With auto gross sales for 2023 streaming out earlier this month, we began questioning what number of handbook automobiles had been offered within the US final 12 months. While the recognition of the handbook transmission has waned considerably from its peak, there’s something of a small renaissance taking place amongst fans.
Manual gross sales made up lower than a % of automobiles offered within the US in 2021, however final 12 months, that quantity was round 1.7 %. Not loads, however not nothing. Many automakers have expanded their handbook choices, too, maybe most notably Toyota bringing a handbook to the Supra for the 2023 mannequin 12 months.
So we reached out to each automaker that sells a handbook automobile within the US to share take charges for manual-transmission fashions. Some gave us detailed information, some declined to offer something. Here’s what we gleaned concerning the state of the handbook within the U.S.
Integra Manual Take Rate: 22%
Right now, Acura sells two manual-transmission fashions, the Integra A-Spec, and the Integra Type S. All in all, 22 % of the 32,090 Integras offered in 2023 had six speeds and a clutch pedal for a complete of seven,060 automobiles.
Of course, that determine is down from the preliminary 70-percent handbook take charge of early reservation-holders for the Integra A-Spec, although that’s unsurprising. Typically fans who need a particular kind of automobile transfer first, then the remainder of the market is available in. And, 22 % of all Integras is exceptional when you think about the handbook is barely out there on the A-Spec Technology mannequin – whose $37,995 base worth is $5,000 larger than the bottom fashions – and the $52,995 Type S.
Maybe our shock is misplaced. As with its Civic sibling, the Integra’s handbook is likely one of the sweetest available on the market.
M2 Manual Take Rate: 50%
M3 / M4 Manual Take Rate: 20%
Even because the BMW model pushes ahead with electrification, it nonetheless affords an ordinary handbook transmission within the M2, M3, and M4. They’re widespread, too, with over half of M2s offered right here so geared up and round 20 % of M3s and M4s. Worth noting, too, is that the bottom M3 and M4 are manual-only, whereas the extra highly effective Competition, Competition xDrive, and limited-run M3 CS and M4 CSL are/had been automatic-only.
The handbook has confirmed robust sufficient for BMW to place the gearbox into the Z4 M40i in a US-exclusive trim. Though this isn’t new for BMW. Both the E60 and F10 M5s had been offered with sticks in America. But with BMW M going hybrid, the present M2, M3, and M4 will probably be the final with manuals.
Unfortunately, BMW doesn’t break down gross sales of M fashions versus the remainder of their respective lineups, so we don’t know precisely what number of handbook automobiles it offered right here final 12 months.
CT4-V Blackwing / CT5-V Blackwing Manual Take Rate: Nearly 50%
Now that sixth-gen Camaro manufacturing has ended, Cadillac is the one GM model to supply manual-transmission automobiles. A six-speed is normal on the CT4-V and CT5-V Blackwing, and the handbook take charge in 2023 was practically half for each fashions individually. As with BMW, we don’t know the full of Blackwings offered, however in any case, that is nonetheless a great variety of automobiles.
Unfortunately, these will probably be Cadillac’s final manual-transmission automobiles, because the model makes its transition to all-electric.
Camaro Manual Take Rate: Not Provided
A Chevrolet spokesperson didn’t present take-rate figures for the Bow Tie’s solely handbook mannequin left, the Camaro. As the Camaro ended manufacturing late final 12 months, Chevy not has a handbook providing.
Challenger Manual Take Rate: Not Provided
Dodge provided a six-speed handbook on many Challenger variations, however the automaker declined to supply a take charge determine for the 44,960 models offered final 12 months. This was the ultimate 12 months for Challenger gross sales, and whereas Dodge is engaged on a brand new two-door Charger to switch each the outdated Challenger and Charger, it’s unclear whether or not it can provide a handbook in any respect. While an internal-combustion model of the brand new Charger is rumored to exist, it’s nonetheless unconfirmed.
Mustang / Bronco Manual Take Rate: Not Provided
While Ford affords a handbook on each the Bronco and the Mustang, the automaker declined to supply take charges. A spokesperson merely says the corporate is “proud to continue offering manual-transmission options on the Bronco and Mustang.” For the Bronco, the handbook pairs completely with the bottom 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine. It’s a singular seven-speed with an ultra-short crawler gear. For the present S650-generation Mustang, the handbook is barely provided on V8-powered fashions, the GT and Dark Horse.
Ford did reveal the preliminary handbook take charge for the brand new Mustang to Road & Track final summer time. As of late July, 27 % of orders had been for the six-speed.
Civic Manual Take Rate: 7%
The Integra’s extra egalitarian sibling, the Civic, affords a handbook on many trims. It’s out there on each the Sport and Sport Touring Hatchback, and is the one transmission provided on each the Si and Type R. Honda’s manuals have lengthy set the usual within the automotive business, and this stays the case with the Civic’s six-speed, particularly so within the Type R. Don’t be disenchanted to study that solely 7 % of patrons within the US go for the handbook. But, when you think about Honda offered over 200,000 Civics final 12 months, it’s one of the vital widespread handbook automobiles within the nation.
Elantra N Manual Take Rate: 25%
Hyundai’s solely handbook providing within the US is the Elantra N sport-compact, and of all these offered final 12 months, round 25 % had a handbook transmission. A Hyundai spokesperson tells us that this determine has been constant all through the Elantra N’s life. The different transmission possibility for the sedan is an eight-speed dual-clutch computerized.
Wrangler / Gladiator Manual Take Rate: Not Provided
The Wrangler and Gladiator are among the many few vehicles that also provide a handbook transmission, however Jeep declined to supply figures. We suspect the take charge is pretty small, given the character of the market. The handbook can also be solely out there with Stellantis’ venerable Pentastar V6, so there are a selection of fashions the place it isn’t out there as an possibility.
Forte Manual Take Rate: Around 2%
We forgot the manual-transmission Kia Forte GT exists. It does, and we hope you’ll forgive our ignorance. It really sits atop the Forte mannequin hierarchy with a $26,315 base worth. A Kia spokesperson tells us that as of quarter 4 2023, the take charge was round 2 %. Given that Kia offered 123,953 Fortes in 2023, we will assume round 2,479 are manuals.
It’s nonetheless out there for the 2024 mannequin 12 months, so if you need a really uncommon automobile, put in an order together with your Kia supplier.
MX-5 Miata Manual Take Rate: 60%
Mazda3 Manual Take Rate: Not Provided
Mazda has two handbook choices for the time being, the MX-5 Miata and the three hatchback. A spokesperson tells us that round 60 % of Miata patrons go for the stick, however declined to supply a selected determine for the three, although famous that take charges for the handbook have declined year-over-year. We’ll take excellent news the place we will get it, although, and with Miata gross sales up considerably over 2022, which means a whole lot of new handbook MX-5s have arrived in buyer palms. Around 5,834, to be particular.
The Miata’s 60-percent take charge is healthier than that of the Toyota GR86’s 48 %, although decrease than the Subaru BRZ’s exceptional near-80 %. These three show there’s a good marketplace for reasonably priced, handbook sports activities automobiles within the US. We hope it’s massive sufficient for automakers to justify persevering with these choices.
John Cooper Works 2-Door Manual Take Rate: 51%
Cooper S 2-Door Manual Take Rate: 22%
All Other Models: 11%
Mini has lengthy been a booster of handbook transmissions within the US, and whereas its stick-shift choices go away on the finish of February, it offered loads final 12 months. The British model affords a handbook on all three variations of Cooper 2-Door (Base, S, and JCW), Cooper and Cooper S 4-Door, plus Cooper and Cooper S convertible. Nearly 51 % of JCW two-doors ordered final 12 months had been manuals, one thing a Mini spokesperson suspects is a results of the model asserting a handbook discontinuation. Twenty-two % of Cooper S 2-Door patrons went with the handbook final 12 months, whereas solely round 11 % ordered manuals on different fashions.
This 12 months, Mini can have an enormous lineup refresh with new gasoline and electrical variations of the Cooper 2-Door and Countryman SUV. The all-electric Aceman can also be anticipated to affix the get together in 2024. With the brand new technology of Cooper fashions, the handbook will not be on the choices listing.
