Manual transmissions in pickup trucks are going the way of the dinosaur. Once a common sight on job sites and off-road trails, the stick shift is rapidly disappearing from modern trucks, replaced by the increasing efficiency and convenience of automatic transmissions. For driving purists who relish the direct control and engagement of a manual, the options are dwindling. In the 2025 model year, only a single pickup truck dares to carry the manual transmission torch, representing a final stand for gear-rowing enthusiasts in an increasingly automated automotive world.
The decline of the manual transmission truck has been a gradual process, intensifying since the mid-2000s. America’s best-selling pickup, the Ford F-150, stopped offering a manual after 2008. Chevrolet Silverado waved goodbye to the stick shift even earlier, before 2007. The Ram 2500 HD held out the longest in the full-size segment, but even it retired its manual option paired with the 6.7-liter Cummins turbo-diesel inline-six after the 2018 model year.
This trend extends to smaller trucks as well. The Nissan Frontier, a popular midsize option, dropped its manual transmission in 2019. The Ford Maverick, a newer entrant in the compact truck segment, never offered a manual at all. Just last year, Jeep removed the six-speed manual from the Gladiator mid-size pickup’s Sport and Willys trims. This leaves only one lone pickup truck with manual transmission available for the 2025 model year, a stark reminder of changing automotive preferences.
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The 2025 Toyota Tacoma: The Last New Pickup Truck With a Manual Transmission
Toyota Tacoma: Key Features
- A long-standing nameplate since 1995, known for reliability.
- America’s top-selling midsize truck with 192,813 units sold in 2024.
- Extensive aftermarket support for modifications like lift kits, armor, and lighting.
- Renowned for dependability and low ownership costs, averaging $478 annually for maintenance, according to RepairPal.
When Toyota redesigned its best-selling midsize truck for a new generation, they made the deliberate choice to keep the manual transmission option alive. The fourth-generation Tacoma replaced its V6 engine with a turbocharged 4-cylinder, offering an optional hybrid powertrain called iForce Max. While the hybrid models are exclusively paired with an automatic, a six-speed manual transmission remains available for those who prefer it. This commitment to the manual is a significant differentiator in today’s pickup truck market.
Toyota logo in PNG format, a symbol of the Japanese automotive manufacturer known for reliability and innovation Toyota
Divisions: Lexus
Founded: 1937
Founder: Kiichiro Toyoda
Headquarters: Toyota City, Aichi, Japan
The Tacoma’s turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder iForce engine delivers up to 278 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque in automatic transmission models. However, when paired with the six-speed manual, output is slightly adjusted to 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque due to transmission gearing. The base SR model offers a lower output of 228 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque. Despite the slight power variation, the driving experience remains engaging. The manual transmission Tacoma also includes automatic rev-matching for smoother downshifts and a clutch-start cancel feature, useful for challenging uphill starts.
Toyota Tacoma Specs: Manual vs. Automatic vs. Hybrid
| Feature | Tacoma iForce (6-speed manual) | Tacoma iForce (8-speed auto) | Tacoma iForce Max (Hybrid) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | Turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cyl | Turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cyl | Turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cyl Hybrid |
| Transmission | Six-speed manual | Eight-speed automatic | Eight-speed automatic |
| Horsepower | 228-270 hp | 278 hp | 326 hp |
| Torque | 243-310 lb-ft | 317 lb-ft | 465 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 6,500 lbs | 6,500 lbs | 6,000 lbs |
| Max Payload | 1,705 lbs | 1,705 lbs | 1,710 lbs |
| Starting MSRP | $38,485 | $31,590 | $46,320 |
The six-speed manual transmission in the Tacoma is not available with the iForce Max hybrid powertrain because of the electric motor’s integration with the eight-speed automatic. For those seeking a manual Tacoma, choices are limited to four-wheel-drive double cab configurations in SR, TRD Sport, and TRD Off-Road trims. The TRD PreRunner and Limited models, along with the top-tier TRD Pro and Trailhunter off-road models, are exclusively offered with the automatic iForce Max hybrid engine, highlighting Toyota’s strategy to reserve the manual for specific driver preferences and trim levels.
