Manuals are dead…or are they?
If you ask an automotive enthusiast from the United States or Canada about manual transmissions, they’d say manuals are basically dead. But when I moved to the Netherlands in 2019, I quickly noticed that manual cars were still very common, and some non-enthusiast drivers here who I’ve talked to actually prefer driving a manual transmission car. I was perplexed as to why so many European drivers still cling to their beloved stick shifts; the manual isn’t completely dead!
Because of this, I made this video back in 2021 on this subject. Now, I want to dive a little deeper and share a little insight into why I wanted to cover this topic in the first place.
Growing up in the U.S., driving a manual car was often seen as a skill that only car enthusiasts or older generations cared about. Automatics simply dominate the roads back home, and with good reason: they’re convenient, especially in the endless stop-and-go traffic of car-dependent America–where driving is a chore and you need to do it each and every day to live.
Because of this, I have to admit something: before moving to the Netherlands, I couldn’t really drive a manual transmission car. I just wasn’t exposed to it growing up in the U.S., and the few times I did try, I failed miserably. It was also difficult to even find someone who actually owned a manual car to practice on. And while I can just barely drive a stick shift today, I’m still not very good at it. That’s why this topic has fascinated me so much—manual transmissions are an everyday reality for so many Europeans, while they’ve become a rare novelty back in North America.
In the video, I highlighted a few reasons why manuals are still common on some European cars:
1. Driving Culture European drivers tend to view driving as a skill and a responsibility, not just a convenience. As I’ve mentioned before, in many countries, getting a driver’s license is more challenging and expensive than in the U.S. Learning to drive a manual car is often a requirement, and it’s considered an essential part of mastering the road. In fact, in many countries, if you do not do your driving test in a manual transmission car, you legally cannot drive a manual transmission car!
2. Fuel Efficiency and Costs Fuel is significantly more expensive in Europe than in the U.S., and manual transmissions historically used to offer better fuel economy if driven efficiently. Nowadays, this isn’t typically the case, but manual transmissions are still cheaper to produce, cheaper to maintain (simpler parts), and oftentimes lighter weight. In addition, according to some commenters of my video, many older compact European cars simply could not fit the automatic transmissions of the time, so manual was the only option.
3. Road Design European roads are often narrower, twistier, and more dynamic than the long, straight highways I grew up with in the States. Manuals give drivers more control over their vehicle, which is particularly useful when navigating hilly terrains, alpine passes, or cobblestone streets.
4. Tradition and Enthusiasm Let’s not forget the emotional side. In some cases, for many European drivers, driving a manual isn’t just about practicality—it’s also about the joy of driving. The connection between driver and machine, the satisfaction of perfectly timing a gear shift, and the sense of control make it an experience automatics can’t replicate.
In the US and Canada, the car is more of an ‘appliance.’ It’s something you use out of necessity, and if there’s a way to make that appliance easier to operate (like an automatic transmission), North American drivers will choose it. In contrast, many Europeans view driving as a skill to be mastered and an experience to be enjoyed.
The Future of Manuals
Objectively, manuals are dying, even here in Europe; They have become basically obsolete. Automatic transmissions have advanced significantly and are now quicker than a human driver shifting gears. Technologies like dual-clutch transmissions offer lightning-fast gear changes that no manual can match. Supercars, for example, haven’t been offered with manual transmissions for years because automatics are simply more efficient and better suited for high-performance demands.
In many premium, non-performance cars, manual transmissions are no longer even an option. With the rise of electric vehicles, hybrids, and plug-in hybrids—which don’t require traditional gearboxes—the manual transmission is slowly becoming a relic of the past. While we’re not there yet, the writing is on the wall. So, if you love driving stick, enjoy it while you can.