Manual transmission cars are a dying breed. Thanks to the advancement of various types of automatic transmissions, the manual is no longer the more fuel-efficient option. It’s often more affordable than its automatic counterpart, but economies of scale mean it's actually cheaper for the automaker to only offer one transmission. With all these factors in play—not to mention driver assistance features and hybrid drivetrains, which typically don’t gel with manuals—the do-it-yourself stick shift’s days are numbered.
The manual transmission might be down in numbers, but it’s not out. Look around the auto industry and you’ll find dozens of new cars that offer a manual transmission. Some are exclusive to performance models, and others are still options for frugally-minded shoppers. Read on below to learn about every vehicle in 2021 that you can still get with a stick-shift.
All the Cars You Can Still Buy with a Manual Transmission
- Acura Integra
- BMW M2
- BMW M3, M4
- Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing
- Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
- Chevrolet Camaro
- Dodge Challenger
- Ford Bronco
- Ford Mustang
- Honda Civic Hatchback Sport, Civic Type R
- Jeep Gladiator
- Jeep Wrangler
- Kia Forte
- Mazda Mazda3
- Mazda MX-5 Miata
- MINI Cooper Hardtop
- MINI Cooper Clubman
- Mitsubishi Mirage, Mirage G4
- Nissan Versa
- Nissan Z
- Porsche 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman
- Porsche 911
- Subaru BRZ
- Subaru WRX
- Toyota GR86
- Toyota GR Corolla
- Toyota GR Supra
- Toyota Tacoma TRD
- Volkswagen GTI, Golf R
- Volkswagen Jetta GLI
Acura Integra
Available with: Technology + A-Spec package, Type S trim
After a 17-year hiatus, the Integra has returned, offering a sporty-yet-upscale small performance-luxury sedan. It’s a lively replacement for the underwhelming Acura ILX and comes fitted with the 200-horsepower turbocharged engine from the Honda Civic Si. For 2024, there's a Type S variant, leveraging more than 300 horsepower from an engine shared with the excellent Honda Civic Type R.
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BMW M2
Available with: 230i Coupe, M240i Coupe/Convertible, M2 Competition
The BMW M2 has been completely redesigned for the 2023 model year, and while the non-M 2 Series no longer offer a manual-transmission option, the purebred M2 still offers a six-speed manual. Its turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine delivers a robust 453 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, yielding a zero-to-sixty mph time of 4.1 seconds.
BMW M3, M4
Features: 473
BMW has simplified the manual offerings for the M3 and M4. You can get it in the sedan or coupe, but not the convertible or Competition variants. The M3 and M4 provide access to 473 horsepower from a turbocharged inline-6 and razor-sharp performance.
Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing
Features: Magnetic Ride Control
The CT4-V Blackwing is a sharp luxury sedan that’s ready to tackle the road or the track. It comes standard with a 472-horsepower twin-turbocharged V6 engine. The Blackwing boasts performance brakes and an adaptive Magnetic Ride Control suspension system.
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Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
Features: Supercharged V8
The CT5 slots above the CT4 in the Cadillac lineup, providing more cabin space and a coupe-like profile. The CT5-V Blackwing boasts a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 that puts out 668 horsepower and 659 pound-feet of torque. It will sprint from zero to sixty mph in just 3.6 seconds, and its adaptive suspension and limited-slip differential ensure track-ready performance.
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Chevrolet Camaro
Available With: 4-cylinder, V6, V8, and Supercharged V8 engines
You can always trust American muscle for manual transmission options (at least for now). The Camaro offers three pedals and a stick for its entire range of engines. This includes the range-topping Camaro ZL1 and its 650-horsepower supercharged 6.2-liter V8. This is something that Ford cannot claim about its top Mustang, the GT500.
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Dodge Challenger
Available With: 5.7-liter V8, 6.4-liter V8, 6.2-liter supercharged V8
Dodge has announced its muscle cars will be going electric in the years to come, but for now, the brand is committed to old-school power and performance. As long as you prefer V8 power, you can get the Challenger with a manual gearbox. Your options range from the 375-horsepower R/T to the 485-horsepower R/T Scat Pack, and up to the weapons-grade 717-horsepower SRT Hellcat.
