Manual transmission no longer available in Sonic

[Z71]

I checked the inventory of more than 1000 new Sonics on cars.com and there is not a single one with a manual transmission. I assume that GM has deleted the manual transmission for this car for 2019+ model years. Unfortunately this is an ongoing trend right now. GM has eliminated manual transmission in Chevy Cruze for 2019, and actually ended production of Cruze the same year. Dodge Ram heavy duty trucks with the Cummins diesel engine, which were the only domestic full size pickups still available with a manual transmission, as now offered only in automatic version. The last manual transmission was offered in 2018.

Infiniti used to offer manual transmission in their G37 sedan and coupe until 2014 when manual was droppped from the sedan version but was still available in the coupe for a few more years. Now Infiniti offers no manual transmission in any of their vehicles.

 

[Lazza]

Of course this is a reflection of poor demand for manual transmission vehicles. If only a small fraction of sales are manual transmission vehicles then manufacturers lose money, or at least take a hit on profit.

It seems to me that few folks under 50 know how to drive a stick. Even those who do find it cumbersome nowadays with increased traffic in urban areas. Besides, one of the major benefits of manual versus automatic transmissions is no longer valid: better gas mileage. New automatic transmissions, especially CVTs, are very fuel efficient ( … often at the expensive of reliability).

I had a 2013 Chevy Sonic with a manual transmission. I loved it at first but then all the clutch work and shifting grew old after a couple of years. At 63 y.o. I am probably going to only purchase cars with automatics from here on. But I still get moments where I'd like to do my own shifting.

 

[dannyg]

Yes, its true, the 2020 doesn’t offer a manual. It was still offered on the 2019s.

Per autotrader, there are zero new 2018/2019 manual Sonics for sale in the country. Zero. There are +250 2018/2019 new automatics still sitting on lots. Sounds to me like they should have made more manuals, not less! Every one they made sold.

Overall, yes, manuals are down. But there’s still some fans out there like me.

My next car will probably be a Civic or Corolla or maybe Elantra, since they’re all still available with stick. But I’m hanging onto my Sonic!

 

[66roadie]

I repeat, no sale.

 

[zomby woof]

Y

My next car will probably be a Civic or Corolla or maybe Elantra, since they’re all still available with stick. But I’m hanging onto my Sonic!

I think Hyundai/Kia stopped selling manuals too

EDIT: I looked it up and I was wrong. Nevermind

 

[dannyg]

Yes, the Elantra is still available with a stick shift on a trim or two. The new Venue (pretty close in size to a Sonic hatchback) will have a manual available on the base trim, EPA rated 35MPG. I suppose I might test drive that too. But for the forseeable future I’m sticking with my Sonic...

 

[MerlinZero]

Well, look at MOPAR. all of the hot cars coming out of there are auto only, everything from the SXT trim to the Hellcat Redeye are all auto either 7 or 8 speed.

just looked at a 2017 charger RT scatpack, had an auto, still a great looking, driving and sounding car.

 

[Trace26]

Glad I got mine when I did.
2018 RS Hatchback 1.4t Manual Premiere. There were only two in the entire country at the time.

 

[perrymk]

Among my vehicle criteria are made (assembled) in the USA, 40mpg, and manual transmission. I think my 2014 Sonic was the only option when I bought it. My next vehicle criteria may also include enhanced ground clearance as I am retiring and plan to spend more time hiking out of the way places. Obviously I will have to compromise.

I think Jeep still makes a manual in the USA, but only around 23-25mpg. Maybe the new diesels will fare better.