Toyota can take risks that others won’t. As the segment sales leader, the Tacoma has the freedom to build something for the die-hard drivers who want to row through the gears themselves. On certain trims, the Toyota Tacoma can still be had with a true manual transmission, making it the only manual midsize pickup truck on the market today.
After a week living with this unicorn, here are five reasons the manual Tacoma isn’t just cool; it matters.
It’s the Only Manual Midsize Pickup Left, Period
Not the Colorado. Not the Ranger. Not the Frontier or Canyon. If you want to row your own gears, this is the only new midsize pickup that will let you.
Toyota offering a true three-pedal Tacoma is a show of market dominance. While other brands chase mass appeal with the convenience of an automatic, Toyota can afford to make a truck for people who want to select their own gear instead of waiting for an eight-speed to guess.
In a world where manuals are disappearing in all new vehicles, the Toyota Tacoma stands alone.
A Turbo Four Built to Work with a Stick
Choosing the manual means choosing the standard 2.4L i-Force turbo four, not the i-Force Max hybrid—but that’s not a downgrade. You still get:
- 270 horsepower
- 310 lbs-ft of torque
Horsepower and torque are down slightly in the manual version, versus the automatic’s 278 horsepower and 317 lbs-ft of torque, but the torque makes city driving surprisingly easy. It’ll even start from a stop in second gear without complaint. For daily use, the power is more than enough.
Tech That Makes Manual Driving Better, Not Harder
The Tacoma manual isn’t old-school in a punishing way. Toyota added iMT (Intelligent Manual Transmission), a built-in rev-matching system previously seen in GR performance cars. It smooths downshifts, reduces jerkiness, and makes the truck more approachable for new manual drivers.
Even with long throws and long clutch travel, it’s shockingly easy to drive in traffic. After a week behind the wheel, not stalling it once says a lot.
This truck lets beginners learn and lets experienced drivers turn off the help when they want full control.
Clutchless Start for Tricky Terrain
One of the most interesting features is the clutchless start system, designed for off-road scenarios where rollback could be dangerous. Now, there was not a word about how this feature worked in the owner’s manual; there was hardly any mention of the manual transmission, but the process is fairly simple. With the truck in first gear, the system can start the engine and move forward without clutch engagement—a lifesaver when you’re perched on a rock or hill and need finesse.
To operate:
- Place the transmission in first gear
- Turn the truck on in accessory mode
- Press and hold the clutchless start button until the amber light illuminates
- Hold your foot on the brake and press and hold the engine start button
- When the engine begins to turn over, release the brake to avoid stalling out
It’s modern tech used to enhance capability, not replace driver skill.
TRD Off-Road Hardware That Backs Up the Pedals
All this off-road functionality on the manual wouldn’t matter if the truck couldn’t wheel, but the TRD Off-Road is equipped to get dirty:
- Electronically Controlled Locking Rear Differential
- Front Stabilizer Disconnect Mechanism
- Underbody Protection
- Front tow hooks
- Red Bilstein off-road shocks
- 17-inch wheels with BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain tires
- Wider stance with rugged black overfenders
- Optional Rigid fog lamps
- Optional ARB® Red-painted Rear Recovery Points
- Optional Frame-mounted Steel Rock Rails
- Off-road exhaust for better departure angle
- Rear under-seat storage, which is unavailable in the hybrid
Toyota did not just check a box of offering a three pedal Tacoma, this is a truck built for real trails, while still friendly enough to daily drive.
Why the Manual Tacoma Matters
The 6-speed manual Tacoma matters because it represents choice, engagement, and the kind of driving connection trucks used to offer by default. It exists not because it sells in huge volume, but because Toyota respects the consumers who still want it, and has the market power to make it happen. Tacoma proves there’s still room for drivers who want to be part of the process.
It’s the last manual midsize truck standing.
More importantly, it’s a reminder that driving can still be fun and engaging.
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