Skip to main content
A gear now in a manual transmission car

Reliable Manual-Transmission Cars You Can Buy Brand New

Cars with manual transmissions are a dying breed. They are becoming harder and harder to find on the used car market, and fewer car manufacturers are even producing cars with manual transmissions. Even sporty American muscle cars like the new mid-engine Corvette C8 ditched the manual transmission altogether, but that doesn’t mean they are gone …

Cars with manual transmissions are a dying breed. They are becoming harder and harder to find on the used car market, and fewer car manufacturers are even producing cars with manual transmissions. Even sporty American muscle cars like the new mid-engine Corvette C8 ditched the manual transmission altogether, but that doesn’t mean they are gone for good. In fact, there are several cars this year that are offered with manual transmissions, and they have some pretty good reliability ratings according to Consumer Reports.

A manual Kia Soul

You might not have expected the Kia Soul to make this list, but does in fact have the option for a 6-speed manual transmission, with a price tag of just $17,490. The 2.0L 4-cylinder isn’t particularly fast with its 147hp but it is a reliable engine that hasn’t seen any major or concerning problems.

The Soul is a compact car that offers a lot of practicality, and with the exception of a few facelifts over the years it remains relatively unchanged, maintaining that classic boxy style from its original release.

The Kia Soul GT Line (L) and X Line are shown during the auto trade show, AutoMobility LA
The Kia Soul GT | David McNew/Getty Images

Ideal for a daily driver or commuter car, the manual Kia Soul is unexpectedly fun.

Or a manual Genesis G70

The Genesis G70 is one of just a handful of Genesis sedans in production this year, and it is both the most affordable one in the lineup and also the only model offered as a stick shift.

The Genesis G70 isn’t just a sporty manual, it’s also a luxury car that pairs performance with a smooth, comfortable ride. It is one of the more expensive cars on this list at a starting price of $38,500.

Genesis G70 Photo: James Lipman / jameslipman.com

The manual Hyundai Elantra GT

The Hyundai Elantra GT comes with a manual transmission option that is underrated fun. The Elantra GT is already the sportier version of the compact Hyundai, and you can buy one brand new with a stick shift for $23,500.

dark blu Hyundai Elantra GT in front of a mountainous backdrop
The Elantra GT N-line | Hyundai

Even a manual Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla is one of the most popular sedans on the road today. It is known for being practical, affordable to purchase as well as maintain, and reliable. You’re used to seeing your standard Corolla or maybe even the hatchback version, but Toyota stepped up and also gave us a trim level that has a manual transmission.

2020 Toyota Corolla
2020 Toyota Corolla | Toyota

But wait, there’s more?

If you weren’t impressed with the list so far, this last car will get most car enthusiasts excited. Could we really have a generation of Subaru Impreza that still has a manual transmission? Yes!

Manual Imprezas are well-loved in the custom car community because they are fun to drive, inexpensive to customize, and modify and they are notoriously reliable.

Subaru Impreza is displayed during the second press day at the 89th Geneva International Motor Show
The Subaru Impreza | Robert Hradil/Getty Images

Whatever your preference, these sedans are all great options if you’re looking to buy a new car this year, but don’t want to give up your ability to drive a stick shift. Alternatively, these are all affordable and reliable cars for your first-time driver to learn how to drive a manual transmission.