Remember the days when driving a stick shift was the norm? While manual transmissions aren’t as common as they once were, the good news is they’re not entirely gone. Despite the rise of automatics, there are still enthusiasts who crave the engagement and control that only a manual gearbox can offer. For those drivers, the 2025 model year brings a surprising number of choices.
You might think manual cars are limited to just a few sporty models, but the reality is more diverse. From nimble sports cars and performance sedans to rugged SUVs and even a pickup truck, the manual transmission lives on in various vehicle types. While some iconic models have unfortunately dropped their manual options, a solid selection remains for the discerning driver in 2025. Let’s explore the exciting world of cars you can still buy with a manual transmission.
Acura Manual Cars
Acura is keeping the spirit of manual driving alive, particularly in their compact and sporty offerings.
Acura Integra
The Acura Integra base model offers an engaging driving experience with its six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive system. Coupled with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine producing 200 horsepower, the Integra provides a fun and connected feel for drivers who appreciate a hands-on approach. Starting at a reasonable $34,195, the 2025 Acura Integra is an accessible entry point into the world of manual cars.
Acura Integra Type S
For those seeking even greater performance, the Acura Integra Type S exclusively offers a six-speed manual transmission. This sporty variant pairs the manual gearbox with a potent turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, unleashing 320 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels. The Integra Type S is designed for driving enthusiasts who demand maximum engagement and control.
BMW Manual Cars
BMW stands out with the most extensive lineup of manual transmission cars among luxury brands, offering stick shifts in four distinct models.
BMW M2
The 2025 BMW M2 delivers a thrilling driving experience with its standard six-speed manual transmission. This gearbox is paired with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine that generates 453 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. While an eight-speed automatic is available, the manual transmission is the purist’s choice for maximizing driver involvement in the M2.
BMW M3
The iconic BMW M3 continues to offer a manual transmission for the 2025 model year, but with a specific configuration. The six-speed manual is exclusive to the rear-wheel-drive M3 model, which produces 473 horsepower. If you opt for the more powerful rear-wheel-drive M3 Competition with 503 horsepower or the M3 Competition xDrive with 523 horsepower, you’ll have to choose the eight-speed automatic transmission. BMW reserves the manual for the purist rear-wheel-drive M3 experience.
BMW M4
The BMW M4 mirrors the M3’s transmission strategy for 2025. The six-speed manual is only available on the rear-wheel-drive M4, delivering 473 horsepower. The higher-performance M4 Competition and M4 Competition xDrive models, producing 503 and 523 horsepower respectively, are exclusively paired with the eight-speed automatic. BMW maintains the manual option for the base rear-wheel-drive M4 coupe.
BMW Z4
BMW finally introduced a manual transmission option for the Z4 roadster in 2024, fulfilling requests from driving enthusiasts. The six-speed convertible is offered exclusively in the more powerful M40i trim, which features a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine producing 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. This combination of a powerful engine and a manual transmission enhances the Z4’s sporty and engaging character.
Cadillac Manual Cars
Cadillac keeps the manual tradition alive in its high-performance V-Series Blackwing sedans, catering to drivers who demand ultimate control.
Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing
The Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing remains a top-tier sports sedan for 2025, offering a standard six-speed manual transmission. Drivers can also opt for a 10-speed automatic, but the manual is the enthusiast’s choice. The CT4-V Blackwing is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V-6 engine producing 472 horsepower and 445 pound-feet of torque, delivering exceptional performance. The 2025 CT4-V Blackwing starts at $63,590.
Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, a high-performance super sedan, receives a refresh and new features for 2025 while retaining its beloved manual transmission option. This six-speed gearbox is paired with a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 engine that sends an astounding 668 horsepower and 659 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels. The 2025 CT5-V Blackwing, starting at $96,990, offers a unique blend of power and driver engagement in the super sedan segment.
Ford Manual Cars
Ford caters to both SUV and sports car enthusiasts with manual transmission offerings in the Bronco and Mustang.
Ford Bronco
The Ford Bronco stands out as one of the few SUVs still available with a manual transmission. A seven-speed manual is offered on the Base, Big Bend, Badlands, and Heritage Edition models for 2025. This manual gearbox is paired with the standard turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower. While the more powerful turbocharged 2.7-liter V-6 with 330 hp requires an automatic transmission, the manual Bronco provides a unique off-road experience.
Ford Mustang
Despite sales fluctuations, the iconic Ford Mustang continues to offer a manual transmission for 2025. The six-speed manual is available on the GT and Dark Horse models, which produce 480 and 500 horsepower respectively. The Mustang GT with a manual starts at $48,155, while the Dark Horse begins at $65,975, providing options for different budgets and performance levels within the manual Mustang lineup.
Hennessey Manual Cars
For the ultra-high-performance enthusiast, Hennessey offers a truly unique and powerful manual option.
Hennessey Venom F5
For those with deep pockets and a desire for extreme performance, the Hennessey Venom F5-M Roadster offers a gated six-speed manual transmission. This American-built hypercar boasts a staggering 1,817 horsepower, making it the most powerful manual car in the world. Priced at $2.65 million, the Venom F5-M Roadster is an exclusive and unparalleled manual driving experience.
Honda Manual Cars
Honda continues to support manual transmissions in its sporty Civic models, catering to driving enthusiasts in the compact segment.
Honda Civic Si
While Honda has discontinued the manual transmission in the base Civic sedan and hatchback, it thankfully remains available in the sporty Civic Si. The Civic Si features a six-speed manual paired with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 200 horsepower. Priced at $31,400 for the 2025 model, the Civic Si provides an accessible and engaging manual driving experience.
Honda Civic Type R
The top-performing Honda Civic Type R continues to offer a manual transmission exclusively for 2025. Like the Integra Type S, the Civic Type R is only available with a six-speed manual gearbox. This transmission is matched to a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine producing 315 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The 2025 Civic Type R, starting at $47,045, combines high performance with the driver engagement of a manual transmission.
Hyundai Manual Cars
Hyundai keeps the manual alive in its Elantra N, a sporty sedan in their N performance lineup.
Hyundai Elantra N
The Hyundai Elantra N is the last remaining gas-powered N model in Hyundai’s lineup to offer a manual transmission. The Elantra N pairs a six-speed manual with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque. While an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission is also available, the manual option caters to drivers seeking a more engaging and traditional sporty driving experience.
Jeep Manual Cars
Jeep offers a manual transmission in the Wrangler, maintaining a connection to its off-road heritage and providing driver control in rugged terrain.
Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler is notable for offering a manual transmission in an SUV. For the base 2025 Wrangler, both a six-speed manual and an automatic transmission are available, paired with the standard 3.6-liter V-6 engine. Initially, Jeep considered making the V-6 Wrangler manual-only, but ultimately retained the automatic option as well. The manual Wrangler provides a more direct and involved driving experience, particularly appreciated by off-road enthusiasts.
Lotus Manual Cars
Lotus offers a manual transmission in the Emira sports car, emphasizing driver engagement and a connection to its sports car heritage.
Lotus Emira
The Lotus Emira is the sole model in the Lotus lineup to offer a manual transmission. The six-speed manual comes standard with the supercharged 3.5-liter V-6 engine, which produces 400 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. While the base four-cylinder engine Emira is only available with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, the V6 manual Emira caters to driving purists who prioritize driver involvement and classic sports car feel.
Mazda Manual Cars
Mazda continues to offer manuals in the Mazda3 and MX-5 Miata, demonstrating its commitment to driver engagement across different vehicle types.
Mazda3
Believe it or not, a manual transmission can still be found in the Mazda3. However, it’s exclusively available on the front-wheel-drive 2.5S Premium trim. This model comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission, paired with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. Unfortunately, the manual option is not available on the sedan body style, the turbo trim, or with all-wheel drive, limiting its availability to a specific Mazda3 configuration.
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Unsurprisingly, the Mazda MX-5 Miata, a quintessential roadster, continues to offer a manual transmission for 2025. The beloved sports car offers a six-speed shifter in both the standard soft-top convertible and the hard-top RF model. Both trims share the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which sends 181 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels. The Miata’s manual transmission is central to its engaging and fun-to-drive character.
Nissan Manual Cars
Nissan provides a manual transmission option in both its entry-level Versa and sporty Z, catering to different segments of the market.
Nissan Versa
The Nissan Versa is an unexpected champion of the manual transmission. For 2025, the subcompact sedan retains its five-speed manual on the base S model. This contributes to its status as one of the most affordable cars in America. The 2025 Versa starts at just $18,330, making it an accessible option for budget-conscious buyers who still prefer a manual gearbox.
