The Last Sport Sedans Available With A Manual Gearbox

The list of sports sedans with a manual gearbox option is getting shorter every year. We just lost the Dodge Challenger, and it’s getting harder to stick your head in the sand and pretend we’re not witnessing the passing of an era.

For 2024, we were only able to round up eight manual sports sedans. So the bad news is you’d better act fast if you always wanted a brand-new sports sedan with a stick shift. The good news is that there’s one for every budget, from the $25,390 Kia Forte GT Manual to the $94,890 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. These eight sports sedans are the last ones you can find with a manual gearbox in the US.

This list was compiled using information received directly from the various automakers.

8 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing

Reviewing the base Cadillac CT4-V, we may have thrown around some words like “forgettable” and “mediocre,” but the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing had us singing a different tune. This is Cadillac showing the M3 that BMW’s not the only game in town, and, at a base MSRP of around $61,000, the Caddy is considerably more affordable than any performance M3 on the market right now, too.

The manual gearbox comes standard, and, reviewing the 2023 edition of this car, we found the ten-speed automatic transmission to be more of a downgrade than an upgrade, with sluggish downshifts. If there’s one complaint to be made about the manual version of the CT4-V Blackwing, it’s that the cabin might not be up to the standards you expect of a premium Cadillac, thanks to some cheap trim materials here and there.

7 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing

The manual sports sedan is an endangered species. If you want a V8, rear-wheel drive sports sedan with a manual transmission, that breed of car is practically extinct. The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is the very last of its kind available in the US.

We found this car’s manual transmission to be quick and precise. Paired with sharp, responsive electric steering, it handles better than some sedans that cost twice as much. The CT5-V offers a number of driving modes: Wet, Dry, Sport, and Race. It’s built as a daily driver, first and foremost, so expect a cushy highway ride.

6 Hyundai Elantra N

The Hyundai Elantra N is the quickest and most powerful car on this list if you’re shopping for a sports sedan on a budget. With a starting MSRP of just $33,700, it’s the best deal you’re going to get for this much horsepower in a manual sedan. It’s pricier than the Kia Forte GT manual, but it’s also noticeably faster with an extra 75 horses under the hood.

The 2024 Elantra N comes with a round of visual touch-ups. The front and rear bumpers look sleeker than ever, and the bucket seats have been redesigned for a sportier vibe. Reinforced engine mounts, updated suspension bushings, and upgraded ECM software also contribute to a fresh feel for the Elantra N. It is a rowdy car, especially in track mode. It can get you into trouble with the police in certain states, even with a stock exhaust.

5 Kia Forte GT Manual

With a 6.7-second 0-60 sprint, the Kia Forte GT is definitely a budget-option sports sedan. It’s not a track star; it just has a little more zip than you might expect of a sedan selling for under $26,000. Before you hit the dealership, note that the Kia Forte GT and the Kia Forte GT-Line are two very different cars. The GT is the turbocharged sports sedan trim, while the GT-Line packs the same 2.0-liter 4-cylinder as the non-sports models.

We’ve described the Kia Forte GT as “mildly fun.” We don’t mean that as a dig. The Forte GT may be classified as a sports sedan, but it’s ultimately a daily driver with an extra bit of pep in its step.

4 Acura Integra

The Acura Integra can be had for $31,800 as a base sedan model, but if you want the sportiest version out there, the Type S sells for around $51,800 and brings the 0-60 sprint down to just over five seconds. At that price point, the Subaru WRX TR might offer a better bang-for-buck proposition. Still, the Subaru doesn’t have the Acura’s upscale cabin, with its microsuede inserts, simulated texture upholstery, and stainless steel pedals.

Half the point of driving a sports sedan instead of a coupe is that you want a nice, spacious interior to go along with the powerful engine. If you’re looking at the overall driving experience, the Acura Integra might be the best value car on this list.

3 VW Jetta GLI

The Volkswagen Jetta GLI is available in manual or automatic, and the good news is the manual is the base transmission. Volkswagen is essentially trying to bite into the Elantra N’s market share with this car. While the Jetta GLI isn’t as powerful as the Elantra N, it is considerably cheaper, starting out at around $28,000 and almost as quick off the starting line, hitting 60 mph in just over six seconds.

Specs aside, the real difference between the VW and the Hyundai comes down to look and feel. The Elantra N has a slick new look, bordering on futuristic. The Volkswagen is a little more conservative in its styling and a little more restrained in its road manners.

2 BMW M3

The base 2024 BMW M3 starts at $75,295 for the manual transmission and goes up to $119,695 for an M3 CS. If you’re really good with the stick, it will do 0-60 in just 3.2 seconds. Of course, launch control comes standard, helping you reduce your sprint time no matter your level of skill and experience.

With a BMW M3, the problem with buying an entry-level model is that you may suffer a touch of FOMO thinking about how tight the xDrive Competition model grips the road. If you’re already spending more than seventy grand on a car, plus the specialty maintenance costs that come with owning a BMW, you might as well upgrade, right? Rest assured, every version of this car is a lot of fun.

1 Subaru WRX TR

The Subaru WRX GT trim is no longer available with a manual transmission, but the TR (TR for Tuner Ready) is. This is a new trim level starting at an MSRP of $41,655. Standard features include Brembo brakes, stiffer springs, sports-tuned steering, and a set of Bridgestone Potenzo S007 summer rubber tires. But you don’t get any sort of performance bump over the base WRX, which starts out at an MSRP of $32,735.

Of course, the base performance of the WRX isn’t bad for a sedan in this price range, hitting 60 mph in under six seconds. Just know that what you’re paying for is a six-speed manual gearbox and a sportier–feeling car rather than an extra turbocharger or something.