The best manual transmission cars of 2025
Even in a world where automatic transmissions dominate, a select few automakers still offer the joy of a three-pedal driving experience. Whether it's a high-performance sports car, a hot hatch, or even a capable sedan, these are the best new cars of 2025 that still come with a manual transmission.Porsche continues to cater to purists with the latest 911 Carrera T ($135,995) and GT3 ($224,495) models. The Carrera T comes exclusively with a six-speed manual, pairing it with a 388-hp twin-turbo flat-six. The GT3, on the other hand, offers a naturally aspirated 502-hp engine that truly sings at high revs. While a PDK automatic is faster, the manual transmission delivers an unmatched driving experience.
Cadillac's CT5-V Blackwing ($99,090) is a four-door muscle car with a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 pushing out 668 horsepower. This sedan pairs its impressive power with a six-speed manual, making it one of the last true American performance sedans to embrace three-pedal engagement.Porsche's mid-engine sports car ($74,795) may not match the 911 in outright power, but its balanced chassis delivers handling that some enthusiasts consider even better. The high-revving GT4 model is a standout, featuring a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six derived from the GT3. Fortunately, a manual transmission remains available across the lineup, from the base four-cylinder models to the coveted GTS 4.0 flat-six versions.
Mechanically identical to the Cayman, the 718 Boxster ($76,895) offers the same sharp handling and engine choices, with the key difference being its open-top design. Like its coupe sibling, it comes with both flat-four and flat-six powertrains, along with the option of a manual transmission. For those seeking maximum performance, the Boxster Spyder RS delivers an even more intense driving experience.For those looking to stand out from the Porsche crowd, the Lotus Emira ($102,250) is an excellent alternative. It features a Toyota-sourced 3.5-liter supercharged V-6 mated to a six-speed manual, delivering a pure and engaging driving experience.
Surprise, surprise—Mazda's MX-5 Miata ($30,515) continues to champion the joy of lightweight, rear-wheel-drive motoring. While an automatic is available, the Miata's six-speed manual is the only real choice for those who want to maximize its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine's potential.
Honda's Civic Type R ($47,045) remains one of the best-handling front-wheel-drive cars on the market. With a turbocharged four-cylinder producing 315 horsepower and one of the best manual gearboxes in the industry, it's a must-drive for enthusiasts.
Toyota and Subaru's lightweight, rear-wheel-drive sports cars (starting at $31,135 and $32,380, respectively) offer an exhilarating experience for budget-conscious buyers. Both come standard with a six-speed manual, ensuring an engaging and connected drive.With a twin-turbo V6 and a manual transmission, the CT4-V Blackwing ($63,590) is a more affordable yet equally engaging alternative to its CT5-V sibling. GM's exceptional chassis tuning also ensures it competes with the best sports sedans available.
BMW's M2 ($66,675) remains a favorite among enthusiasts, pairing a 453-hp turbocharged inline-six with a six-speed manual. It delivers a pure, driver-focused experience reminiscent of BMW's glory days.
Acura brought back the Integra name with a six-speed manual option for both the standard model in A-Spec trim and the high-performance Type S, starting at $39,195 and $54,095, respectively. Both models share their mechanicals with the Civic Type R, which is by no means a bad thing.
The GR Corolla ($39,995) offers a rally-inspired experience with its 300-hp turbocharged three-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive. While an automatic option now exists, the manual is the enthusiast's pick.With the Veloster N and Kona N gone, the Elantra N ($36,445) is Hyundai's last manual-equipped performance car. It features a fantastic six-speed gearbox and an engaging turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
The latest Mustang ($48,155) isn't as liberal with the manual transmission offerings as it once was—you can only get a three-pedal pony car with V8 models like the GT and Dark Horse—but we're just happy to see Ford hasn't abandoned the manual transmission yet for its most iconic muscle car. If you want a manual muscle car, the Mustang remains one of the best choices.
After years of criticism, Toyota finally gave the Supra ($57,385) a six-speed manual option in 2023. It's only available with the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, but it transforms the driving experience. With 65% of all Supras sold in 2024 specced with a manual, it's clear there's a demand for more.
For those who want an engaging manual car without breaking the bank, the Civic Si ($31,400) offers a 200-hp turbo-four, a slick six-speed manual, and everyday usability. It's like the everyman's fun car.While the WRX STI is no more, the standard WRX ($36,920) remains a fun, all-weather performance car. It comes standard with a manual, though the top-trim GT disappointingly drops it in favor of a CVT.
Though most buyers opt for the automatic, BMW still offers a six-speed manual with the base 473-hp M4 ($80,275). It may not be the fastest version, but it's the most rewarding to drive.
