These trucks still come with manual transmissions

For some time now, stick exchanges have been a dying breed. Go to any local car meet or log into most car-related internet forums and you’ll hear enthusiasts and gearheads bemoan the lack of manual transmissions available — that everything has gone automatic. There has been a small increase in manuals available in sports cars in recent years, but the numbers are still pretty low—only about 2 percent of new vehicles sold in America have manual transmissions. Even the staunchest supporters of a three-pedal setup will admit that the death of the manual is due in part to the advancement of automatic transmissions.

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In most modern cars, automatic transmissions are better by every quantifiable measure. They offer faster acceleration and quicker shifts, offer better fuel economy (thanks to more available gears) and are easier to handle, especially for new drivers. But that doesn’t mean automatic transmissions are meant to be the only option available. Manuals and their higher level of engagement are still in demand, which is why there are still a few new cars available with manual transmissions.

But still, the pickups? Is it still possible to get the immersive experience of a shifter while driving a truck? The simple answer is yes. However, you’ll have limited options if that’s the experience you’re looking for. Almost every pickup available in America today is automatic only. These are your options for manual transmission pickup trucks in 2024.

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Jeep’s midsize pickup truck offering is called the Gladiator, based on the same platform as the Wrangler. If you look directly at the two trucks, you’d be hard-pressed to tell them apart, but when you move into a side profile, you’ll see the clear difference – the Gladiator has a bed. In addition to boasting an impressive 7,700-pound towing capacity, the Gladiator has the distinction of being one of only two true pickup trucks left in the United States to offer a manual transmission—the same six-speed manual that’s offered in the Wrangler.

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Under the hood of the Gladiator is Jeep’s Pentastar V6. It delivers 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque regardless of trim level. Along with the V6, every Gladiator trim level comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission, and an eight-speed automatic is also available. Even among manual transmission cars, this is a rare distinction. These days manual transmission sports cars will often have limited options, or the manual will be limited to the purchase of a top trim level, but not with the Gladiator. The Sport, Willys, Mojave and Rubicon trim levels all come standard with six-speeds, with the automatic as an option. Along with its dedication to off-roading and driving pleasure, Jeep remains committed to offering manual transmissions.

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Competing in the same midsize pickup arena as the Gladiator, the 2024 Toyota Tacoma is a rugged truck with serious off-road capability. Under the hood, it comes standard with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The standard engine/transmission combo produces 228 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque on the base SR trim, but on higher trims, the same engine produces 278 hp and 317 lb-ft. There’s also a hybrid powertrain available for the Tacoma called the i-Force MAX, which pairs a 48-horsepower electric motor with a 2.4-liter engine for a combined power rating of 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of couple. With a manual transmission, however, the Tacoma’s numbers change slightly.

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Six-speed Tacoma availability is relatively limited—only the SR Double Cab, TRD Sport, and TRD Off-Road trim levels have access to the manual transmission. With the standard 2.4-liter engine and manual, the Tacoma makes less power than its automatic counterpart – down to 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. It’s a small difference, but worth noting. Also, the Tacoma’s available six-speed manual transmission can only be paired with the standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. The i-Force MAX hybrid propulsion system is automatic only. So there are some restrictions when it comes to getting a Tacoma that lets you shift your own gears, but when you consider the limited availability of manuals in general, and especially in pickups, it’s good to have.

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