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Ford Bronco
Features: Extreme low-range gear ratio
The Ford Bronco is a direct competitor to the Jeep Wrangler, offering big-time off-road chops and a manual transmission. The seven-speed Getrag transmission features a crawler gear. Combined with the two-speed transfer case, the Bronco can confidently crawl over all manner of obstacles.
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Ford Mustang
Available With: 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged 4-cylinder, 5.0-liter V8
There’s just something about a V8-powered Mustang GT with a manual transmission that feels right. But the current Mustang is much more than a modern sports car cosplaying as a vintage muscle car. The turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine changes the car into a more agile machine. The EcoBoost Performance Pack further upgrades the driving dynamics.
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Honda Civic Sport, Sport Touring, Si, Civic Type R
Available With: Up to 306 horsepower in Type R models
Not only is the hatchback the most versatile Civic variant (24.5 cubic feet) and it’s available with a manual transmission in the Civic Sport hatchback and Sport Touring hatchback. The Civic was redesigned for 2022 and the range-topping, 315-horsepower Type R hatchback has returned for 2023. The only sedan offered with a manual transmission is the 200-horsepower Civic Si.
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Shop for a Honda Civic Type R on CarGurus
Jeep Gladiator
Features: Five-foot truck bed
The Gladiator is one of the few midsize trucks to offer a manual transmission. It won’t get you the best fuel economy or the best towing capacity, but it helps make the Rubicon trim one of the most enjoyable trucks to take on the trail.
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Jeep Wrangler
Features: Standard four-wheel drive
In the future, like the Dodge Challenger, the Wrangler may well go on to be one of the last cars that offer a manual transmission. It’s a critical component to the Wrangler’s identity, along with its removable doors and roof. These are all part of what makes it "a Jeep thing."
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Kia Forte
Features: 27 mpg city, 37 highway, 31 combined (with base engine)
In a rare move for the 2021 car market, Kia offers the manual on the 147-horsepower 2.0-liter base engine as well as the 201-horsepower 1.6-liter engine in the range-topping GT trim.
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Mazda Mazda3
Available With: 191-horsepower 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine
The Mazda3 is an engaging car to drive, and it features a high-quality interior that punches above its weight. The only way to get the manual is with the Premium trim. It’s a refreshing example of an automaker offering a manual in its upscale trim, though you still can’t get the manual with the 227-horsepower turbo engine.
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Starts At: $26,830
As with the Jeep Wrangler, it’s almost impossible to imagine the Miata without the option of a manual transmission. With a minimalist interior and a fully manual convertible top, the Miata is all about focusing on the drive. It is an incredibly engaging car that will let you explore the finer points of cornering.
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MINI Cooper Hardtop
Features: 134 to 228 horsepower
If you want a nimble vehicle with spry handling, but prefer a bit more cabin space than the Miata, the Mini Cooper has an upscale cockpit and plenty of driver visibility. You can get the manual on every trim level except the range-topping JCW GP: that means the base (134 hp), S (189 hp), and John Cooper Works (228 hp)
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MINI Cooper Clubman
Features: 134 to 228 horsepower
If you want the agile, fun handling of the Cooper Hardtop but need a bit more space, the Clubman has you covered. It provides four doors and 47.9 cubic feet of cargo space. The Clubman comes standard in the upgraded S version and the JCW adds even more performance.
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Mitsubishi Mirage, Mirage G4
Starts At: $16,245
The Mirage and its sedan counterpart, the Mirage G4, are great if you’re on a budget, but just know it has a rough ride, a weak 78-horsepower motor, and low-grade cabin materials. On the plus side, it gets 33 mpg in the city and up to 41 mpg on the highway. There’s nothing very special about the Mirage, but it does include some basic driver assistance features as well as standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Shop for a Mitsubishi Mirage on CarGurus
Shop for a Mitsubishi Mirage G4 on CarGurus
Nissan Versa
Starts At: $15,730
With a lower starting price than the Mirage, the Versa is a much better value-play than the middling Mitsubishi. It has a comfortable, classy cabin and a 122-horsepower four-cylinder engine. The manual-transmission car returns 27 mpg city, 35 highway, 30 combined. Compared to the optional CVT, that's a 5-mpg drop-off in each category. The Versa has been updated for 2023 and includes a number of helpful tech and safety features.
