Manuals are a dying breed. Final yr, almost 10 vehicles misplaced their guide transmissions because the market continues to shift (pun meant) to automatics—or worse—CVTs. However that’s to not say all hope is misplaced.
After we requested automakers earlier this yr what number of of their consumers opted for the manual, a few of these numbers truly elevated in comparison with 2025. BMW noticed a slight bump in guide transmission gross sales, as did Cadillac, Mazda, Porsche, and some others.
In 2026, there are nonetheless about 25 vehicles you should purchase with a guide transmission within the US. They vary from off-road SUVs to sports activities vehicles, sedans, and sure, even a pickup truck. A few of these autos are on the best way out after this yr, sadly, so get them when you nonetheless can.
Worth: $34,695
A plucky compact runabout with a guide transmission is a uncommon factor in 2026, and the Acura Integra is simply that. It instructions a strong worth premium over the discount Honda Civic Si, however shares a lot of the identical {hardware}, simply with nicer leather-based. Sadly, you possibly can solely get the guide with the top-trim A-Spec, which forces the value premium. Nonetheless, with a slick, snappy, and great six-speed gearbox, it’s arduous to seek out something prefer it in the marketplace.
Worth: $55,195
If the Integra A-Spec’s 200 horsepower isn’t sufficient, the Integra Kind S’s 320 horsepower ought to be greater than loads. You get a lot of the identical gear because the common Integra, however it has the center and engineering from the unimaginable Honda Civic Kind R. The Kind S makes use of the identical suspension, engine, transmission, and primary construction, however it has a liftback form and extra leather-based. Better of all, its best-in-the-business six-speed guide is the one transmission possibility.
Worth: $65,945
Child Blackwing or not, the CT4-V Blackwing remains to be a mighty severe sports activities sedan. With the identical Tremec six-speed guide transmission as its CT5-V massive brother, the CT4-V shares its wonderful, mechanical shifter really feel. Regardless of having simply 472 horsepower from a twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V6, it has loads to present and provides an incredible guide expertise.
Worth: $102,795
If you happen to’re looking for the present peak of the guide transmission, it might be arduous to look a lot additional than the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing’s six-speed Tremec gearbox. It’s so good that it is virtually prison that anybody buys a Blackwing with the 10-speed automated, with gobs of torque from a 662-horsepower, supercharged 6.2-liter V8 simply motivating the tremendous sedan. It even has rev matching and no-lift shift–stuff you don’t get in something wanting a Porsche.
Worth: $70,350
BMW, kicking and screaming, nonetheless provides guide transmissions in most of its high-performance M vehicles. The BMW M2, the smallest within the vary, provides the sweetest guide expertise. With candy dealing with, (comparatively) short-wheelbase responsiveness, and 473 horsepower from a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six, you get loads in your $ 70,000-ish base worth. You even get many of the inside from the M3, an enormous iDrive display, and real each day consolation. General, it’s a winner—even in the event you’re down 37 pound-feet of torque in comparison with the eight-speed auto.
Photograph by: BMW
Worth: $80,650
In order for you extra measurement, nonetheless, you may get largely the identical expertise with the BMW M3 guide. Nonetheless, the guide penalty is stronger within the M3. With a full-bore M3 Competitors xDrive, you possibly can have 523 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, whereas the guide is a mere 473 horsepower and 406 pound-feet. Even the observe particular M3 CS Handschalter, unique for the US, doesn’t get the 543 horsepower CS powertrain, as a result of the six-speed ZF gearbox can’t deal with any extra energy.
Worth: $83,550
If you happen to suppose the M2 is simply too small, and the M3 has too many doorways: Enter the BMW M4. It suffers the identical hierarchy problem because the M3 when it comes to energy, however it provides a big luxurious coupe expertise fairly than a sedan one. With extremely usable rear seats and a big trunk, a six-speed guide M4 is a novel proposition, however at this level, it is only a matter of style.
