Because Shifting Your Own Gears Never Gets Old
Manual transmissions are becoming rarer by the year, but for true driving enthusiasts, nothing replaces the feeling of grabbing a gearstick, rev-matching, and feeling that mechanical connection. Fortunately, manufacturers still offer a solid handful of great options today. Here are 20 manual cars you can order new, each one keeping the art of shifting alive.
Honda Civic Type R
Always a favorite among gearheads, the Civic Type R delivers a crisp, mechanical shift feel, precise gate, and rev-happy turbocharged power (~315 hp in the FL5). It rockets from 0–60 mph in just 4.9 seconds and tops out at 169 mph. With its short throws and razor-sharp chassis, it still retains the kind of engagement many automatics can’t match.
Jakub "flyz1" Maciejewski, Wikimedia Commons
Mazda MX-5
Mazda’s commitment to driver involvement shines bright in the MX-5. With a naturally aspirated 181 hp four-cylinder, a beautifully slick six-speed manual, and a sub-6 second 0–60 mph sprint, it remains a benchmark for fun-to-drive roadsters. Top speed hovers around 135 mph, but that’s plenty when the joy comes from its nimble handling and drop-top freedom.
Alexander-93, Wikimedia Commons
Ford Focus ST
The Focus ST combines everyday usability with a sporty edge. Its 252 hp turbocharged four-cylinder makes it punchy, and the six-speed manual is precise. It sprints to 60 in about 5.9 seconds and reaches a 154 mph top speed. This hot hatch balances practicality and thrills, making it one of the rare stick-shift choices for drivers who want it all.
Thomas doerfer, Wikimedia Commons
Porsche 911
You can still get certain variants of the 911 with a manual transmission—a big win for purists. Depending on the trim, power ranges from 379 to over 500 hp, with 0–60 times as quick as 4.0 seconds in manual form. The shift action feels muscular yet refined, and with top speeds over 180 mph, it’s as much a tourer as a track weapon.
Matti Blume, Wikimedia Commons
Hyundai Elantra N
Hyundai’s performance arm broke the norm by offering a manual in the Elantra N. Its 2.0-liter turbo churns out 276 hp, good for a 0–60 in 5.3 seconds and a 155 mph top speed. With rev-matching technology and grippy handling, this practical sedan proves you can still get family-friendly usability with row-your-own fun.
Ford Mustang
Yes, the Mustang still offers a manual in some trims. The GT’s 480 hp V8 can blast from 0–60 in just 4.3 seconds and soar past 160 mph. The six-speed Tremec gearbox makes every shift feel like an event. It’s the ultimate old-school muscle car thrill, keeping American V8 manual tradition alive and well.
Subaru WRX
Always a boxer-turbo icon, the WRX keeps a six-speed manual option in many markets. Its 2.4-liter turbo makes 271 hp, sending it to 60 mph in about 5.5 seconds. Standard all-wheel drive provides grip in all weather, and top speeds near 155 mph mean it’s ready for spirited drives no matter the conditions.
Toyota GR Corolla
The GR Corolla is one of the newer players keeping manuals on the menu. With 300 hp from a turbocharged three-cylinder and a slick six-speed stick, it hits 0–60 in 4.9 seconds. Rally-inspired AWD gives it bite, and it tops out at 143 mph. It’s a compact hot hatch that feels like a homologation special for the road.
MercurySable99, Wikimedia Commons
Honda Civic Si
The Civic Si keeps the manual alive in the more mainstream segment. Its 200 hp turbocharged four-cylinder pairs with a six-speed stick and rev-matching. The car runs 0–60 in about 6.8 seconds with a top speed around 137 mph. It’s not exotic, but it’s affordable fun with a gearbox tuned for precision and daily driver ease.
Alvintrusty, Wikimedia Commons
Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
In a surprising but welcome move, Cadillac offers the CT5-V Blackwing with a six-speed manual tied to a supercharged 668 hp V8. That means 0–60 in 3.6 seconds (with a stick!) and a top speed beyond 200 mph. This is one of the last manual V8 super sedans — a proper driver’s car in an era of automatics.
Damian B Oh, Wikimedia Commons
Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing
Smaller than its CT5 sibling, the CT4-V Blackwing offers a six-speed manual linked to a twin-turbo V6 with 472 hp. It does 0–60 in 4.0 seconds and can reach 189 mph. With its sharp chassis and perfectly weighted gearbox, it proves manuals still belong in the luxury performance world.
Porsche 718 Cayman
The Cayman remains a mid-engine balance machine, and its six-speed manual is widely praised. Power ranges from 300 to 493 hp depending on the variant, with 0–60 as quick as 4.2 seconds. Top speeds are in the 170–180 mph range, and the manual makes every ounce of performance more engaging.
Porsche 718 Boxster
Same mid-engine magic in convertible form. The Boxster’s manual option pairs with engines ranging from 300 hp in the base to nearly 500 in the GTS 4.0. Expect 0–60 times around 4.3 seconds with top speeds exceeding 180 mph. Open-top motoring with a manual gearbox is rare, and this car nails it.
Norbert Aepli, Switzerland (User:Noebu), Wikimedia Commons
Toyota GR86
Sporting a naturally aspirated flat-four with 228 hp, the GR86 keeps things light and simple. It sprints from 0–60 in 6.1 seconds and reaches 140 mph. The manual gearbox feels direct and rewarding, making it a budget-friendly sports coupe that keeps driver involvement at the center of the experience.
Andra Febrian, Wikimedia Commons
Subaru BRZ
A twin to the GR86, the BRZ offers nearly identical performance with 228 hp, a 0–60 time of 6.1 seconds, and a 140 mph top speed. Its six-speed manual is crisp, and with its rear-drive chassis, the BRZ stays one of the purest sports car bargains around.
steve lyon from los angeles, ca, usa, Wikimedia Commons
BMW M2
BMW has kept the manual alive in its performance halo models, and the M2 is one of them. The latest M2 delivers 453 hp from a turbo straight-six, running 0–60 in about 4.1 seconds with the six-speed manual. Top speed, depending on the package, can stretch to 177 mph. It’s rowdy and analog in all the right ways.
Acura Integra / Integra Type S
The new Integra comes with a six-speed manual in certain trims, while the Type S cranks up performance with 320 hp and 0–60 in 5.1 seconds. Top speed is about 155 mph. Lightweight and playful, it’s a modern homage to the classic Integra spirit that helped define ’90s tuner culture.
Toyota Supra
The Supra recently reintroduced a six-speed manual option for its turbocharged inline-six models, with 382 hp under the hood. It rockets from 0–60 in 4.2 seconds and tops out at 155 mph. With BMW mechanicals and Toyota flair, it’s the perfect modern sports coupe for drivers who still love shifting.
BMW M3
Even in 2025, the M3 offers a manual gearbox in select trims. The 473 hp straight-six hustles to 60 in 4.1 seconds and delivers a 155 mph top speed (or 180 with the driver’s package). With rear-drive dynamics and manual control, it’s one of the last true analog sports sedans.
BMW M4
Similar to its M3 sibling, select variants of the M4 still include a six-speed manual for purists. With 473 hp, it hits 0–60 in 4.1 seconds and a 155 mph top speed (180 with the upgrade). The coupe body and manual combo make it one of BMW’s most desirable driver’s cars left standing.
Hugh Llewelyn, Wikimedia Commons
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