If you need extra doors, the BMW M3 sedan ($77,175) delivers the same performance as the M4 coupe but with a more practical four-door layout. The styling gets subtle tweaks, including wider rear fenders to accommodate beefy tires. Under the hood, the base M3 packs 473 horsepower and comes standard with a six-speed manual, while the more potent M3 Competition models are automatic-only.Love it or hate it, the Nissan Z ($45,000 est.) remains a compelling sports car. A twin-turbocharged 400-hp V6, rear-wheel drive, and a six-speed manual make for an enticing package. The biggest letdown? The sharper, track-focused NISMO variant is automatic-only.
For 2025, BMW made the Z4 ($71,675) even more appealing by adding a six-speed manual option to the M40i model. The stick shift is part of the "Handschalter" package (German for "hand shifter"), which costs $3500 and includes additional performance upgrades.
Mazda continues to offer a six-speed manual in the stylish and fun-to-drive Mazda 3 ($31,835)—but only if you opt for the hatchback, the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter inline-four, and the Premium trim. Sadly, you can't pair the stick shift with the more powerful turbo engine or all-wheel drive, but we'll take what we can get.Think of the Volkswagen Jetta GLI ($33,940) as the Golf GTI's sedan counterpart. It shares the same platform, engaging driving dynamics, and a turbocharged engine. But there's one key difference for 2025: while the GTI drops its manual transmission, the Jetta GLI still offers a six-speed stick, which is something enthusiasts will surely appreciate.
Manual transmissions are increasingly rare, but the models that still offer them are some of the best driver's cars available. Whether you're looking for a high-performance sports car, a capable sedan, or an engaging hot hatch, these models prove that the manual transmission isn't dead—yet.
Love reading Autoblog? Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get exclusive articles, insider insights, and the latest updates delivered right to your inbox. Click here to sign up now!

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Tesla's finance chief says Americans should buy its cars now — Trump's Big Beautiful Bill could affect later deliveries
Tesla urged potential US buyers to order now due to limited vehicle supply this quarter. Trump's Big Beautiful Bill ends the $7,500 EV credit, which will likely affect Tesla's US sales. On Wednesday, Tesla reported a revenue decline and saw its stock drop 4%. Tesla has a message for Americans: If you want our cars, buy them now. On Wednesday's earnings call, Tesla's chief financial officer, Vaibhav Taneja, said that President Donald Trump's tax law could affect the availability of its cars. One of the law's changes is the removal of the $7,500 EV credit by the end of the quarter. "Given the abrupt change, we have limited supply of vehicles in the US this quarter," Taneja said. "If you are in the US and looking to buy a car, place your order now as we may not be able to guarantee delivery orders placed in the later part of August and beyond." Earlier this month, the House passed the final version of the bill, which extends the president's 2017 tax cuts and makes key changes to the tax system. The law also ends the $7,500 EV tax credit awarded to buyers on September 30, which analysts saw as a win for smaller rivals such as Lucid and Rivian, who are less dependent on the credit. The Tesla CFO said that the company would start "paring" back planned incentives as cars start to sell. After the tax law was passed, Tesla began offering perks such as free supercharging on select models, a one-month free trial of Full Self‑Driving, and a $1,000 discount for "American heroes" like military members, teachers, and first responders. Tesla said it delivered over 384,000 vehicles in the quarter that ended in June. On the call, CEO Elon Musk said Tesla is in a "weird transition period" as it navigates the expiration of incentives and the wider regulatory environment for autonomous vehicles. The Trump administration's tariffs are also raising costs for the automaker, the CFO said. "While we are doing our best to manage these impacts, we are in an unpredictable environment on the tariff front," Taneja said. He estimated that the cost of the tariffs increased by around $300 million this quarter. On Wednesday, the EV giant reported second-quarter revenue of $22.5 billion, compared to expectations of $22.64 billion — its sharpest quarterly revenue decline in at least the last 10 years. It reported earnings per share, a key measure of profitability, were 40 cents, compared to Wall Street's estimates of 42 cents. Tesla's stock fell over 4% after hours on Wednesday. It is down 17.6% so far this year. Read the original article on Business Insider
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Karma Automotive unveils the Kaveya hypercar at Goodwood Festival of Speed
At this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed, Karma Automotive, an American luxury EV company, debuted their latest hypercar; The Karma Kaveya. The Kaveya, which took part in the famous Goodwood hill-climb can achieve up to 1,000 horsepower and has a fully electric power train. The Keveya is equipped with a 120-kWh battery pack that provides a targeted range of over 250 miles. The vehicle can DC fast charge from 10-80% in approximately 45 minutes. Switch Auto Insurance and Save Today! Great Rates and Award-Winning Service The Insurance Savings You Expect Affordable Auto Insurance, Customized for You According to the brand, the Karma Kaveya aims to redefine luxury and performance, designed to accelerate from 0-60 mph in under three seconds and reach a top speed of 180 mph. Frankie Youd spoke with Nicholas David, vice president of global design, Karma Automotive, to learn more about the vehicle, the design itself and future plans. Frankie Youd (FY): Could you provide some background on Karma Automotive and what you are showing at Goodwood Festival of Speed? Nicholas David (ND): Karma Automotive is based in California. The design and R&D facility is in California, as well