Death of the Manual Pickup

Are Manual Trucks Dead?

In 2025, the Toyota Tacoma is the only new truck sold in the United States that you can get with a manual transmission. The Nissan Frontier, Chevy Colorado, and Ram 1500 have ditched this feature. And the Jeep Gladiator will soon lose its six-speed trans for the 2025 model year.

Why Don’t New Trucks Come with a Manual Transmission?

The era of manual transmissions in new trucks is rapidly coming to an end. Once a staple of the pickup truck experience, the stick shift has all but disappeared from the American truck market. This shift away from manual transmissions in trucks is driven by several factors:

• Technological advancements have made automatic transmissions more efficient and capable than ever before. Modern automatics now offer better fuel economy and can handle higher torque loads, addressing two areas where manuals traditionally held an advantage.

• Consumer demand has overwhelmingly shifted towards automatics. As fewer drivers learn to operate manual transmissions, the market for stick-shift trucks has dwindled. This reduced demand makes it economically unfeasible for manufacturers to continue offering manual options.

• Automatic transmissions have become more robust and reliable, dispelling concerns about their durability in heavy-duty applications. They now offer smoother operation for towing and off-road use, areas where manuals were once preferred.

• The complexity of modern trucks, with their advanced driver assistance systems and fuel management technologies, is more easily integrated with automatic transmissions. This integration allows for better overall vehicle performance and efficiency.

That said, auto enthusiasts refuse to call the manual dead. In fact, the world of sports cars is having a bit of a revival right now. Maybe if we wait and demand enough, that Cummins diesel will be available with a stick once again.

How Do You Drive a Manual Pickup Truck?

Driving a manual pickup truck is similar to driving a manual car, but with a few key differences due to a truck's size and weight. Here's how to drive a manual pickup truck:

• Adjust your seat and mirrors for optimal visibility and comfort.

• Depress the clutch pedal fully and shift into neutral before starting the engine.

• Start the engine and release the parking brake.

• With the clutch still depressed, shift into first gear.

• Slowly release the clutch while gently pressing the accelerator. The truck will start moving as the clutch engages.

• As you gain speed, shift to higher gears by releasing the accelerator, pressing the clutch, changing gears, and smoothly releasing the clutch while accelerating.

• When slowing down or stopping, press the clutch and downshift as needed.

What Are the Benefits of a Manual Truck?

Manual transmission pickup trucks offer a unique driving experience that combines control, engagement, and practical advantages. Drivers enjoy greater mechanical connection to the vehicle, feeling every gear shift and developing a more intuitive understanding of the truck's performance. Mechanically, manual transmissions are typically more durable and less expensive to repair compared to automatic counterparts. They provide superior fuel efficiency, especially in older models, and allow for more precise power management during challenging driving conditions like towing or off-road terrain.

For instance, here in Kansas City, recently, I got my truck stuck in some snow. Maybe I got out thanks to some sandbags in the bed. But I would like to think the throttle control offered by the 6-speed manual transmission played a part.

Our Final Thoughts

As someone who has daily driven vehicles that allow you to row your own gears for as long as I can remember, there is something sad about seeing the death of the manual. Now, in the United States, some manufacturers are bringing back the fun. This is mainly true for sports cars, but on the pickup truck end, only the 2025 Toyota Tacoma remains. 

There’s no one singular reason that manual trucks have gone away in the States. Emissions, low sales figures, and the improvement of automatic transmission likely all play a role. That said, up until 2019, trucks like the Chevy Colorado offered a manual, and the 2024 model year Jeep Gladiator still comes with a six-speed standard. And for that reason, the used truck market in the United States will provide plenty of options.