10 Luxury Cars with a Manual Transmission

2016 BMW 3 Series ・ Photo by BMW

With every new model year, more manual transmissions are lost. Though there’s usually some protest on enthusiast forums or in the pages of magazines, most consumers shrug their shoulders and move on—assuming they even notice. To much of the car-buying public, an automatic or an automated manual is just as good, or better. But there will always be holdouts who want a traditional transmission—for track days, for drag days, to teach the kids how we used to do things.

If you’ve got deep pockets and insist on having three pedals in your next new vehicle, these are some of the options. Let’s take a look at 10 luxury cars with a manual transmission offering in the lineup for this year.

2016 Audi S4

Most of Audi’s premium lineup comes with the brand’s S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission, but there are a few holdouts. The 2016 Audi S4 performance sedan, which can be ordered with a 6-speed manual transmission, is one of them. Configuring a new Audi S4 to unlock the manual transmission option can be confusing; we recommend going for the Premium Plus trim level, which comes with a 333-horsepower, supercharged 3.0-liter V6 engine. It would be nice if Audi offered this option in a less-expensive vehicle, such as the regular A4 sedan, but we never said that finding one of the best 10 luxury cars with a manual transmission would be easy on the wallet.

2016 Audi S5

The S5 can be thought of as a coupe version of the S4, so it’s no surprise that Audi offers these two vehicles with similar equipment lineups. Like the S4, the 2016 Audi S5 is offered with a 6-speed manual transmission in Platinum Plus trim, which includes a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 engine that makes 333 horsepower and 325 lb.-ft of torque, and also comes with Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system. The luxurious S5 coupe also offers plenty of comfort features. Purists might be disappointed that two nearly identical vehicles occupy two spots on our limited list of luxury cars with a manual transmission; the pragmatic among us might realize that we’re lucky to have them.

Photo by Audi

2016 BMW 3 Series

The 2016 BMW 3 Series is one of the more affordable options on our list of luxury cars with a manual transmission, and an appealing car, at that. The 3 Series is known for its vast array of available configurations, including the Sports Wagon and the Gran Turismo hatchback. Unfortunately, though, potential buyers who want a manual transmission have access only to the 3 Series sedan, which offers a 6-speed manual transmission as an option in lieu of the 8-speed automatic. Regardless of trim level, the BMW 3 Series offers strong acceleration, and the tight handling is balanced with a compliant ride. All things considered, a manual-equipped 2016 BMW 3 Series makes a great driver’s car.

Photo by BMW Media

2016 BMW Z4

From one perspective, it’s easy to side-eye the BMW Z4 for coasting on its current design for so long—seven years and counting. And from the opposing perspective, well, at least the aging 2016 Z4 comes with a manual transmission, and who can even guess how much longer that’ll last after the car’s next redesign. The Z4 is a luxury hardtop roadster that provides an exciting driving experience, courtesy of a well-engineered suspension and a choice of three engines. But to get the manual gearbox, stick with the base engine: a 2.0-liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder that makes 240 horsepower. A 6-speed manual comes standard with this model of the BMW Z4, and an automatic is optional, landing this car on our list of luxury vehicles with a manual transmission.

2016 Buick Verano Turbo

The Buick Verano, an upscale compact sedan, makes a manual transmission available, but there’s a catch: the available 6-speed manual gearbox is only available by stepping up to the higher-performance Verano Turbo model. The Verano Turbo is actually one of the most powerful turbocharged cars in its class, so that’s hardly a horrible compromise, and fuel economy is still comparable to the Verano’s base engine. This Buick comes with a 2.0-liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that makes 250 horsepower, and when matched to the 6-speed manual, it’s pretty fun to drive. Matched to the optional 6-speed automatic transmission... well, it’s still pretty fun to drive, thanks mostly to the Verano Turbo’s tight handling.

2016 Cadillac ATS

Fans of high-end domestic cars should be pleased to see the Cadillac ATS on our list of luxury cars with a manual transmission. The baby Cadillac is stylish, it’s relatively affordable, it’s fun to drive, and it’s available in both sedan and coupe bodystyles. Like the Buick Verano, though, there’s a caveat: the manual transmission is only available with two of the higher-level drivetrains. To get the 2016 Cadillac ATS’ available 6-speed manual, look for a sedan or coupe powered by the 272-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. Or, step up to the 2016 Cadillac ATS-V, which puts down 464 horsepower from its twin-turbo, 3.6-liter V6. Both choices are winners.

Photo by Cadillac

2016 Jaguar F-Type

The 6-speed manual in the Jaguar F-Type is new for the 2016 model year, and we’re glad this convertible sports car can join our list of luxury cars with a manual transmission. Like other models we’ve looked at, the F-Type’s manual gearbox is only available with a particular drivetrain combination; unlike some of the other cars we’ve looked at, that combination is at the bottom of the totem pole. Getting a manual F-Type requires foregoing the available supercharged V8 engine or the all-wheel drive, and what’s left is a rear-drive, 340-horsepower, supercharged 3.0-liter V6. That kind of power in a 2-seater sports car is hardly a hardship, even if it is the base model.

Photo by Jaguar

2016 Porsche Boxster

Unlike some of the other models featured on our list of our 10 favorite luxury cars with a manual transmission, we’re not going to go too deep into detail regarding the manual’s mysterious availability with the Porsche Boxster. That’s because a 6-speed manual comes standard on the 2016 Porsche Boxster. Yes, every Boxster. All four trim levels. A 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is the option here. The Boxster’s four available engines start at 265 horsepower, from a 2.7-liter 6-cylinder, and top out at 375 horsepower, from the new Spyder’s 3.8-liter 6-cylinder. This roadster comes with a power-operated soft convertible top, which ensures an exciting and fresh air-filled ride for two.

Photo by Porsche

2016 Porsche Cayman

The 2016 Porsche Cayman joins our list of luxury cars with manual transmissions thanks to its highly configurable lineup, which is similar but not identical to that of its stablemate, the aforementioned Porsche Boxster. Like the Boxster, the Cayman also comes with a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard on every model, and buyers who want an automatic have to pay an upcharge for the available 7-speed dual-clutch unit (except on the new-for-2016 GT4 trim, which is manual only). Regardless of the chosen transmission, this mid-engine coupe is extremely fun to drive, not that anyone should be surprised. It’s a Porsche, after all, and Porsche clearly still respects the driver’s experience above all else.

2016 Porsche 911

When compiling a list of the best luxury cars with manual transmissions, it’s hard not to sing the praises of Porsche too loudly. That’s because, though we’ve called this list “the best 10” and “our favorite 10,” truth is, it’s hard to come up with any 10, and Porsche is sort of our savior in that regard. If you thought the Porsches we’ve already discussed, the Boxster and Cayman, have extensive options, the 2016 Porsche 911 is downright overwhelming. There are plenty of engines available—the base model’s 350 horsepower won’t disappoint, and there are a bunch of stepping stones before reaching the top tier model, which squeezes out 560 horsepower. A 7-speed manual transmission is standard for us, and a dual-clutch automatic is available for everyone else.

Photo by Porsche