11:02 14-11-2025

Modern sports cars that still offer a manual gearbox

Explore the best modern sports cars with manual transmissions: MX-5, BRZ, GR Corolla, Civic Type R, Supra, Z, Emira, M2, Mustang, and Porsche 718 now on sale.

Most modern sports cars rely on quick-shifting automatics and automated gearboxes, yet a handful of brands still build manual versions. They cater to drivers who prize not just pace but the act of driving itself — managing the clutch, nailing precise shifts, and keeping an unfiltered connection to the engine; that tactile involvement is the point.

As noted by Tarantas News, one of the most accessible traditional choices remains the Mazda MX-5 Miata — a light roadster with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine and a six-speed manual. In the same spirit, the Subaru BRZ brings rear-wheel drive and a 2.4-liter boxer that suits a manual gearbox perfectly, a pairing that underscores its purist brief.

For those craving more edge, the Toyota GR Corolla steps in: an all-wheel-drive hot hatch with a 1.6-liter turbo and a sporty six-speed. Built to a similar philosophy, the Honda Civic Type R stands out as one of the few quick front-drive sports cars that still fits a manual as standard, which says plenty about its priorities.

Toyota’s GR Supra and the Nissan Z represent a step toward more powerful coupes: both are available with a manual and make up to 400 hp. Climbing higher brings the mid-engined Lotus Emira, and among the heavier hitters, the BMW M2 keeps the manual as a no-cost option — a refreshing stance in this segment.

At the top of this list sit the Ford Mustang with its traditional V8 and Porsche’s 718 Cayman/Boxster, which offer some of the finest manual gearboxes on the market, the kind that remind why a well-executed shift can be as satisfying as straight-line speed.