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Tacoma Trims Offering the Six-Speed Manual
Tacoma SR ($36,990)
The SR serves as the Tacoma’s entry-level model, providing a no-frills base. To equip it with a manual transmission, you need to opt for the double-cab and four-wheel-drive configuration, bringing the starting price to $36,990. This trim includes fewer exterior color options, 17-inch alloy wheels, a black cloth interior, and an 8-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SR is the most budget-friendly path to a manual Tacoma. For those desiring more features with their manual gearbox, the TRD models are worth considering.
Tacoma TRD Sport ($41,800)
Among the Tacoma’s TRD trims, the TRD Sport is geared towards on-road performance. It features a sport-tuned suspension with twin-tube shocks and 18-inch black TRD Sport wheels. The TRD Sport expands exterior color choices and upgrades the infotainment to a larger 12.3-inch screen, with synthetic leather seats. Rear-wheel-drive models (not compatible with the manual) gain an automatic limited-slip differential, further enhancing its street performance credentials.
Tacoma TRD Off-Road ($41,800)
For Tacoma buyers with off-road adventures in mind, the TRD Off-Road is the ideal manual transmission choice. Every TRD Off-Road includes an electronically locking rear differential for maximum traction on challenging terrain. An optional front stabilizer bar disconnect enhances front suspension articulation for even greater off-road capability. Toyota’s Multi-Terrain Select off-road modes and Crawl Control, a low-speed off-road cruise control, are also available, making the TRD Off-Road a very capable manual transmission pickup truck for off-road enthusiasts.
Used Manual Transmission Pickup Truck Alternatives to the Tacoma
Jeep Gladiator Rubicon model, showcasing its off-road capabilities with large tires and rugged design, parked on a rocky terrain Via: Jeep
Jeep Gladiator Rubicon
Jeep discontinued the manual transmission option for the Gladiator starting in the 2025 model year. Prior to this, the Gladiator’s six-speed manual was available with the 285-hp 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine on Sport, Sport S, Willys, Mojave, and Rubicon trims, alongside an optional eight-speed automatic. All Gladiators come standard with four-wheel drive, and the Rubicon is known as Jeep’s most off-road-focused model. It boasts features like front and rear locking differentials, an electronic disconnecting front sway bar for improved wheel articulation, skid plates, and 33-inch tires, making a used manual Gladiator Rubicon a strong off-road contender.
2018 Ram 2500 HD
The 2018 Ram 2500 HD marked the end of the line for full-size manual transmission pickup trucks. It was offered on Tradesman, SLT, Big Horn, and Lone Star models. The manual was discontinued due to low demand, with over 90% of buyers choosing the six-speed automatic. The manual was exclusively paired with a 6.7-liter Cummins turbo-diesel inline-six engine producing 350 horsepower and 660 lb-ft of torque.
The Cummins’ G56 six-speed manual transmission featured a heavy-duty flywheel to manage the engine’s high torque output. However, the manual version of the 2500 HD offered reduced torque and towing capacity compared to the automatic, which delivered 370 hp and up to 800 lb-ft of torque. With the six-speed manual, the Cummins could still tow up to 16,000 pounds and handle a max payload of 3,000 pounds, making it a capable, albeit rarer, full-size manual truck option.
Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro (Previous Generation)
Because the previous generation Tacoma TRD Pro predated the hybrid powertrain, Toyota offered it with a six-speed manual transmission. It was matched with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque, less powerful than the current hybrid model. The third-generation TRD Pro featured 2.5-inch Fox internal bypass shocks with TRD-tuned springs and Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Kevlar tires on 16-inch TRD Pro wheels. Later models included red TRD upper control arms. A notable difference is that the previous-gen TRD Pro’s manual transmission lacked the Crawl Control system found in automatic versions. Also, unlike the new Tacoma, the older model’s manual did not include automatic rev-matching. However, for purists seeking a previous-generation Tacoma TRD Pro with a stick shift, it remains a viable used option.
