I taught myself how to drive stick shift with the Toyota GR Corolla - and it couldn’t have been a better manual car to start with

A tech journalist recounts their experience learning to drive a manual transmission vehicle using the 2026 Toyota GR Corolla. They highlight the car's accessibility for beginners despite its high-performance capabilities.
Why it matters
Manual transmissions are becoming increasingly rare in the automotive market, making this a notable perspective on the intersection of performance driving and consumer accessibility.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's how it works .
(Image credit: John Velasco / Tom's Guide) Copy link Facebook X Reddit Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Lately, I've been on a string of testing different Toyotas. From the class-leading efficiency of the all-electric bZ , to the sporty performance of the Camry Nightshade , and the utility of the Grand Highlander , you could say that I've had my fill.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in