Manual transmissions only accounted for 3.5 per cent of new passenger cars, SUVs and light commercial vehicles reported as sold last year in Australia.
As sales of vehicles with manual transmission continue to decline, many brands are waving goodbye to the once-loved stick shifter. But, there are still options for those not ready to give up the third pedal just yet.
This article will focus on passenger cars and SUVs, which still offer a manual gearbox.
Unsurprisingly, most of the manual variants available today belong to performance-based models, including the BMW M2, Hyundai i30 N, Toyota Yaris GR and Corolla GR, and Subaru BRZ and WRX among the list.
SUVs with a manual transmission
The base-model Hyundai Venue is available for $22,500 before on-road costs. It’s followed by the Kia Sportage S and SX, starting from $32,995 before on-road costs or $35,550 before on-road costs, respectively.
The Mitsubishi ASX GS offers the option of a manual transmission and is priced at $24,490 before on-road costs.
Australia’s cheapest manual SUV is the Suzuki Ignis GL, which is priced at $21,490 before on-road costs. Sticking with Suzuki, the three-door Jimny Lite manual is $30,490 before on-road costs, while the GLX costs $31,990 before on-road costs.
Customers looking for the roomier four-door Jimny XL can grab one with a manual transmission for $34,990 before on-road costs while opting for the limited Heritage Edition, will set you back $36,490 before on-road costs. It’s worth mentioning that Suzuki Australia is limiting the special edition model to 500 examples.
Continuing with Suzuki, the Vitara has a manual in the base-model trim for $29,990 before on-road costs.
The Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series Wagon and Troopcarrier are both available with a manual transmission despite Toyota axing the V8. The GXL manual wagon is $83,900 before on-road costs, while the Troopcarrier Workmate is priced at $83,300 before on-road costs, while the GXL starts at $86,600 before on-road costs.
Passenger cars
The Kia Picanto Sport and GT-Line are available with a manual or automatic transmission. Pricing starts at $17,890 before on-road costs for the Sport variant, giving it the honour of Australia’s most affordable new car with a manual gearbox. The Picanto GT-Line manual is priced at $19,690 before on-road costs.
The base-model Mazda 2 Pure manual is $22,870 before on-road costs. Alternatively, the base-model Suzuki Swift Hybrid is available in a manual transmission. It’s priced at $22,490 plus road costs. And at the time of publishing, the older-generation Suzuki Swift and Swift Sport are still available to purchase on Suzuki Australia’s website. The previous generation Swift GL manual is $23,490 before on-road costs, while the Swift Sport manual is $29,990 before on-road costs.
Performance cars with a manual transmission
This is where the manual really lives on in Australia. As of today, there are around 20 performance cars that still offer a manual transmission.
Starting with the $38,990 before on-road costs Abarth 695 Competizione, or the 695 75 Anniversario, exclusively available with a manual gearbox for $52,695 plus on-road costs.
BMW has a range of manual options, starting with the M2. The two-door coupe is priced from $121,700 before on-road costs. Next is the M3 G80 manual, starting from $161,300 before on-roads. BMW announced pricing earlier this year for its 2024 M4 line-up, bringing the manual’s price to $168,700 before on-road costs.
Ford isn’t shying away from manuals either, offering the option in its Mustang GT Fastback for $77,002 before on-road costs and its Mustang Dark Horse for $99,102 before on-road costs.
Honda offers its Civic Type R exclusively with a manual gearbox. Prices start from $74,100 before on-road costs.
