It’s always nice to hear manual transmissions returning to multimillion-dollar hyper and supercars, but we get more excitement from hearing what cars us poor folks can afford that come with stick shifts. Less than 30 models on sale today offer three pedals, and even less are below the average price of a new car and have four doors. For this list, we looked through our favorite new cars that don’t require your passengers to saw their legs off before taking a ride. Solid consumer advice, we say. Mazda 3 Hatchback $31,450 2025 Mazda 3 Hatch White Front ViewSimilar to the Ferrari LaFerrari, the Mazda 3’s legal name is "Mazda Mazda 3." What the Ferrari doesn't have that the 3 does is a six-speed manual. Bolted to that gearbox is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 186 horsepower, good enough to haul this cruiser through town and even around some squiggly roads. The hatchback is the only way to get a stick in the 3, which isn’t a deal-breaker, but the sedan’s more striking profile over the hatchback’s could be made even more knee-buckling after spotting an H-pattern atop the shifter.The 3 has a small but usable back seat, but others are more suited to be Ubers. It’s comfortable and easily hoon-able, two things we enjoy about the 3’s dual personality. Mazda blessed its compact with a great stick shift that snicks into each slot, giving it a taste for the finer things in life while staying as frugal as possible. The manual is only available on one trim, the second-to-top 2.5 S Premium, which costs $6,000 more than the base 2.5 S. Honda Civic Si $31,495 2025 - 2026 Honda Civic Si Sedan front, three-quarterThe antithesis of all Honda sports cars is big displacement and large power, which is no more prevalent than with the Civic Si. The itty-bitty 1.5-liter turbo-four is nothing to sneeze at, especially when this mill produces 200 horsepower in a car that weighs 2,952 lbs. and has room for some car seats in the back. Think you’ll need more power than that in your commuter car? You should try one out before you say otherwise.Sure, for an extra $15,000, you can secure the fire-breathing Type R, but the only reason why that didn’t make this list is because of its base MSRP being too close in proximity to our price cap. The Si is great fun on a budget and as long as your favorite colors are red, white, black, or gray, you’ll fall in love like we did. You might also enjoy the lack of options which keep the overall price quite tame, instilling the fact that the Si really is a one-size-fits-all kind of car. Volkswagen Jetta GLI $33,745 2026 Volkswagen Jetta GLI (10)Gone are the days of shifting your own gears in a Golf, but an unsung hero within the vee-dub lineup still has your back. The Jetta GLI offers a six-speed manual to play with and 228 horsepower pouring out from a 2.0-liter turbo engine which, in conjunction, do their best to keep it relevant in today’s era of fleeting driver engagement.The simple pleasures of the manual should age well in the Jetta, but what we know won’t are the touch-sensitive haptic buttons on the steering wheel. Not marked against the VW is its spacious cabin and 14.1 cubic feet of trunk space. Whether or not the next generation Jetta will keep the manual option is still unclear, but for now, we're happy it's here. Subaru WRX $33,995 2024-2025 Subaru WRXNot only does opting for the manual in the WRX keep it true to its form, it also returns slightly better fuel economy at 22 combined MPG compared to the WRX’s equipped with Subaru’s Performance Transmission, which returns 21 combined MPG. (Attempts at calling it something else other than a CVT still won't change the facts, Subaru.) Lucky for us, the base model is only available with a manual, so there’s no “enthusiast tax” tacked on. Instead, there’s a $5,000 upcharge for being a bit boring.The extra cash needed for the automatic is better spent somewhere else, keeping true to the archaic yet true “save money, learn stick” adage. The Subaru delivers 271 horsepower from a 2.4-liter boxer-four and sends power to all four corners, making it the only AWD sedan for sale in 2026 still offering a manual transmission. There’s no more STI, but the top-dog tS, which starts at $44,995, is as close as we’ll get to it for now. Though we still like the idea of saving cash when we can, and we’re sure you do too if you’re scrolling this list. Hyundai Elantra N $35,100 2025 Hyundai Elantra NReplacing the Veloster N as Hyundai’s de facto spicy compact, the Elantra N bodes far better than its predecessor in terms of practicality thanks to its even number of doors. If you remember, the Veloster had one door on the driver’s side, and two on the passenger side—not unlike minivans of the late nineties, which were built that way so passengers could exit curbside every time.All 276 horsepower pumped from the 2.0-liter turbo-four spins the front tires in an almighty fashion, and if that won’t get you to giggle, the sounds it makes will. We love the Nissan