Nissan Z
The Nissan Z sports car naturally needs a manual transmission, and thankfully, the 2025 model continues to offer a six-speed on the Sport, Performance, and Heritage Edition trims. This transmission is paired with a standard twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine producing 400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. While the higher-performance 420-hp Z Nismo model is exclusively offered with a nine-speed automatic, the manual Z models cater to driving enthusiasts who want a more traditional sports car experience.
Porsche Manual Cars
Porsche remains committed to manual transmissions in its 718 and 911 models, acknowledging the demand from driving purists in the sports car market.
Porsche 718 Boxster / Cayman
The Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman sports cars, while potentially transitioning to electric models in the future, still offer a standard six-speed manual transmission. A seven-speed PDK dual-clutch is available as an option, but the manual remains a core offering for those who appreciate the classic Porsche driving experience.
Porsche 911
A manual 911 is essential for many Porsche enthusiasts, and the automaker continues to deliver. The six-speed shifter is available on the new Carrera T and GT3 models for 2025. The Carrera T features a twin-turbocharged flat-six engine producing 388 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque, while the GT3 boasts a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six with 502 horsepower. Porsche provides manual options across different 911 models to cater to a range of driving preferences.
Subaru Manual Cars
Subaru offers manual transmissions in both the BRZ and WRX, appealing to sports car and sports sedan enthusiasts who value driver engagement.
Subaru BRZ
The Subaru BRZ keeps the manual transmission dream alive for 2025. This affordable sports car comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission paired with a 2.4-liter Boxer engine producing 228 horsepower across all trims. For enhanced performance, the BRZ tS offers STI-tuned suspension, larger brakes, and improved steering, while maintaining the standard manual gearbox.
Subaru WRX
Subaru’s iconic sports sedan, the WRX, continues to offer a manual transmission for 2025. The WRX pairs a standard six-speed manual with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder boxer engine producing 271 horsepower on the Base, Premium, and Limited models, as well as the new-for-2025 WRX tS. Starting at a reasonable $33,855, the manual WRX remains an accessible performance sedan.
Toyota Manual Cars
Toyota provides manual transmission options in its GR sports car lineup and even in the Tacoma pickup truck, demonstrating a wider commitment to manual gearboxes.
Toyota GR86
As expected, the Toyota GR86, closely related to the Subaru BRZ, continues to offer a manual transmission for 2025. The GR86 pairs a six-speed manual with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder boxer engine producing 228 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The Hakone Edition returns for 2025, but a new GR86 can be had for as little as $31,135, making it a relatively affordable manual sports car.
Toyota GR Corolla
Even though Toyota introduced an automatic option for the GR Corolla for 2025, the hot hatchback still comes standard with a manual transmission. The six-speed manual is paired with a turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The GR Corolla’s manual transmission is a key part of its engaging and high-performance character in the hot hatch segment.
Toyota GR Supra
The Toyota Supra, while facing sales challenges, still offers a six-speed manual transmission option for driving enthusiasts. The 2025 GR Supra provides a six-speed manual across both trims, paired with the now-standard turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine producing 382 horsepower. With the discontinuation of the four-cylinder Supra for 2025, the manual transmission is exclusively available with the more powerful six-cylinder engine.
Toyota Tacoma
The Toyota Tacoma stands out as the only pickup truck available with a manual transmission in 2025, a rarity in today’s market. The six-speed option is not limited to the base model, either. The Tacoma SR, TRD Sport, and TRD Off-Road trims all offer the manual gearbox, providing versatility and driver choice in the mid-size truck segment.
Volkswagen Manual Cars
Volkswagen maintains a manual transmission offering in the Jetta GLI, keeping a stick shift option in its sporty sedan lineup.
Volkswagen Jetta GLI
While the manual GTI and Golf R are no longer available for 2025, the Volkswagen Jetta GLI still offers a six-speed shifter. The 2025 model receives a modest facelift and interior updates, but the manual transmission remains. It is paired with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, providing a sporty driving experience in the Jetta lineup.
Long Live The Manual Transmission
Despite the automotive industry’s shift towards automatic transmissions, the manual gearbox is far from extinct. As this list demonstrates, numerous automakers continue to offer manual options across a diverse range of vehicle types. For driving enthusiasts who value engagement, control, and the unique connection to the machine that only a manual transmission provides, the 2025 model year offers plenty to celebrate. The stick shift lives on!
