- Skoda has revealed that 69% of Fabia customers opted for a manual transmission last year.
- That take rate is higher than on a number of sporty cars sold in the United States.
- Despite the popularity of DIY gearboxes, Skoda noted customers are embracing automatics.
Manual transmissions are closely associated with sports cars, but they’ve become increasingly rare over the years. The shift has been so dramatic that cars such as the Chevrolet Corvette no longer even offer a manual as an option.
However, there are still a handful of sporty manuals including the BMW M4, Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, and Porsche 911 Carrera T. On the lower end, there’s the Honda Civic Si, Ford Mustang, and Subaru BRZ / Toyota GR86.
More: 22 Manual Cars You Can Still (And Should) Buy In America In 2025
However, can you guess which model 69% of consumers got with a manual last year? In the unlikely event you guessed the Skoda Fabia, pat yourself on the back.
The automaker revealed the surprising statistic earlier this week and noted it’s their most popular manual by a long shot. In terms of manual transmission take rates, the Scala comes in a distant second with a respectable 45%. It’s followed by the Kamiq crossover at 35%.
Skoda 2024 Transmission Take Rate
While manuals are still popular with Skoda customers, they’ve been embracing automatics in recent years. As the automaker noted, a mere 13% of Fabia buyers opted for a manual in 2018. The change is more dramatic on the Octavia, where the 72% manual take rate has flipped to 80% automatic.
Automatic gearboxes offer a number of benefits, but manuals are typically cheaper and lighter. In the case of the Fabia, an automatic can cost an extra £1,000 ($1,293 / €1,188) compared to a six-speed manual. That makes them appealing if you’re on a tight budget and don’t mind shifting yourself.