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Nissan Z
Features: SynchroRev Matching
Nissan has upped the performance while downsizing the engine, hence the departure from any numerics in the name for the redesigned Z. The twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 puts out 400 horsepower. The available SyncrhoRev Match in the Z Performance model ensures smooth downshifts in hard driving.
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Porsche 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman
Features: 300 to 414 hp
The Boxster and Cayman are the convertible and coupe counterparts to one another. They are refined, upscale, and athletic mid-engined sports cars. In true Porsche form, the manual is offered on every engine in the lineup, from the base 300-hp turbocharged flat-four up through the 4.0-liter flat-six in the 718 Spyder and Cayman GT4.
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Porsche 911
Features: 443 horsepower
The Porsche 911 is the ultimate expression of performance and luxury all rolled into one. The 911 was completely redesigned in 2020, but it retains its iconic curves. The slick seven-speed manual transmission is offered in most variants of the 911, including Carrera S, Carrera 4S, GTS, Sport Classic, GT3, and GT3 Touring variants.
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Subaru BRZ
Features: 228-hp Boxer engine
The BRZ is the only Subaru that doesn’t come with all-wheel drive. That allows the horizontally opposed Boxer four-cylinder engine to sit low in the engine bay, allowing for an ideal center of gravity for performance driving. The BRZ’s cornering is precise and its handling dynamics are forgiving, allowing performance drivers to explore the envelope of their skills.
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Subaru WRX
Features: 271 hp
The WRX is a purist performance sedan. It has a pretty basic cabin compared to other performance cars, but you won’t care when you’re driving hard into a corner. The WRX is available with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) that manages power well. But why would you want that when you can change your own gears in a rally car for the road?
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Toyota GR86
Features: 228-hp Boxer engine
The Toyota GR86 is a purist’s sports car with a Subaru-sourced Boxer engine. It routes 228 horsepower to the rear wheels. The interior is straightforward and intuitive, allowing the driver to focus on the road ahead and the GR 86’s blissfully agile handling abilities.
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Toyota GR Corolla
Features: 300 horsepower
The GR Corolla is an all-new hot hatchback developed by Gazoo Racing, Toyota’s in-house performance and motorsport division. It comes equipped with a 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine. It makes 300 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Power is routed through a six-speed manual transmission to AWD. The GR Corolla has snappy cornering abilities and lively acceleration. All this in a functional hatchback design.
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Toyota GR Supra
Features: 382 horsepower
After plenty of pleading from its ardent fans, Toyota has added a manual transmission to the GR Supra. With a turbocharged straight-six engine putting out 382 horsepower, this sports car can really fly around a race track. The six-speed manual is available with only that higher-priced I6, though; shoppers will get an automatic if they buy a 2.0-liter four-cylinder Supra.
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Toyota Tacoma TRD
Features: Up to 9.4 inches of ground clearance
The Toyota Tacoma is a capable truck in all of its trims, and Tacomas come standard with an impressive list of driver assistance features. The off-road-ready TRD trims all offer a manual transmission, paired with the stout V6 engine that makes 278 horsepower.
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Volkswagen GTI, Golf R
Features: 241 hp (GTI) or 315 hp (Golf R)
The Volkswagen Golf was redesigned for the 2022 model year, but only the performance variants (the GTI and the Golf R) made it to the states. Both provide helpful cargo space and plenty of performance. The GTI’s 241 horsepower is routed to the front wheels, while the Golf R’s 315 is sent to AWD. The Golf R also has DDC Adaptive Chassis Control.
Shop for a Volkswagen Golf on CarGurus
Shop for a Volkswagen Golf on CarGurus
Volkswagen Jetta GLI
Features: 228 horsepower
The Jetta GLI is spacious for a compact sedan with plenty of trunk space and a comfortable ride, but this car's headline is all about power. The GLI’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine matches what you'll find in the GTI, again routing power to the front wheels.
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