By Gerhard Horn
There was a time when ordering a pickup with a manual transmission was a sign you were a trucker who knew how to get things done. These systems could get the most out of the engines and allowed owners to push, pull, and carry items that automatic transmission trucks could only dream of. Manuals were cheaper to maintain, more engaging to drive, and provided a level of control that automatics only dreamed of, but it was only a matter of time before slush boxes caught up.
Once they did, the sun began to set on the manual transmission truck. It turns out, people would much rather the truck do the work for them, not to mention the improved fuel economy that comes with modern automatics. In 2026, only a single pickup truck will be available with a manual transmission – the Toyota Tacoma – standing alone as a relic from an analog age when the rest of the truck world is running full steam into the future.
The Manual Truck Is Nearly Extinct In America
We know it may be hard to believe for some of our younger readers, but not that long ago, nearly every automaker offered a manual gearbox on at least one of their trucks. This applied to anything from tiny Ford Rangers to Chevy Silverado HDs, giving drivers greater control over their truck's performance in all situations. However, in the 2000s, the tide began to shift, and automakers, some of which were strapped for cash and responding to consumer trends, decided it was time for us to move on to automatic transmissions that offered greater fuel efficiency and power potential.
Here are some notable trucks from the last 20 years with manual transmissions:
2006 – Ram SRT-10
- The last performance pickup truck available with a manual transmission. You could get a standard cab truck with a 6-speed manual and a V10 under the hood. Ram deserves more respect for this one.
2008 – Ram 1500
- However, the company changed its tune just two years later, taking the last manually equipped light-duty truck off the market.
2012 – Ford Ranger
- With the death of the third-generation Ranger, Ford killed the 5-speed manual along with it. There's something fitting about a Ranger with a manual, so this one hurt.
2018 – Chevrolet Colorado / GMC Canyon
- Discontinued the six-speed manual after the 2018 model year, but it was only on the base trims.
2018 – Ram 2500 Heavy Duty
- Ended manual availability with the launch of the fifth-generation model in 2019, taking the last heavy-duty truck with a manual off the market.
2019 – Nissan Frontier
- The final model year to offer a manual before a refresh removed it in 2020.
By 2020, only two pickups remained for stick-shift enthusiasts: the Jeep Gladiator and the Toyota Tacoma. The former was aimed squarely at off-roaders who wanted more control on tight trails, while the latter only offered the manual on lower, base trim trucks. Well, it turns out even off-roaders couldn't save the Gladiator's shifter, because at the end of 2024, that truck said goodbye to the manual, taking a truly unique option off the market.
The Manual Jeep Gladiator Is No More
| 2019 Jeep Gladiator (Manual) | |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.6 L Pentastar V‑6 gasoline |
| Transmission | 6‑speed Aisin AL6 manual |
| Power | 285 hp |
| Torque | 260 lb‑ft |
| Towing Capacity | Up to 4,000 lbs with manual; up to 7,700 lbs with automatic and Max Tow Package |
| Payload Capacity | 1,700 lbs (Sport, manual) |
| Curb Weight | ~4,700 lbs |
| EPA Rated Fuel Economy | 16 MPG city / 23 MPG highway / 19 combined |
When Jeep introduced the Gladiator in 2019, it was a breath of fresh air for manual lovers. We can't remember the last time a completely new pickup truck, not just a new generation, debuted with a manual transmission option. Even better, you could get it on every single trim, from the base Sport all the way up to the rock-crawling Rubicon. Its inclusion was aimed squarely at enthusiasts, but unfortunately, most buyers aren't enthusiasts.
The Pentastar V6 is a tried and true powerplant that's been used in just about every Fiat Chrysler/Stellantis product for the past 15 years. However, a jack of all trades is a master of none, and the engine isn't the best fit for the Gladiator. It only makes 285 horsepower, and most of that power only comes on after 4,000 rpm, which wouldn't be too bad if it weren't a nearly 5,000 lb, 4WD pickup truck. Many reviewers noted that because of these limitations, the manual transmission made the driving experience frustrating, especially because it wasn't particularly smooth.
Even worse, chasing this power meant your fuel economy suffered. The EPA rated a manually-equipped Gladiator at 19 MPG combined, but in the real world, publications like Car & Driver saw this number drop to around 16 MPG combined, partially due to the thick rubber on their Mojave model. Adding insult to injury was that it killed your towing capability too, as it handicapped you to a mere 4,000 lbs.
Looking at all of these drawbacks, we can't say we're surprised Jeep eventually decided to ditch the model. It was a fun concept, one that we believe will grow to be sought after in the future, but also one that had too many caveats for a new pickup.
The 2026 Toyota Tacoma: America’s Final Manual Pickup
And then there was one.
With the manual Jeep Gladiator heading off to the junkyard in the sky, the Toyota Tacoma earns the bittersweet distinction of being the only new pickup truck offered today with a manual transmission. This was a pleasant surprise when the fourth-generation Tacoma was originally announced, but it wasn't surprising to see that it would be a limited option. Only three trims can be outfitted with the manual as a no-cost option: the SR, TRD Sport, and TRD Off-Road, and only if you're ordering a Double Cab truck with 4WD and a 5-foot bed.
Sources: Toyota
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This article originally appeared on CarBuzz and is republished here with permission.
