Find a more engaging driving experience.
There are few better ways to take control of your driving experience than shifting your own gears. Not only can you ensure that you are in just the right gear for your current driving situation, but it's also a lot of fun! The exhilaration of hearing the car rev while hitting that perfect downshift when driving stick is simply an unmatched feeling. Luckily, while it's true that not all modern cars come equipped with a standard or optional manual transmission, there are still quite a few that do.
We can help you find the stick shift car that suits your needs. Explore this list of the 10 best manual transmission cars for 2020 shoppers, based on CarMax sales data from May 1, 2019 through October 31, 2019.
- Ford Mustang
- Honda Civic
- Subaru WRX
- Ford Focus
- Chevrolet Camaro
- Nissan Versa
- Fiat 500
- Mazda Mazda3
- Kia Soul
- Volkswagen Jetta
This diverse list includes cars that come in coupe, sedan, hatchback, and convertible layouts with a wide range of great features and options for your manual-driving needs. From the small five-speed-manual 2018 Fiat 500, which comes in a variety of trims like the cool 160-horsepower turbocharged Abarth, to other practical options like the Honda Civic and Nissan Versa, you can find the right one for you.
If you have more of a muscle-car taste, take a look at the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro. Both are available with smaller turbocharged engines or big brash V8s. Starting in 2018, the Mustang had a standard six-speed manual and was offered with a 310-horsepower 2.3L EcoBoost® four-cylinder or a 460-horsepower 5.0L V8 engine.
There is also the small but roomy Kia Soul that likewise delivers on that stick shift fun. So if you want to take control of your driving experience and achieve a more engaging drive, this list is an excellent start.
Looking to explore more options? Check out these related articles:
- Best Small and Compact Cars (2019)
- Best Cars Under $30,000: Ranked (2019)
- Best Small and Compact Cars (2018)
- The Stick Shift Index
Unless otherwise noted, information related to these featured vehicles comes from third-party sources, including manufacturer information. Product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of third-party entities. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by these entities.