Manual transmission cars are becoming hard to find
If you're looking for a little more control behind the wheel, select brands offer manual transmission, or stick shift, vehicles. While most Americans hit the road with an automatic vehicle, there are still a few options for manual car enthusiasts.
Here's a look at the state of manual transmission cars in the U.S. and worldwide:
Current models
Though declining in popularity over recent decades, a few automakers continue to roll out manual transmission cars. The following includes vehicles with manual transmission options from the 2023 and 2024 market:
Acura Integra Type S
BMW M2
BMW M3
BMW M4
Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing
Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
Chevrolet Camaro
Dodge Challenger R/T
Ford Bronco
Ford Mustang
Honda Civic
Hyundai Elantra N
Jeep Gladiator
Jeep Wrangler
Kia Forte GT
Lotus Emira
Mazda 3
Mazda Miata
Mini Cooper
Mini Clubman
Nissan Versa
Nissan Z
Porsche 718
Porsche 911
Porsche Spyder
Subaru BRZ
Subaru Crosstrek
Subaru Impreza
Subaru WRX
Toyota Corolla GR
Toyota GR86
Toyota Supra
Toyota Tacoma
Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen GTI/Golf R
Automotive history
Once deemed the standard, affordable car nationwide, manual transmission vehicles grew out of demand in recent decades as drivers began to opt for automatic transmission.
"Because of the way cars are built, manual transmissions used to be the cheap car, the value car because they got better gas mileage and they cost less," said Brian Moody, executive editor of Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book.
Automatic transmission vehicles became more popular in the U.S. due to the model's convenience. Now, the majority of cars produced annually in the U.S. are automatic, while manual transmissions represent a specialty interest.
"Most people who are going to get one of these cars are going to opt for the automatic transmission so if you're looking for a new or used car and you specifically want a manual, you may have to spend a little bit of extra time finding the exact right thing that you want," Moody said.
Future of manual cars
Automatic transmission vehicles also picked up in Canada and parts of Asia. In contrast, many countries continue widespread use of manual transmission vehicles, including in parts of Europe, Latin America, and Africa, according to experts.
Moving forward, manual transmission vehicles will likely remain a niche category for car enthusiasts, often sporty cars and some off-road friendly vehicles.
"You have to go out of your way to look for a manual transmission car and the specific applications are, it offers a certain kind of control that most people either don't need or don't want," Moody said.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Manual transmission cars are becoming hard to find