Manual transmissions are getting scarcer by the day, especially with the advance of electric cars that don’t require transmissions at all. Canada has already lost more than half a dozen manual cars as sales of stickshifts continue to dwindle. There are hardly any SUVs left you can buy with a manual transmission, apart from some of the more rugged off-road models such as the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco. Even the Subaru Impreza and Crosstrek are now CVT-only, although the sportier Subaru WRX has an available manual transmission.
Once a reliable entry-level offering for those wanting to manage their own fuel economy, manual cars have now become the domain of the enthusiast. Even cars like the Kia Forte, Nissan Versa, and Mitsubishi Mirage have dropped their self-shifting option. But there are still plenty of drivers out there who appreciate the visceral joy that comes from rowing your own gears. Read on to find our list of the best cars you can still buy with a manual transmission in 2024.
Note this list highlights what we consider to be the outright best manual cars, with most of them being sports cars or luxury cars. It’s not a list of every single manual transmission car left on the market, and we’re not considering used cars. If you’re looking for the cheapest cars you can still buy with a manual transmission, we’ve outlined those in a separate list.
All prices include automaker destination charges and fees but exclude sales taxes. Prices were accurate as of publication in January 2024 but are subject to change.
The Best Manual Cars You can Still Buy in Canada
- Acura Integra
- BMW M2
- BMW M3/M4
- Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing
- Chevrolet Camaro
- Dodge Challenger
- Ford Mustang
- Honda Civic Type R
- Hyundai Elantra N
- Mazda MX-5
- Nissan Z
- Porsche 911
- Subaru BRZ/Toyota GR86
- Toyota GR Corolla
- Toyota Supra
- Volkswagen Golf R
Acura Integra
The Integra nameplate was revived for the 2023 model year, and its packaging makes it clear Honda knows its audience. Two variations of this compact sedan from Honda’s luxury division are available with a manual transmission, and neither is the base model. The top-trim 2024 Acura Integra Elite A-Spec is priced at $47,079 and is available with a six-speed manual to go with its 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine (200 hp, 192 lb-ft). The manual Integra comes with a rev-matching system. And then there’s the 2024 Acura Integra Type S, priced at $58,329, which is based on the Honda Civic Type R detailed below and pairs a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission and limited-slip differential with a 2.0-litre turbo-four (320 hp, 310 lb-ft).
BMW M2
The second-generation M2 coupe arrived for 2023, and BMW has kept it real by continuing to offer it with a weight-optimized six-speed manual transmission. It manages output from the M2’s 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline-six-cylinder engine, which is a blast at 453 horsepower and 406 pound-ft of torque. In Canada, the 2024 BMW M2 starts at a price of $80,955.
BMW M3/M4
If you’re looking for a manual transmission among BMW’s storied M3 and M4 line-up, you’ll need to choose carefully. Currently, you can get a manual in the base M3 with rear-wheel drive (RWD), which matches it with a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline-six (473 hp, 406 lb-ft). The M3 Competition, which has more power and all-wheel drive, can only be equipped with the automatic. Same goes with the M4: the base coupe comes with a manual, but the Competition and the convertible are automatic-only. The 2024 BMW M3 has a starting price of $94,255 in Canada, while the 2024 BMW M4 starts at $95,005.
Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing
Cadillac keeps American luxury in frame by offering the CT4-V Blackwing with a six-speed manual by default. It manages the 472 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque from the 3.6-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine as it’s routed to RWD. The Canadian starting price for the 2024 Cadillac CT-4 Blackwing is $73,730. If you’d prefer a mid-size sedan over the CT4’s compact profile, you can also find three pedals in the CT5-V Blackwing.
Chevrolet Camaro
And here we begin the muscle car portion of our list, much of which is not long for this world. The Chevy Camaro is being retired in its current form at the end of the 2024 model year. You can still snag a stickshift with every trim and powertrain configuration in its final model year, although that doesn’t include the 2.0-litre turbo four cylinder in the Camaro coupe as that engine has been dropped for 2024. The 3.6-litre V6 and even the 6.2-litre supercharged V8 and its 650 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque can be equipped with the six-speed manual. Several trims also include a rev-matching feature. Pricing for the 2024 Chevrolet Camaro in Canada starts at $43,130.
Dodge Challenger
The Dodge pair of muscle cars, the Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger, has been proudly built in Brampton, Ontario, since their launch. Production of gas-powered vehicles has ended at this facility as it prepares to retool for EVs, but you’ll still be able to find new models at dealerships for a few months. To get a manual transmission while you still can, look to the Dodge Challenger’s upper trims. Everything that comes with a Hemi V8, except for the Hellcat Redeye Jailbreak models, can be matched with a six-speed manual transmission. This includes everything from the R/T’s 5.7-litre with 372 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque to the 6.2-litre supercharged Hemi V8 with 717 hp and 656 lb-ft found in the Hellcat Jailbreak. Pricing on the final run of the 2023 Dodge Charger started at $46,490 in Canada, while pricing on the 2023 Dodge Challenger started at $42,990. The lowest priced models available with a manual starts at $50,390.
