You might say that the manual transmission is on life support at this point. There are only a few dozen new cars in 2025 that come with a manual option. With EVs taking over against our will and newer generations caring more about a car’s aura than its performance, it’s really no surprise. However, some of us still love feeling like we’re one with the car, sort of dancing with it through the streets.
The manual cars left in 2025 are for the driving enthusiasts who want to listen to the engine revving, sweat bullets while stopped on a hill, and feel better than everyone else on the road. But not every manual car that’s left is made equal. And honestly? There’s no better way to get other pretentious car enthusiasts rattled like making a ranking.
How We Shifted Through the Gears to Rank These Cars
This is not just a collection of cars clinging onto manual as a concept. The new cars that made it were not just some of our favorites, but ones that we noticed were getting the mod of approval from car guys all over the internet. If you’re an outlier, we’d love to hear your thoughts as well, but first, here’s what earned a car a spot.
Our evaluation focused heavily on the quality of the manual transmission itself. That means we scrutinized shift action (is it precise or like stirring a bowl of oatmeal?), clutch feel (does it bite nicely or feel like you’re stomping on a sponge?), and how integral the gearbox is to the car’s overall personality. We looked at how the manual enhances the driving experience, rather than simply being tacked on as a nostalgic gimmick for the one guy in Topeka who insists on it.
We then paired this with the overall driving performance, enjoyment, features, and even pricing. These are manual cars that just have all-around chutzpah based on data, hands-on experience, and opinions. But we’re just a group of car enthusiasts, not number crunchers. If you feel differently or have a fact to share about the remainder of manual cars in 2025, let us know!
1. Mazda MX-5 Miata
The Mazda MX-5 Miata remains the undisputed poster child of the manual movement, probably because it weighs about as much as a damp paper bag. In fact, it hasn’t gained much weight since the 90s (can’t say the same for myself).
Light, nimble, and refreshingly analog, the 2025 version continues its tradition with a six-speed manual that feels like a knife slicing through warm butter — so smooth, you might forget it’s actually connected to anything. Each gear engages with a satisfying click-clack, and the shifter sits perfectly in hand, as if it grew there. The naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder, pumping out a lively 181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque, sings a happy tune, encouraging frequent visits to the redline, where all the fun happens.
The car’s chassis dances through corners with the poise of a prima ballerina, but with less glitter and more tire squeal. Visibility is excellent (especially with the top down), the soft top folds down in seconds (even if you’re a little tipsy), and there’s an old-school honesty to the way it drives. Despite modern safety tech sneaking in like an uninvited guest, the Miata still feels like a time capsule from an era when driving was visceral, not a bunch of assist features.
It’s the gateway drug to enthusiast driving and a lifelong addiction once you try it. Just don’t let your buddies roast you too hard for driving a “chick car.” They’re just jealous.
2. Honda Civic Si
Honda’s love letter to the manual crowd, the Civic Si, is still here and still kicking, proving that you don’t need a ridiculous wing to have fun. The six-speed transmission is, quite frankly, one of the best in the business, with short, precise throws and a satisfying snick-snick feel that borders on mechanical poetry. You could probably shift this thing with your pinky finger.
The turbocharged 1.5-liter engine, delivering a surprising 200 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque, punches well above its weight, and the rev-happy nature of the motor makes each shift a genuine reward. It looks appropriately sporty without screaming for attention, and the interior perfectly balances comfort and driver focus.
The seats hug you tight like a sports coach who actually believes in you (or maybe just wants to make sure you don’t fly out during a hard turn). The clutch is light and easy to modulate, perfect for navigating soul-crushing daily traffic and exhilarating weekend canyon runs alike.
Honda didn’t just keep the manual here as a checkbox feature; they built the car around it, making it an integral part of the Si’s DNA. In the Civic Si, rowing gears feels less like a chore and more like a rite of passage for anyone who truly appreciates driving.
3. Toyota GR86
The Toyota GR86 (and its slightly less aggressive brother, the Subaru BRZ) is what happens when Toyota and Subaru decide to throw a party for driving purists and actually invite everyone. Powered by a 2.4-liter flat-four engine, this beast finally has more torque than its predecessor (228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, a massive jump from the old car’s notorious torque dip) and feels appropriately matched to the car’s playful, drift-happy chassis.
The six-speed manual is slick and precise, offering a direct connection to the road rarely found at this price point, making every shift feel like a purposeful action. Steering is communicative and well-weighted, while the rear-wheel-drive layout allows for tail-happy antics if you’re feeling frisky and brave enough to turn off the nannies.
