Across the world, manual transmissions are decreasing in popularity. In the United States especially, manual sales are so low, most automakers struggle to achieve a single-digit take rate across their lineups. Even Honda, a company that is known for offering fun and affordable cars can only manage around a 2.8% manual take rate in the US.
As manuals continue to die off, the number of cars that are offered without the option of an automatic is beginning to run thin. We ran through all of the cars sold in the US market and only came across seven models (plus their offshoots) that are only sold with a manual transmission without the option of an automatic.
Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 (And The Bullitt)
The latest Shelby GT500, which used to be sold exclusively with a manual, is now only available with a dual-clutch transmission. This leaves the Shelby GT350 and the special edition Bullitt as the last manual-only Mustangs left standing. This is isn't necessarily a bad thing because the GT350 produces 526 horsepower from a 5.2-liter V8 and the Bullitt has a healthy 480 hp from a 5.0-liter V8.
Subaru BRZ tS
The Subaru BRZ is sold with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic but the limited-edition tS model is only offered with a manual for the 2020 model year. It is powered by a 2.0-liter boxer engine generating 205 hp (five more than the standard car) and only 300 examples will be sold.
Subaru WRX STI
Subaru is the only automaker to make this list with two completely separate models. The Subaru WRX STI has never been (and hopefully will never be) offered with the option of an automatic transmission. It is powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged flat-four producing up to 341 hp in the S209 version. The STI may be aging out of the market but it has outlasted newer competitors like the Ford Focus RS.
Honda Civic Type R (And Si)
The Honda Civic boasts an impressive 13.6% manual take rate in the US. This is partially due to the sporty Si and Type R models only being offered with six-speed manuals. The Si uses a 1.5-liter turbo-four producing 205 hp while the Type R gets a larger 2.0-liter unit producing 306 hp.
Hyundai Veloster N
As with the Civic, Hyundai's sportiest Veloster N hot hatch is only offered with a six-speed manual. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder produces 245 hp (or 275 hp with the Performance package) going out to the front wheels. This car does have an asterisk attached to it because Hyundai has been spotted testing a Veloster N prototype with a dual-clutch transmission.
Porsche 718 Spyder (And 718 GT4)
The most hardcore versions of the 718 Boxster and Cayman are the Spyder and GT4 models, which are powered by a 4.0-liter flat-six producing 414 hp. Both are only available with a six-speed manual (for now) but a more hardcore GT4 RS could be coming with a PDK.
Chevrolet Camaro 1LE (Except The ZL1)
The 1LE package is the most track-capable Chevrolet Camaro on the market, available with all engines from the four-cylinder up to the supercharged ZL1 model. Chevy used to only offer the 1LE cars with a six-speed manual but has strangely decided to offer the most hardcore ZL1 1LE with the option of a 10-speed automatic. Interestingly, the four-cylinder, V6, and V8 SS 1LE models are still sold with a six-speed manual only.