Versa and Z Manual Take Rate: Not Provided
While Nissan affords a handbook on each the Versa subcompact sedan – a five-speed no much less, on the $17,405 base mannequin – and the Z sports activities automobile, it declined to supply take charge figures for both. Notably, the brand new Nismo Z is automatic-only, a call that’s proved controversial amongst fans.
718 / 911 Manual Take Rate (On Models With Manual Offered): 40%
The sports-car large doesn’t have up-to-date figures, however a spokesperson notes that as of some months in the past, the place each transmissions are on the choices listing, the cut up was typically 40-percent handbook, 60-percent dual-clutch on 718 and 911. The spokesperson doubts that has modified a lot.
In a whole lot of methods, Porsche arguably spurred on the manual-transmission renaissance, first with the manual-only 911 R in 2016 after which by reintroducing the choice on the 911 GT3 in 2017. The handbook GT3 has since proved vastly widespread, particularly within the US, the place at varied factors it has made up the overwhelming majority of gross sales right here.
BRZ Manual Take Rate: 79%
WRX Manual Take Rate: 74%
Impreza/Crosstrek Manual Take Rate: 1.6%
By our reckoning, Subaru has one of the best take-rate figures going. A spokesperson tells us “our enthusiast buyers have overwhelmingly preferred shifting their own gears.” For the WRX final 12 months, 74 % of patrons opted for the handbook whereas over 79 % of BRZ clients ordered the stick. The WRX is probably going one of the vital widespread handbook automobiles in your entire nation, on condition that of the 24,681 whole automobiles offered, 18,264 had manuals. That’s larger than all handbook Civics mixed.
We’re undecided why extra BRZ patrons go for the handbook than Toyota GR86 clients, however we’re simply pleased that plenty of these automobiles are out available on the market. The 2023 mannequin 12 months was additionally the final for the handbook Impreza and Crosstrek, and so they made up round 6 % of gross sales.
GR86 Manual Take Rate: 48%
GR Supra Manual Take Rate: 43%
Tacoma Manual Take Rate: 1.4%
Toyota really has one of the vital various handbook choices within the business. A six-speed is out there on each the GR86 and GR Supra 3.0 — its first full 12 months of availability — and the Tacoma pickup. It’s additionally the one transmission out there on the GR Corolla. A spokesperson tells us that for 2023, 48 % of US clients went for the handbook on the GR86, whereas 43 % opted for it on the GR Supra. That totals to five,317 and 1,140 models, respectively.
Just 1.4 % of Tacoma patrons opted for the handbook, or 3,287 of the 234,768 whole offered final 12 months. It’s not a ton, however sufficient for Toyota to justify carrying the handbook ahead to the brand new 2024 mannequin truck.
But the preferred handbook Toyota is the one that gives no different transmission—the GR Corolla. Toyota offered 5,567 final 12 months.
Golf GTI Manual Take Rate: 50%
Golf R Manual Take Rate: 40%
Jetta GLI Manual Take Rate: 40%
Jetta S/Sport Manual Take Rate: 5%
VW has notably revealed the brand new 2025 GTI, and whereas it brings a number of welcome modifications, it drops the six-speed manual option. But, over the course of 2023, manuals proved widespread amongst American Volkswagen patrons. A spokesperson informed us round 40 % of Jetta GLI and Golf R patrons went for the handbook, whereas half of GTI patrons made the identical selection. Volkswagen additionally affords a handbook on the Jetta S and Sport, although the take charge for these was solely round 5 %.
So, why is VW killing the handbook GTI (and presumably Golf R) within the States in the event that they’re so widespread? It’s as a result of growth of the upcoming Mark 8.5 Golf started when VW was anticipating harsher Euro 7 emissions guidelines. Those had been since relaxed, however not quickly sufficient to get the handbook again within the automobile. And whereas U.S. GTI patrons purchased the handbook in huge numbers, globally, it solely accounted for round 5 % of whole gross sales.
While handbook automobiles have skilled a pleasant renaissance over the previous few years, it’s nonetheless hardly a plurality. Yet, its area of interest appears to be comfy. Automakers have sizable take-rate figures to report on specialty fashions, and good quantity on extra mainstream choices just like the Civic. Sure, we’ll quickly lose handbook Minis and GTIs, however we’ve obtained loads of others to make up for the absence.
