Manual transmissions in vehicles are becoming increasingly rare, and this trend is especially pronounced in the pickup truck segment. Once a common feature in work trucks and off-road vehicles, the three-pedal setup has almost vanished from modern trucks, replaced by more fuel-efficient automatic transmissions. However, for drivers who still value the engaging experience of a stick shift, there is only one new Manual Truck left available in 2025. This sole survivor represents the last opportunity for enthusiasts to manually row through gears in a brand-new truck amidst a market rapidly shifting towards electric vehicles.
The decline of the manual transmission truck has been a gradual process since the mid-2000s. The Ford F-150, America’s most popular pickup truck, discontinued its manual option after 2008. The Chevrolet Silverado eliminated it even earlier, in 2007. The last full-size pickup available in the U.S. with a manual transmission was the Ram 2500 HD, which ceased offering the manual option with its 6.7-liter Cummins turbo-diesel inline-six engine after the 2018 model year.
Even in the smaller truck categories, manual transmissions are no longer a standard offering in America. The Nissan Frontier, a popular midsize truck, dropped its manual transmission in 2019. The Ford Maverick, a newer entry in the compact truck segment, has never offered a manual version. Just recently, Jeep discontinued the standard six-speed manual transmission on the Gladiator mid-size pickup’s Sport and Willys trims for the 2024 model year. This leaves only one pickup truck model with a manual transmission option for the upcoming 2025 model year.
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The Toyota Tacoma: The Sole Manual Transmission Truck in 2025
Toyota Tacoma Highlights
- In production since 1995
- America’s best-selling midsize truck (192,813 units sold in 2024)
- Extensive aftermarket support for modifications like lift kits and lighting
- Renowned for reliability and low maintenance costs
Despite the industry trend, Toyota has maintained a manual transmission option for its best-selling midsize truck, the Tacoma, even as it entered its fourth generation. The latest Tacoma generation has transitioned from a V6 engine to a turbocharged 4-cylinder, with a hybrid option called iForce Max also available. While the hybrid powertrain is not compatible with a manual gearbox, a six-speed manual transmission remains an option for customers who prefer it with the standard turbocharged engine.
Related: Toyota
| Divisions | Lexus |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1937 |
| Founder | Kiichiro Toyoda |
| Headquarters | Toyota City, Aichi, Japan |
The turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder iForce engine in the Tacoma delivers up to 278 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque when paired with an automatic transmission. However, models equipped with the six-speed manual transmission are tuned to produce slightly less, at 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The base SR model has a lower output of 228 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque. Despite the slight power reduction in manual versions, drivers still benefit from features like automatic rev-matching for smoother downshifts and a clutch-start cancel feature useful for steep inclines.
Toyota Tacoma Key Specifications
| Feature | Tacoma iForce (six-speed manual) | Tacoma iForce (eight-speed auto) | Tacoma iForce Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | Turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder | Turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder | Turbocharged 2.4-liter hybrid |
| Transmission | Six-speed manual | Eight-speed automatic | Eight-speed automatic |
| Horsepower | 228-270 hp | 278 hp | 326 hp |
| Torque | 243-310 lb-ft | 317 lb-ft | 465 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 6,500 pounds | 6,500 pounds | 6,000 pounds |
| Max Payload | 1,705 pounds | 1,705 pounds | 1,710 pounds |
| Starting MSRP | $38,485 | $31,590 | $46,320 |
The six-speed manual transmission in the Tacoma is not available with the iForce Max hybrid powertrain because of the electric motor’s placement within the automatic transmission system. For those wanting a manual transmission Tacoma, options are limited to four-wheel-drive double cab configurations in SR, TRD Sport, and TRD Off-Road trims. The TRD PreRunner and Limited trims, along with the top-tier off-road models TRD Pro and Trailhunter, do not offer the manual option and are exclusively available with the iForce Max hybrid engine.
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Tacoma Trim Levels Offering the Six-Speed Manual
Tacoma SR ($36,990)
The SR is the base trim of the Tacoma and provides a straightforward, no-frills experience. To get the manual transmission, customers need to choose a double-cab model with four-wheel drive, increasing the starting price to $36,990. This trim includes fewer exterior color choices, 17-inch alloy wheels, black fabric interior, and an 8-inch infotainment display equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SR is the most budget-friendly manual transmission truck option in the Tacoma lineup. For those seeking more features, the TRD trims offer enhanced options with the manual gearbox.
Tacoma TRD Sport ($41,800)
The TRD Sport trim is the more street-oriented of the two TRD Tacoma models offering a manual. It features a sport-tuned suspension with twin-tube shocks and 18-inch black TRD Sport wheels. The TRD Sport also expands exterior color choices. The infotainment system is upgraded to a larger 12.3-inch screen, and the seats are finished in synthetic leather. While rear-wheel drive is offered on the TRD Sport, it is not compatible with the manual transmission; rear-wheel-drive models receive an automatic limited-slip differential.
Tacoma TRD Off-Road ($41,800)
For buyers planning to use their manual truck off-road, the TRD Off-Road trim is the ideal choice. Every TRD Off-Road model includes an electronically locking rear differential for improved traction on challenging terrains. Optionally, a front stabilizer bar disconnect can be added to increase front suspension flex. Toyota’s Multi-Terrain Select off-road drive modes and Crawl Control, a low-speed off-road cruise control system, are also available for enhanced off-road capability.
Used Manual Transmission Pickup Truck Alternatives to the Tacoma
Via: Jeep
Jeep Gladiator Rubicon
Jeep discontinued the manual transmission option for the Gladiator starting with the 2025 model year. Prior to this, the Gladiator’s six-speed manual was available with the 285-hp 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine on Sport, Sport S, Willys, Mojave, and Rubicon trims, alongside an optional eight-speed automatic. All Gladiators come standard with four-wheel drive, and the Rubicon is known as Jeep’s most capable off-road model. It includes front and rear locking differentials, an electronic disconnecting front sway bar for greater wheel articulation, skid plates, 33-inch tires, and numerous other off-road features.
2018 Ram 2500 HD
The 2018 Ram 2500 HD was the last full-size pickup truck to offer a stick shift. It was available on Tradesman, SLT, Big Horn, and Lone Star models. The manual option was discontinued after data showed that over 90 percent of buyers preferred the six-speed automatic transmission. The manual was exclusively paired with a 6.7-liter Cummins turbo-diesel inline-six engine producing 350 horsepower and 660 lb-ft of torque.
The Cummins engine with the G56 six-speed manual transmission included a heavy-duty flywheel to manage the high torque output. However, the manual transmission version of the 2500 HD had lower torque and towing capacities compared to the automatic version, which offered 370 hp and up to 800 lb-ft of torque. The six-speed manual variant could tow up to 16,000 pounds and handle a maximum payload of 3,000 pounds.
Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro (Previous Generation)
The previous generation Tacoma TRD Pro, because it was not a hybrid, was available with a six-speed manual transmission. It was matched with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produced 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque—less powerful than the current hybrid model. The third-generation TRD Pro featured 2.5-inch Fox internal bypass shocks with TRD-tuned springs and Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Kevlar tires on 16-inch TRD Pro wheels. Later models also included red TRD-branded upper control arms. A notable limitation of the TRD Pro’s manual transmission was its incompatibility with Toyota’s Crawl Control system. Unlike the current Tacoma, the previous generation’s manual transmission did not include an automatic rev-matching feature.
