1. Mazda MX-5 Miata
Few gearboxes are as universally praised as the Mazda MX-5 Miata’s manual. Its short-throw, featherlight shifter is a tactile delight, delivering exceptional precision with every gear change. The Miata’s gearbox has become a benchmark in the automotive world, setting the standard for how a manual should feel. According to Car and Driver, drivers and journalists alike consistently celebrate the Miata’s manual for making even a simple drive feel engaging and special.