Yes—manual transmission cars still exist, but they’re a niche in 2025

Manual transmission cars are still on sale in 2025, though they account for a small and shrinking share of new-vehicle offerings in many markets, especially the United States and Europe. Manuals remain most visible in enthusiast-focused models and budget-friendly cars outside North America, while the rise of advanced automatics and electric vehicles continues to push stick-shifts toward a niche. Here’s where they still matter, why they’ve declined, and how to find one.

Where you can still buy a manual in 2025

Availability varies sharply by market. In North America, manuals persist primarily in performance and off-road vehicles. In Europe, you’ll still find them in some affordable and compact segments, though shares are falling. In Asia and many emerging markets, manuals remain common in entry-level cars and workhorses.

Notable 2025 models that still offer a manual

The following examples illustrate the types of vehicles where manuals remain available; exact availability can vary by trim and region, and production plans can change mid-year.

• United States/Canada: Mazda MX-5 Miata; Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ; Toyota GR Corolla; Honda Civic Si and Civic Type R; Subaru WRX (select trims); Porsche 718 Boxster/Cayman and 911 variants with optional manuals; BMW M2; Ford Mustang GT/Manual; Jeep Wrangler (select trims).
• Europe: Dacia Sandero and Duster; Suzuki Swift; Skoda Fabia and Scala (select engines); some Volkswagen Group and Stellantis small cars with base petrol engines; Porsche 911 and 718 manuals in enthusiast trims.
• Asia and emerging markets: Widespread in entry-level models from Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Kia, Tata, Toyota, and others; manual pickups and work vehicles such as Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger are commonly offered with stick-shifts in many regions.

Automakers continue to pare back manuals in mainstream models, but a core roster of enthusiast cars and price-sensitive segments still carry the torch. Always verify local specifications, as options can differ by country and model year.

The market picture

Manuals are a sliver of new-car sales in mature markets. In the U.S., they account for roughly one to two percent of new-vehicle sales, with a modest bump among enthusiast and younger buyers. In Europe, the shift to automatics and hybrids has pushed manual share well below historic norms. By contrast, manuals remain prevalent in parts of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, where cost sensitivity and simpler powertrains sustain demand.

Why manuals have declined

Several structural forces have reshaped the transmission landscape over the past decade, pushing manuals out of the mainstream.

• Performance and efficiency: Modern automatics (including dual-clutch and advanced torque-converter units) shift faster and often achieve better lab-tested efficiency than manuals.
• Emissions and safety tech: Tightening rules and driver-assistance features (adaptive cruise, stop-and-go, and integrated hybrid systems) integrate more easily with automatics.
• Consumer preferences: As traffic worsens and convenience rises in priority, automatics dominate test-drive choices and resale expectations.
• EV transition: Electric vehicles typically have single-speed gearboxes, effectively bypassing the manual versus automatic debate entirely.

The result is a gradual pruning of manual options outside enthusiast halo cars and a few cost-focused models, particularly in markets where automatic take rates are high.

Who is keeping the stick alive

Even as the mainstream shifts, several brands have publicly leaned into the engagement and brand identity that manuals provide, especially for fans.

• Enthusiast specialists: Porsche continues to offer manual 911 and 718 variants; Mazda’s MX-5 remains a stick-shift staple; BMW’s M2 retains a manual option.
• Performance compacts: Honda (Civic Si, Type R), Toyota (GR Corolla), Subaru (WRX) and the Toyota/Subaru GR86/BRZ twins cater to drivers who want involvement at attainable prices.
• Icons and off-roaders: Ford’s Mustang still offers a manual; Jeep’s Wrangler continues to list a 6-speed on select trims.

These offerings are often limited by trim and allocation, and some are announced as “while-it-lasts” propositions, underscoring their niche status.

Key changes and caveats for 2025

While many enthusiast models carry their manuals into 2025, there are noteworthy shifts that shoppers should keep in mind.

• Ford Bronco: The manual transmission option is discontinued for the 2025 model year in North America.
• Hot hatch trend: Volkswagen’s GTI in the U.S. moved to automatic-only with its latest update; manual devotees will find far fewer mainstream hatchbacks with sticks than a few years ago.
• Sports coupes: Chevrolet’s Camaro ended production in 2024; the Mustang remains the primary American V8 with a factory manual.
• Regional divergence: Manuals continue to be more common outside North America, especially in entry-level segments.

Because availability can shift mid-cycle or by region, it’s wise to confirm transmission choices against current order guides or dealer inventory before making plans.

How to find and buy a manual today

Tracking down a new stick-shift often requires a wider search and some flexibility. These practical steps can improve your odds.

1. Use dealer and manufacturer filters: Most brand sites and classifieds let you filter for “manual transmission” specifically.
2. Be flexible on trims and colors: Manuals are frequently limited to specific performance or base trims with narrower color and option sets.
3. Expand your search radius: Cast a wider geographic net or consider factory order if timing allows.
4. Look at certified pre-owned: Lightly used manuals in enthusiast models can be easier to find and hold value well.
5. Check regional specs: If you’re relocating or open to importing where legal, some markets keep manual options others don’t.
6. Test-drive in real conditions: Evaluate clutch weighting, gearing, and any rev-matching features to ensure daily drivability.

