We Inquired with Every Car Manufacturer About the Number of Customers Choosing Manual Transmissions in 2024.

2025-04-08 22:24:15

Although the availability of manual transmissions has decreased, there remains a demand for vehicles with three pedals.

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In what is now an annual tradition at Motor1, we’re kicking off 2025 by sending lots of emails to automakers to see what manual transmission sales were like the previous year. This gives us a look at the state of the manual in America, where it is certainly not the dominant transmission choice, but continues to hold steady among enthusiasts.

In 2024, we saw the departure of several manual transmission vehicles, most prominently the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger. Additionally, several other models were phased out during the transition to the 2025 model year. However, a new addition made its way onto the roster, along with numerous manual transmission cars that continued to perform well in sales.

No more beating around the bush, here’s what we discovered:

Acura

Acura stands out as the sole luxury automaker offering a compact car with a manual transmission, and the sales figures for the three-pedal Integra remain commendable. This year, the take rate has decreased to 19.8 percent from last year's 22 percent, and overall sales of the Integra have declined. Nevertheless, it still represents close to 5,000 units sold. The manual transmission can be found in the A-Spec Technology package and is the exclusive option for the Type S model.

BMW

M2: 50%
M3: 20%
M4: 15%
Z4: 65%

BMW was one of the rare automakers to add a manual model for 2024, the Z4 M40i Edition Handschalter Package. It shares its six-speed manual with its Toyota Motor Corporation GR Supra twin, and it proved popular. BMW tells us that 65 percent of customers opted for the Handschalter Package. That actually helped Z4 sales tick up last year.

In the meantime, sales of BMW M models with manual transmissions remain consistent. Approximately 50 percent of M2 buyers opt for the six-speed manual, while the M3 sees a take rate of 20 percent and the M4 has 15 percent. These figures are comparable to those from the previous year.

Cadillac

CT4-V Blackwing: Around 50%
CT5-V Blackwing: Around 50%

With the Chevrolet Camaro discontinued, Cadillac stands as the sole GM brand in the U.S. to provide vehicles with manual transmissions. Since the introduction of the CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing in 2022, the demand for manual options has remained robust. According to a spokesperson, the take rate for manual transmissions is approximately 50 percent, consistent with the previous year.

The CT5-V Blackwing also got a big update for 2025 with a facelift and an optional Precision Package, which is aimed at shaving lap times. Thankfully, you can still get it with a manual, too.

Ford

Bronco: Not Provided
Mustang: Not Provided

Similar to the previous year, Ford chose not to disclose take-rate statistics, stating instead, "Ford is proud to offer customers the option of a manual transmission on two fantastic vehicles." A manual transmission can be found in the four-cylinder Bronco, the Mustang GT, and the Dark Horse. Notably, the Mustang stands out as the sole vehicle offering a naturally aspirated V-8 along with a clutch pedal, especially now that the Camaro is no longer available and the Challenger has been succeeded by the new two-door Charger, which does not come with a manual option.

Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Image credit: Motor1.com

Civic: 7.2%

For decades, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has set the standard for manual-transmission cars, though 2024 saw it pare back some of its manual offerings. With the 2025 Civic facelift that arrived mid-way through the year, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. dropped the manual on all but its sportiest Civic models, the Si and Type R. Still, the manual take rate was strong at 7.2 percent, about the same as last year.

Given Honda Motor Co., Ltd. sold over 240,000 Civics in total last year, it's one of the most popular manual-transmission cars out there, despite a single-digit take rate percentage. We're curious to see if that changes for 2025, with fewer manual Civic offerings.

Hyundai Motor Company

Elantra N: Around 30%

Hyundai Motor Company’s only manual car is a great one. The recently facelifted Elantra N comes standard with a six-speed manual, and while it isn’t quite the sweetest manual out there, it’s still the transmission we’d pick over the optional seven-speed dual-clutch. We’re in the minority, apparently, but manual Elantra N sales are on the rise. Hyundai Motor Company tells us that the take rate ticked up from 25 to 30 percent compared with last year.

Jeep

Image credit: Jeep

Gladiator: Not Provided
Wrangler: Not Provided

Similar to last year, Jeep chose not to disclose exact numbers regarding the popularity of manual transmissions. A representative stated, “[t]he majority of our customers favor the eight-speed automatic transmission. Although demand is limited, the Jeep brand will persist in offering the six-speed manual for Wrangler enthusiasts who appreciate its engagement and control.”

Last year marked the end of the manual-transmission Gladiator, though, leaving Toyota Motor Corporation as the only automaker selling a stick-shift pickup in the US.

Kia

Forte: Less Than 2%

Last year saw the conclusion of the Forte, making way for the new K4 model. Many fans may have been unaware that a manual variant of the Forte existed, as a six-speed option was offered for the high-end Forte GT. According to a representative, just like last year, this manual version accounted for less than 2 percent of total Forte sales.

Lotus

Image credit: DW Burnett / Motor1

Emira V-6: 86%

After a long anticipation, Lotus kicked off the delivery of the US Emira in early 2024. The six-speed manual transmission is exclusively offered with the Emira V-6 model, while the Emira Turbo comes equipped with an AMG-engineered four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. According to Lotus, an impressive 86 percent of Emira V-6 buyers opted for the manual transmission, marking one of the highest adoption rates we've observed in any vehicle. However, we believe that as Lotus increases the number of four-cylinder models delivered, the overall demand for the Emira manual may decline in the future.

Mazda

Mazda3: Not Provided
Miata: Around 70%

Mazda still provides two models with manual transmission options: the Mazda3 hatchback and the Miata. While the company did not disclose the take-rate for the Mazda3, the take rate for the Miata's manual transmission increased from approximately 60 percent in 2023 to 70 percent in 2024. This increase might be attributed to the fact that the automatic transmission is now exclusively offered on the Grand Touring trim, which has raised the pric