There was a time when ordering a pickup with a handbook transmission was an indication you have been a trucker who knew tips on how to get issues finished. These programs may get essentially the most out of the engines and allowed homeowners to push, pull, and carry objects that automated transmission vans may solely dream of. Manuals have been cheaper to keep up, extra participating to drive, and supplied a degree of management that automatics solely dreamed of, however it was solely a matter of time earlier than slush bins caught up.
As soon as they did, the solar started to set on the handbook transmission truck. It seems, individuals would a lot relatively the truck do the work for them, to not point out the improved gasoline financial system that comes with fashionable automatics. In 2025, solely a single pickup truck can be out there with a handbook transmission – the Toyota Tacoma – standing alone as a relic from an analog age when the remainder of the truck world is working full steam into the long run.
We check out the manually outfitted Tacoma, the vans which have ditched the transmission choice lately, and the way for much longer we will count on this selection to stay round.
The Guide Truck Is Almost Extinct In America
We all know it might be arduous to consider for a few of our youthful readers, however not that way back, practically each automaker provided a handbook gearbox on not less than considered one of their vans. This utilized to something from tiny Ford Rangers to Chevy Silverado HDs, giving drivers larger management over their truck’s efficiency in all conditions. Nonetheless, within the 2000s, the tide started to shift, and automakers, a few of which have been strapped for money and responding to shopper developments, determined it was time for us to maneuver on to automated transmissions that provided larger gasoline effectivity and energy potential.
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Listed below are some notable vans from the final 20 years with handbook transmissions:
- 2006 – Ram SRT-10
- The final efficiency pickup truck out there with a handbook transmission. You could possibly get a typical cab truck with a 6-speed handbook and a V10 beneath the hood. Ram deserves extra respect for this one.
- 2008 – Ram 1500
- Nonetheless, the corporate modified its tune simply two years later, taking the final manually outfitted light-duty truck off the market.
- 2012 – Ford Ranger
- With the loss of life of the third-generation Ranger, Ford killed the 5-speed handbook together with it. There’s one thing becoming a few Ranger with a handbook, so this one harm.
- 2018 – Chevrolet Colorado / GMC Canyon
- Discontinued the six-speed handbook after the 2018 mannequin yr, however it was solely on the bottom trims.
- 2018 – Ram 2500 Heavy Obligation
- Ended handbook availability with the launch of the fifth-generation mannequin in 2019, taking the final heavy-duty truck with a handbook off the market.
- 2019 – Nissan Frontier
- The ultimate mannequin yr to supply a handbook earlier than a refresh eliminated it in 2020.
By 2020, solely two pickups remained for stick-shift fans: the Jeep Gladiator and the Toyota Tacoma. The previous was aimed squarely at off-roaders who needed extra management on tight trails, whereas the latter solely provided the handbook on decrease, base trim vans. Nicely, it seems even off-roaders could not save the Gladiator’s shifter, as a result of on the finish of 2024, that truck stated goodbye to the handbook, taking a really distinctive choice off the market.
The Guide Jeep Gladiator Is No Extra
When Jeep launched the Gladiator in 2019, it was a breath of recent air for handbook lovers. We could not keep in mind the final time a very new pickup truck, not only a new era, debuted with a handbook transmission choice. Even higher, you may get it on each single trim, from the bottom Sport all the way in which as much as the rock-crawling Rubicon. Its inclusion was aimed squarely at fans, however sadly, most consumers aren’t fans.
2019 Jeep Gladiator (Guide) | |
|---|---|
Engine | 3.6 L Pentastar V‑6 gasoline |
Transmission | 6‑pace Aisin AL6 handbook |
Energy | 285 hp |
Torque | 260 lb‑ft |
Towing Capability | As much as 4,000 lbs with handbook; as much as 7,700 lbs with automated and Max Tow Bundle |
Payload Capability | 1,700 lbs (Sport, handbook) |
Curb Weight | ~4,700 lbs |
EPA Rated Gas Economic system | 16 MPG metropolis / 23 MPG freeway / 19 mixed |
The Pentastar V6 is a tried and true powerplant that is been utilized in nearly each Fiat Chrysler/Stellantis product for the previous 15 years. Nonetheless, a jack of all trades is a grasp of none, and the engine is not the most effective match for the Gladiator. It solely makes 285 horsepower, and most of that energy solely comes on after 4,000 rpm, which would not be too dangerous if it weren’t an almost 5,000 lb, 4WD pickup truck. Many reviewers famous that due to these limitations, the handbook transmission made the driving expertise irritating, particularly as a result of it wasn’t notably easy.
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Even worse, chasing this energy meant your gasoline financial system suffered. The EPA rated a manually-equipped Gladiator at 19 MPG mixed, however in the actual world, publications like Automotive & Driver noticed this quantity drop to round 16 MPG mixed, partially as a result of thick rubber on their Mojave mannequin. Including insult to damage was that it killed your towing functionality too, because it handicapped you to a mere 4,000 lbs.
Taking a look at all of those drawbacks, we will not say we’re stunned Jeep ultimately determined to can the mannequin. It was a enjoyable idea, one which we consider will develop to be wanted sooner or later, but additionally one which had too many caveats for a brand new pickup.