Worth: $43,485
Crawl until your off-road coronary heart is content material with the seven-speed guide gearbox on the 2026 Ford Bronco. Provided on the bottom, Large Bend, Badlands, and Heritage fashions geared up with the two.3-liter EcoBoost, the guide gearbox options an especially quick crawling gear that slots in underneath the precise first gear. You should use it when slowly scrambling over rocky terrain or inching ahead at 1 mph within the Starbucks drive-thru. Both method, it’s a neat social gathering trick that’s truly helpful in the proper conditions.
Worth: $49,490 (GT)
Most unusually, Ford provides two completely different guide transmissions for the Mustang. You will get the Getrag six-speed within the 5.0-liter V8-powered Mustang GT, or a six-speed Tremec within the 500-horsepower Mustang Darkish Horse. Each are nice manuals (save for some potential points with the Getrag), however the Darkish Horse is the cream of the crop. You get a heavy, notchy shifter with a no-lift shift program, and a stout powertrain that may deal with observe use. The GT, alternatively, is a bit more relaxed and nonetheless a enjoyable cruiser.
Worth: $32,690
Values are arduous to return by in as we speak’s market, and the Civic Si is an unimaginable one. For about $32,000, you get a 200 horsepower, six-speed guide sport compact sedan with an extended checklist of facilities, wonderful dealing with, first rate journey high quality, and an incredible inside. That six-speed gearbox even will get a mechanical limited-slip differential, and also you get neat shift lights within the sprint. And that’s earlier than we speak about how nice the transmission is to shift.
Photograph by: Honda
Worth: $48,950
However just like the Integra A-Spec, the Civic Si could depart you wanting for extra. Look no additional than the 315-horsepower six-speed guide Civic Kind R. It’s the most popular hatch you should purchase, and it’s a supremely snug and good each day driver. The red-trimmed seats are an actual spotlight, as is the crimson carpet, and the myriad of track-focused features like an information logger, laptimer, and full temperature readouts make the Kind R really feel really particular. Simply put together to fork out some huge cash for one: $48,090.
Worth: $36,845
The common particular person would purchase a Civic Kind R, however the considering man would strongly contemplate this underdog: the Hyundai Elantra N. It has a lot of the identical efficiency tech, and a few members of Motor1’s employees would argue that it drives higher than the Civic. Better of all, it’s round $10,000 cheaper than the Kind R, and has a good six-speed guide. However, to be frank, the seven-speed dual-clutch automated stands out as the transfer.
Worth: $38,030
A guide Jeep Wrangler is one thing of an American establishment. By way of thick and skinny, there has all the time been a three-pedal gearbox in everybody’s favourite open-top off-roader, and that hasn’t modified regardless of sluggish gross sales. Sufficient people need complete management over rock crawling and each day driving that Jeep continues to supply a surprisingly first rate six-speed guide transmission, solely with the three.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine.
Worth: $112,900 (V6)
The Lotus Emira is the final automotive standing within the $100,000 mid-engined guide transmission sports activities automotive phase, and it carries the torch with delight. Whereas the turbocharged 2.0-liter AMG powertrain is available in automated solely, the supercharged 3.0-liter Toyota V6 comes solely with a six-speed guide transmission. It’s an analog, back-to-basics sports activities automotive with hydraulic steering and valuable little between the motive force and the highway.
Worth: $38,225 (Premium)
Regular guide commuter vehicles are almost lifeless, however the Mazda3 guide holds the fort down. Obtainable solely with the hatchback physique fashion, the six-speed ‘field is slick, mild, and simple. It’s no sport compact, like different vehicles on this checklist, however only a good each day driver with an incredible inside and loads of tech as normal.
Worth: $31,665
We’re fortunate to nonetheless have one thing as easy, joyful, and properly executed because the Mazda Miata. With a latest refresh, the ND nonetheless has loads of life in its bones, and nonetheless has probably the greatest guide transmissions within the enterprise. You’ll be able to, after all, get an automated, however the Miata is spiritually matched with its quick, candy, and stylish six-speed guide. A real sports activities automotive, that is.
