re shopping and want to be sure about window equipment—especially on base or fleet-focused models—use this quick check:

1. Read the standard equipment list on the manufacturer’s configurator or the vehicle’s window sticker.
2. Look for switches on the door armrests; a crank handle signals manual windows.
3. Check both front and rear doors—some trims power only the front windows.
4. Ask about safety features like anti-pinch and child locks if they matter to you.
5. Confirm whether the vehicle is a fleet or work-spec configuration, which may differ from retail trims.

This simple checklist helps avoid surprises, especially when shopping at the lowest trim levels or in markets with broad equipment variability.

Safety and Regulations: What to Know

Where power windows are fitted, modern switch designs and features such as pinch protection are widely adopted and, in some jurisdictions, required. Regulations vary by region, but the broad trend has been toward safer switch operation and protections against unintended closing, particularly when remote functions are involved. If you’re comparing models, check the specifications for anti-pinch and child-safety features.

Bottom Line

Not every car has power windows, but for most shoppers buying new passenger vehicles in developed markets, they can be considered standard. Exceptions remain in base or fleet-spec trucks and vans and in ultra-affordable models in price-sensitive regions. If you’re unsure, verify the specific trim and market equipment list.

Summary

Most new mainstream cars now come with power windows, especially in North America and Europe. Manual windows survive primarily in base fleet/work trims, commercial vehicles, ultra-low-cost models, and some rear-door setups in budget trims. Always review the exact trim’s equipment to confirm what your vehicle includes.

What was the last car with manual windows?

The last vehicle sold new in North America with manual crank windows was the 2024 Jeep Wrangler, with the 2025 model year making power windows standard. While most manufacturers had phased them out, the Wrangler and its sibling, the Gladiator, were the final holdouts in the U.S. market.
 
Why the Wrangler Was the Last

• Declining Demand: Manual windows were a niche feature, with most consumers preferring the convenience of power windows. 
• Manufacturing Consolidation: Automakers found it more cost-effective to equip all models with power windows rather than offering manual cranks as a separate option. 
• Availability of Other Features: Even basic trim levels of other vehicles had long ago dropped manual windows in favor of power options. 

What “The Last” Means

• North American Focus: This refers to the North American market, as manual windows are still available on many low-cost vehicles in other parts of the world. 
• 2025 Model Year Change: The shift happened with the transition to the 2025 model year, making the 2024 model the last one with the feature as an available option. 

This video explains why the Jeep Wrangler was the last car to offer manual windows in North America: 56sPRN_TestDriveYouTube · Jan 20, 2025

Do all cars have electric windows now?

Almost all modern vehicles have power windows. Many may remember reaching for the handle and manually cranking down the windows.

What year did cars get power windows?

Electric power windows were invented in 1940, first appearing on the 1941 Packard 180 series, which used a hydro-electric system to raise and lower the windows. These innovative features were initially a luxury option, becoming more widely available in high-profile cars during the 1960s and standard in most vehicles by the late 1990s and early 2000s.
 
Key Details

• Introduction: The first power windows were introduced by Packard in 1940 for their 1941 180 series cars. 
• Mechanism: The initial system used a hydro-electric mechanism, a precursor to the more modern electrical systems found in today’s cars. 
• Spread: Power windows gained popularity as a luxury option in the 1950s and 1960s before becoming more common in the 1970s and 1980s. 
• Standardization: By the late 1990s, power windows had largely become a standard feature across most vehicle models, with only a few basic models still offering manual crank windows. 

Do any new cars still have manual windows?

No, it’s extremely difficult, if not impossible, to find a new passenger car in the US or Canada with manual windows, as the 2025 Jeep Wrangler dropped the last available option for these markets. However, some commercial vehicles and models sold in emerging markets still offer manual windows. Additionally, a new startup, Slate, plans to offer a truck with manual windows. 
Why Manual Windows Are Gone 

• Cost Efficiency: Manufacturers found it more expensive to produce different versions of doors for manual versus power windows.
• Standardization: Offering power windows as standard across the board simplified the design and manufacturing process.
• Consumer Demand: Demand for manual windows decreased as consumers preferred the convenience of power windows.

Where to Find Manual Windows (Currently & Future)

• Used Vehicles: Many used cars with manual windows are still available. 
• Emerging Markets: Manual windows are more common in vehicles sold in emerging markets where cost is a primary factor. 
• Commercial Vehicles: Some commercial vehicles, like certain Isuzu or Ram trucks, may still offer manual windows. 
• Startup Slate: The startup Slate plans to launch an electric truck with manual windows in the near future.