Patience pays off: with fewer units produced, the right car may take longer to locate, but values can be resilient and ownership rewarding.

The outlook

Manual transmissions are likely to persist through the decade, anchored by enthusiast nameplates and price-sensitive regions. However, the broader migration to hybrids and EVs — many of which cannot or do not pair with traditional manuals — will keep shrinking their footprint. Automakers that still offer them often frame the stick as a brand-building, driver-focused choice rather than a mass-market default.

Summary

Manual transmission cars do still exist in 2025, but they are concentrated in enthusiast models and select budget segments, with availability highly dependent on region. Performance-focused brands like Porsche, Mazda, Honda, Toyota, Subaru, and BMW continue to offer sticks on key models, while mainstream adoption keeps waning under the pressure of efficiency rules, consumer preferences, and the rise of EVs. If you want one, act deliberately: confirm current trims, cast a wide search, and be flexible on specifications.

Are manual cars being phased out?

Yes, manual cars are being phased out, with fewer models offered each year due to declining consumer demand, increased production costs, and advancements in automatic transmission technology that offer comparable or better performance and efficiency. While still available for niche markets like high-performance sports cars and off-road trucks, their overall presence in the market is shrinking, and they are expected to become even rarer, eventually becoming a niche product for enthusiasts. 
Reasons for the Decline

• Lower Demand: Fewer consumers are purchasing manual transmission vehicles, with automatic transmissions outselling them significantly. 
• Technological Advancements: Modern automatic transmissions are highly efficient, sometimes even more so than manuals, and can offer faster shifting, especially in high-performance vehicles. 
• Production Costs: Manufacturers find it more expensive and less efficient to produce both automatic and manual versions of a car, leading them to phase out manuals. 
• Skill Gap: There is a declining number of people who know how to drive a manual transmission, further reducing the incentive to produce them. 
• Electric Vehicles: The rise of electric vehicles, which typically don’t require complex transmissions, contributes to the overall decline of manual systems. 
• Regulations: In some regions, emissions regulations favor automated transmissions, which can be optimized for fuel efficiency, further reducing the viability of manuals. 

Niche Markets and Future Outlook

• Sports Cars and Trucks: Manuals are still found in some sports cars and trucks where drivers value the enhanced connection and control they offer. 
• Specialty Vehicles: They also persist in some commercial applications and off-road vehicles where precision and simplicity are key. 
• Continued Decline: The trend indicates a continued decline, with only a few models likely to remain available in the future for dedicated enthusiasts. 

Can I still get a car with a manual transmission?

Yes, however the number of vehicles that can be ordered with a manual is small and gets smaller every year. Also you’d be hard pressed to find a vehicle with a manual transmission on a dealer lot, so your probably going to have to special order it.

Which 2025 cars have manual transmission?

Every New Car With a Manual Transmission in 2025

• 2025 Acura Integra / Credit: Acura.
• 2025 BMW M2 / Credit: BMW.
• 2025 BMW M3 / Credit: BMW.
• 2025 BMW M4 Coupe / Credit: BMW.
• 2025 BMW Z4 / Credit: BMW.
• 2025 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing / Credit: Cadillac.
• 2025 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing / Credit: Cadillac.

Are manual transmission cars still made?

Yes, manual transmission cars are still made, though in much smaller numbers than in the past. Automakers still offer them, primarily on performance-oriented sports cars, hot hatches, and some enthusiast-focused trucks and SUVs, rather than on budget-friendly or standard sedans. Examples of current models with manual options include vehicles from Porsche, BMW, Honda, Toyota, and Jeep. 
Why are manuals becoming rarer?

• Declining consumer interest: Fewer people prefer the manual experience compared to the convenience of modern automatic transmissions. 
• Advancement of automatics: Modern automatic and dual-clutch systems are now faster, more fuel-efficient, and more reliable, reducing the perceived advantage of manuals. 
• Shift in marketing: Manufacturers often focus on ease of use and luxury, rather than the driving engagement offered by a manual. 
• Rise of electric vehicles (EVs): Electric cars don’t require traditional multi-gear transmissions, which will further reduce the overall demand for manual gearboxes in the future. 
• Focus on performance trims: Manual options are now largely restricted to specific high-performance versions of models, rather than being widely available across different trims. 

Where are manual transmissions still found?

• Enthusiast brands: Companies like Porsche, Mazda, and Subaru often include manual options in their sports car lines to appeal to driving enthusiasts. 
• Performance versions: You can still find manual transmissions on high-performance variants of popular models, such as the Ford Mustang, BMW M models, and Toyota GR cars. 
• Off-road vehicles: Some trucks and SUVs, like the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator, retain manual transmission options for enthusiasts who want more control in off-road situations. 
• Hot hatches: Models like the Honda Civic Type R and Toyota GR Corolla offer manuals to attract buyers who prioritize a sporty driving experience.