These 10 Cars Truly Show Why Manual Transmissions Are Vanishing
Once a rite of passage for car lovers and driving purists, the stick shift is now on the endangered species list. While manuals once symbolized control, power, and connection to the road, modern technology, paired with shifting driver preferences, has rendered them nearly obsolete.
These 10 cars make a convincing case for why stick shifts are on the way out. And after reading, you might not miss rowing your own gears quite as much.
1. Toyota Corolla (Modern Models)
Once a compact driver’s favorite, the manual Corolla today feels like a throwback in the worst way. The gear shift is rubbery, the clutch vague, and the automatic CVT just… works better.
When a practical, no-fuss car like the Corolla starts making its own gear choices better than you can, the writing’s on the wall.
2. Dodge Challenger Hellcat
Yes, it can be had with a stick shift. Should it? With over 700 horsepower under the hood, managing that kind of power with a traditional pedal and lever is more terrifying than thrilling.
The auto option is faster, smoother, and frankly, more enjoyable unless you’re looking for a full upper-body workout.
3. Mini Cooper S (F56 Generation)
The manual Mini used to be a blast, but recent models suffer from a notchy gearbox and an unpredictable clutch engagement. It’s hard to enjoy a zippy little car when the stick shift feels like an afterthought.
And with the dual-clutch auto performing better in almost every measurable way, even enthusiasts are quietly moving on.
4. Jeep Wrangler
Manual in a Wrangler sounds like the ultimate off-roader fantasy… until you’re stuck on a rocky incline trying not to stall. The clutch is heavy, the gear spacing awkward, and low-speed crawling is just more pleasant with an automatic.
Besides, one hand should be on the wheel and the other on the grab handle when the trail gets wild.
5. Hyundai Elantra N
This sporty compact should be a manual hero, but even here, the automatic transmission is stealing the show. It shifts faster than any human can, and its rev-matching is perfect every time.
Add in the fact that fewer and fewer drivers are choosing the stick option, and it’s easy to see where this is heading.
6. Ford Bronco
Ford made waves by offering a stick-shift Bronco, yet it’s limited to specific engines and trim levels. Worse yet, the 7-speed transmission (with its oddly placed crawler gear) has left drivers more confused than engaged.
It seems like a novelty instead of a necessity, and most buyers are sticking with the 10-speed auto.
7. Chevrolet Camaro SS
Another muscle car clinging to tradition, the Camaro SS offers a manual, but even fans admit the automatic is quicker and more refined.
The manual setup just doesn’t match the precision or ease of its automatic sibling, especially in traffic or on long hauls. Sadly, this isn’t the gear-grinding glory it once was.
8. Volkswagen Golf GTI (Mk8)
The GTI has long been a hot hatch favorite for manual lovers, but the latest generation’s clutch feels spongy, and the gearbox lacks the crispness of earlier models.
Meanwhile, the DSG dual-clutch is snappy, smart, and downright addictive. When the auto does it better, why work harder?
9. Subaru WRX (Recent Models)
The WRX retains its stick shift, and it’s decent. Just decent. The experience pales compared to past models, and the CVT, while still controversial, improves with each generation.
The WRX stick seems more like a nod to tradition than a compelling choice.
10. BMW 3 Series (G20)
Once the benchmark for “ultimate driving machine,” the 3 Series is now overwhelmingly chosen with an auto transmission. In fact, stick shifts are now only available in select M models.
The latest autos are quicker, smoother, and more efficient, making it tough to justify the pedal unless nostalgia drives you.