The 2025 Toyota Tacoma: America’s Last Guide Pickup
After which there was one.
With the handbook Jeep Gladiator heading off to the junkyard within the sky, the Toyota Tacoma earns the bittersweet distinction of being the one new pickup truck provided at present with a handbook transmission. This was a pleasing shock when the fourth-generation Tacoma was initially introduced, however it wasn’t shocking to see that it might be a restricted choice. Solely three trims could be outfitted with the handbook as a no-cost choice: the SR, TRD Sport, and TRD Off-Street, and provided that you are ordering a Double Cab truck with 4WD and a 5-foot mattress.
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So, the most cost effective manually outfitted Tacoma you should purchase can be a $36,990 SR Double Cab (earlier than taxes and costs), which is simply about $5,000 cheaper than a equally outfitted TRD Off-Street or Sport. It is a actually bare-bones truck, however the good thing about hooking it as much as the handbook transmission is the truth that you get the extra highly effective model of the i-Pressure engine, outputting 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque over the measly 228 hp and 223 lb-ft of torque of the automated. That is barely much less energy than for those who go for the 8-speed within the TRD trims (278 hp and 317 lb-ft), however it’s not too huge of a success. Sadly, for the reason that handbook is not suitable with the i-Pressure Max engine, any hope of a manually outfitted TRD Professional or Trailhunter model is lengthy gone.
2024 Toyota Tacoma (Guide) | |
|---|---|
Engine | 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-4 |
Transmission | 6-speed handbook |
Drivetrain | Half-Time 4WD |
Energy | 270 hp |
Torque | 310 lb-ft |
Towing Capability | As much as 6,400 lbs |
Mattress Size | 5-foot brief mattress |
Cab Model | Double Cab |
Obtainable Trims | SR, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Street (4WD solely) |
Gas financial system takes solely a small hit in comparison with the automated choice, attaining 18 MPG metropolis / 23 MPG freeway / and 20 MPG mixed in comparison with the auto’s 19 MPG metropolis / 24 MPG freeway / and 21 MPG mixed. A small worth to pay for management, in our opinion. Energy additionally comes on in another way for the handbook vans, with torque peaking at 2,800 rpm and horsepower peaking at 5,400 rpm, concurrently earlier and later than the automated.
Thankfully, the manually-equipped vans do not take a towing capability hit just like the Gladiator did, as they will all tow 6,400 lbs. With its inclusion on the bottom mannequin and two mid-tier off-road fashions, it is apparent Toyota is aiming this handbook truck squarely at contractors and off-road fans who need a bit of bit of additional management. Toyota cares in regards to the followers, this a lot is apparent, however whereas we love the trouble, in the actual world, we’ve got to confess the handbook Tacoma is not all it is cracked as much as be.
Will The Guide Tacoma Survive A lot Longer?
The handbook within the Tacoma comes with automated rev-match downshifting (which must be engaged each time you begin the truck) and a no-clutch beginning choice meant to guard you whereas off-roading on tight trails. The previous is a necessity that you will doubtless use on daily basis, whereas the latter will doubtless solely get used a couple of times all through the lifetime of the truck, however it’s nice to know Toyota was forward-thinking with its design.
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With the Jeep Gladiator going automated solely, we’re all the way down to only one handbook transmission pickup within the US. This is what it prices absolutely loaded.
Nonetheless, we remorse to tell you that the expertise behind the wheel of such a truck is a tad disappointing, not less than in line with CarBuzz‘s Street Take a look at Skilled, Jared Rosenholtz, who stated after driving one:
“The bottom SR actually is not fast, however the different grades will go away the previous Tacoma within the mud with ample turbo torque and transmissions that lastly have sufficient ratios. As a lot as we love driving a handbook, we expect the automated feels extra suited to the facility band of the engine.”
He felt that, in day-to-day driving eventualities, it was a little bit of a canine, and that is proved within the 0-60 mph time, which is available in a bit of over 7 seconds in comparison with about 6.5 seconds for automated fashions. It’s going to be superb in most eventualities so long as you are not wringing every gear out, however do not count on satisfaction from the expertise, that solely comes with figuring out you are driving a modern-day unicorn.
It is the final of an almost lifeless breed, the lone survivor of a lineage that stretches again over 100 years. We do not care what model you drive or how you’re feeling in regards to the powertrain; it’s a must to respect this truck, and we hope that alone provides to its gross sales. Nonetheless, no matter they’re, we doubt they’re sufficient to justify the truck’s long-term existence.
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This selection is a ardour challenge that exhibits Toyota nonetheless cares for fans, however it’s a drop within the bucket in comparison with how a lot the remainder of the model’s truck lineup hauls in. As Toyota continues to discover hybridization and emissions rules get stricter, the chances that the handbook transmission even lasts to the tip of the fourth-gen Tacoma’s life, not to mention previous it, are low. We could also be witnessing the final handbook transmission truck ever offered within the US, so recognize it whilst you nonetheless can, as a result of when it is gone, it is gone for good.
Sources: Toyota
