In an age of ever-increasing automation, manual transmissions are becoming increasingly rare. However, there are still a number of cars, trucks, and SUVs that offer a manual option. For those who enjoy the challenge and satisfaction of shifting gears on their own, manual transmissions can be a great choice. In addition, manual transmissions often offer better fuel economy and can be more fun to drive. Of course, they also require more skill and practice to master. For those who are willing to put in the effort, though, manual transmissions can be a great option.
You can’t go wrong with a sports car that offers a manual transmission! In this segment of vehicles, having access to a manual transmission means that you have complete control over the shifting of gears, and you have a much more connected feel to the vehicle.
These reasons are why most people enjoy a good sports car where you can row through the gears! Here are the 11 sports cars you can buy new today with a manual transmission.
So you want a bit of luxury in your car, but still want to physically move your vehicle from gear to gear? There aren’t a ton of luxury vehicles on the market today that offer this capability, however here they are.
A manual transmission has considerably fewer components than an automatic transmission. That is why some manufacturers give a manual transmission as an option for a lower price! For those that like a transmission like this, that makes these a screaming deal of a vehicle. They are generally fun vehicles to throw around at a low price.
You probably didn’t know that SUVs can have manual transmissions as well! While the manual transmission is generally used in SUVs for off-road purposes like in the Bronco and Wrangler, they are also used sometimes to lower the price point like the Hyundai Venue and Kia Soul.
You won’t find pickup trucks with manual transmissions much anymore! Nowadays they utilize 10-speed automatics with plenty of fancy gear to go along with them. If you are someone that still wants a manual transmission in your pickup, then here are your options!
One advantage of a manual transmission is that it can be more fuel-efficient than an automatic transmission. This is because the driver can control when to shift gears, and they can avoid shifting gears too early or too late. As a result, manual transmissions can help to save fuel and reduce emissions.
Another advantage of manual transmissions is that they can provide more control to the driver. This is particularly beneficial when driving on challenging terrain or in difficult weather conditions.
Manual transmissions also tend to be less expensive than automatics, making them a good choice for budget-conscious drivers.
Ultimately, manual transmissions offer several benefits that make them an appealing option for many drivers.
It used to be that you could opt for a manual transmission on just about any vehicle, and an automatic was the outlier, however, in modern days that has changed, and the manual transmission is dying out.
Manual transmission is in decline for several reasons.
First, automatic transmissions are more convenient. They don’t require the driver to shift gears, which can be difficult to do in heavy traffic or stop-and-go conditions.
Additionally, automatics are more fuel-efficient than manual transmissions, due to advances in technology.
Another reason is that it is expensive for manufacturers to develop a transmission. With people moving more toward automatics, they don’t see the number of people buying the manual that they need to justify the development costs needed to keep up with the manuals.
Finally, the manual transmission used to be the best way to get the most speed out of a vehicle! However with the arrival of dual-clutch automatic transmissions, and enhancements on automatic transmissions in general, these vehicles are now getting more speed out of them.
As a result of these factors, manual transmissions are increasingly rare on new cars. While they still have a devoted following among enthusiasts, manual transmissions will likely continue to decline in the coming years.
Many people are intimidated by the manual transmission, believing that it is difficult or even impossible to drive. However, with a little practice, anyone can learn to drive a manual transmission vehicle.
The first step is to understand the basics of how the transmission works. The manual transmission has two pedals – the accelerator and the clutch – and a gear shift. The accelerator controls the speed of the engine, while the clutch determines when the gears should be changed. To change gears, the driver must depress the clutch pedal, move the gear shift into the desired position, and then release the clutch pedal. With a little practice, this process becomes second nature.
In addition, manual transmissions are often more fuel-efficient than their automatic counterparts, making them an ideal choice for drivers who are looking to save money at the pump. With a little patience and practice, anyone can learn to drive a manual transmission vehicle.
If you’re looking for a vehicle with a manual transmission, there are still plenty of options available! From budget-friendly cars to luxury SUVs, there’s something for everyone. While manual transmissions are in decline, they’re still a popular choice among drivers who appreciate the control and convenience they offer.
I hope that I was able to point you in a good direction to help you out with this dying but fun breed of manual transmission vehicles.
Hey guys, Austin here. I am the Founder of A Man and His Gear (AMAHG). What started as a crazy idea that I just couldn’t shake late at night, has now turned into my full-time gig! I first came up with the idea behind A Man and His Gear in December 2017. I picked up my laptop to write my first article, and haven’t put it down since. Learn More About Austin
The manual transmission – it’s fun to drive, generally gets better gas mileage, and helps a ton with off-road driving. Regardless of these upsides, this breed of transmission is slowly dying out, especially in the SUV segment.
Even though in the not-so-distant past, SUVs like the Jeep Patriot, Kia Soul, and even the Mazda CX-5 all had a standard transmission, now we are down to just two SUVs that offer this feature instead.
The all-new Ford Bronco and the Jeep Wrangler are the only SUVs currently offering a manual transmission, which is purely for offroad fans. Outside of this, the Subaru Crosstrek was the last hold-out until the 2024 model year was announced and, with it, the manual.
Review the final two SUVs and learn which one might work best for you! I’ll discuss some modern used SUVs with manual transmissions that might work for you.
Outside of a messy engine bay and many production issues, the Ford Bronco is one of my favorite everyday vehicles on the road today. Ford hit it out of the park with its retro-yet-modern styling and off-road capabilities. This SUV truly put the Jeep Wrangler, which had been living off on its own, on notice.
The Ford Bronco is also one of the only SUVs on the market today that offers a manual transmission. In this case, it is a 7-speed manual (one of the gears is a crawling gear). It can be added to all trim levels up until the Wildtrak. The Heritage Limited, and the Bronco Raptor can only be equipped with a 10-speed automatic, as the 2.3L Ecoboost is required for the manual. These trim levels use the 2.7L Ecoboost or the 3.0L Ecoboost in the case of the Raptor.
If you are looking for great off-roading credibility but still want on-road comfort, the Bronco has no actual match (at least one that can have a standard transmission, anyways).
The Jeep Wrangler has been a mainstay in the industry and has been chugging along with its manual transmission since its introduction in 1986 (replacing the CJ series, which also had a manual transmission). In the most current iteration, the Wrangler is offered with a 6-speed manual transmission, all the way from the base Sport trim up to the Sahara (anything after can only be equipped with the 8-speed automatic).
You can’t go wrong with a Jeep Wrangler; they have had manual transmissions in their vehicles for decades and are quite proven. The major downside I see with the Wrangler is that the Bronco rides considerably better on the road than a Wrangler. I don’t feel enough of the reviewers mentioning the stark difference between the two’s on-road performance.
That said, the Wrangler is a fantastic off-roader, and the aftermarket support on these vehicles is the best in the world. The other significant benefit to these is the fact that there are plenty on the used market for you to get, making this a great budget option if you go that route.
With only two new SUVs offering a manual transmission, you might have to buy a used SUV instead! That is why I have some of my favorite modern SUVs that provide a third pedal, so you can decide if they are right for you.
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