as the factory near Palm Springs. We've been going now for about eleven years. I've been with the company for about three years. The brand is now moving towards the ultra-luxury space. I think that's going to be great for us; we want lower volume, a higher margin and far more exclusivity. What we have at Goodwood this year is the Karma Kaveya. There will be around 1,800 units made and sold. There might be some different variants. What we have here today is the four-motor electric version; it will also come as a two-motor, rear-wheel drive. The two-motor starts at about $300,000 and the four-motor will start at about $400,000, but you will be able to spec it accordingly. What we want to do with Karma Automotive is get a lot of personalisation, to have people come in and configure it. It's also really good for people to see if moving at this event. It's good to see the car running up the hill. People can see it and say: 'wow look at that!' What was the design process for this vehicle? With the Kaveya we were trying to design a supercar that no one looks at and thinks 'oh, it looks a bit like something else'. It looks completely unique. When we are at the design studio, we have a 'no' list, which is a list of attributes that other car companies are doing, especially supercars, that we say we will not do on our car. I think as designers, we can come up with something new, but sometimes we fall back on what we feel is safe in some areas. Some of the designs we came up with were phenomenal but we said no, too close to something else. We really did make a point of trying to be unique. I think as designers, we can come up with something new, but sometimes we fall back on what we feel is safe in some areas. I think we have come up with something very unique, clean, very simple. We have this master line; it goes from the rear fender, around the cowl into the other fender. We call it a comet line. That is a signature now for all our Kaveya models; all the other surfaces drape from it. Within the design industry I think there's been this bit of 'anti-design' where there are lots of slashes, weird forms, strange volumes, to make it 'new'. I think we really wanted to concentrate on the proportion and then reduce, reduce, reduce. People with a V10, V12 want noise, and you have to have some theatre with that. So, what is our theatre? We've removed all the door seals, and made them hidden seals; the windshield wiper panel slides back and forth to hide the wipers, which is also good for aerodynamics. To open the door you have a touch sensor on the panel; at the back of the vehicle at high speeds the spoiler comes out, and slides in when you want it to. Could you discuss the design of the interior? The interior that you see on the car today is more the demo car interior that we've been using. The screens hide away when you don't want them, or they reduce down. The armrest moves to expose the cupholder, when you get in it is a very clean and simple design. The car allows you to hide elements and bring them out when you want. We are also looking into passenger side screens. Do clients want to have minimal or maximum interaction? We are listening and thinking about it; a lot of clients are saying it would be nice for this model. There are some things that we do have to consider doing when we listen. Does the company have a global reach or is it focusing more on the US? The current car we're producing, the Revero, is available in mainland Europe. It's been homologated for there, as well as North America. The split is a bit more biased towards America. This one will be globally homologated. We'll be showcasing in China, Middle East, Europe and America. The Amaris will probably be a global vehicle, but they will remain left-hand drive. The Gyesera, is homologated for North America currently, but it can be adapted for Europe. We definitely are trying to become more of a global brand We definitely are trying to become more of a global brand, to have them in UK and everywhere. We've been building up the dealership network. We've got a lot of dealers in North America already and in Europe. What is the reaction to a hypercar which is electric? When we first showed it, I think it was at the peak of 'let's go electric', and there was really good influence on those early adopters. However, in the industry news at the moment it's about pulling back away from electric a little bit and going more towards maybe for hybrid as a stepping stone. A lot of the people who have put down a deposit already have a lot of ICE supercars, and they were okay with it, because they wanted something different; they want a different experience with each car they have. They like a performance, the looks, and the drama. This model is supposed to be full electric; we're not going to do an ICE version. We've also tried to hit a bit of a nice niche area, because you have Hyundai, BMW, Volkswagen, down in the more affordable EV vehicles. This falls in, as I said, about the $300,000-$400,000 mark, so it's a bit more of a niche area where people usually own quite a few cars, it's not their only one. They like a performance, the looks, and the drama. "Karma Automotive unveils the Kaveya hypercar at Goodwood Festival of Speed" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Faraday Future Hosts Successful Capitol Hill Club Reception Showcasing Commitment to American Manufacturing and Innovation
