With nearly 17,500 sales, the Civic edged out the Subaru WRX to claim the top spot

At the start of 2025, we analyzed sales data for manual-transmission cars in the United States, uncovering some intriguing insights shared on this site. While we don’t have take-rate figures for every manual car sold last year, we’ve gathered enough data to declare a clear winner: the Honda Civic.
In 2024, the Civic had a manual take rate of 7.2%, with 17,424 manual models sold out of a total 242,005 units. This achievement is particularly notable as Honda has scaled back its manual Civic offerings. With the introduction of the facelifted 2025 model, which began production mid-year, six-speed versions of the regular Civic sedan and hatchback were discontinued.
Now, the Si and Type R are the only options for buyers who want a manual. Despite these changes, the Civic emerged as the best-selling manual car in the U.S. last year, based on our data.

If you include the Acura Integra—mechanically similar to the Civic—with its 4,831 manual sales, the total climbs to 22,255 units. While that might not seem like a huge number, it’s likely more than many would expect.
Here’s the list of the top 10 best-selling manual cars in the U.S. based on our findings:
Car | Take Rate | Total Sales |
---|---|---|
Honda Civic | 7.2% | 17,424 |
Subaru WRX | 86.7% | 16,115 |
Volkswagen Golf GTI/R | 41% / 52% | 6,721 |
Toyota GR86 | 53% | 6,056 |
Toyota Tacoma | 3% | 5,784 |
Mazda Miata | 70% | 5,762 |
Toyota GR Corolla | 97% | 5,414 |
Acura Integra | 19.8% | 4,831 |
Volkswagen Jetta | 6% | 4,310 |
Subaru BRZ | 77.8% | 2,602 |
It’s worth noting a few caveats. The Ford Mustang and Jeep Wrangler likely belong in the top 10, but neither automaker provided take-rate data, making it impossible to estimate manual sales accurately.
Similarly, the Porsche 911 may have made the list, but Porsche only shared take rates for models with a transmission choice, and without detailed variant sales data, it’s too speculative to include.
The Toyota GR Corolla’s high 97% manual take rate is due to the late introduction of its automatic variant in 2024. Additionally, while the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ are similar vehicles, their manual sales—totaling 8,658 units—are listed separately since they’re sold by different automakers.

Subaru’s WRX secured second place with 16,115 manual sales, maintaining a high take rate of 86.7% despite overall WRX sales dipping. Volkswagen’s Golf GTI and R made the list as 2024 marked the last year for their manual options, spurring buyers to act before they were gone.
As we look ahead, it’ll be interesting to see if the Civic retains its crown in 2025. While Honda has reduced its manual offerings, it’s likely that models like the six-speed Civic Sport Hatchback weren’t driving significant sales. Only time will tell.