It’s no secret that manual-transmission models are becoming increasingly scarce. Forty years ago in this country, about 25% of vehicles sold were equipped with this type of transmission. Today, using some creative math, we count 25 that still have it.
Manual transmissions have been in steady decline for about 30 years
Fourteen manufacturers still offer them
Electrification could sound their death knell
Let’s take a moment to look at these 25 models, which we’ll group by manufacturer to make reading easier.
Acura: Integra
At Acura, we’re left with one manual transmission model: the Integra. You have two options: either the Elite A-Spec version with its 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, or the Type S variant with its 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder and 320 horsepower, as was seen in the Honda Civic Type R.
BMW: M2/M2 CS, M3/M4, and Z4
There was a time when manual transmissions were legion at BMW, but things have changed. Nevertheless, a few options remain, though you mainly have to look at M models to enjoy them and shell out a lot of money in the process.
Ironically, the Z4, which was sold without this type of transmission for a long time, is now available with a third pedal. You’ll have to act fast, however, as retirement has rung for this car.
Cadillac: CT4 Blackwing and CT5 Blackwing
Let’s push the irony further. Before the arrival of the CTS in 2003, you had to go back several decades to find a manual transmission Cadillac. For the past 20 years, General Motors’ luxury brand has continued to promote it by offering it with certain models. However, you have to look at the top of the CT4 and CT5 sedan lineups to find them, specifically with the Blackwing configurations.
A word of advice: if you love driving, put these rockets on your list.
Ford: Bronco and Mustang
At Ford, despite a nine-model lineup, only two are available with a manual transmission. And they couldn’t be more opposite. On one side, you have the base version of the Bronco SUV. On the other hand, the only car the company still offers is the Mustang. Sadly, once again, the manual is reserved for the most expensive version, the GT and its V8 engine. When it was available with the four-cylinder engine, it made things more accessible.
Honda: Civic Si
With Honda, manual transmission models are disappearing one by one, leaving only one option: the Civic Si. No, the regular Civic no longer offers it, which speaks volumes about the company’s philosophy on the matter. Sadly, this isn’t the first time Honda has disappointed us since the early 2000s.
Hyundai: Elantra N
The offering at Hyundai is equally slim when it comes to manual transmissions, but the one on the menu serves a model that is one of the industry’s hidden gems. While the Elantra’s styling remains debatable, its layout in N configuration is exceptional. The driving pleasure behind the wheel of this beast is constant, and the price tag remains very reasonable for what you get in return.
Jeep: Wrangler
With Jeep, we’ve had a constant for ages with the Wrangler, which is still available with the option of a third pedal. However, you must want to buy this type of vehicle, as it appeals to a very specific clientele. Let’s hope the option stays on the menu for a long time.
Lotus: Emira
Even in the world of exotic cars, the manual transmission has practically disappeared from the landscape at Ferrari, McLaren, and Lamborghini. Fortunately, there’s Lotus, which still offers this option with the Emira, now in its third year on the market in 2026. Get out your checkbook, though, as this creation will lighten your wallet by at least $130,000.
Mazda: Mazda3 and MX-5
Mazda, not so long ago, sold us the “zoom-zoom” spirit to tout the dynamic driving aspect of its models. It came through the widespread availability of manual transmissions, whether in the Mazda6, Mazda5, or even the CX-5 SUV in its early days. As elsewhere, the offering is slimmer than it was, but at least we still have two options: the Sport GT version of the Mazda3 and the sporty MX-5.
If the latter loses its manual transmission one day, the end of the world will be upon us.
Nissan: Z
The situation is equally sad at Nissan. Until last year, we could count on the Sentra sedan and, going back a bit, the Versa to find an affordable manual-transmission car. Today, only the sporty Z remains, which isn’t the most accessible or practical option.
That said, Nissan’s manual transmission has always lacked refinement and precision, so we don’t mourn the departure of this gearbox from this manufacturer as much as we might.
Porsche: 911 T, GT3/GT3 RS
With the retirement of the 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman duo, only the 911 remains to carry the torch. And even then, the car had lost this string to its bow at one point, before the company brought back certain variants equipped with this feature.
We won’t dare talk about affordable options here, but among the versions that can receive a third pedal, the 911 T is the only one whose price tag doesn’t sit in the stratosphere.
Subaru: BRZ and WRX
At Subaru, even though the lineup remains thin with only a handful of models (gasoline ones, at least, as three electric models will soon be part of the family), we’ve always had at least one manual transmission vehicle. The current situation leaves us with the BRZ coupe and the WRX sedan, which is the sporty version of the Impreza. The good news is that these two products remain accessible.
Toyota: GR86, GR Supra, GR Corolla, and Tacoma
Who would have thought, 15 or 20 years ago, that Toyota would today be the manufacturer offering the most distinct manual transmission vehicles? Yet that’s the case, as the Japanese firm offers us four, from the GR86 coupe to the GR Corolla, including the Tacoma pickup that kept its manual transmission during its last redesign in 2024.
Volkswagen: Jetta GLI
Finally, at Volkswagen, we find a model that forces us to drive with both feet, and it’s probably not the one you thought you’d find. In fact, until last year, versions of the Golf (GTI and R) offered a manual transmission, but no more. So, our only option now is the GLI version of the Jetta sedan, which is still available with this type of transmission.
And for those who might not know, it’s a very well-kept secret. This car is a lot of fun to drive.
The Future?
That completes this overview of the remaining manual transmissions across the industry, and we hope we haven’t forgotten any. Regardless, the number remains limited, as you’ve just seen. The downward trend, which began about 30 years ago, has continued, with approximately 25 models retaining this feature.
As for the future, we’d be lying if we told you this type of transmission will make a comeback. This year, certain models offering it are heading into retirement (the BMW Z4 and the Toyota GR Supra).
However, as we can see, some manufacturers hold onto it, and with certain vehicles, we can’t imagine any other approach.
Of course, with electrification, the manual transmission could eventually disappear, but we’re not there yet.
That said, it’s time to enjoy it before it’s too late.
