New manual cars in 2022 article highlights:

• Sports cars offer the greatest selection of new manual transmission options in 2022
• Hot hatches and sports sedans offer more practical alternatives for those seeking new stick-shift cars
• Manual options are scattered around some cars’ trims—some on higher-end trims, some on base ones

The manual market might’ve shrunk enough for SNL to poke fun at stick-shift shenanigans, but rowing your own gears isn’t a dead art yet. Although automatics are faster, smoother, and more efficient than ever, the manual transmission is sticking around. And while it’s getting rarer, you can still find new manual cars in 2022. Specifically, the new cars described below.

Shift yourself into 2022 with a new manual sports car

It shouldn’t be surprising that the sports car remains a bastion of new manual availability in 2022. And there’s a sporty stick-shift 2022-MY car available for practically every budget, MotorTrend reports. So, let’s tackle them alphabetically.

First on the list of new manual sports cars is the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro. Admittedly, it’s down on sales compared to the Mustang and Challenger. But that’s not because it drives poorly. Also, unlike the M3 and M4, you can get any 2022 Camaro with a stick: $26,195 turbo-four; $28,290 V6; and $35,195 V8. And you can get it in the Camaro convertible. However, if you want a manual Camaro, better act fast, because Chevrolet’s about to replace it with an EV.

Speaking of the Mustang and Challenger, they’re also keeping the manual alive. No, you can’t get a Hellcat with a manual, but the $43,565 Challenger Scat Pack is still a lot of fun. And apart from the Mach-E crossover and Shelby GT500, all 2022 Mustangs offer manuals.

If you want the definitive new manual sports car experience, the Mazda Miata is arguably it. And stick-shift enthusiasts have more reason to rejoice because, for 2022, the only Miata that offers an automatic is the top-shelf Grand Touring. But you might want to pony up for the $30,800 2022 Miata Club, with its limited-slip differential and Bilstein shocks.

Although the previously-listed new manual sports cars are essentially updated models, there is a truly brand-new car here. That’s the 2023 Nissan Z and its 400-hp twin-turbocharged V6. Yes, it’s technically a 2023 model, but it’s coming in spring 2022, so we’re listing it here. And when it arrives, it should cost around $40,000.

You can’t mention stick-shift sports cars and not mention Porsche. Unfortunately, to get a manual in a ‘regular’ 2022 911, you need to step up to the $117,100 Carrera S. But you can get a manual 718 Boxster or Cayman for roughly half the price. And the Cayman arguably handles better than the 911.

Rounding out the list of new 2022-MY manual sports cars are the redesigned $27,995 Subaru BRZ and $27,700 Toyota GR86. Apart from some suspension setup differences, they’re virtually identical under the skin. And for 2022, they’ve become truly “formidable sports cars” that still carry a sense of joy, Car and Driver says.  

Want a more practical new manual car in 2022? Look at these sports sedans

A new manual sports car offers loads of driving fun, but they’re not always the easiest to live with. Fortunately, you can still get a stick-shift and an enjoyable driving experience in a more practical new 2022 car.

First up, the $69,900 2022 BMW M3 and $71,800 M4. Unfortunately, you can’t get the more powerful Competition variants and their optional AWD in stick-shift form. But the base 2022 M3 and M4 are plenty fast in their standard form. And, in a refrain that echoes with essentially all new sports cars, they’re more fun and involving with manuals.

Enthusiasts were saddened when the outgoing Cadillac CTS-V dropped its manual. Luckily, the 2022 $83,995 CT5-V Blackwing has rectified that with a standard six-speed manual. And while you can get it and the 2022 $58,995 CT4-V Blackwing with 10-speed automatics, these super sedans sparkle with their standard stick shifts.

And speaking of practical new manual cars, the Subaru WRX is back for 2022 with a fresh redesign. If you can look past its functional fender flares, the 2022 WRX is still a fun-to-drive 271-hp AWD sedan, albeit a bit more grown-up. In addition, the base WRX with a standard manual should start around $30K, Car and Driver muses.

Hot hatches still let you row your own gears in 2022

On the more affordable side, the 2022 Honda Civic hasn’t abandoned the manual transmission entirely. However, you have to pay attention to trims and body styles to get it. As of this writing, the only way to get a manual in a new Civic Sedan is in the $27,300 Civic Si. Meanwhile, though they’re not quite ‘hot,’ the $24,550 Sport and $29,850 Sport Touring Hatchbacks do add some stick-shift spice. But if you’re willing to wait, the manual-only 2022 Type R is on the horizon.

Hyundai trimmed down its hatchback offerings for 2022, but the hottest one, the Veloster N, is sticking around. That means 275 hp and a six-speed manual for just $32,500. Also, it has a new sibling, the 2022 Elantra N. The $32,595 manual Elantra N loses out on the DCT model’s ERS-like feature, but it saves some cash without losing any grins.

Next up are the 2022 Mini Cooper—er, sorry, Hardtop—and Convertible. The non-JCW models technically aren’t hot hatches, but both the Cooper and Cooper S come standard with six-speed manuals, MT notes. And speaking of the $32,900 Mini Cooper JCW, it’s not quite as refined as a GTI, but it is a charismatic hot hatch.

Speaking of the GTI, it’s now the base Golf trim in the US for 2022. At roughly $40K fully-loaded, the 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI is a bit pricey. But you don’t need to spend quite that much to get a fun new manual car experience in this iconic hot hatch. And if you feel the need for more speed, there’s the $44,640 2022 Golf R, which is only available with a stick in North America.

A handful of ‘normal’ new cars keep the manual alive in 2022

You don’t have to buy a new sports car or hot hatch if you want a manual transmission in 2022, though. As noted earlier, the 2022 Civic Hatchback offers one. And it’s not the only ‘regular’ new car with a stick-shift. But as with the Civic, finding a new stick-shift car in this crowd requires some trim hunting.

For example, if the Elantra N is a bit too extreme, the $24,250 2022 Elantra N Line comes standard with a six-speed manual. You can get a six-speed stick in a 2022 Kia Forte, too, but you have to get the range-topping $24,490 GT Manual. Meanwhile, the 2022 Mazda3 Hatchback only has a manual option in its second-to-highest trim, the $28,350 2.5 S Premium FWD. And though you can get a new manual 2022 Toyota Corolla, the cheapest stick-shift trim is the $22,525 SE.

However, there are some exceptions to this. For one, all new 2022 Volkswagen Jettas, including the $21,190 base model, come standard with a six-speed manual. The 2022 $22,455 Subaru Crosstrek and $23,595 Crosstrek Premium rock a standard six-speed stick, too.

And if you want a truly inexpensive new manual car, some 2022 models still rock five-speed manuals:

• Subaru Impreza
  • $18,795 Sedan
  • $19,295 5-Door
• Chevrolet Spark
  • $14,595 LS Manual
  • $16,495 1LT Manual
  • $17,595 Activ Manual
  • $17,995 2LT Manual
• Mitsubishi Mirage
  • $14,545 5MT
• Nissan Versa
  • $15,080 S

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