Every New Manual Transmission Car, SUV, and Truck Available in America for 2026
By: [Your Name], Expert Automotive Industry Analyst
The American automotive landscape for 2026 has undergone a significant transformation, with traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles slowly giving way to electric vehicles (EVs) and advanced hybrid systems. Yet, for a dedicated segment of driving enthusiasts, the appeal of a manual transmission persists, offering a connection to the driving experience that no automatic can replicate. As the roster of manual transmission cars, manual transmission SUVs, and manual transmission trucks continues to dwindle, these offerings represent the last bastions of driver involvement in a world increasingly dominated by automated driving and electric powertrains.
For today’s buyers navigating the evolving market for new manual transmission cars and trucks, the decision to opt for a stick shift is often driven by more than just performance metrics. It’s about the emotional connection—the tactile feedback of shifting gears, the mechanical engagement with the powertrain, and the satisfying reward of mastering the machine. As automotive technology advances, the availability of these 3-pedal vehicles is becoming increasingly niche, making them prized possessions for those who appreciate the art of driving.
The Diminishing Roster of Stick-Shift Vehicles
In the 2026 model year, the manual transmission has shifted (pun intended) from a mainstream staple to an enthusiast niche. Once common in everything from sports cars to pickup trucks and basic commuters to minivans, the stick shift has become a low-volume novelty reserved for an ever-shrinking number of vehicles. For 2026, the manual gearbox mainly serves buyers seeking the involvement of shifting for themselves—true devotees who might be willing to pay more for it. In a world increasingly dominated by automatics and EVs, the feeling of rowing through gears seems increasingly special.
Aside from some ultra-exclusive hypercars, this list contains every new car, truck, and SUV with a manual transmission on sale in America for 2026. There are fewer options than last year, and with the way things are going, there could be fewer still next year, so take a good look at these holdouts that keep the manual transmission alive.
Best Manual Transmission Cars for Enthusiasts in 2026
For buyers seeking sports cars with manual transmission and performance-focused sedans, the 2026 lineup offers a few compelling options that prioritize driving engagement over automated convenience.
2026 Acura Integra and Integra Type S
Although the revived Acura Integra isn’t necessarily what every enthusiast thought it should be, at least it shares one great feature with the original: an available manual transmission. This four-door hatchback has moved upmarket, but the six-speed manual offered on the A-Spec Technology trim is a notable offering among entry-level luxury models.
For those seeking higher performance, the Integra Type S is a standout manual sports car. This variant is manual only and features a 320 hp turbocharged I-4 engine. It’s a fantastic driver’s car closely related to the Honda Civic Type R, offering a compelling blend of everyday usability and sporty performance.
2026 BMW M2
The BMW M2 stays true to the automaker’s old “Ultimate Driving Machine” identity. For drivers who want involvement, the M2 continues to offer a six-speed stick paired with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six, which now makes 473 hp and 406 lb-ft in manual form. That’s good for a 0–60-mph launch of 4.0 seconds in our testing. The shifter isn’t the best manual BMW has ever offered, but it adds enough engagement to make the experience more rewarding.
2026 BMW M3
Competition and xDrive versions of the BMW M3 appeal for their higher power output, but only the base model is available with a six-speed manual transmission. It’s still no slouch, making 473 hp and 406 lb-ft from its S58 twin-turbo I-6 engine. The M3 still looks strange, and its shifter doesn’t feel amazing, but choosing the manual instead of the paddle-shift eight-speed auto keeps things interesting.
2026 BMW M4
Getting a BMW M4 with a manual means it’ll have less power than the Competition and xDrive versions—but power isn’t everything. With its six-speed, the M4 still has 473 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque from its raspy twin-turbo I-6. More important, it offers driver engagement that two-pedal versions of the car lack. Unfortunately, the manual transmission isn’t available in the M4 convertible, which is built only in Competition spec.
2026 BMW Z4
Most automakers have reduced the manual transmission options in their lineups, but BMW recently added one. The Z4 had been automatic-only for years, but for 2024 the Bavarian company introduced the Handschalter package, which installs a six-speed manual in the M40i model. Don’t think BMW just dropped in a manual and called it a day. The transmission has its own linkages and software tuning, while the Handschalter package also adds chassis changes and offers alluring green paint not available on automatic Z4 models. The shifter feel is still typical BMW, with long throws and vague gates, but hey—it’s another new manual to choose from, even if must you pay an extra $3,500 for the privilege.
2026 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing
Although the standard Cadillac CT4 is a bit meh, the V Blackwing version is great—especially when equipped with a six-speed manual behind its 472-hp, 445-lb-ft twin-turbo V-6 engine. That engine could be more characterful, but the CT4-V Blackwing’s handling, braking, and manual shift action keep it a worthy rival to other sporty luxury cars.
2026 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
Put simply, the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is one of the finest sport sedans in the world, and the fact it’s still offered with a sharp six-speed manual only adds to its appeal. Its supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 pumps out 668 hp and 659 lb-ft of torque, enough to launch the car to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds despite a need to shift once. Going manual doesn’t make the CT5-V Blackwing much quicker than with the available 10-speed automatic, but it does reward the driver with a closer connection to that awesome blown V-8.
2026 Honda Civic Si and Type R
Honda no longer offers a manual in standard Civic models—too bad. At least it still gives enthusiasts two three-pedal performance options. The Civic Si sedan pairs its 200-hp 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four exclusively with a six-speed manual, and the range-topping Civic Type R uses a strengthened six-speed designed to handle its 315-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. While the Civic Si is good, the sublime Civic Type R is a sports car masterpiece.
2026 Hyundai Elantra N
Although Hyundai’s N division has made some incredible EVs, the gas-powered Elantra N remains the only Hyundai available with a true stick shift. This small sedan’s turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4 makes a potent 276 hp and 289 lb-ft. All that goes exclusively to the front wheels, but extensive chassis tuning gives the car genuine handling skills. It’s pretty quick, too: We clocked the manual version to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The Elantra N deserves mention alongside the best sport compacts on the market, regardless of price.
2026 Lotus Emira
Despite exotic looks and excellent handling, the Lotus Emira isn’t as great as a driver’s car as it might seem to be—and unfortunately, its manual transmission is largely to blame. The pedal spacing is very narrow, making heel-toe downshifts tricky, further complicated by the excessively heavy clutch effort. Nor does the shifter feel good, with long throws and narrow gates that cause mis-shifts. The shifter linkage is exposed in a cool open enclosure in the center tunnel, and the 400-hp, 310-lb-ft supercharged V-6 it’s connected to is sweet, but this manual is a major Emira miss. The car’s available AMG-sourced turbocharged I-4 is automatic only.
2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Power has never been what the Mazda MX-5 Miata has been about—rather, experience is what this little roadster delivers. A major aspect of the Miata’s lasting appeal is its commitment to a slick manual transmission, which in the current ND generation feels absolutely fantastic. The shifter gates are clear, with ideal spacing and effort to move between them. Clutch action is ultra linear. It’s the type of transmission worth shifting needlessly just because it’s so good.
2026 Mazda 3 Hatchback
The Mazda
