I grew up in a country (region even) where a manual transmission is considered the norm. I even taught a few people back in the day how to drive an automatic. “Do not put your left foot anywhere near the pedals…ever”. In the U.S, it’s the opposite, and I’ve even shown a few people how to drive with a stick. In the land of convenience, why on earth would you deal with the nuisance of using your left foot and right arm to shift gear? Especially now given that a lot of automatic transmission cars can equal or even better the gas mileage of a manual. Then there’s the technology, an automatic can shift gears even faster than humanly possible. For example, when I test drove the 475 hp Dodge Durango SRT, putting it in ‘Track’ mode presents gear shifts at 160 milliseconds. That right there is an insanely fast and aggressive gear change. But sometimes, isn’t it just more fun to do it for yourself? To feel connected to the vehicle, to be able to anticipate and be in control? Plus, the ability to use a stick shift is such a dying breed, it’s practically a security feature.
Here are some manual transmission vehicles still available on the market today
Fiat 124 Spider
2018 Fiat 124 Spider, Photo: FCA
- Base Price: $24,995 MSRP
- 1.4L Turbo
- 160 hp, 184 lb-ft torque (Abarth model is 164 hp 184 lb-ft torque)
- 2 seats
- RWD
- 6-Speed manual transmission with short-throw shifter
Fiat 500
Fiat 500, Photo: FCA
- Base Price: $14,995 MSRP
- 1.4L
- 101 hp, 97 lb-ft torque
- 4 seats
- FWD
- 5-Speed manual transmission
Dodge Challenger
2018 Dodge Challenger T/A Plum Crazy, Photo: FCA
- Base Price: $33, 995 MSRP (2018 R/T with manual)
- 375 hp (R/T, R/T Plus, R/T Shaker, T/A, R/T Plus Shaker, T/A Plus)
- 475 hp (R/T Scatpack, 392 HEMI Scatpack Shaker, T/A 392, SRT 392)
- 707 hp (SRT Hellcat, Hellcat Widebody)
- 5 Seats
- RWD
- 6-Speed manual transmission
Jeep Wrangler
2018 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, Photo: FCA
- Base Price: $27,495 MSRP
- 4/5 seats
- 2 door and 4 door
- Sport, Sport S, Sahara, Rubicon
- 4×4
- 6-Speed manual transmission
RAM 2500 and 3500
2018 RAM Heavy Duty, Photo: FCA
- Base Price: $35,345 MSRP
- 3-6 seats
- Diesel
- Regular cab and crew cab
- Tradesman, SLT, Big Horn, Laramie
- SRW and DRW in 3500’s
- 4×2 and 4×4
- 6-Speed manual transmission
Jeep Renegade
2018 Jeep Renegade, Photo: FCA
- Base Price: $19,945 MSRP (4×4 manual)
- 5 seats
- 160 hp, 184 lb-ft torque
- 1.4 L Turbo
- Sport, Latitude, Altitude
- FWD and 4×4
Jeep Compass
2018 Jeep Compass, Photo: FCA
- Base Price: $ 22,495 MSRP (4×4 manual)
- 5 seats
- 180 hp, 175 lb-ft torque
- 2.4 L Tigershark engine
- Sport, Latitude
- FWD and 4×4
Volkswagen Golf, Golf GTI, Alltrack, Sportwagon
Volkswagen Golf, Photo:VW
- Base Price: $20,910 (Golf S)
- 5 seats
- 170 hp, 199 lb-ft torque (GTI 220hp, 258lb-ft torque)
- 1.8 L Turbo (GTI 2.0 L turbo)
- S, SE, (GTI S, SE, Autobahn)
- FWD (Alltrack and Sportwagon AWD)
