2019 Chevrolet Colorado And GMC Canyon Ditch The Manual Transmission
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Manual transmissions are quickly becoming obsolete – especially in larger vehicles. There aren’t that many three-pedal pickups, crossovers or SUVs on sale today, and now there are two less.
That’s right, General Motors quietly discontinued the manual transmission versions of the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon for 2019. The automaker confirmed the end of the three-pedal versions of the trucks in a statement made to CarBuzz, predictably citing slow sales as its reasoning.
“We dropped the manual transmission from the Colorado and Canyon for 2019 model year,” an unnamed Chevy spokesperson confirmed to the website. “Unfortunately, the demand was so low for the manual transmission that it did not justify continuing to offer it.”
The six-speed manual transmission for the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon was only offered with the ‘WT’ work truck trim with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two-wheel drive. It was not offered with either the 3.6-liter V6 engine, 2.8-liter diesel engine or four-wheel drive.
With the departure of the six-speed manual transmission, the Colorado and Canyon are now offered with two automatics: a six-speed and an eight-speed. The six-speed is found in 2.8-liter diesel Colorados and Canyons, while the eight-speed is for 3.6-liter V6 models.
The 2019 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon are otherwise unchanged from the 2018 models. The Chevy did see the introduction of the new ZR2 Bison model variant, though, which gets some parts and accessories from the off-road experts at American Expedition Vehicles that help make it a little more capable and tough-looking. All 2019 model year Colorado ZR2 Bisons have been effectively spoken for by dealerships, so you will likely have to find one on a lot to buy one. AEV was only able to allocate 2,000 units for the 2019 model year, but production will continue into 2020.
(source: CarBuzz)
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Our choices continue to dwindle. Just sad
My ZR2 has a manual.. granted it is a 2002.
GM keeps taking away options people want. Or packaging the option people want with 6 other things they don’t.
there is demand for a manual transmission. there is no demand for a manual as an inferior option. i’d have loved to have a manual in my 2018 diesel colorado. the option does not exist because they cant make their engines run right for emission purposes when shifting is put in the hands of a human.
Please understand that drivetrains are being produced to interface a computer operator and SECONDARILY, a human. its not the other way around. Also, they have come to view the driver as the problem. so i just bought a 5 ton 6×6 from the 60’s to balance out the fascism.
“…the option does not exist because they cant make their engines run right for emission purposes when shifting is put in the hands of a human.”
Huh? Where’s the data proving that? Sounds like a bizarre guess.
it is a guess. where is the data to suggest its bizzare? we first will have to agree that jackrabbit starts tend to produce a more incomplete burn. from there you would acknowledge that a system that controls the introduction of fuel could produce a cleaner burn by smoothing the sharp transients in the user throttle signals. basically, the very act of a person operating a manual is incompatible with current emissions standards. you (gm) cant pull any throttle averaging shenanigans and be compatible with stick but you can and manifestly do on automatic. far out, man, eh?
it cost them millions and millions of dollars to get 2 different power trains govt certified and if there is no market it is a waste of money
Thank you for nailing it.
The cost for the testing , added parts and engineering. Then to struggle to get the emissions approved are very costly to fulfill such a small segment of the market.
Yes they could offer it on a ZR2 but then even at 50% of the model you are only going to sell 15k units? That would never cover the cost involved.
I wish it were different but the tougher standards and the lowering of cost in the industry will eliminate the Manuel’s from most vehicle.
When the Ferrari can not be found with a gated shifter that should tell you something.
It looks now the Vette will be a duel clutch semi auto.
Thank you GM for not pandering to the 7 people who scream we need a manual but never end up buying one!
Automatic transmissions to offer everything a manual use to offer today. So there is no need for a manual transmission in a truck today!
