[sunilch]

Are there any Modern (2021 or later) Premium Sedans that offer MT gearbox?

I have always had used cars purely from a VFM perspective and over a period been able to drive/experience multiple makes/models with both MT and AT gearboxes.

What I have realized personally is that I enjoy MT more than AT. I have a 2.0 TDI Laura with DSG. Now, that DSG is wonderful and enjoyable when I am zipping in the City when I get the chance. But out on the highway or on some curves/twists, I miss the old school MT gearbox.

I also have a BR-V MT now and had 3rd Gen MT Honda City earlier. I somehow enjoy the BR-V/City more than the Laura when I am driving on an open Highway. Or when I am headed to Igatpuri, or Pune/Lonavala for Sunday rides.

In the past, we had premium cars with MT - Octavia, Laura, Jetta - all came with MT gearboxes. But today when I search, the only good options in the premium segments with MT are large SUVs/MUVs such as the Crysta, Fortuner, XUV700, Compass, Hector, etc.

I seriously wish there were pure old school MT sedans with those 2.0Liter engines. I don't have the budget or the inclination for the BMW M2 that recently came out with MT gearbox. I know we have the VW/Skoda twins (Slavia or Virtus) but I am looking for some options with higher capacity engines.

Is there anything that may help me in getting a good recent used sedan that has MT gearbox?

If nothing comes in, I might get forced to get the MUV/SUV as my next car. Not that those are bad, I would personally prefer to have a sedan and relegate the family duties to a workhorse such as BR-V or Ertiga. And I don't like those paddleshifters. I hardly ever used those on the Civic. Even on the Laura, I hardly use the manual mode since it doesn't require any leg work

[kadanaJ]

There are barely any premium sedans left in the market, let alone having choice of gearbox.

The Corolla Altis, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra all disappeared by end 2020 or early 2021. The Skoda Octavia I believe stayed around till 2023. The Superb and the Camry are the only 2 premium sedan options left.

A used Corolla is possibly your best bet, as it had the option of the 1.8L petrol with a manual gearbox. The Civic 1.8L petrol came only with a CVT, and the diesel engine which had a manual was a terrible engine. The Elantra had a 2.0L petrol and 1.6L diesel with manual gearboxes. The Octavia IIRC had a 1.4L turbo-petrol manual and a 2.0L diesel with a manual gearbox.

Out of the above, keeping long term reliability and spare parts availability in mind, I would recommend the Corolla Altis. Avoid the Elantra as it was a massive sales flop and spare parts may be an issue.

Originally Posted by sunilch

I know we have the VW/Skoda twins (Slavia or Virtus) but I am looking for some options with higher capacity engines.

These 2 are your best options. Get the 1.5L turbo-petrol manual. It has as much power as the 2.0L NA engines of yesteryear.

[sunilch]

Originally Posted by kadanaJ

The Skoda Octavia I believe stayed around till 2023. The Superb and the Camry are the only 2 premium sedan options left.

A used Corolla is possibly your best bet, as it had the option of the 1.8L petrol with a manual gearbox. ............... The Octavia IIRC had a 1.4L turbo-petrol manual and a 2.0L diesel with a manual gearbox.

I would recommend the Corolla Altis. Avoid the Elantra as it was a massive sales flop and spare parts may be an issue.

...........

These 2 are your best options. Get the 1.5L turbo-petrol manual. It has as much power as the 2.0L NA engines of yesteryear.

I do not consider the Elantra simply because it was not exactly a driver's car, to be honest.

Last-gen available Octavia was a fabulous car but it had only the DSG option. Previous gen Octavias were pre 2020 and also I basically already have the same car with me right now (albeit quite old now).

Corolla Altis is a good workhorse and I like your recommendation. I had driven the AT one long back and did not feel it was a driver's car, though my drive was a limited one. May be I will think about it and try it once. But I guess even that was discontinued in 2020, if I recollect correctly. But it could be worth checking, for the love of MT.

Sticking to the D segment only simply because they are best of what money could buy from a VFM perspective, Safety, Build Quality and Longevity perspective. None of the options in the D segment are India-Spec. All are pretty much global models and hence better quality and/or design.

Anything above the D segment will force me to pay for the brand value more.

[sharmanova]

Most of the D-segment sedans post 2010s had only the option of an AT gearbox. Some cars like the Honda Civic i-DTEC, Skoda Octavia TDi had the option of a manual gearbox along with the AT.

If you're looking for a 2021 or later MT sedan that option seems impossible! Maybe you need to compromise with Octavia/Superb DSG or downgrade to something like Slavia/Verna MT.

Happy Shopping!

[Staraptor]

I think the Skoda Superb Style MT with 320 Nm of torque should be your choice. Unfortunately, it'll be older than 2021.

[Mr.Ogre]

Originally Posted by sunilch

Are there any Modern (2021 or later) Premium Sedans that offer MT gearbox?

I am in the same dilemma as you. I enjoy a MT more than an automatic. And I can completely understand when you say automatics are ok in the city but out on the twisties they are not as much fun as a manual. There aren't many 2, 4-door manual cars that do not cost a hand and a leg and a kidney.

Reasonably well kept cars with manual transmission that are fun to drive like the Ford Focus, Fiesta, Mustang, Honda Civic Type R, Subaru WRX that are fun to drive demand a premium in the used car segment.

[porsche_guy]

IIRC Škoda made a few units of the Superb 1.8 TSI with a 6 speed manual. Although finding one is a tough task and it will certainly not be a BS6 model and consequently older than 2021.