Worth: $44,265
The Nissan Z was by no means thought-about nice due to its guide transmission, however Nissan has determined to soldier on with its chunky and agency six-speed guide. In actual fact, it added the transmission to the as soon as automatic-only Nissan Z Nismo, and we thought that it improved the automotive considerably. Although the ergonomics are barely odd, there’s nonetheless loads to love with a 400 horsepower twin-turbo V6 within the base Z and a 420-horsepower variant within the Z Nismo to inspire the social gathering.
Worth: $150,350 (Carrera T)
The variety of 911 fashions out there with a guide gearbox is shrinking, however it hasn’t but reached zero. But. That’s excellent news. The dangerous information is that you simply’ll have to spend boatloads of cash if you would like a 911 with a correct stick. You’ve bought two selections: a 911 Carrera T or a GT3. Perhaps that’s not dangerous information in any case, assuming you’re flush with money.
Worth: $37,055
Easy, light-weight, and sensible, the Subaru BRZ fills a distinct segment virtually no different automotive can. It has loads of efficiency, loads of area, and comes with a quick, pleasant six-speed guide transmission. It shares virtually the whole lot with the Toyota GR86, save for some fancier suspension components and nicer trimmings, and has the identical 224 horsepower 2.4-liter flat 4 engine.
Worth: $33,690
We could keep in mind the WRXs of yore extra fondly, however the present WRX is enjoyable, low-cost, and sensible. With a 271-horsepower turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four and a six-speed guide, it provides tons of efficiency, and Subaru’s wonderful Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive places all the ability down with zero fuss. Whereas the plasticky shifter leaves one thing to be desired, the general bundle is sort of pleasant.
Photograph by: Subaru
Worth: $32,560
If the Subaru BRZ, the Toyota GR86. It has the identical gear, simply with a barely completely different taste. In order for you a extra aggressive throttle map, extra playful dealing with, and a special face, the GR86 is your transfer. Nonetheless, it’s a easy, light-weight, and simple sports activities automotive to drive, and may simply be the one automotive for any single particular person.
Worth: $41,680
We love the Toyota GR Corolla. It’s a fantastically bubbly scorching hatchback, with an effervescent turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder that snarls its approach to enhance and a chunky six-speed guide transmission that by no means will get previous to shift. It’s plucky, enjoyable, and unrefined, representing the height of down-and-dirty enjoyable on our checklist. You will get an eight-speed automated, however we predict the GR Corolla is greatest loved with a guide.
Worth: $59,460
The GR Supra makes it on our checklist, however solely simply. It’s because of die within the subsequent yr or so, with the most recent Closing Version making the rounds earlier than its official send-off. It’s a disgrace, as a result of Toyota made BMW’s six-speed guide transmission really feel notchy, tight, and direct, one thing BMW might by no means do by itself. Whereas the ZF eight-speed automated is objectively excellent, a six-speed Supra is one thing to cherish for so long as we will.
Worth: $38,900 (SR)
It’s unimaginable that Toyota nonetheless sells a guide Tacoma—even when it makes up round 1 % of complete gross sales. Sufficient of you requested for it, so Toyota delivered with an underbaked transmission that was largely borrowed from the previous V6-powered truck. With an extended, obscure shift lever, odd gear ratios, and barely jumpy calibration, it’s a troublesome gearbox to really love, however it’s an possibility for the management freaks on the market.
Worth: 35,020
The Volkswagen Jetta GLI can be no extra in 2027, however for 2026 you possibly can nonetheless have one whereas the iron is scorching. Whereas it is the identical six-speed guide from the final 20 years of VW product, it nonetheless provides a low-effort high-reward expertise that makes rowing your individual gears enjoyable, even when it isn’t one of the best expertise it might be. Beggars can’t be choosers, nonetheless, and VW already killed the guide Golf GTI. In order for you a brand new guide Dub, that is your final shot.
