If you want a brand-new pickup with a third pedal in 2027, you have exactly one choice. The Toyota Tacoma stands alone, and the Toyota Tacoma Manual is the last stick-shift truck left on dealer lots. With the Jeep Gladiator manual heading for the junkyard, this honor is bittersweet.
Toyota Tacoma Manual Holds The Line
Only three trims qualify at no cost: the SR, TRD Sport, and TRD Off-Road. Each one requires a Double Cab with 4WD and a 5-foot bed. The entry point, the SR Double Cab, starts around $39,150, which is only about $5,000 below a comparable TRD Off-Road. Enthusiasts who prize this kind of mechanical purity will recognize the same philosophy behind the Honda Civic Type R HRC.
Pair the stick with the Toyota 2.4-liter i-Force turbo four and you unlock 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The automatic makes 228 hp and 223 lb-ft in base trim. Torque peaks at 2,800 rpm, giving the manual an earlier shove off the line.
| ⚙️Engine / Powertrain | 2.4L Turbo i-Force Four |
| 🐎Power Output | 270 HP |
| ⚡Peak Torque | 310 lb-ft (420 Nm) |
| ⏱️0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) | 0-60 mph in just over 7.0s |
| 🚀Top Speed | ~110 mph (est.) |
| 🔄Drivetrain / Gearbox | Manual / 4WD |
| 💰Starting Price / Est. | $39,150 (SR Double Cab, before taxes and fees) |
Clutch Feel Lags Behind Expectations
Fuel economy takes a modest hit, dropping to 18 MPG city and 23 MPG highway. Rev-matching downshifts are a daily perk, and the no-clutch start earns its keep on tight trails. Still, the manual needs just over seven seconds to reach 60 mph, while the automatic does it in about 6.5.
In traffic, the truck feels like a dog until you commit to the gearbox. Even so, the satisfaction comes from owning a modern unicorn, not from the drive itself. Towing remains rated at 6,400 lbs, which keeps the contractor crowd happy.
Stick Shift Fate Hangs In The Balance
Toyota is pushing hybrids harder, and emissions rules keep tightening. On paper, the manual looks like a passion project that will fade with the fourth-generation Tacoma. In reality, the gearbox may not survive the truck’s full life cycle.
My prediction: a clean, low-mile 2027 manual Tacoma becomes a sought-after used truck within a decade. Collectors will pay a premium for the last stick-shift pickup from a mainstream brand. Appreciate it now, because the third pedal is running out of road.
Disclaimer: Pricing and availability are based on the Toyota configurator and may change before fees and taxes are applied.
Dominic Cross
Luxury & 4x4 Correspondent at Auto News Magazine. Authoritative reviewer of ultra-luxury flagships, bespoke coachbuilding, aftermarket tuning houses, and heavy-duty overland vehicles.
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