In years gone by, if you were serious about performance, the general consensus was that a manual transmission was the best option over an automatic. In the right hands, a manual would deliver better and quicker acceleration, more driver control, and even better fuel economy over an automatic.
Now, though, things are a little bit different. Modern automatics can shift incredibly quickly, right when you need them for the best acceleration, and even fuel economy has improved with them. Yet, there are instances where a manual is still the better option for those seeking the best acceleration.
In fact, there are quite a few cars that offer better acceleration with a traditional stick shift versus a fancy automatic. Some of the differences are quite surprising, while with others it’s nip and tuck. However, it does show that manuals can still be fast, and enthusiasts will undoubtedly continue to argue that doing it yourself is much more enjoyable.
A Japanese Legend Is Faster With a Manual Transmission Than With an Automatic Transmission
One car that can claim to be faster with a manual transmission is the first-generation Honda NSX, or Acura NSX in the United States. The car was immortalized thanks to the input provided by three-time Formula 1 World Champion Ayrton Senna, at the time a driver for the McLaren team that used Honda engines. In reality, the NSX was already well on its way to becoming a legend at this point.
Power came from a 3.0-liter or 3.2-liter V6, depending on the model, with 3.2-liter cars making 290hp. The 3.0-liter versions made 270hp, but automatics made even less with 252hp. The manual version was always the one to get, due to the extra power and the engagement it provided when shifting. The 0-60mph time for the NSX was 6.3 seconds with the automatic, but 5.7 seconds in the manual. Whichever way you look at it, that’s quite a big difference in the supercar world.
It isn’t the only Japanese car to boast rapid manual acceleration. The Mazda RX-8, which is going through a bit of a renaissance, could accelerate in 6.2 seconds with a manual transmission. That is compared to 6.8 seconds with an automatic. Power came from a 1.3-liter Renesis twin-rotor engine, producing up to 238hp in total. The greater control of the manual was much better suited to the rotary engine compared to the automatic transmission.
The Porsche 911 Carrera Has Impressive Manual Acceleration
It won’t come as a surprise to learn that most people enjoy driving a manual Porsche 911 over an automatic, no matter which version of the German sports car they have. The 996-generation 911 is one such example, with its 3.4-liter flat-six engine making 296hp and 258lb-ft of torque. A manual Porsche 911 just feels right, and it ensures the 911 is a proper driver’s sports car.
With a six-speed manual, the 996-generation Carrera could launch from 0-60mph in just five seconds, compared to the 5.5 seconds of the automatic. At the time, the Tiptronic transmission couldn’t quite match the manual’s acceleration, due to the conventional torque converter it utilized. Truth be told, even if it was quicker, most people still would have preferred the stick shift.
Other Cars That Can Launch Faster With a Manual Transmission
For something a bit more modern, the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ can offer slightly faster acceleration with a stick shift. The second generation of the cars has been on sale since 2022, and offers both a six-speed manual and automatic, but again, the manual gives that little bit of extra grunt off the line.
For those with the automatic version, expect to go from 0-60mph in roughly 6.6 seconds. If you happen to have the manual, however, you can launch just a bit quicker in 6.1 seconds. Given that both these cars are truly at home in the corners, the manual is easily the better option for that pure driving experience.
The Subaru WRX also boasts slightly faster acceleration with the driver’s input, although there really isn’t much in it. With a manual, the 0-60mph time is 5.5 seconds thanks to the 271hp turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four. The automatic meanwhile is just a tad slower, with a 0-60mph time of 5.7 seconds, thanks to the CVT. So, as we can see, not only can manuals be more fun, but they can also be faster in certain cars as well.