Manual cars under $30,000
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The Mazda 2 has escaped the Hiroshima-based brands recent manual axing
Like the idea of a new affordable car and are able to drive a manual transmission? This list is for those of us who neither want to relinquish the third pedal or a whole wad of cash.
City cars with manual transmissions
Traditionally, all these cars were manuals only! And they were probably all the better for it as four-speed autos do not excel at harnessing the power bands of these small, revvy engines.
The saddest news this month is that the Picanto GT is living on borrowed time – one more fun manual bites the dust.
| Model | Variant | Pricing (MLP) |
|---|---|---|
| Kia Picanto | S, GT-Line, GT | $15,990-20,490 |
| Mazda 2 | G15 Pure | $22,290 |
| Kia Rio | S, Sport | $21,990-23,990* |
| Suzuki Swift | GL, Sport | $20,490-27,990* |
The WhichCar pick: A manual Suzuki Swift Sport dishes out plenty of hot hatch happiness.
*Denotes national drive-away price.
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The soon-to-arrive Picanto update does away with the perky GT turbo. Sad face.
Small SUVs with manual transmissions
You can still buy manual small SUVs, believe it or not. This list is generally full of price-leading base models. The only change is a dearer ASX GS.
| Model | Variant | Pricing (MLP) |
|---|---|---|
| Suzuki Ignis | GL | $19,490 |
| Hyundai Venue | Venue | $21,900 |
| Kia Stonic | S, Sport | $24,990-$26,990* |
| Mitsubishi ASX | GS | $24,490 |
| Suzuki Vitara | Vitara | $26,490 |
| Suzuki Jimny | GLX | $31,990 |
The WhichCar pick: None of these shifters will set your heart alight. Grab the Jimny manual and enjoy exploring.
*Denotes national drive-away price.
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Dirt makes slow cars (like a manual Jimny) fun
Small cars with manual transmissions
Only one choice here, seriously? It’s quite incredible they’ve all disappeared – including the VW Golf – but it’s in the name of safety. It’s harder to calibrate AEB and must-have adaptive cruise for manuals, and that’s why we see this class start to disappear.
| Model | Variant | Pricing (MLP) |
|---|---|---|
| Hyundai i30 | i30, N Line* | $24,000-$30,500 |
The WhichCar pick: With the Mazda 3 manual axed, our choice is narrowed down to the i30 N Line manual. The notchy shift isn’t perfect, but it still engages the driver.
*Denotes national drive-away price.
Psst, manuals are proven to make you better looking… sort of
Manual cars for $30,000-60,000
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This is a mix of truly great drivers’ cars and regular family vehicles. There’s everything from bespoke sports cars, such as the Mazda MX-5 and Toyota GR86 to family SUVs like the Kia Sportage.
Small cars with manual transmissions
A little dearer than its hatch cousin, the independently rear-suspended i30 Sedan N Line is a good incognito alternative to a full-fat N car.
| Model | Variant | Pricing (MLP) |
|---|---|---|
| Hyundai i30 Sedan | N Line | $32,000 |
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Medium SUVs with manual transmissions
Mazda has ditched the manual CX-30! It joins the CX-5 and Toyota RAV4 as mid-sizers that have lost manuals in 2023. At least Kia perseveres with the Sportage.
| Model | Variant | Pricing (MLP) |
|---|---|---|
| Kia Sportage | S, SX | $32,795-$35,350 |
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Who said family cars had to be boring?
Performance cars with manual transmissions
Worried you couldn’t have fun for under $60K? This wild array of cars suggests otherwise. The driving enthusiast is still well-catered for in Australia. Hyundai’s euro-built i20 N and i30 N hatches are back online, too.
| Model | Variant | Pricing (MLP) |
|---|---|---|
| Hyundai i20 N | N | $34,990 |
| Abarth 695 | Competizione | $37,900 |
| Mazda MX-5 | Roadster, GT, RS | $38,340-52,050 |
| Subaru BRZ | BRZ, S | $40,290-41,590 |
| Toyota 86 | GT, GTS | $43,240-45,390 |
| Subaru WRX | WRX, RS | $45,990-51,490 |
| Hyundai i30 N | N, N Premium | $46,200-50,200 |
| Toyota Yaris | GR, GR Rallye | $49,500-54,500 |
The WhichCar pick: This is a hard field, but we think the well-weighted mechanical shift feel of the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86 may be some of the best in the business.
