As car enthusiasts lament the dwindling availability of manual transmissions in today’s market, a glimmer of hope persists. Each year, Motor1.com takes on the ambitious task of contacting automakers to determine how many customers still choose to row their own gears. Their 2024 manual transmission take-rate findings are now in, and we’re sharing their comprehensive insights to help shed light on the state of three-pedal vehicles in the United States.

While the numbers clearly show manuals are a niche choice, there are pockets of enthusiasm and some surprising results. Below, we break down the take rates for each brand and model as compiled by Motor1.com.

Acura

Integra: 19.8%

Acura remains one of the few luxury brands to offer a manual transmission, with the Integra A-Spec Technology package and Type S accounting for nearly 5,000 manual sales. This is down from last year’s 22%, but still respectable.

BMW

M2: 50%

M3: 20%

M4: 15%

Z4: 65%

BMW continues to cater to enthusiasts with manual offerings, particularly the Z4 M40i Edition Handschalter Package, which boasted a 65% take rate. Meanwhile, BMW M models like the M2 (50%), M3 (20%), and M4 (15%) maintain consistent interest in manual options.

Cadillac

CT4-V Blackwing: Around 50%

CT5-V Blackwing: Around 50%

Cadillac’s Blackwing sedans carry on GM’s manual transmission legacy. Both models saw manual take rates hold steady at approximately 50%, signaling a committed enthusiast customer base.

Ford

Ford declined to provide specific figures but continues to offer manuals for the Bronco, Mustang GT, and Mustang Dark Horse. Notably, the Mustang is now the only V8-powered car in America with a manual option.

Honda

Civic: 7.2%

With the manual now restricted to the sporty Civic Si and Type R trims, Honda’s manual take rate held steady at 7.2%. Despite the relatively low percentage, the Civic’s high overall sales volume means it remains one of the most popular manual cars on the market.

Hyundai

Elantra N: Around 30%

Hyundai’s Elantra N saw a rise in manual take rates, increasing from 25% to 30%. While the dual-clutch transmission remains more popular, the manual still resonates with a loyal subset of buyers.

Jeep

Wrangler: Not Provided

Jeep declined to share exact figures but affirmed its commitment to offering a manual for Wrangler enthusiasts. The Gladiator, however, no longer offers a manual option.

Kia

Forte: Less Than 2%

The Forte, which was discontinued in 2024, saw manual take rates of less than 2% for the top-trim Forte GT.

Lotus

Emira V-6: 86%

Lotus saw a staggering 86% of Emira V-6 buyers opt for the manual transmission, one of the highest take rates in the industry. However, with more four-cylinder models being delivered in the future, this figure may decline.

Mazda

Miata: Around 70%

The beloved Mazda Miata saw manual take rates climb from 60% in 2023 to 70% in 2024.  The shift could be attributed to changes in trim offerings and the introduction of a refreshed Miata for the 2024 model year. Mazda did not provide Motor1 with the breakdown for the Mazda3.

Mini

Cooper: 15% (Through February 2024)

Cooper S: 15% (Through February 2024)

Cooper JCW: 45% (Through February 2024)

Production of manual Mini Coopers ended in early 2024, but high take rates of 15% for the Cooper and Cooper S and 45% for the John Cooper Works (JCW) trim illustrate a strong enthusiast push before the manual was discontinued.

Porsche

718 Boxster/Cayman: 43%

911: 37%

Porsche remains committed to offering manual sports cars. While the take rates are 43% for the 718 models and 37% for the 911 (where manual and automatic options are available), manual-exclusive trims like the 911 S/T show the brand’s dedication to driving purists.

Subaru

BRZ: 77.8%

WRX: 86.7%

Subaru continues to dominate the manual sales market, with nearly 80% of BRZ buyers and an impressive 86.7% of WRX customers opting for the stick shift. The WRX, in particular, remains one of the most popular manual cars in the U.S. by volume.

Toyota

GR86: 53%

GR Corolla: 97%

GR Supra: 65%

Tacoma: 2%

Toyota’s GR lineup saw an increase in manual take rates across the board. The GR Corolla’s astonishing 97% manual rate highlights its appeal to hardcore enthusiasts even with the introduction of a new automatic-transmission version, while the GR Supra jumped to 65%. Even the Tacoma pickup, at just 2%, accounted for roughly 3,856 manual sales due to its massive overall volume.

Volkswagen

Jetta: 6% (GLI: 38%)

Golf GTI: 41%

Golf R: 52%

With the manual Golf GTI and Golf R ending production in 2024, both models saw a spike in manual take rates, climbing to 41% and 52%, respectively. Meanwhile, the Jetta GLI’s manual rate also increased to 38%, while the base Jetta manual rate dropped to 6%.

Pagani

Utopia: 70%

In the ultra-exclusive realm of hypercars, Pagani revealed that 70% of U.S. Utopia buyers selected the seven-speed manual—a testament to the staying power of analog driving experiences, even in the luxury segment.

While manual-transmission cars remain a niche in today’s market, Motor1.com’s findings reveal a surprising level of resilience. Models like the Toyota GR Corolla, Subaru WRX, and Lotus Emira show there’s still an appetite for three-pedal vehicles, especially among enthusiasts. Whether these numbers hold steady or begin to fade as automakers increasingly move toward electrification remains to be seen.

For now, the manual transmission lives on—both as a nostalgic symbol of driving engagement and a badge of pride for those who embrace it. Let’s hope the stick shift’s unique charm continues to have a place on the roads for years to come.

Source: Motor1