Ford Mustang
With the announcement of the seventh-generation Mustang, Ford confirms its intent to keep gas-powered pony cars around for a while longer. Three-pedal enthusiasts can rest easy, too. A six-speed manual transmission will continue to be standard equipment. You’ll have to choose the GT trim levels and their 5.0-litre V8s rather than the four-cylinder EcoBoost engines, but that hardly feels like a hardship. With 480 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, a six-speed would be a barrel of laughs. In Canada, the 2024 Ford Mustang GT with a manual transmission starts at $50,695.
Honda Civic Type R
While the Honda Civic Si continues to be sold exclusively with a manual transmission, so does the sporty Honda Civic Type R, which we feel is the way to go. It entered a new generation for 2023, and it continues to be sold only with a six-speed manual. Here, it’s paired with the same 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 320 hp and 310 lb-ft that’s also going into the Acura Integra Type S. As with the previous version, the Civic Type R continues to be front-wheel drive (FWD). The Canadian starting price for the 2024 Honda Civic Type R is $53,294.
Hyundai Elantra N
Hyundai may not be the first brand that comes to mind when you think of manual transmission performance cars, but don’t overlook the Elantra. You’ll receive a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine (276 hp, 289 lb-ft) and FWD with an electronically controlled limited-slip differential to go with a six-speed manual transmission here. With a starting price for the 2023 Hyundai Elantra N of $40,206 in Canada, its price-to-fun ratio is hard to beat. (2024 pricing had not been announced as of publication time.)
Mazda MX-5
Representatives of Mazda in Canada say they truly believe their brand will be the last in the world to drop the manual transmission. That’s great news for driving enthusiasts because Mazda manuals are fantastic to operate. And while the Mazda 3 also continues to be a manual-shifting option, when we think of Mazda driving performance, we immediately think of the MX-5. Whether you choose the soft top or hard top version, a six-speed manual transmission is standard on every trim. It comes with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine (181 hp, 151 lb-ft) and RWD. Pricing for the 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata starts in Canada at $35,498. (2024 pricing had not been announced at publication time.)
Nissan Z
The Nissan Z sold out nearly as quickly as it launched, and it continues to be a hot commodity. Both the Sport and Performance grades are available with a six-speed manual transmission, matched with a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 (400 hp, 350 lb-ft) and RWD. Sadly, the manual is not an option on the Nissan Z NISMO high-performance version that will debut for 2024. Pricing on the 2024 Nissan Z in Canada starts at $53,843.
Porsche 911
Porsche still encourages its owners to select their own gears in many of its new cars, including the 718 Cayman and 718 Boxster, but we’ll put the spotlight on the iconic 911. It takes a bit of clicking to find your options on the Canadian website, but certain 911 models can have a 7-speed manual transmission optioned in the configurator for no extra charge. This starts as low as the 911 Carrera T, which comes with a 3.0-litre twin-turbo flat-six making 379 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, sending power to the rear wheels. Pricing for a manual 2024 Porsche 911 starts in Canada at $156,682.
Subaru BRZ/Toyota GR86
The closely related Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86 both come with a manual transmission by default, and a wonderful one at that. However, you’ll need to give up some safety and driver assistance features to choose this over the 6-speed automatic transmission. Both cars include a 2.4-litre engine with four horizontally opposed cylinders (228 hp, 184 lb-ft) and RWD. The 2023 Subaru BRZ carries a starting price in Canada of $32,772, while the 2023 Toyota GR86 starts at $34,705. (2024 pricing has not been announced as of publication time.)
Toyota GR Corolla
The Toyota Corolla is no longer synonymous with a boring driving experience with the launch of the GR Corolla hot hatch. Count this brand-new offering among the dwindling selection of cars available only with a manual transmission, in this case with six available gears. It pairs with the GR Corolla’s 1.6-litre 3-cylinder turbo (300 hp, 273 lb-ft) and standard AWD. The 2024 Toyota GR Corolla has a Canadian starting price of $49,605.
Toyota Supra
Toyota, it seems, listens to its fans. Despite not offering a manual transmission with the Supra when it launched, drivers can officially row their own in Toyota’s iconic sports car beginning with the 2023 model year. The manual is only available with the Supra’s higher-powered engine, a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six sourced from BMW that makes 382 hp and 368 lb-ft of torque and sends it to the rear wheels. The 2024 Toyota Supra 3.0T MT starts in Canada at a price of $72,715.
Search for a Toyota Supra on CarGurus
Volkswagen Golf R
The Volkswagen Golf GTI hatchback is available with a six-speed manual transmission, but so is the high-performance Volkswagen Golf R. Despite the significantly higher price tag, we think Canadians should consider the latter. It comes with AWD and a more powerful 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine making 315 horsepower and 280 lb-ft when paired with the manual gearbox. Talk about the definition of a wolf in sheep’s clothing: send this one sideways around a snow-covered Canadian back road and no one will see it coming. The 2024 Volkswagen Golf R with a manual transmission carries a starting price in Canada of $51,428. If it’s a sedan you’re after, consider the Volkswagen Jetta GLI.
Note: Images might show US models.