Would I buy one….yes, if they were offered in what I wanted. That’s my problem with GM’s statement here. “There was not enough demand”… are you sure? See, they were only offered in 4 cyl., 2WD WT trim. Not what I want, in fact I would wager that is the lowest selling configuration no matter the transmission (excluding fleet sales). I wonder how many units were actually sold in auto vs. manual for ONLY 4 cyl., 2WD, WT trim trucks that COULD be had in the manual or auto? I wonder how many were on lots in both manual and auto, or even produced in both. I wonder how that “demand” might change if a manual was offered in a four door 4×4 diesel? In short, I just don’t see how it is demand that is low when there is no or limited availability. I bet if you offered a 6 speed manual in a ZR2 diesel you would have more than 7 buyers…and I’m sure many, many more that would just talk about being able to get one that never actually do.
Just because you don’t want a manual transmission don’t try to decide what others should buy. Also don’t assume people that want manuals don’t buy new trucks. I’ve bought several new trucks in the last decade and no automatic that I’ve driven with these so called high tech auto transmissions shift like shit. Yes Ford GM and Ram I’ve had them all and manuals in my opinion are superior when it comes to pulling a trailer and gear selection. These new automatics hold lower gears entirely too damn long. Let the consumer decide what we want.
With shift technology you can shift the gears anytime you want. There’s no reason to put a manual transmission in a truck or SUV today.
If its mpg’s A/T is the best
If its performance A/T beats manuals
If its gear selection A/T have a manual mode.
There was a time when manual transmission was worth it, but todays technology make them worthless! I drove plenty of M/T. But those days of having one because they gave you a advantage are over!
Clearly the masses have spoken and they are saying A/T are a better option!
I did buy one and love it! Difficult to find one, but I persevered. I find it interesting that the rest of the world gets so many more choices in engines and transmissions in the same vehicles sold here, and we are the second largest market.
Manufacturers are not stocking them on the lots, dealers are discouraging the purchase of them, then they say no one is buying them, then discontinue them.
Seems logical to me…
I guess I’m one of the 7 then….
To bad, a manual kinda guarantees your truck won’t be stolen.
The same ones that cannot handle a manual transmission also doesn’t know how to use a rotary dial telephone, if one can be found.
Rest in Power Manual transmission.
Paddle shifters are not the same.
They are if you know how to use them!
so next your going to tell me that coasting is out of date. i think your perspective is a dead end. its about control, and who has it. i hear you saying, “ok computer” and you think i ought to as well. people come with all manners of persuasions.
Y’er an idiot!
It’s hard to drink your coffee while shifting a manual.
No it is hard to smoke, text and drink your coffee with a manual.
Years ago, caught a ride with a trucker.
Hamburger, flip phone, 18 speed Mack, tractor/trailer, in the city, no problem…..
Scott3, you probably hit the nail right on the head. Texting would be the reason I was thinking of.
As a kid when a lot of cars were manuals, it was always fun when dad allowed you to move the shifter into gears when he pressed the clutch. When you started to learn to drive you had a good idea how it worked.
Manual transmissions are known as millennial theft deterents. LOL. Silverado lost manuals awhile ago.
I had a 2003 Silverado 1500 single cab short box with the 4.8V8 /5 speed manual.
That truck was epic with the aftermarket exhaust. I wish GM could deliver sure a pure/simple vehicle like that today.
I would personally like a 6.2 V8 w Tremec 6 speed manual as an option on a Tahoe or something cool.
Again, being told what I want to drive. Just like the reg cab short box Silverado going away. When does it stop? More generic vanilla vehicles.
Though I have a problem with the absence of manuals, my favorite example of being told what I want to drive is the lack of bench seats. I know you can still get benches, or split benches, in some trucks, but actually finding them on the lot is a different story. I guess I’m crazy for having a wife and four kids and needing a six seat truck.
Other than the top trim levels on Chevy trucks and big SUV’s the front seat is a bench. The console pulls up into the seat back with a set of seat belts.
I agree with you and I don’t like it either. All manufactures limit options with at the trim level and just takes the fun out of it. Try a build your own on the Chevy web site and I’ll make your head spin.