GT-R-esque displays that take over the screen when N Mode is engaged, displaying information like oil temp, G-forces, brake pressure, and engine output figures. We like this little car a lot. We also like that it has four doors, which we didn’t think we needed to state as likable criteria, but here we are. Toyota Tacoma $35,500 2025 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-RoadIf you can find a Tacoma for sale remotely near what Toyota claims is the starting price, you deserve a standing ovation. Nevertheless, Toyota lists the Tacoma SR Double Cab with a 5-ft. bed at $35,500. To unlock the six-speed, one must configure their Tacoma with that cab/bed combo, tick the box for four-wheel drive, and only then can you ask politely to change the gear ratios yourself.Manuals can be equipped on a few Tacos, including the base SR, TRD Sport, and TRD Off-Road, each of which start below $50k, but the original point about pricing stands. The Tacoma’s 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-4 is good for 228 horsepower and 243 lb-ft. of torque, making it best-suited for lighter fare. We’re aware of the tight rear legroom, but the inclusion of the Taco on this list is warranted for all the right reasons. After all, it’s still a pickup, and it’s got a manual! Huzzah! Jeep Wrangler $38,795 2026 Jeep Wrangler 85th Anniversary Need all your ducks in a row? The Wrangler offers both a decent rear seat and one shelf of a dashboard to do so—depending on the waterfowl in question. Three-pedal Wranglers aren’t extinct just yet, which is shocking given Jeep’s other notorious characteristics that make driving them more of an event than some—your author, especially—would prefer. As of this time, only three engine options are available, a 2.0-liter turbo-four or a 3.6-liter V6. And who could forget the coup de grâce 6.4-liter V8 we thought would never see the light of day again?The manual is only available with the V6, good for 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft. of torque. Plenty of oomph to get over whatever obstacle lay in your path. The Jeep is a great run-a-bout car in all kinds of weather, too, as it’s one of only two vehicles on this list that can shed its roof and doors, inviting copious amounts of mud or sunshine depending on the commute that day. Our advice? Leave sunscreen and a pressure washer in the vehicle at all times. Acura Integra $39,200 2026 Acura Integra A-Spec with Technology PackageSimilar to the Subaru, the two transmissions available in the Integra are a continuous-variable rubber band, or Honda's blessed six-speed manual. We wouldn’t be quick to knock the Integra for being a Civic Si in a cheap suit; it’s got enough luxury chops to quell any criticisms, especially if it’s dressed up as the top-tier Type S.As for this side of fifty large, the A-Spec’s 200 horsepower 1.5-liter turbo from the Civic is put to good use and just as zippy as its cheaper counterpart. The Acura’s liftback styling gives it just a bit more room in the back over the Civic sedan, so if you want the Si with a hatch, you’ll have to pony-up the extra $8,000. Pay attention, this is the only time we’ll say it: That is extra money well spent. Toyota GR Corolla $39,920 2026 Toyota GR Corolla front three-quarterNow that the GR Corolla has been out a few years and the limited-edition models aren’t driving list prices skyward, the two trims available start at $39,920 and $45,965 respectively. We love the Toyota's gutsy 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder that happily cranks out 300 horsepower to every wheel.Choosing the manual keeps $2,000 in your pocket and makes you look even cooler in a Corolla, something we didn’t think was possible until those two letters came along to teach us otherwise. Good news! Both trims on sale in 2026 have their back seats installed, unlike the 2023 Morizo Edition which came from the factory lacking the bare minimum required to be practical. Ford Bronco $39,995 Ford Bronco Matte Clear Film Not quite a grown-up Wrangler, the Bronco offers up some differences by way of powertrains and styling cues. Also, it's Ford’s reminder that you don’t have to buy the Jeep if you’re not that into the rubber duck thing. A 2.3-liter four-cylinder is the only engine option on the Base and Big Bend trims, with the 2.7-liter V6 available on the Outer Banks and up. The seven-speed manual (1 crawl gear, 6 cruising gears) comes bolted exclusively to the four-cylinder.Decently optioned Broncos with the manual are out there, but your out-the-door price will tip well over our budget fast. Stick to the steelies that come standard on the Base and try to convince yourself you don’t need the pricey Sasquatch Package. We found the beast that is the Bronco Raptor to be more fun than slinging around a Porsche, but we're not looking to buck the budget too much.Sources: Acura, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, Mazda, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen
