Does Nissan Have Manual Transmission? | Stick Shift Picks

Yes, Nissan still sells stick-shift models in the U.S., mainly the Z and the 2025 Versa S.

Does Nissan Have Manual Transmission? The answer depends on the model and year. In the U.S. new-car market, Nissan’s stick-shift choices are slim, but they’re not gone. The fun option is the Nissan Z, while the budget option is the 2025 Versa S if a dealer still has one.

That makes the choice easier than it sounds. If you want a new Nissan with a clutch pedal, start with the Z. If price matters more than power, hunt for a Versa S manual while stock lasts. Most Nissan SUVs, trucks, and family sedans now use automatic or CVT gearboxes.

Which Nissan Models Still Offer A Manual Transmission?

Nissan’s own U.S. build page lists manual choices in only a small slice of the lineup. The Nissan vehicles with manual transmission page shows the 2025 Versa S plus select 2026 Z trims.

The Z is the clear driver’s car. Nissan’s spec sheet lists a 6-speed manual on the 2026 Z Sport, Z Performance, and Heritage Edition. The NISMO trim is different: it gets the stronger 420-hp tune, but it is listed with an automatic gearbox.

Why The Manual Lineup Is So Small

Manuals now serve a narrow group of buyers. Most shoppers want easier traffic manners, better fuel numbers, or driver-assist features that pair more neatly with automatics. Nissan still keeps a clutch pedal where it fits the car’s purpose: the Z for driver feel and the Versa S for low entry cost.

That split tells you a lot. The manual Z is there because some drivers want full control. The manual Versa is there because it trims cost on the base sedan. Every other Nissan sold in the U.S. is built around an automatic-style setup.

Taking A Manual Nissan Home: What Each Choice Means

A stick-shift Nissan can be smart, but the right pick depends on what you expect from the car. A manual Z feels special every time you pull away from a light. A manual Versa feels plain, cheap to run, and easy to park.

The trade-off is availability. The Z is easy to identify on Nissan’s configurator because the trim pages show the 6-speed manual clearly. The Versa needs more care. Some listings may show an automatic S trim beside a manual S trim, so check the window sticker before you drive to the dealer.

The 2026 Nissan Z specs and trims page lists the Z Sport, Performance, and Heritage Edition with a 6-speed manual, along with city, highway, and combined fuel ratings. For the budget sedan, the 2025 Nissan Versa specs and trims page separates the S Manual from the S CVT.

Manual Or CVT: The Plain Difference

A manual puts gear choice in your hand. You press the clutch, choose a gear, and feel the engine match road speed. A CVT skips fixed gears and changes ratios on its own, which is easier in traffic and often better on gas.

For Nissan shoppers, that difference shapes the whole search. The Z manual is about feel, timing, and driver rhythm. The Versa manual is about price and simple ownership. The CVT versions make daily errands easier, but they won’t give you the same direct shift feel. That is why a trim-by-trim check pays off before you call a dealer.

Nissan Model Or Trim	Manual Status	Best Fit
2026 Nissan Z Sport	6-speed manual listed	Lowest-cost new Z with a clutch pedal and 400 hp
2026 Nissan Z Performance	6-speed manual listed	Drivers who want stronger brakes, nicer seats, and sharper hardware
2026 Nissan Z Heritage Edition	6-speed manual listed	Buyers who want the Z feel with a special color and trim package
2026 Nissan Z NISMO	Automatic listed	Shoppers who want the most powerful Z and don’t require a clutch
2025 Nissan Versa S	5-speed manual listed	Low-cost commuting with a simple gearbox
2025 Nissan Versa S CVT	Automatic-style CVT listed	Drivers who want better mpg and no clutch work
Sentra, Altima, Kicks, Rogue, Frontier, Pathfinder, Murano, Armada	No U.S. manual listed on Nissan’s manual filter	Buyers who are fine with automatic-style driving

How The Manual Z Compares With The Automatic Z

The manual Z is the one to buy if the gearbox is part of the fun. You get a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6, rear-wheel drive, and a 6-speed shift pattern that makes the car feel alive at ordinary speeds. It asks more from the driver, which is the whole point.

The automatic Z is quicker to live with in traffic. It also posts better highway fuel numbers in Nissan’s own ratings. That won’t matter to every buyer, but it matters if this is your daily car and you spend long stretches on the interstate.

Sport, Performance, Heritage, And NISMO

The Sport trim keeps the price lower and still gives you the manual. The Performance trim adds hardware that matters if you drive twisty roads often. The Heritage Edition is mainly for someone who wants the same manual Z formula with a special appearance package.

The NISMO is the odd one out for stick-shift shoppers. It has more power and sharper tuning, but Nissan lists it with the automatic. If your must-have item is a clutch pedal, skip NISMO and shop Sport, Performance, or Heritage instead.

What About The Versa Manual?

The Versa S manual is the budget answer, not the speed answer. It uses a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and a 5-speed manual. It’s light, simple, and honest. That makes it a good fit for a new driver who wants to learn a clutch without buying an older used car.

Still, read the listing with care. The Versa line also includes CVT trims, and those can sit beside manual cars in the same search results. Ask the dealer for a photo of the Monroney label or the shifter before making a trip.

Buyer Need	Best Nissan Manual Pick	Reason
Lowest new-car price	2025 Versa S Manual	Base sedan pricing and simple controls
Sports-car feel	2026 Z Sport Manual	400 hp, rear-wheel drive, and a lower Z price
Back-road driving	2026 Z Performance Manual	Better brakes and sharper equipment
Special trim	2026 Z Heritage Manual	Manual Z formula with a standout package
NISMO badge	No manual choice	The current trim is automatic-only on Nissan’s page

How To Check A Nissan For A Real Manual

Before you get excited over a listing, confirm the transmission. Dealer pages can be messy, and some labels use “manual” for owner documents, not the gearbox. You want proof from the window sticker, VIN listing, or photos.

• Check the trim name and transmission field on Nissan’s configurator.
• Ask for a clear interior photo showing the shifter and clutch pedal.
• Read the window sticker before leaving a deposit.
• Confirm the model year, since manual availability can shift by year.
• Test the clutch bite point and reverse gear before buying used.

Used Nissan Manuals Worth Searching

If you’re open to used cars, Nissan gives you more choices. Older Z cars, the 370Z, early Sentra SE-R models, some Frontier years, and older Versa models can all turn up with stick shifts. Condition matters more than badge fame here. A clean service record beats a tired car with shiny photos.

For a used manual, pay close attention to clutch feel. Slipping under throttle, grinding shifts, or a pedal that grabs at the top of its travel can mean repair bills. A clean manual can be a joy. A worn one can drain the money you thought you saved.

Final Verdict On Nissan Manual Transmissions

Nissan still has manual transmission choices, but the list is short. For new U.S. shoppers, the 2026 Nissan Z is the strongest answer, while the 2025 Versa S is the budget pick if you can still find one.

Start with the Z if driving feel matters most. Start with the Versa S if the lowest price matters most. Skip the rest of Nissan’s new U.S. lineup if a clutch pedal is non-negotiable, because the manual filter doesn’t list those models.