Inside, things are straightforward, built for the business of driving, not for watching Netflix. It’s a car that actively encourages you to take the long way home, just to string together a few more downshifts and maybe a controlled slide or two. Toyota didn’t forget the enthusiast; they built this car for them. It reminds you that driving should be fun, not just functional, and that a little bit of sideways action never hurt anyone (much).
4. Ford Mustang GT
The Ford Mustang GT brings old-school muscle into the 2020s without losing its soul — or its ability to perform epic burnouts. The glorious 5.0-liter Coyote V8 growls with authority, pumping out a mighty 486 hp and 418 lb-ft of torque, and the six-speed manual transforms the experience into something primal, something deeply American.
Shifting this car feels like loading a cannon, each gear change a deliberate act of mechanical force, accompanied by a satisfying thunk. Acceleration is relentless, but it’s the tactile feel of the manual that truly steals the show. The clutch has a satisfying weight, but it’s not punishing, and the shifter moves with a mechanical confidence that perfectly suits the Mustang’s brawny personality.
The interior has improved over the years (no longer feeling like it was designed by a committee of disgruntled LEGO engineers), but thankfully the driving experience remains visceral and engaging. There’s heritage in every gear, echoes of drag strips, drive-ins, and burnouts past. The Mustang GT doesn’t just offer a manual; it celebrates it with every rumble, roar, and tire-smoking launch.
It’s the car for people who believe that horsepower is a constitutional right, and that a proper car needs three pedals.
5. Subaru WRX
The WRX has always worn its rally roots on its sleeve, looking like it just escaped a gravel stage with a mischievous grin, and the 2025 version stays true to form with a six-speed manual available across several trims. The turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four, churning out a healthy 271 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, delivers a healthy dose of torque, making for lively acceleration out of corners and thrilling straight-line pulls. All-wheel drive ensures traction in nearly any condition, turning bad weather into a playground where you can still feel connected to the road.
The manual gearbox is well-suited to the car’s spirit, with enough heft and engagement to keep you dialed in, preventing you from getting bored on long drives. Inside, it’s more refined than WRXs of old (no longer smelling exclusively of cheap plastic and vape smoke) but still maintains a focused, driver-first feel.
You don’t need to race down a rally track to enjoy the WRX, but it sure helps — it’s a car that truly comes alive when pushed. Every shift brings a reminder of the car’s motorsport pedigree. It’s the kind of car that makes your commute feel like a special stage of the Monte Carlo rally, even if you’re just driving to get groceries.
6. Volkswagen Golf GTI
The Volkswagen Golf GTI remains the thinking driver’s hot hatch, proving that you can be civilized but spirited, practical yet playful, all at the same time. It’s a lady in the streets and a freak on the track.
Under the hood, a potent 2.0-liter turbocharged engine delivers smooth, linear power (now up to 241 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque), perfectly matched to a slick-shifting six-speed manual. The gearbox rewards precision and timing, making you feel like a maestro, and the clutch is friendly enough for everyday use, even in bumper-to-bumper traffic. The interior is high-tech and well-appointed, but the driving experience stays refreshingly analog, proving that sometimes, less screen is more fun.
There’s a subtle charm to how the GTI blends usability and performance without any unnecessary theatrics or ridiculous body kits. The chassis is taut, the steering accurate, and the car feels nimble without being nervous. You can haul groceries, haul the kids, or haul around a racetrack; either way, it smiles back at you. It’s the manual car for people who think they’ve grown up but haven’t forgotten what pure, unadulterated fun feels like.
It’s practical, but it’ll still roast your buddies with a bigger engine if they’re not paying attention.
7. Hyundai Elantra N
The Hyundai Elantra N arrived like a surprise party guest who brings all the booze and good music. It brings a surprising level of fire to the front-wheel-drive sports sedan world, and it comes fully armed with a six-speed manual that’s as bold as its angular, aggressive styling. The shifter feels precise and deliberate, rewarding confident throws with crisp engagement that’ll make you grin.
Its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, pumping out a mighty 276 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque, delivers punchy acceleration and a satisfying soundtrack that crackles and pops with theatrical flair, making it sound like a steroid-enhanced popcorn machine. The clutch pedal is well-tuned, striking a sweet spot between ease of use and real mechanical feel, allowing for smooth shifts even when you’re pushing it.
With its adaptive suspension, limited-slip differential, and drive modes that sharpen responses like a chef’s knife, the Elantra N stays planted and purposeful through corners, begging you to go faster. Inside, the cabin is sporty with deeply bolstered seats and N-specific touches that hint at its high-performance intentions. Every part of the car seems to encourage you to push a little harder, brake a little later, and shift a little quicker. The manual absolutely defines the character of the Elantra N, bringing energy and engagement to every single drive.
It’s the car that proves Hyundai isn’t just for car rental fleets anymore.
8. Toyota GR Corolla
Toyota didn’t just dip its toes into the hot hatch game; it cannonballed in with the GR Corolla, making a splash so big it probably upset a few rival manufacturers.
The manual-only setup for this pocket rocket is a bold move in this automatic-obsessed era, and it’s absolutely the right one. The gearbox is tight and rewarding, making every shift feel like a calculated move in a chess game played at 7,000 RPM. Its turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder might sound small on paper, but it packs a wallop, screaming out 300 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, and it absolutely sings with joy as it revs.
All-wheel drive adds incredible bite, allowing the car to launch and carve with surprising aggression, turning mundane roads into your personal rally stage. The interior is functional but purpose-built, with key driver controls within easy reach, reminding you this car means business. The GR Corolla feels like a street-legal rally car, eager to be pushed and punished, much like a younger sibling. There’s an urgency to how it drives that keeps your heart rate elevated, a constant reminder that you’re in something special.
It is a manual-first car, with a chassis and engine thoughtfully built around it, proving that sometimes, three cylinders and a stick are all you need for a good time.
9. Porsche 718 Cayman
The Porsche 718 Cayman (and its convertible sibling, the Boxster) proves that luxury and driver engagement aren’t mutually exclusive — in fact, they can be a match made in automotive heaven.
Its available six-speed manual is nothing short of a masterpiece, offering a mechanical precision that’s second to none. The shifter’s action is so sublime, it feels like it’s been engineered by Swiss watchmakers on an espresso binge. The engine, whether the 300-400+ hp four-cylinder turbo or the glorious naturally aspirated flat-six in higher trims like the GT4 (or GTS 4.0 with its 394 horsepower), pairs beautifully with the gearbox, creating a harmonious symphony of power and control. Each shift is an event, timed and felt through the palms and feet like an orchestra conducted through touch.
The chassis balance is near-perfect, the steering telepathic, and the car responds to driver input with immediate, unfiltered feedback. Inside, the cabin is clean, focused, and unmistakably Porsche — elegant without being fussy. The manual is a premium choice for those who truly care about the nuances of driving, not just lap times.
The Cayman is a reminder that the manual transmission isn’t just alive; in the right hands, and the right car, you can make it thrive, inspiring envious glances from those stuck with two pedals.
10. Acura Integra A-Spec
The new Acura Integra returns as a modern take on a beloved nameplate, and crucially, it offers a manual on its A-Spec trim with Technology Package, proving that Acura still remembers its enthusiast roots.
The gearbox is fluid and satisfying, echoing Honda’s long-standing excellence in shift feel. It’s light, precise, and makes every shift feel like a well-choreographed dance. The turbocharged 1.5-liter engine, shared with the Civic Si and producing 200 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque, is peppy and playful, making the most of each gear and providing surprisingly brisk acceleration.
Steering is light but precise, and the overall balance leans toward sport without sacrificing comfort, making it a genuinely pleasant daily driver. The interior is upscale, with just enough flair to distinguish itself in a crowded segment, feeling grown-up but not uptight, like a former street racer who now wears a blazer to work but still secretly has a NOS button on his keyfob. The Integra invites you to drive with purpose, to engage in the moment.
The manual isn’t just an option; it’s a core part of the car’s identity, providing that tactile connection that makes a commute genuinely enjoyable. It’s a proper comeback, and a welcome addition to the stick-shift stable.
Keep Calm and Carry a Clutch
In today’s automotive world, where self-driving dreams and electric motors dominate the headlines, the manual transmission continues to provide a driving experience full of connection, rhythm, and a healthy dose of mechanical satisfaction. The 10 cars highlighted here each deliver a specific kind of enjoyment, with gear changes that engage both the mind and body, making you feel less like a passenger and more like a pilot. From the nimble movements of the Miata to the deep rumble of the Mustang GT, these vehicles bring personality and character to every journey.
And every shift adds to the story of your drive. The feel of the clutch underfoot, the tactile thunk or snick of the shifter, and the immediate response from the engine all come together to create a focused and rewarding experience. These vehicles are built with the driver in mind, encouraging attention to every curve, every incline, every stop and go. Driving becomes an active process, filled with moments that ask for intention and response, turning a mundane trip into a mini-adventure.
The manual transmission offers a lasting appeal that transcends mere horsepower figures. Its simplicity and mechanical design continue to inspire drivers to stay involved with every mile, reminding us why we fell in love with cars in the first place. The cars on this list show that the bond between machine and driver remains strong, even in an increasingly automated world. Choosing to drive one of these cars means choosing a sense of control, rhythm, and personal style that flows with every gear change. And it means you’re part of an exclusive club, because let’s be honest, most people just don’t get it.
And that’s okay, because we’re too busy having fun.