How long will manual cars be around? Each year, it seems we’re closer than ever to their demise. Canada has lost many of its entry-level models with manual transmissions over the last two model years. Toyota, Hyundai, and Chevy all make the list of automakers that have dropped their base manual options on their most affordable cars in favour of continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) and automatic transmissions. This includes popular economy models like the Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte, and even the subcompact Nissan Versa.
For 2024, even the Subaru Impreza and the formerly five-speed Mitsubishi Mirage have dropped their manual options. Last year, the most affordable car available with a manual transmission in Canada—and the most affordable car outright—was the 2023 Mitsubishi Mirage at $15,873. This year, our list starts at just over $25,000. It’s a sign that manuals are moving into enthusiast territory, and that cars are getting more expensive at their lowest price points. It seems it won’t be long before drivers who need a deal or prefer to select their own gears will be forced into the used car market.
What vehicles still come with a manual? Below, you’ll find a list of the 10 most affordable cars you can still buy new with a manual transmission in Canada in 2024. All prices shown include delivery fees, and we’ve capped our list at a maximum price of $40,000 to keep it focused. This means luxury brands like Acura, BMW, Audi, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and even Jeep are priced beyond what we consider affordable. More surprisingly, muscle car models like the Chevrolet Camaro, which drops its four-cylinder powertrain for 2024, and the Ford Mustang where a manual is only offered on the GT trims with the V8, are now also too expensive to qualify. If you’re looking for a manual transmission car but you have more budget to work with, read our list of the very best cars you can buy in Canada with a manual transmission in 2024.
The Cheapest Manual Cars You Can Still Buy in Canada
- 2024 Nissan Sentra
- 2024 Volkswagen Jetta
- 2023 Subaru BRZ
- 2024 Volkswagen Jetta GLI
- 2024 Mazda3 Sport
- 2023 Toyota GR86
- 2023 Subaru WRX
- 2023 Mazda MX-5
- 2024 Honda Civic Si
- 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback
- 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI
2024 Nissan Sentra ($25,153)
Nissan now lays claim to the most affordable car with a manual transmission in Canada in the 2024 Nissan Sentra, which carries a fees-in price of $25,153. The Nissan Sentra can be purchased with a stick not only in its base grade but also in the higher SR trim. We can attribute that to the Canada-only Nissan Sentra Cup, a homegrown car racing series that aims to position these compact sedans as sporty alternatives. In the cheapest version, the Nissan Sentra S comes with a six-speed manual to moderate power from its 149 horsepower, 146 lb-ft of torque 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. This base model includes 16-inch steel wheels, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
2024 Volkswagen Jetta ($26,078)
Manual enthusiasts can still affordably shop German: the 2024 Volkswagen Jetta offers self-shifting on two of its trims with pricing starting at $26,078. All versions of the Jetta, row-your-own or otherwise, come with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 158 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, sent to front-wheel drive (FWD). If that doesn’t sound like enough power for your needs, worry not. There are more VWs on this list, and there’s even another Jetta.
2023 Subaru BRZ ($32,772)
It’s a delight that the pair of 2-plus-2 coupe collaborations between Toyota and Subaru remain affordable enough to appear on this list. Both are fun cars and offer a budget-friendly choice to enthusiasts who don’t need a ton of space. For Subaru’s part, the most affordable version of its BRZ with the six-speed manual transmission comes in at $32,772. It’s important to note, though, that choosing the manual in this or any Subaru means leaving some of the brand’s EyeSight suite of safety features on the table. (The price listed is for a 2023 model; 2024 pricing was not yet available at time of publication.)
2024 Volkswagen Jetta GLI ($33,878)
Want your self-shifting German sedan with a little bit more oomph? The 2024 Volkswagen Jetta GLI still falls well within our $40,000 budget at $33,878 including fees. This version of the Jetta receives a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. You can opt for a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission with this warm sedan.
2024 Mazda3 Sport ($34,703)
Mazda has said openly that it expects to be the last brand on the market to offer a manual transmission. However, the brand has climbed a few positions on this list for 2024 because its most affordable manual offering has moved upmarket. The only version of the Mazda3 available with a clutch for 2024 is the Mazda3 Sport hatchback, and there it’s only offered on the GT trim where it’s standard equipment at a price of $34,703. However, if you want the Mazda3’s optional turbocharged engine or available all-wheel drive (AWD), you’ll need to drop the manual to get them.
2023 Toyota GR86 ($34,705)
Here’s the other half of the Toyobaru collaboration on 2+2 coupes, the Toyota GR86. Like the Subaru BRZ with which is shares many components, the GR86 optionally matches a six-speed manual transmission with a 2.4-litre engine with four horizontally opposed cylinders making 228 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque pushing to rear-wheel drive (RWD). And like the BRZ, you’ll need to give up some safety technologies to have three pedals, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and pre-collision braking. (Note this is 2023 pricing; 2024 prices were not available at publication time.)
2023 Subaru WRX ($34,852)
When the new generations of the Subaru Impreza and Subaru Crosstrek crossover were released for 2024, both models lost their manual transmissions in exchange for more safety features. Fortunately, if you’re looking for three pedals and AWD, you can still find both in the Subaru WRX. Three versions of the WRX are offered with a manual transmission in 2024: the base trim, Sport, and Sport-Tech models. However, if you choose the manual on the WRX, you won’t be able to equip the EyeSight suite of safety features and driver assistance technologies. The 2023 Subaru WRX carried a new car price of $34,852; 2024 pricing has not yet been released as of this writing.
2023 Mazda MX-5 ($35,498)
Few cars evoke a joyful driving experience as well as the Mazda MX-5. And for stick shift enthusiasts, it’s a breath of fresh air: a 6-speed remains standard on every trim, no matter whether you choose the soft top or the MX-5 RF hard top. In either case, you get Mazda’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 181 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque, sent to RWD. With go-kart handling and a great power-to-weight ratio for the price, the Mazda MX-5 Miata remains one of the best driving entertainment values you’ll find in a sports car. Note the listed pricing is for the 2023 model, while 2024 pricing had not been released as of publication.
2024 Honda Civic Si ($37,594)
It’s interesting that the Honda Civic Si is priced lower than the most affordable version of the regular Honda Civic Hatchback that can be bought with a manual transmission. In this case, it’s because you’ll trade upmarket equipment for performance chops. The Honda Civic Si is one of a dwindling handful of cars that remains available only with a manual transmission, which makes owners feel like part of a secret club. For 2024, the Honda Civic Si has a starting price in Canada of $37,594.
2024 Honda Civic Hatchback ($39,594)
Honda’s made an interesting move by making its six-speed manual available only on the top Sport Touring trim level of the 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback. This positioning speaks to where the brand feels manuals are headed, and that’s directly into the hands of enthusiasts. Here, owners drive away with 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder engine that generates 180 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque, plus the maximum number of features and equipment available on a Civic hatch. The 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback starts in Canada at $39,594.
2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI ($39,428)
The regular-spec Volkswagen Golf was discontinued in North America years ago. Fortunately, you can still buy a VW Golf GTI with a manual transmission for less than $40,000, which allows the cream to rise to the top anyway. With 241 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque from the Golf GTI’s 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine, it remains as much a hot hatch as ever. A manual transmission is available on the top two trims, making the most affordable version where you can select your own the Golf GTI Autobahn priced at $39,428.
Note: While we update prices on a regular basis, they are still subject to change and should be independently verified.