Yep, RIP bench seats, you comfy couch.
I totally agree with Daniel’s statements above! I would have ordered a new ZR2 a long time ago if a manual was available with the 4 wheel drive and V6! I have a 5 speed manual in my 2003 S10 ZR2 and absolutely have loved it from day 1. The same goes for the 5 speed manual that was in my 2000 S10 ZR2, my 1989 S10 4×4, and my 1983 S10 4×4. SO…Chevy, if you put the right combos together, I am certain the demand will be there. Some of us old farts just love to shift!
Same as the interiors, when they build 90% of the vehicles with black interiors, marketing will boast how it’s their best seller.
How does a A/T ZR2 keep you from using it like it’s supposed to be used as compared to your old ZR2? I bet the new ZR2 can go places your old ZR2 cant go! I just dont see the point of demanding and less capable truck!
I work for a Chevy dealer, as of right now there are 50+ Colorado 2019’s with manual trans with in 300 miles. maybe GM will be getting rid of them but as of right now you can still get them!
Yeah, a 2WD with a 4 cylinder, work truck, who in the hell wants THAT??
It is what made the last generation Ford Ranger so popular. There are a lot of people that cannot afford top trim trucks. Able to get a basic truck for around $25k is great but the sharks at the dealers start adding fluff to the price and then it’s out of reach. In Florida there are still allot of Rangers that are used by laborers, house cleaners, and the little guy trying to start a business doing services.
where the hell are they??? I’m coming!!!!!!!
When new Colorado was announced, I planned to order one like my 1998 Sonoma. Was going to get extra cab, 2wd with ZQ8, V6 with a MANUAL. Obviously never got it.
I’ve never understood the strategy of only offering a manual transmission in base configurations, as if an automatic were an inherent upgrade. I’ll bet more people would take a manual if it were offered at *every* trim level. Says a guy who daily drives a 2017 Camaro SS 1LE, which Chevy offered only with a manual transmission.
You know baby Jesus is going to cry when he hears this!
I really miss the days of the 60’s and 70’s when you could pretty much ala carte order a vehicle cafeteria style. Might take a CPO order but by and large you could do it. Oh, you want a Biscayne with bare bones trim, ZL1 and manual transmission and no heater well here you go!
i still want a biscayne. The 2.8 VM Motori diesel from my colorado would show that lead boat to get 28MPG. Cummins makes a 2.8 crate equivalent. might have to try that in my Caprice.
Should have offered it with 4X4 and V6 as well…
Offering a stick shift in such limited configurations is the same as not offering a stick shift at all. I bought a Tacoma (4-cylinder, 5M, 4×4 Access Cab) right before the Canyon/Colorado came back, saw the options for the GM’s, and never looked at them twice. Not knocking the ZR2 they came out with, but as long as there’s 1 pickup left on the market with a stick shift, that’s as far as I’m looking at comparative data.
If the ZR2 offered a manual they could have moved more in sales to individuals in a year than any WT trim Colorado.
I don’t think the people who want a manual in a truck are also the ones that want a defeatured slug with only 2WD.
Fleet buyers won’t get a manual because of how few people could drive them, and individual buyers who want a manual don’t want a super basic 2WD WT.
Just another reason to never buy a GM product again, and to sell my GM stock. I’ve been looking for several years to replace my 2006 Canyon with another manual transmission model, but they are hard to find, and as GM commonly does, they are usually under-equiped without a basic requirement like cruse control. From now on, I will be just saying NO to GM.
I looked and looked and I could only find stripped down Canyons and Colorado’s with a manual. I almost bought one but couldn’t get over the fact that it was stripped. I bought one if the last Cruze RS manuals in the country and LOVE IT. I love manual transmissions but this maybe my last GM car if they scrap their manuals.
4 cyl gas or diesel 6 speed manual 4×4 2 door extend cab 8ft box that’s what we all want why is it so hard to do GM