- 5-Speed manual transmission (GTI and Alltrack 6-Speed Manual transmission)
Volkswagen Golf R
2018 Volkswagen Golf R, Photo: VW
- Base price: $39,785 MSRP
- 5 seats
- 292 hp, 280 lb-ft torque
- 2.0 L Turbo
- AWD
- 6-Speed manual transmission
Volkswagen Jetta
2018 Volkswagen Jetta, Photo: VW
- Base price: $18,645 MSRP
- 5 seats
- 1.4 L turbo or 1.8 L turbo
- S, Wolfsburg Edition, SE,
- FWD
- 5-Speed manual transmission
- All new 2019 model will also have a manual transmission option
Ford Mustang
2018 Ford Mustang GT, Photo: Ford
- Base price: $25,680 MSRP
- 4 seats
- 2.3 L twin turbo, 5.0 L V8, 5.2 L V8
- GT Fastback, GT Premium Fastback, Shelby GT350R
- RWD
- 6-Speed manual transmission
Ford Focus,
Ford Focus Sedan, Photo: Ford
- Base Price: $17,950 MSRP
- 5 seats
- 1.0 L EcoBoost, 2.0 L, 2.0 L EcoBoost
- Sedan, Hatchback
- FWD
- 5-speed manual transmission, 6-speed manual transmission
Focus RS
Ford Focus RS, Photo: Ford
- Base price: $41,120 MSRP
- 5 seats
- 2.3 L turbo
- 350 hp, 350lb-ft torque
- AWD
- 6-Speed manual transmission
Ford Fiesta
2018 Ford Fiesta, Photo: Ford
- Base price: $14,205
- 5 seats
- Hatchback and sedan
- 1.6 L, (1.6L turbo ST)
- 120 hp, 112 lb-ft torque (197 hp, 202 lb-ft torque on the ST)
- FWD
- 5-Speed manual (6-Speed manual on the ST)
Chevrolet Sonic
2018 Chevrolet Sonic, Photo: Chevy
- Base price: $15,295 MSRP
- 5 seats
- Hatchback and sedan
- 1.4 L turbo, 1.8 L
- 138 hp, 148 lb-ft torque (138 hp 125 lb-ft torque on the 1.8 L)
- FWD
- 6-Speed manual
Chevrolet Camaro
The 2019 Camaro Turbo 1LE, Photo: Chevy
- Base price: $25,905 MSRP
- 4 seats
- 2.0 L turbo, 3.6 L V6, 6.2L V8, 6.2 L V8 Supercharged
- 275 hp- 650 hp
- RWD
- 6-speed manual transmission
Chevrolet Corvette
Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport, Photo: Chevy
- Base price: $55,495 MSRP
- 2 seats
- 6.2 L V8, 6.2 L V8 Supercharged
- 455 hp-755hp
- 460 lb-ft-715 lb-ft torque
- RWD
- 7-Speed manual transmission
Chevrolet Colorado
2018 Chevrolet Colorado, Photo: Chevy
- Base Price: $28,890 (4WD)
- 2,4 or 5 seats
- 2.5L Gas
- Base and Work Truck
- 2WD/ 4WD
- 6-Speed Manual transmission
Toyota 86
Toyota 86, Photo: Toyota
- Base Price: $26,255 MSRP
- Seats 4 (2+2)
- 2.0 L
- 200 hp, 151 lb-ft torque
- RWD
- 6-Speed manual transmission
Toyota Tacoma
2018 Toyota Tacoma, Photo: Toyota
- Base Price: $28,275 MSRP (4×4)
- Seats 4/5
- 2.7 L, 3.5 L V6
- 159 hp 180lb-fit torque, 278 hp 265 lb-ft torque
- 4×2, 4×4
- 6-Speed manual
Other alternatives include; Chevrolet, Spark, Chevrolet Cruze, Fiat 500x, Subaru BRZ, Subaru Crosstrek, Subaru Forester, Subaru Impreza, Subaru WRX/STI, Honda Civic Type R, Honda Civic Si, Honda Accord, BMW 2 series, 3 series, 4 series, M2/M3/M4/M6, Cadillac ATS, ATS-V, Jaguar F-Type, Mini Cooper, Mazda3, Mazda 6, Mazda Miata, Audi A4, , Kia Soul, Toyota Corolla hatchback (2019), Corolla iM, Toyota Yaris, GMC Canyon
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