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The debate over the decline of manual transmissions has been a recurring theme on the internet. Many enthusiasts express concern that beloved sports cars may soon be available only with automatic gearboxes. However, as someone with a passion for trucks, I’ve grown accustomed to this shift. For instance, mainstream half-ton pickups like the Ford F-150 phased out manual options long ago, and heavy-duty models haven’t offered them since Ram eliminated the option in 2018. Perhaps that’s why I’m somewhat indifferent to the news that the Toyota Tacoma remains the last truck still offering a manual transmission.
This reality was solidified on Wednesday when Jeep revealed the Gladiator will now be available solely with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This change is just another step in a trend where many trucks have opted for automatics over manuals. Personally, I don’t recall ever spotting a manual Gladiator, which might explain Jeep’s decision to remove it altogether.
Interestingly, I was taken aback that the Tacoma’s manual transmission remains the final option of its kind. The six-speed manual is paired with a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which has been slightly detuned for manual models to deliver 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, compared to the automatic’s 278 hp and 317 lb-ft. Unfortunately, Toyota only offers this option with full crew-cab configurations, which is a bit disappointing, but it’s better than having no option at all.
It seems likely that Toyota will continue to sell the Tacoma with a manual transmission for the foreseeable future. Conversations with the truck’s chief engineer, Sheldon Brown, revealed that considerable effort went into integrating this transmission with the turbo engine, which is why the shift boot looks a bit unusual. I still think an old-school accordion-style boot would have been a better design, but hopefully, the aftermarket can offer that choice.
I recently configured the most basic version of the Tacoma with a manual transmission on Toyota’s website, and the total cost, including destination fees, amounted to $38,395. Therefore, if you’re in the market for a new truck with a manual option, be prepared to spend at least this much.
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