Honda Delivers Industry Love for Manual Transmissions
For old-school truckers who love manual transmissions, the full-size pickup truck arena can be a frustrating class to shop. Only the Ram 2500/3500 offer a manual transmission — with the exception of the 2500 Power Wagon. However, just about every competitor in the mid-size pickup class provides customers with a manual transmission option — with the exception of the Honda Ridgeline. Most of these manuals are sold in entry-level trims with sales rates of less than 10 percent of a vehicle's annual sales total.
So, we found it interesting that Honda recently focused on its manual transmissions during a media event in Southern California. Honda highlighted how many of its vehicles are offered with a manual transmission and that it offers manual transmission driving lessons for anyone interested in improving their driving. We say "interesting" because Honda is the only mid-size pickup truckmaker not to offer a manual transmission. That, of course, is because the Ridgeline evolved from the Honda Pilot SUV and Honda Odyssey minivan, which do not offer a manual transmission. So, the Lincoln, Ala., production facility that builds all three vehicles doesn't have the capability to install manual transmissions.
Still, Honda does offer the Fit hatchback, HR-V SUV, and Civic and Accord sedans with manual trans options and we thought Honda deserves recognition for continuing to offer manual transmissions. Not surprisingly, Honda's high-performance Civic Type R is only offered with the manual trans. And if you haven't driven a Civic Type R, you should.
We don't expect Honda to ever make a Ridgeline Type R manual transmission, but it would be amazing if that happened. Additionally, we'd love to see Honda take its manual transmission driving lessons on tour to give younger drivers a chance to learn how much fun, more engaging and more inspiring driving a vehicle equipped with a manual trans can be.
Below are some photos we took during the 90-minute manual driving sessions we observed. Who knows, maybe if Honda gets enough push from customers, we'll see the Honda Ridgeline join the list of manual-trans mid-size pickups available in the expanding class.
Cars.com photos by Mark Williams (Ram 3500 HD above, Mitsubishi Triton bottom)
