The Ten Cheapest New Manual Cars in Australia

For many car buyers, a manual ‘box is still where the fun is at, offering a more engaging drive while remaining the most affordable transmission option in any new car.

They’re lighter than a comparative automatic transmission, too, which means buyers stand to benefit from better fuel efficiency.

Manual gearboxes are also a great way for new drivers to get a grip of some automotive fundamentals while getting behind the wheel for the first time.

Whether you’re chasing the purists’ approach or simply looking for a bargain, you’re in luck, because we’ve done the homework in mapping out the ten cheapest manual cars on sale here in Australia.

Kia Picanto Sport

The Kia Picanto is one of the best options for those learning the basics behind the wheel, while the Picanto with a manual box is also more fuel-efficient than automatic variants.

With its short wheelbase platform and zippy handling, the Picanto is user-friendly while town driving, simple to park and provides excellent fuel economy figures in both manual and automatic variants, all backed by Kia’s seven-year warranty.

• Engine: 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Power & Torque: 62kW / 122Nm

• Transmission: Five-speed manual 

• Fuel Economy: 5.4L/100km

• Boot Space: 255 - 1,010L

• ANCAP Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre

Suzuki Ignis GL

The entry-level Ignis GL is the most affordable and fuel-efficient member of the Suzuki Ignis range.

While it doesn’t have a huge footprint, the Suzuki Ignis over-delivers when it comes to interior space, making it a super practical and competitively-priced new vehicle with a manual transmission option at the base of the lineup.

• Engine: 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Power & Torque: 66kW / 120Nm

• Transmission: Five-speed manual 

• Fuel Economy: 4.7L/100km

• Boot Space: 264 - 1,104L

• ANCAP Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Kia Stonic S

Kia is sticking by the manual gearbox with its pint-sized SUV package, with the Stonic range receiving an affordable S variant with a six-speed manual.

The Kia Stonic is hard to ignore if you’re after an affordable small SUV package backed by one of the longest warranty programs available in Australia.

• Engine: 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder

• Power & Torque: 74kW / 172Nm

• Transmission: Six-speed manual 

• Fuel Economy: 6.0L/100km

• Boot Space: 332 - 1,132L

• ANCAP Rating: Five-star (tested 2017)

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre

Hyundai Venue

If you’re after a reasonably practical small SUV with an affordable price tag and option of an entry-level variant with a manual gearbox, the Hyundai Venue is hard to ignore.

It’s not a groundbreaking compact SUV by any stretch, though the Venue has the fundamentals covered with its user-friendly nature, decent interior accommodation and zippy handling around town that makes it a great first-car option or an affordable commuter.

• Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Power & Torque: 90kW / 151Nm

• Transmission: Six-speed manual 

• Fuel Economy: 7.0L/100km

• Boot Space: 355 - 903L

• ANCAP Rating: Four-star (tested 2019)

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Mazda 2 Pure

The Mazda 2 is one of the best of the small car bunch, with its fun-loving handling, minute footprint, great fuel efficiency and the long-standing option of a manual version at the base of the range.

The Mazda 2 looks great and loves being pushed behind the wheel, providing a great platform for first-time drivers and long-time lovers of the manual gearbox alike.

• Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Power & Torque: 82kW / 144Nm

• Transmission: Six-speed manual 

• Fuel Economy: 5.4L/100km

• Boot Space: 250L

• ANCAP Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Mitsubishi ASX GS

The Mitsubishi ASX remains a great value pick within the small SUV segment and, thankfully, Mitsubishi has maintained an affordable manual option at the base of the range.

On the road, the ASX is well-mannered and extremely easy to drive around town and park thanks to its small footprint, while Mitsubishi’s class-leading ten-year warranty certainly makes the ASX hard to ignore.

• Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Power & Torque: 110kW / 197Nm

• Transmission: Five-speed manual 

• Fuel Economy: 7.7L/100km

• Boot Space: 393 - 1,193L

• ANCAP Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: Up to ten-years/200,000-kilometres

Suzuki Swift Hybrid

There’s a brand new, hybrid-powered Suzuki Swift in town and, surprisingly, Suzuki has stuck with an entry-level Swift packing a five-speed manual alongside all that fuel-efficient hybrid tech.

Fresh off a styling makeover, the Suzuki Swift Hybrid range boasts more interior technology and even better fuel economy figures in the familiar, fun-loving package we’ve come to love over the years.

• Engine: 1.2-litre three-cylinder mild-hybrid 

• Power & Torque: 61kW / 112Nm

• Transmission: Five-speed manual 

• Fuel Economy: 3.8L/100km

• Boot Space: 265 - 980L

• ANCAP Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Toyota HiLux Workmate 4x2 Cab Chassis

It should come as no surprise that with its tough, work-ready platform, Toyota is maintaining a manual version of the almighty HiLux at the base of the range.

While it doesn’t have a flagship engine, the HiLux Workmate 4x2 is still an honest performer that offers great payload figures of 1,205kg and a handy 2,500kg of braked towing power.

• Engine: 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Power & Torque: 122kW / 245Nm

• Transmission: Five-speed manual 

• Fuel Economy: 10.7L/100km

• Boot Space: N/A

• ANCAP Rating: Five-star (tested 2019)

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Suzuki Vitara 2WD

The Suzuki Vitara is a great option for small SUV buyers that still demand a healthy amount of practicality inside.

While it’s not the most modern compact SUV in the segment, the Vitara is a comfortable, user-friendly and fuel-efficient option that doesn’t disappoint behind the wheel and retains an affordable manual variant at the base of the range.

• Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Power & Torque: 86kW / 156Nm

• Transmission: Five-speed manual 

• Fuel Economy: 5.8L/100km

• Boot Space: 375 - 1,120L

• ANCAP Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Suzuki Jimny Lite

Our list wraps up with one of the most affordable off-roaders you can get behind the wheel of, the Suzuki Jimny.

Famed for its peppy off-road abilities, the Suzuki Jimny is a refreshing reminder that lightness is next to godliness when pushing up a mountain, while the option of an entry-level version with a five-speed manual will come as good news for enthusiasts.

• Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Power & Torque: 75kW / 130Nm

• Transmission: Five-speed manual 

• Fuel Economy: 6.4L/100km

• Boot Space: 85 - 377L

• ANCAP Rating: Three-star (tested 2018)

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Ten More Cheap New Manual Cars on Sale in Australia

If you’re still searching for your best options for an affordable new car with a manual gearbox, we’ve provided another ten to help you out.

• Mitsubishi Triton GLX Cab Chassis
• Isuzu D-MAX SX High Ride Cab Chassis
• Kia Sportage S
• Nissan Navara SL 4x2
• Hyundai i20 N
• LDV G10+
• Abarth 695 Competizione
• Renault Kangoo SWB
• Volkswagen Caddy
• LDV T60 Max PRO

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