The Honda Civic was the best-selling manual car in the United States in 2024, according to new sales data. With a 7.2 percent manual take rate—equating to 17,424 manual Civics sold out of a total of 242,005 units—the Civic emerged as the top choice for manual transmission enthusiasts.
This victory is notable, as Honda has been gradually reducing its manual transmission offerings for the Civic. The 2025 model, which began production mid-year, eliminated the six-speed manual option for the regular Civic sedan and hatchback. To purchase a manual version of the Civic now, customers will need to opt for the Si or Type R models. Despite these reductions, the Civic maintained its dominance in the manual car market.
When including the 4,831 manual sales of the mechanically similar Acura Integra, which shares many components with the Civic, the total manual sales figure climbs to 22,255 units. While this total may seem modest compared to broader car sales, it highlights the ongoing appeal of manual transmissions.
However, it’s important to note a few caveats in the data. We believe that both the Ford Mustang and Jeep Wrangler would have ranked high in manual sales, but the lack of specific take-rate data from these manufacturers leaves us unable to confirm their exact numbers. Similarly, Porsche’s sales data for the 911 was incomplete, as the automaker only provided information on models with a choice of transmissions, making it difficult to estimate total manual 911 sales.
Other noteworthy entries include the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ, which together accounted for 8,658 manual sales. Although sold by separate manufacturers, these models’ combined figures reflect the continued demand for manual transmission sports cars. The Subaru WRX also performed well, with 16,115 manual sales, representing an impressive 86.7 percent of the WRX’s total sales despite an overall sales decline.
Volkswagen’s Golf GTI and Golf R also featured prominently in the rankings. 2024 marked the final year for manual transmission options on these models, and Volkswagen indicated that the strong sales were due in part to buyers wanting to secure a manual before it was phased out.
Looking ahead, it remains to be seen whether the Civic will retain its title as the best-selling manual car in 2025. While Honda has reduced the availability of manual models, the shift may not significantly affect sales, as fewer buyers opted for the six-speed Civic Sport Hatchback. Time will tell if the trend holds.
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