The manual transmission became the subject of heated discussion recently as Ferrari announced a manual version of its 12 Cilindri supercar that adapts Ferrai’s existing dual-clutch automatic with a by-wire interface for the gear lever and clutch.

The number of true manual transmission options in Australia is in decline – and it has been for years – leaving just 25 new cars available with a manual transmission option.

Of those, only two cannot be paired with an automatic, and of the remaining 23, the popularity of automatic variants makes the manual option for enthusiasts a difficult find. The list is below, with a description of certain models of interest…

BMW M2

BMW M3

BMW M4

Ford Mustang

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The Ford Mustang is the last pairing of V8 engine and a manual transmission in Australia. Both the Mustang GT and Mustang Dark Horse coupe models can be ordered with a six-speed manual.

Tellingly, the Mustang GT convertible lacks the enthusiast audience to warrant a manual version, with both it and the four-cylinder EcoBoost Mustang limited to automatic only.

Ford has scrapped manual transmissions in its commercial vehicle range, leaving the Ranger ute and Transit van range as auto-only.

Honda Civic Type R 

Hyundai i20 N

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The Hyundai i20 N deserves to be celebrated. Not only is it available with a six-speed manual, but that’s the only way it comes, with no option to equip the compact hot hatch with an automatic, making it and the Honda Civic Type R the last remaining manual-only models in Australia.

The bad news, however, is the threat of the i20 N disappearing from Australian showrooms. Hyundai has revealed a new i20 for overseas markets, and has started hinting that a new-generation i20 N could benefit from hybrid assistance.

While it’s not impossible to pair a hybrid with a manual (Honda has done so in the past), the more realistic outcome is that Hyundai will focus efforts on the better-selling automatic and let the manual i20 N slip away in its next generation.

Hyundai i30 N

Hyundai Venue

Kia Picanto 

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Kia takes the title of Australia’s most affordable manual car. The entry-level Picanto Sport is available with a five-speed manual transmission from $19,190 plus on-road costs.

The changing face of Australia’s motoring landscape means the manual Picanto could be living on borrowed time. Earlier this year, the high-spec Picanto GT-Line offered a manual option, but has since switched to a four-speed automatic as the only transmission for the top-spec version.

Despite a growing range of GT and GT-Line variants across its line-up, Kia has backed away from manual transmission, finally phasing out the Sportage manual in 2025, the Stonic manual in 2024, and the Rio manual in 2023. 

Mazda MX-5

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Compact, lightweight, rear-wheel-drive, and manual. The Mazda MX-5 checks plenty of boxes for enthusiasts. Despite Mazda’s claims of being the ‘Zoom-Zoom’ brand, the last few years have seen it phase out manual transmission from small cars like the Mazda 2 and Mazda 3, as well as the BT-50 ute over the lest few years.

Every variant of the MX-5 is available with a six-speed manual and some – including the most basic Roadster and top-speed GT-RS are manual-only, leaving the available six-speed auto as an option only on the mid-level GT models. 

Mitsubishi Triton

Nissan Z

Porsche 911

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Porsche’s dedication to driving enthusiasts meant that, in their early days, even luxury models like the Cayenne and Panamera were available with a manual on some variants. Today, only the 911 offers a row-your-own experience.

The 911 Carrera T and 911 GT3 can be optioned with a six-speed manual. At $449,100 plus on-road costs, the GT3 with Touring Package is, by far, the most expensive car with a manual transmission available in Australia.

It’s also the most powerful, rated at 375kW from its naturally-aspirated 4.0-litre flat six, just ahead of the 353kW 3.0-litre turbocharged six in the BMW M4 and M3.

Renault Duster

Renault Master

Subaru BRZ

Subaru WRX

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Subaru offers strong representation for the manual community, but there’s a catch. The WRX sedan offers a manual as well as a CVT automatic, but the wagon models are auto only.

The manual transmission is an integral part of the WRX’s history, and every so often Subaru pays tribute with a special edition. Right now, that honour falls to the WRX Club Spec Evo, with a 75-unit run offered as a manual-only model.

While the WRX Sportwagon lacks a manual option, the regular WRX sedan range – in base, RS, and tS variants – can be paired with a six-speed manual with no restrictions of exclusions.

Suzuki Jimny

Suzuki Swift

Toyota GR86

Toyota GR Yaris

Toyota GR Corolla

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The Toyota GR Yaris boldly launched without an automatic option, and that’s good for keen drivers, but not always the best choice for commercial appeal. The GR Corolla introduced an eight-speed automatic, but thankfully kept the option of a six-speed manual.

Both GR models now offer a choice of manual or automatic. Manual models come with Toyota’s iMT rev-matching tech, which can blip the throttle for smoother downshifts, or be switched off to let the driver hone their craft.

Toyota has also been smart with limited edition models, like the GR Corolla Morizo, keeping the more enthusiast-focused model manual-only

Toyota HiAce

Toyota HiLux

Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series

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Prado? Out. LandCruiser 300? No deal. Want a manual with your workhorse 70 Series? But, of course. In fact, the LandCruiser 70 Series range is late to the automatic party, only offering a six-speed auto with the recent switch to four-cylinder power after a long run of manual-only V8 turbo diesels, and manual-only six-cylinders before that.

The LC70 uses the same 2.8-litre turbo diesel as its lighter-duty Hilux sibling, but swaps the six-speed manual for a five-speed – a variation of the old V8’s manual, but with shorter first and second gears, and a taller fifth.

Ultimately, very few driving purists are likely to opt for a LandCruiser, but the manual at least offers complete control when towing or when conditions get wild. While the auto is more user-friendly off-road, the manual still demands a level of dedicated driver input.

The numbers game

2022 – The last year you could option a manual transmission in a station wagon was four years ago. The car? The Mini Clubman, which blurs the line between hatch and wagon slightly, but was officially classified as a wagon in Australia

86 – The number of models available in Australia in 2021. In five years, 61 manual models have been discontinued Down Under.

61 – The Suzuki Swift is Australia’s lowest-output new car, with 61kW, making the manual option a handy implement in keeping things moving briskly.

7 – The last seven-seater with a manual probably isn’t what you might expect. The dual-cab Ford Transit offered seating for seven in 2023. If you’re after something more family-friendly, the LandCruiser Prado was the last SUV with seating for seven with a manual transmission in 2020.

4 – Five-speed manuals are old-school tech with just four models, the Picanto, Jimny, Swift and LandCruiser continuing with a five-speed transmission instead of a six-speed box.

3.9 – The fastest 0-100km/h sprint of any manual currently available in Australia is the 3.9-second Porsche 911 GT3.

3 – Sedans are on the way out with a manual option. The BMW M3, Hyundai i30 N, and Subaru WRX are the last four-doors with three pedals.

2 – Only the Porsche 911 Carrera T and Mazda MX-5 allow you to pair a convertible body and a manual transmission