Still worth a try though in my opinion. It’s a fantastic sedan with great driving manners, comfort, space, features and quality.

[DicKy]

Originally Posted by sunilch

I don't have the budget or the inclination for the BMW M2 that recently came out with MT gearbox. I know we have the VW/Skoda twins (Slavia or Virtus) but I am looking for some options with higher capacity engines.

There is a huge gap between the Slavia/Virtus/Verna gang and the M2 for low slung cars with MT. Phew, never thouight this would happen.

Just like how after the Altroz there is a huge gap for low slung diesel cars till the A class limo and 2 series.

The closest thing to a well handling car with fun to use MT and punchy 2.0l engine is sadly a crossover. Check out this thread (2024 Jeep Compass Review | Manual should be the only version to buy)

Again, as others have mentioned. The newer 1.5l turbo petrols match the performance of erstwhile 2.0l engines.

[sunikkat]

For the criteria that you mentioned, the answer is NO - Period.

Closest I would say is Octavia 2 TDI, the last MK3 version that was available. Owned it for 9 years and it was crazy fun, mainly after a remap. But then you already have a Laura.

[Sudarshan42]

Try the Virtus/Slavia 1.5 or the Verna 1.5 Turbo manuals if possible. They may be a step down from 'premium', but will offer you a great drive experience with modern features instead of a used 5-10 year old car.

Edit- sorry saw that you mentioned it already in your post. Please ignore. Mods delete my post if possible.

[suhaas307]

Originally Posted by sunilch

Are there any Modern (2021 or later) Premium Sedans that offer MT gearbox?

Your best bet would be to identify a used Skoda Superb 1.8 TSI MT. Skoda did sell a few of these, hence finding one may not be a walk in the park.

Also, these examples would be pre-2021 so that’s a compromise you will have to make.

That said, the Superb MT is probably the most recent premium/executive sedan that was made available with a manual transmission. I can’t think of any other (new-ish) car in that segment that came equipped with a manual gearbox.

[kadanaJ]

Originally Posted by sunilch

Corolla Altis is a good workhorse and I like your recommendation. I had driven the AT one long back and did not feel it was a driver's car, though my drive was a limited one. May be I will think about it and try it once. But I guess even that was discontinued in 2020, if I recollect correctly. But it could be worth checking, for the love of MT.

Sticking to the D segment only simply because they are best of what money could buy from a VFM perspective, Safety, Build Quality and Longevity perspective. None of the options in the D segment are India-Spec. All are pretty much global models and hence better quality and/or design.

Anything above the D segment will force me to pay for the brand value more.

I own a Corolla Altis diesel. Driven the 1.8L petrol. It may be a D-segment international spec car, but the drive is what I would call "very comfortable, solid and relaxing, not enthusiastic". Don't get me wrong, I love it for highway touring, but it's no corner carver.

You should update your expectations on what some India-spec cars are capable of. Except for the Honda City which still has terrible high-speed stability, some of today's India-spec C-segment cars are close to what the D-segment cars of the past used to offer.

I would recon that the Virtus with the 1.5L turbo manual is a better overall vehicle (safety, build quality) than the Civic I had back in 2007. It will certainly be a better drivers car than the Corolla, unless you want a 1.8L naturally aspirated engine.

Barring getting a used Octavia or Superb, your best bet for a manual enthusiasts sedan is either a VW Virtus, or go straight to a BMW.

[IshaanIan]

Let me start off by saying that I feel your pain because there really isn’t anything available right now that fits your criteria. If you are okay with something a little older then the split headlight Octavia with the 1.4 tsi in manual guise is a peach.

The fact is no D segment sedan is available with a manual anymore so you either spend way too much more for the experience or suck it up and consider it money saved on a cheaper purchase like the Virtus/Slavia/Verna; sure they aren’t as good as a D segment car but heck they’ll at least be a whole lot more efficient. On that note if you are ready to accept cheaper feeling interiors as well as getting something a bit older, the most recent mass market manual car that I drove and absolutely loved, was the Abarth Punto. It had excellent suspension and road manners and the gear ratios suited the engine really well. I found myself shifting gears just for fun. I usually take a while to get comfortable driving a different car than I am normally used to, since I am very observant and sensitive to their weight shift characteristics as well as gear ratios, throttle response, ease of operation and feedback from the clutch etc. but the Punto Abarth felt so natural it was like a breath of fresh air amongst all the other 2017 contenders in the market. I suppose it makes sense considering it’s based on a car that was released in the early 2000s but it drove so well that it still made sense and felt like value for money in 2017 especially with the massive discounts dealers were giving to get rid of their stock.

[DIV17]

Since there aren't any MT sedans left suiting your criteria, I would strongly suggest you to take a test drive of the crossover SUVs like the XUV700 and the Jeep Compass with the manual transmission. These cars with the MT are fun to drive and while the handling may not be as good as the sedans, they come very close.

If you want to stick with the sedans, the Virtus/Slavia or older versions of the Octavia and Superb are the best options.

[SafeandGreen]

@sunilch and the rest ... I completely agree with the sentiments expressed herein about the lack of good D segment sedans. One is forced to drop down to 1.5L, "made for India" types or to sell a kidney to get into grossly overpriced Mercs and BMWs. Electric Sedans promise everything but realistic highway range which makes them a no-no in my book. It is a bleak landscape indeed!