When did Acura stop making manual transmission?
Acura largely stopped offering traditional manual transmissions across its mainstream lineup after the mid-2010s, with a notable revival appearing in 2023 with the Integra reintroducing a manual option.
A historical view of Acura's manual transmissions
Across its history, Acura deployed manuals on several sportier models, but shifting market preferences toward automatics and dual-clutch transmissions led to a gradual phasing-out. The following points summarize the broad arc:
- Early- to mid-2000s models such as the RSX and certain TSX trims offered manual transmissions as a focused sports-car option.
- As the lineup evolved into the 2010s, most mainstream models (including TL/TLX, MDX, RDX, and NSX) moved away from manuals in favor of automatic gearboxes or dual-clutch systems.
- By the mid- to late-2010s, manual gearboxes had effectively vanished from Acura’s new-car lineup for the majority of buyers.
In this period, enthusiasts could still find manual configurations on older or niche trims, but mass-market availability ceased for several years.
The revival: Integra brings back the manual option
In 2023, Acura revived the concept of a manual transmission with the return of the Integra, offering a manual option on at least some trims alongside an automatic. This represented a notable exception in the brand’s modern lineup, which otherwise emphasizes automatic powertrains.
- The 2023 Integra marked a return to a traditional manual option, appealing to driving enthusiasts and heritage buyers.
- Other trims in the Integra lineup offer an automatic transmission, but the manual option remains a key differentiator for enthusiasts who prefer a hands-on shift.
This revival has been interpreted as Acura’s acknowledgment of niche demand while continuing to push the broader lineup toward efficient automatics and electrified powertrains.
What this means for today’s buyers
For contemporary Acura shoppers, manuals are no longer a standard feature on most models, but a dedicated option exists with the Integra. If owning a traditional manual is a priority, the Integra is currently the primary route, while the rest of the lineup centers on automatic transmissions.
Summary
Acura phased out manual transmissions for the majority of its lineup by the mid-2010s, signaling a shift toward automatic gearboxes. A notable exception occurred in 2023 with the Integra, which reintroduced a manual option. Today, manuals remain rare within the brand, confined mainly to this model, as Acura continues to prioritize automatics across its standard lineup.