WASHINGTON, July 24, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Faraday Future Intelligent Electric Inc. (NASDAQ: FFAI) ("Faraday Future", "FF" or the "Company"), a California-based global shared intelligent electric mobility ecosystem company, held a well-attended and impactful reception at the Capitol Hill Club this week, drawing over a dozen members of Congress and key stakeholders from across the policy and business landscape. The event served as a platform to highlight Faraday Future's ongoing efforts to bring advanced electric vehicle innovation and manufacturing jobs back to American soil. "We at Faraday Future have expressed our desire to play a role in the great American comeback we are seeing under this Administration, particularly as it relates to the automotive industry, which has been the bedrock of American industry for ages," said John Schilling, Global Director of Communications and Public Relations at Faraday Future. The event featured both FF's cutting-edge FF 91 2.0 electric supercar as well as its recently unveiled FX Super One MPV model. Attendees got a firsthand look at both products and experienced the technology, craftsmanship, and vision driving FF's expansion strategy. FF leadership, including FX CEO Max Ma, also met with staff at the White House earlier this week, which included an open dialogue on a number of policy topics such as tariffs, U.S. manufacturing and innovation. FF looks forward to continuing to work closely with the White House in the near future to promote the long-term prosperity of America's high-end manufacturing sector, centered around the automotive industry and its broader ecosystem. "We were extremely honored by the attendance of numerous members of Congress who were interested in both our vehicles, because who wouldn't be, but more importantly, our story about building and employing American," continued Schilling. "We're committed to expanding production here at home and look forward to working with Congress and the Trump Administration to help make that vision a reality." Faraday Future's leadership emphasized that the company is aligning with the current Administration's vision to reindustrialize America and revitalize core manufacturing sectors. With plans to increase domestic production and invest in U.S. jobs, Faraday is proud to be a part of a new chapter in American innovation. ABOUT FARADAY FUTURE Faraday Future is a California-based global shared intelligent electric mobility ecosystem company. Founded in 2014, the Company's mission is to disrupt the automotive industry by creating a user-centric, technology-first, and smart driving experience. Faraday Future's flagship model, the FF 91, exemplifies its vision for luxury, innovation, and performance. The FX strategy aims to introduce mass production models equipped with state-of-the-art luxury technology similar to the FF 91, targeting a broader market with middle-to-low price range offerings. FF is committed to redefining mobility through AI innovation. Join us in shaping the future of intelligent transportation. For more information, please visit FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release includes "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words "plan to," "can," "will," "should," "future," "potential," and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside the Company's control, that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors, among others, that may affect actual results or outcomes include, among others: the Company's ability to secure necessary agreements to license or produce FX vehicles in the U.S., the Middle East, or elsewhere, none of which have been secured; the Company's ability to homologate FX vehicles for sale in the U.S., the Middle East, or elsewhere; the Company's ability to secure the necessary funding to execute on its AI, EREV and Faraday X (FX) strategies, each of which will be substantial; the Company's ability to secure necessary permits at its Hanford, CA production facility; the Company's ability to secure regulatory approvals for the proposed Super One front grill; the potential impact of tariff policy; the Company's ability to continue as a going concern and improve its liquidity and financial position; the Company's ability to pay its outstanding obligations; the Company's ability to remediate its material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting and the risks related to the restatement of previously issued consolidated financial statements; the Company's limited operating history and the significant barriers to growth it faces; the Company's history of losses and expectation of continued losses; the success of the Company's payroll expense reduction plan; the Company's ability to execute on its plans to develop and market its vehicles and the timing of these development programs; the Company's estimates of the size of the markets for its vehicles and cost to bring those vehicles to market; the rate and degree of market acceptance of the Company's vehicles; the Company's ability to cover future warranty claims; the success of other competing manufacturers; the performance and security of the Company's vehicles; current and potential litigation involving the Company; the Company's ability to receive funds from, satisfy the conditions precedent of and close on the various financings described elsewhere by the Company; the result of future financing efforts, the failure of any of which could result in the Company seeking protection under the Bankruptcy Code; the Company's indebtedness; the Company's ability to cover future warranty claims; the Company's ability to use its "at-the-market" program; insurance coverage; general economic and market conditions impacting demand for the Company's products; potential negative impacts of a reverse stock split; potential cost, headcount and salary reduction actions may not be sufficient or may not achieve their expected results; circumstances outside of the Company's control, such as natural disasters, climate change, health epidemics and pandemics, terrorist attacks, and civil unrest; risks related to the Company's operations in China; the success of the Company's remedial measures taken in response to the Special Committee findings; the Company's dependence on its suppliers and contract manufacturer; the Company's ability to develop and protect its technologies; the Company's ability to protect against cybersecurity risks; and the ability of the Company to attract and retain employees, any adverse developments in existing legal proceedings or the initiation of new legal proceedings, and volatility of the Company's stock price. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2025, and other documents filed by the Company from time to time with the SEC. View source version on Contacts Investors (English): ir@ Investors (Chinese): cn-ir@ Media: