Three-Pedal Club
Manual transmission refuses to die completely. The automotive industry's evolution has led most cars toward automated shifting, leaving enthusiasts with fewer options each year. Still, certain vehicles keep the three-pedal tradition alive.
Mazda MX-5 Miata
The lightweight roadster that captured enthusiasts's hearts in 1989 continues its legacy as a stalwart of manual transmission. Mazda's Chief Technical Officer, Ryuichi Umeshita, has explicitly confirmed that manual transmissions remain fundamental to the MX-5's identity, regardless of what the next generation brings.
Damian B Oh, Wikimedia Commons
Mazda MX-5 Miata (Cont.)
For 2026, the Miata returns with its precise six-speed shifter mated to its naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine. Weighing just under 2,400 pounds, the MX-5 remains the purest expression of Mazda's "Jinba Ittai" philosophy—the horse and rider as one.
Ethan Llamas, Wikimedia Commons
Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
Supercharged V8 fury meets three-pedal precision in what might be America's last great manual sports sedan. The CT5-V Blackwing enters 2026 with 668 horsepower channeled through a standard Tremec six-speed manual transmission, making it GM's most powerful manual car.
Damian B Oh, Wikimedia Commons
Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing (Cont.)
Unlike most performance vehicles, where the automatic is standard and the manual is optional, Cadillac boldly makes the stick-shift standard, with the 10-speed automatic as a $6,275 upgrade. Next year, Cadillac is introducing a bespoke customization program for the CT5-V Blackwing.
Damian B Oh, Wikimedia Commons
Toyota GR86
Emerging from the collaboration between Toyota and Subaru, the GR86 continues as one of the few affordable rear-wheel-drive sports cars still offering a manual transmission. The 2026 model maintains its driver-focused ethos with a standard six-speed manual gearbox paired with the 2.4-liter boxer engine, delivering 228 horsepower.
Toyota GR86 (Cont.)
This powerplant sits low in the chassis, and it gives the GR86 the characteristic handling balance that makes it a favorite among driving enthusiasts. Toyota's commitment to the manual transmission stands in stark contrast to industry trends toward automation and electrification.
Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Ford Mustang Dark Horse
Among the last V8 sports cars standing, the Mustang Dark Horse proudly carries the manual transmission torch. For the coming year, this special-edition pony car packs 500 horsepower and the powerful Tremec TR-3160 six-speed manual transmission—the same unit used in the legendary Shelby GT350.
UltraTech66, Wikimedia Commons
Ford Mustang Dark Horse (Cont.)
Ford's commitment to the stick shift in its performance flagship demonstrates that driver engagement remains a priority even as competitors abandon manual options. The driving experience centers around that special connection between driver and machine that a manual transmission can give.
Alexander Migl, Wikimedia Commons
Honda Civic Type R
Japanese engineering meets front-wheel-drive perfection in Honda's hot hatch icon. The 2026 Civic Type R returns with its 315-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder exclusively paired to a six-speed manual transmission with no automatic option available. Honda's transmission expertise shines through with what many consider the best-feeling shifter in any modern car.
MercurySable99, Wikimedia Commons
Honda Civic Type R (Cont.)
The Type R's manual-only approach flies in the face of industry trends toward automation. Honda engineers developed a unique shifter linkage specific to the Type R that provides exceptional feedback and precision. This dedication to the manual driving experience extends to Honda's performance models.
Subaru BRZ
Here comes the sister car to Toyota's GR86, which refuses to give up its manual transmission and carries the torch for analog driving experiences. Subaru's 2026 BRZ keeps its six-speed manual transmission standard across all trims, paired with the 2.4-liter boxer engine.
Subaru BRZ (Cont.)
This flat-four configuration contributes to the car's remarkably low center of gravity, enhancing the handling precision that makes the BRZ such a joy on twisty roads. What separates the BRZ from other sports cars in its price bracket is its focus on balance over brute force.
Charles from Port Chester, New York, Wikimedia Commons
BMW M2
Munich's smallest M car continues to delight purists with its manual transmission option. For 2026, the BMW M2 retains its six-speed manual transmission, paired with the potent S58 twin-turbocharged inline-six engine, which produces 473 horsepower.
Alexander Migl, Wikimedia Commons
BMW M2 (Cont.)
BMW offers the stick shift at no additional cost alongside the automatic option, showing respect for driving enthusiasts who prefer to row their own gears. The driving dynamics of the M2 harken back to a more analog era of BMW performance.
Alexander Migl, Wikimedia Commons
Porsche 911 GT3
Defying the industry-wide move toward dual-clutch automatics, Porsche's track-focused 911 GT3 maintains its manual option for 2026. The naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six screams to 9,000 RPM while producing 502 horsepower, all controlled through a precise six-speed manual transmission.
Porsche 911 GT3 (Cont.)
Though Porsche has dramatically reduced manual availability across the 911 lineup, the GT3's stick shift survives as a nod to the purists who value driver engagement over outright lap times. Engineering excellence defines every aspect of the GT3's manual transmission experience.
Subaru WRX
Rally heritage meets everyday practicality in Subaru's all-weather performance sedan. The 2026 WRX continues offering a six-speed manual transmission paired with its turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer engine and symmetrical all-wheel drive. This combination creates a uniquely versatile performance car.
Dinkun Chen, Wikimedia Commons
Subaru WRX (Cont.)
Subaru's commitment to the manual transmission in the WRX comes from the car's rally racing DNA, where driver control is paramount. Despite industry trends, most WRX buyers still opt for the manual over the available CVT automatic, demonstrating a dedicated enthusiast following.
BMW M3
The iconic sports sedan that defined the segment continues to offer a purist's choice. BMW's 2026 M3 retains its six-speed manual transmission option, but only in the base rear-wheel-drive configuration, which is powered by a 473-horsepower S58 twin-turbocharged inline-six engine.
BMW M3 (Cont.)
Decades of refinement have gone into creating the M3's manual transmission feel. With precise gates and a mechanical action that communicates directly with the driver, the six-speed transmission in the M3 brings BMW's heritage to life while delivering modern performance. The manual-equipped M3 weighs less than its automatic counterpart.
Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing
American engineering prowess shines through in Cadillac's compact sport sedan, which features a manual heartbeat. The CT4-V Blackwing returns with its standard six-speed manual transmission, connected to a twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V6 that produces 472 horsepower.
Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing (Cont.)
This powertrain combination makes it one of the most potent compact luxury sedans available with a stick shift, delivering an experience that rivals European competitors at a more accessible price point. The transmission itself deserves special attention for its precise action and well-spaced ratios.
Ford Mustang GT
America's original pony car enters 2026 with the manual transmission that helped define its character. The Mustang GT pairs its 5.0-liter Coyote V8 engine, cranking out 480 horsepower, with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard equipment.
Alexander Migl, Wikimedia Commons
Ford Mustang GT (Cont.)
While the Dark Horse variant gets the upgraded Tremec transmission, the GT's Getrag unit still delivers satisfying shifts. The stick shift has been a Mustang staple since the model's introduction in 1964, and Ford's commitment to this tradition stands in stark contrast to competitors who have abandoned manual options.
Alexander Migl, Wikimedia Commons
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