Manuals are a dying breed. Final 12 months, practically 10 automobiles misplaced their handbook transmissions because the market continues to shift (pun supposed) to automatics—or worse—CVTs. However that’s to not say all hope is misplaced.
After we requested automakers earlier this 12 months what number of of their customers opted for the manual, a few of these numbers really elevated in comparison with 2025. BMW noticed a slight bump in handbook transmission gross sales, as did Cadillac, Mazda, Porsche, and some others.
In 2026, there are nonetheless about 25 automobiles you should purchase with a handbook transmission within the US. They vary from off-road SUVs to sports activities automobiles, sedans, and sure, even a pickup truck. A few of these autos are on the best way out after this 12 months, sadly, so get them when you nonetheless can.
Value: $34,695
A plucky compact runabout with a handbook transmission is a uncommon factor in 2026, and the Acura Integra is simply that. It instructions a strong value premium over the cut price Honda Civic Si, however shares a lot of the identical {hardware}, simply with nicer leather-based. Sadly, you possibly can solely get the handbook with the top-trim A-Spec, which forces the worth premium. Nonetheless, with a slick, snappy, and great six-speed gearbox, it’s laborious to seek out something prefer it in the marketplace.
Value: $55,195
If the Integra A-Spec’s 200 horsepower isn’t sufficient, the Integra Sort S’s 320 horsepower needs to be greater than a lot. You get a lot of the identical gear because the common Integra, however it has the guts and engineering from the unbelievable Honda Civic Sort R. The Sort S makes use of the identical suspension, engine, transmission, and fundamental construction, however it has a liftback form and extra leather-based. Better of all, its best-in-the-business six-speed handbook is the one transmission choice.
Value: $65,945
Child Blackwing or not, the CT4-V Blackwing continues to be a mighty critical sports activities sedan. With the identical Tremec six-speed handbook transmission as its CT5-V massive brother, the CT4-V shares its glorious, mechanical shifter really feel. Regardless of having simply 472 horsepower from a twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V6, it has a lot to provide and presents an incredible handbook expertise.
Value: $102,795
In case you’re trying to find the present peak of the handbook transmission, it will be laborious to look a lot additional than the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing’s six-speed Tremec gearbox. It’s so good that it is nearly felony 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 in need of a Porsche.
Value: $70,350
BMW, kicking and screaming, nonetheless presents handbook transmissions in most of its high-performance M automobiles. The BMW M2, the smallest within the vary, presents the sweetest handbook expertise. With candy dealing with, (comparatively) short-wheelbase responsiveness, and 473 horsepower from a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six, you get a lot on your $ 70,000-ish base value. You even get many of the inside from the M3, an enormous iDrive display screen, and real every day consolation. General, it’s a winner—even when you’re down 37 pound-feet of torque in comparison with the eight-speed auto.
Photograph by: BMW
Value: $80,650
If you would like extra dimension, nonetheless, you will get largely the identical expertise with the BMW M3 handbook. Nevertheless, the handbook 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 handbook 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.
Value: $83,550
In case you assume the M2 is simply too small, and the M3 has too many doorways: Enter the BMW M4. It suffers the identical hierarchy concern because the M3 when it comes to energy, however it presents a big luxurious coupe expertise slightly than a sedan one. With extremely usable rear seats and a big trunk, a six-speed handbook M4 is a novel proposition, however at this level, it is only a matter of style.
Value: $43,485
Crawl until your off-road coronary heart is content material with the seven-speed handbook gearbox on the 2026 Ford Bronco. Provided on the bottom, Large Bend, Badlands, and Heritage fashions outfitted with the two.3-liter EcoBoost, the handbook gearbox options an especially quick crawling gear that slots in underneath the precise first gear. You should utilize 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 really helpful in the best conditions.
Value: $49,490 (GT)
Most unusually, Ford presents two completely different handbook transmissions for the Mustang. You may 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.
Value: $32,690
Values are laborious to return by in as we speak’s market, and the Civic Si is an unbelievable one. For about $32,000, you get a 200 horsepower, six-speed handbook sport compact sedan with an extended listing of facilities, glorious 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
Value: $48,950
However just like the Integra A-Spec, the Civic Si might depart you wanting for extra. Look no additional than the 315-horsepower six-speed handbook Civic Sort R. It’s the most well liked hatch you should purchase, and it’s a supremely comfy and good every day driver. The red-trimmed seats are an actual spotlight, as is the pink carpet, and the myriad of track-focused capabilities like a knowledge logger, laptimer, and full temperature readouts make the Sort R really feel really particular. Simply put together to fork out some huge cash for one: $48,090.
Value: $36,845
The common individual would purchase a Civic Sort R, however the considering man would strongly think about 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 Sort R, and has an honest six-speed handbook. However, to be frank, the seven-speed dual-clutch automated often is the transfer.
Value: $38,030
A handbook Jeep Wrangler is one thing of an American establishment. Via thick and skinny, there has at all times been a three-pedal gearbox in everybody’s favourite open-top off-roader, and that hasn’t modified regardless of sluggish gross sales. Sufficient of us need complete management over rock crawling and every day driving that Jeep continues to supply a surprisingly first rate six-speed handbook transmission, completely with the three.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine.
Value: $112,900 (V6)
The Lotus Emira is the final automobile standing within the $100,000 mid-engined handbook transmission sports activities automobile section, and it carries the torch with satisfaction. Whereas the turbocharged 2.0-liter AMG powertrain is available in automated solely, the supercharged 3.0-liter Toyota V6 comes completely with a six-speed handbook transmission. It’s an analog, back-to-basics sports activities automobile with hydraulic steering and treasured little between the driving force and the street.
Value: $38,225 (Premium)
Regular handbook commuter automobiles are practically useless, however the Mazda3 handbook holds the fort down. Out there solely with the hatchback physique fashion, the six-speed ‘field is slick, gentle, and simple. It’s no sport compact, like different automobiles on this listing, however only a good every day driver with an incredible inside and loads of tech as commonplace.
Value: $31,665
We’re fortunate to nonetheless have one thing as easy, joyful, and effectively executed because the Mazda Miata. With a latest refresh, the ND nonetheless has loads of life in its bones, and nonetheless has among the best handbook transmissions within the enterprise. You’ll be able to, in fact, get an automated, however the Miata is spiritually matched with its quick, candy, and elegant six-speed handbook. A real sports activities automobile, that is.
Value: $44,265
The Nissan Z was by no means thought-about nice due to its handbook transmission, however Nissan has determined to soldier on with its chunky and agency six-speed handbook. In reality, it added the transmission to the as soon as automatic-only Nissan Z Nismo, and we thought that it improved the automobile considerably. Although the ergonomics are barely odd, there’s nonetheless a lot to love with a 400 horsepower twin-turbo V6 within the base Z and a 420-horsepower variant within the Z Nismo to encourage the social gathering.
Value: $150,350 (Carrera T)
The variety of 911 fashions out there with a handbook 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 need a 911 with a correct stick. You’ve obtained two selections: a 911 Carrera T or a GT3. Possibly that’s not dangerous information in spite of everything, assuming you’re flush with money.
Value: $37,055
Easy, light-weight, and sensible, the Subaru BRZ fills a distinct segment nearly no different automobile can. It has loads of efficiency, loads of area, and comes with a handy guide a rough, pleasant six-speed handbook transmission. It shares nearly every part with the Toyota GR86, save for some fancier suspension elements and nicer trimmings, and has the identical 224 horsepower 2.4-liter flat 4 engine.
Value: $33,690
We might bear 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 handbook, it presents tons of efficiency, and Subaru’s glorious Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive places all the ability down with zero fuss. Whereas the plasticky shifter leaves one thing to be desired, the general package deal is kind of pleasant.
Photograph by: Subaru
Value: $32,560
If you already know the Subaru BRZ, you already know the Toyota GR86. It has the identical gear, simply with a barely completely different taste. If you would like a extra aggressive throttle map, extra playful dealing with, and a unique face, the GR86 is your transfer. Nonetheless, it’s a easy, light-weight, and simple sports activities automobile to drive, and might simply be the one automobile for any single individual.
Value: $41,680
We love the Toyota GR Corolla. It’s a fantastically bubbly sizzling hatchback, with an effervescent turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder that snarls its strategy to enhance and a chunky six-speed handbook 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 listing. You may get an eight-speed automated, however we predict the GR Corolla is greatest loved with a handbook.
Value: $59,460
The GR Supra makes it on our listing, however solely simply. It’s resulting from die within the subsequent 12 months 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 handbook transmission really feel notchy, tight, and direct, one thing BMW may 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 are able to.
Value: $38,900 (SR)
It’s unbelievable that Toyota nonetheless sells a handbook Tacoma—even when it makes up round 1 p.c 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, imprecise shift lever, odd gear ratios, and barely jumpy calibration, it’s a troublesome gearbox to actually love, however it’s an choice for the management freaks on the market.
Value: 35,020
The Volkswagen Jetta GLI might be no extra in 2027, however for 2026 you possibly can nonetheless have one whereas the iron is sizzling. Whereas it is the identical six-speed handbook from the final twenty years of VW product, it nonetheless presents a low-effort high-reward expertise that makes rowing your personal gears enjoyable, even when it isn’t the perfect expertise it could possibly be. Beggars can’t be choosers, nonetheless, and VW already killed the handbook Golf GTI. If you would like a brand new handbook Dub, that is your final shot.
