Manual transmissions in 2025: which cars still offer a manual gearbox

By 2025, fewer than 30 new car models are available with a manual gearbox. Discover which brands still keep the stick shift alive — and why it’s vanishing from the road.

Manual transmissions are fading — but not without a fight. In 2025, the roster of new cars offered with a manual gearbox shrinks to just a few dozen models. Motor1 lists just under 30 such vehicles. That number is more than a statistic — it’s a signal of how the automotive transmission landscape is changing right now.

Why it's disappearing

There are multiple, interconnected reasons. First: demand. The marketplace is gradually giving up on “three pedals.” Automakers increasingly conclude that extra variants equal extra costs — in development, logistics, certification. Germany’s ADAC notes that many brands are shedding manuals as part of lineup optimization.

Second: emissions regulations and test cycles (like WLTP) today favor automatic transmissions and modern DCT setups, often more so than classic manuals. In Germany, analysts emphasize that while manuals were once the frugal choice, new automatics have nearly closed the efficiency gap — and offer more consistent performance under real driving conditions.

Third, and perhaps most decisively: electrification. Hybrids, PHEVs, and EVs simply no longer need classical manual gearing. ADAC states outright: hybrids and electric cars are by definition built without shifting gear systems. Add to that the fact that modern driver-assist systems (ADAS) are easier to integrate with automatics — transmissions that take control often “play nicer” with the software.

Finally, it’s business logic. Fewer trim variants means simpler parts logistics, unified platforms, lower certification risks.

What you still can buy with a manual in 2025

What survives in 2025 tends to be enthusiast-tier and niche performance machines:

— Porsche 911 Carrera T (MY2025) offers a 6-speed manual (Porsche’s press release confirms).
— BMW M2 / M3 / M4 (ICE variants) still hold the 6-speed manual option in the U.S. and some markets (BMW states “standard 6-speed manual” for M2).
— Mazda MX-5 (Miata) — the owner’s manual affirms manual availability.
— Honda Civic Type R (2025) — equipped solely with a 6-speed manual.
— Toyota GR86 and GR Corolla — model brochures and official 2025 specs confirm manuals exist.
— Subaru BRZ (2025) — the official site offers a manual version alongside the automatic.
— Nissan Z (2025) — a 6-speed manual is available.
— Lotus Emira — documentation and handbooks indicate manual gearbox availability.

In the more everyday classes, manual options are already rare. ADAC notes that in Europe, manuals are now mostly confined to compact segments and some sports models.

Who’s already dropped the stick shift

A striking case is the Volkswagen Golf GTI / Golf R (2025 model year) — they no longer offer a manual. Confirmed by Cars.com and other auto media, this move is not an isolated incident but a symptom. Even iconic models once defined by manual driving are shedding that identity.

Europe vs. U.S. — market imbalances

In Germany and across Europe, the disappearance of manuals is felt particularly acutely: in mid- and premium segments, manuals are nearly gone, notes ADAC. In the U.S., a handful of manual-equipped models hang on — but they’re largely specialty sports versions, as Motor1’s 2025 compendium shows.

Technical and strategic forces at work

Automatics and DCTs give manufacturers advantages in emissions calibration, especially under complex test cycles. They also mesh better with driver assistance systems that expect predictable transmission behavior. On top of that, optimizing the variant portfolio is a strategic win: fewer versions, less certification burden, less parts complexity.

Looking ahead

BMW hasn’t publicly retired manuals from its current M lineup (M2/M3/M4), yet doesn’t guarantee they’ll survive into future models — especially for electric M variants. German media and industry analysts foresee a future where, as BEV share rises and regulations tighten, manuals become the exception, not the option.

What to check before you buy

If you’re shopping in 2025 for a car with a real manual, always double-check the configurators and PDF spec sheets for your specific market. Sometimes a model has a manual in the U.S. but not in Europe. This discrepancy is especially true for models like the Porsche 911 and its special trims. Always reference the OEM’s local site and country-specific specifications.