25 Manual Cars Still Alive in 2026 — Before They Disappear

Best Manual Cars of 2026: The Stick Shift Refuses to Die

Manual transmissions may be disappearing from the mainstream automotive market, but 2026 proves that the three-pedal driving experience is still alive. A select group of manufacturers continues to offer manual gearboxes in sports cars, performance sedans, off-road SUVs and even pickup trucks.

For driving enthusiasts, this means there are still plenty of opportunities to enjoy a more connected driving experience. From the lightweight Mazda MX-5 Miata and Toyota GR86 to the powerful BMW M2, Ford Mustang and Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, the 2026 model year offers an impressive variety of manual vehicles.

BMW M2: A Compact Performance Machine

The BMW M2 remains one of the most exciting choices for drivers who refuse to give up the manual gearbox.

Its 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six produces 473 horsepower and can be paired with a six-speed manual transmission. Combined with rear-wheel drive, compact dimensions and aggressive chassis tuning, the M2 delivers the kind of driving experience that modern performance-car enthusiasts increasingly struggle to find.

The 2026 BMW M2 starts at approximately $70,350 in the U.S., before options and additional charges.

Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing: 662 Horsepower With Three Pedals

Few modern sedans combine luxury, extreme power and a manual transmission as effectively as the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing.

Under its hood is a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 producing an impressive 662 horsepower. A six-speed Tremec manual transmission allows drivers to control the power themselves, making the Blackwing one of the most powerful manual production cars available.

With a price exceeding $100,000, the CT5-V Blackwing targets buyers who want a premium performance sedan without abandoning traditional driving controls.

Ford Mustang: Manual V8 Performance

The Ford Mustang remains one of the strongest supporters of the manual transmission in the modern muscle-car segment.

The Mustang GT combines its 5.0-liter V8 with a six-speed manual gearbox, while the high-performance Mustang Dark Horse adds a more aggressive six-speed Tremec transmission and approximately 500 horsepower.

For enthusiasts, the combination of a naturally aspirated V8, rear-wheel drive and a manual gearbox makes the Mustang one of the most distinctive performance cars still available in 2026.

Honda Civic Type R: 315-HP Manual Hot Hatch

The Honda Civic Type R proves that manual performance does not require rear-wheel drive or a massive engine.

Its turbocharged engine produces 315 horsepower and sends power through a six-speed manual transmission to the front wheels. The combination of strong acceleration, precise steering and a performance-focused chassis makes the Civic Type R one of the most capable front-wheel-drive cars available.

It also retains enough practicality to serve as an everyday vehicle, giving enthusiasts a rare combination of performance and usability.

Mazda MX-5 Miata: Lightweight and Pure

The Mazda MX-5 Miata continues to follow a simple formula: low weight, rear-wheel drive and a responsive manual gearbox.

Its six-speed manual transmission complements the lightweight roadster perfectly, allowing drivers to enjoy engaging performance without requiring huge engine power.

With a starting price of around $31,665, the Miata remains one of the most accessible ways to enter the world of traditional sports cars.

Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ: Affordable Rear-Wheel-Drive Fun

The Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ continue to offer enthusiasts a relatively affordable route into rear-wheel-drive performance.

Both models use a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter flat-four engine producing around 228 horsepower and can be equipped with six-speed manual transmissions.

Their lightweight construction and balanced chassis make them particularly appealing to drivers who value handling and driver involvement over outright horsepower.

Toyota GR Corolla: Manual AWD Performance

The Toyota GR Corolla takes the manual hot-hatch formula in a different direction by combining a six-speed manual transmission with all-wheel drive.

Its turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine gives the compact hatchback a highly energetic character, while the sophisticated AWD system helps deliver strong traction.

The GR Corolla demonstrates that a manual transmission can still work alongside advanced performance technology.

Nissan Z: 400 Horsepower and a Manual Gearbox

The Nissan Z remains one of the most recognizable modern sports cars offering a traditional manual transmission.

A twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 produces 400 horsepower in the standard version, with power delivered through a six-speed manual gearbox.

The higher-performance Z Nismo raises output to around 420 horsepower, giving enthusiasts an even more aggressive interpretation of Nissan's sports-car formula.

Porsche 911: Manual Performance at the Top End

The Porsche 911 continues to prove that the manual transmission is not restricted to affordable sports cars.

Selected versions, including the 911 Carrera T and GT3, offer manual transmission choices for customers who want maximum driver involvement.

With prices starting well above those of mainstream performance cars, the 911 represents the premium end of the manual-transmission market.

Lotus Emira: A Rare Manual Mid-Engine Sports Car

The Lotus Emira is another important member of the modern manual sports-car family.

The V6-powered version combines a supercharged 3.0-liter engine with a six-speed manual transmission, creating a traditional performance package in a modern mid-engine chassis.

This combination makes the Emira particularly interesting for enthusiasts searching for an increasingly rare manual mid-engine sports car.

Manual SUVs and Trucks Are Still Available

The manual transmission has also survived beyond sports cars.

The Ford Bronco remains available with a seven-speed manual transmission on selected configurations powered by the 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine.

The Jeep Wrangler continues to offer a six-speed manual gearbox with its V6, while the Toyota Tacoma remains one of the few modern pickup trucks available with a manual transmission.

Affordable Manual Cars Are Becoming Harder to Find

One of the most important trends in the 2026 market is the shrinking number of affordable cars equipped with manual transmissions.

The Honda Civic Si remains a strong option, combining around 200 horsepower with a six-speed manual gearbox.

The Hyundai Elantra N offers substantially more performance, while the Subaru WRX combines a six-speed manual with all-wheel drive and approximately 271 horsepower.

These models provide enthusiasts with relatively affordable alternatives to expensive performance cars.

Toyota GR Supra Keeps the Manual Alive

The Toyota GR Supra remains another important choice for manual-transmission enthusiasts.

The six-speed manual version provides a more engaging alternative to the available automatic transmission and gives the Supra additional appeal among traditional sports-car buyers.

As the current generation approaches the later stages of its production life, manual examples could become increasingly interesting to collectors and enthusiasts.

Volkswagen Jetta GLI: A Practical Manual Sedan

The Volkswagen Jetta GLI offers something increasingly uncommon: a practical performance sedan with a manual transmission.

The sporty Jetta remains available with a six-speed manual gearbox, giving drivers an alternative to the automatic transmissions that dominate the modern sedan market.

For buyers who want practicality during the week and an engaging driving experience on the weekend, the Jetta GLI remains an interesting proposition.

Why Manual Transmissions Are Disappearing

The decline of manual gearboxes has accelerated as automatic transmissions have become faster, smoother and more efficient.

Modern automatic and dual-clutch transmissions can deliver extremely quick gear changes while requiring less effort from the driver. The rapid expansion of hybrid and electric vehicles has also reduced the role of traditional multi-speed transmissions.

Despite these changes, enthusiast demand remains strong. For many drivers, shifting gears manually provides a level of involvement that cannot be completely replicated by an automatic transmission.

Some of the Most Interesting Manual Cars of 2026

Model	Transmission	Character
Honda Civic Si	6-speed manual	Affordable performance
Mazda MX-5 Miata	6-speed manual	Lightweight roadster
Subaru WRX	6-speed manual	AWD performance
Toyota GR86	6-speed manual	Rear-wheel-drive sports car
Ford Bronco	7-speed manual	Off-road performance
Nissan Z	6-speed manual	400-hp sports car
Ford Mustang GT	6-speed manual	V8 muscle car
BMW M2	6-speed manual	Compact performance
Lotus Emira V6	6-speed manual	Mid-engine sports car
Porsche 911	Manual available	Premium performance

The Manual Transmission Is Not Dead Yet

The 2026 automotive market shows that the manual transmission still has a place in the modern car industry.

From affordable sports cars such as the Mazda MX-5 Miata and Toyota GR86 to powerful machines such as the BMW M2, Ford Mustang and Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, enthusiasts still have a diverse selection.

However, the number of available models continues to shrink as automakers move toward automatic, hybrid and fully electric powertrains.

For drivers who love the connection between the clutch, gear lever and engine, 2026 may be one of the most important years yet for the modern manual transmission.