Five hot hatches – and two sedans – still available with a manual

The number of new models available with a manual transmission in Australia is dwindling as more and more new-car buyers opt for the convenience, performance and, in some cases, efficiency offered by an automatic transmission.

While the popularity of utes and SUVs continues to soar, market demand for hot hatchbacks is also on the rise, so much so that more and more manufacturers are throwing their hats in the ring with mainstream contenders.

But the overwhelming preference for automatic transmissions (whether it’s a conventional torque converter, dual-clutch or continuously variable type) is beginning to make itself felt in the mainstream hot hatch segment market – a part of the market built around driver involvement.

The impact is so profound that some manufacturers are ditching manuals in their hot hatches all together, and that includes the Volkswagen GTI – arguably the original and most iconic hot hatch of them all.

With that in mind though, there are a few brands persevering with the old-fashioned three-pedal set-up and so we thought we’d list some of the mainstream hot hatches still available with a manual transmission.

When the Hyundai i30 N burst onto the scene back in 2018, it was available exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission, which delivered not only classic hot hatch levels of engagement but helped drivers stir up one of the most entertaining soundtracks of any car on the market.

For years Hyundai promised a dual-clutch automatic version would also eventually be offered here and this year the brand delivered exactly that with a dual-clutch auto option for the facelifted and heavily updated version.

Power and torque rose from 202kW/353Nm to 209kW/392Nm, the brakes were enlarged and, crucially, the six-speed manual gearbox was retained both on the base variant and the more lavishly equipped Premium grade, each priced $3000 below their respective DCT versions.

With 206kW/420Nm on tap, the current Ford Focus ST is comfortably the torquiest of all the mainstream hot hatches and is only beaten on kiloWatts by the now-discontinued Honda Civic Type R (see below).

Unlike the Hyundai above, Ford’s hero pocket rocket ships with a seven-speed (torque converter) automatic as standard, however, a six-speed manual is available as a no-cost option.

Having been around since 2019, the Focus ST is being facelifted for the 2022 model year with the update also set to usher in a new variant in the form of the more lavishly equipped ST-X, presumably to rival the decked-out i30 N Premium.

Available exclusively as a manual ever since its local introduction in 2017, Honda has refused to fit its soon-to-be replaced Civic Type R with an automatic transmission in order to maintain the car’s weight distribution, thereby preserving its fun handling characteristics.

Armed with a 228kW/400Nm turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, the outgoing Type R is the reigning kiloWatt king of the mainstream hot hatches and as a result, lapped the infamous Nurburgring in 7:43.8 minutes back in 2017 – a then lap record for front-wheel drive cars.

It was usurped by the Renault Megane RS Trophy-R in 2019, but Honda has made no secret of its intention to retake the crown with its all-new Type R due late next year.

As the new kid on the block, the Hyundai i20 N’s sole purpose in life is to be as fun as possible and stir the pot in the compact hot hatch market.

Designed to steal sales from the Ford Fiesta ST (see below) and Volkswagen Polo GTI, the i20 N is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine good for 150kW/275Nm, or 304Nm temporarily on overboost.

The peppy little mill is hooked up exclusively to a six-speed manual transmission and drives the front wheels through a limited-slip differential – just like the rest of the vehicles on this list.

Just like its Focus cousin, the Ford Fiesta ST is in line for a generous facelift come early 2022 – one that will not only usher in fresh styling but more grunt and an updated interior to match.

Paired exclusively to a six-speed manual transmission, the Fiesta ST will retain its thrummy little turbo-triple powerplant, from which Ford engineers have been able to squeeze another 30Nm, taking its total outputs to a punchy 147kW/320Nm – more than enough to make the aforementioned Hyundai i20 N work hard to keep up with.

There’s been no word yet on if the extra shove has impacted the Fiesta ST’s 0-100km/h time, which for reference currently sits at 6.5 seconds, but it certainly sets up an intriguing battle with the i20 N, not to mention the auto-only Volkswagen Polo GTI.

Meantime, there are two upcoming manual compact sedans that will soon rattle hot hatch cages.

All-new for 2022, the Subaru WRX has been suffering at the hands of hot hatches for years now as the feisty front-drivers grow in power, performance and capability.

Riding on a new platform and powered by a bigger new engine with a wider torque band, Subaru is hoping its new all-paw rally hero can recapture some of the magic of its predecessors early next year when it arrives in both manual and CVT forms.

Given it’s already down on power (202kW) and torque (up to 375Nm) compared to the i30 N, Focus ST and Type R, the new Rex will need to rely on its new global architecture, optimised suspension geometry and sheer all-wheel-drive grip to stand a chance at holding its own against an increasingly potent crop of performance hatches.

Powered by the same 209kW/392Nm 2.0-litre turbo as the refreshed i30 N hatch, the 2022 Hyundai i30 N sedan ups the ante with a newer platform, more go-faster, track-friendly hardware and even more savage looks.

Available both as a manual or DCT, the i30 N sedan has been pegged by its creators as the most focused and capable N-car yet, and Hyundai Motor Company Australia (HMCA) was one of the driving forces behind the inclusion of a three-pedal variant within the single-variant range – the DIY shifter is a no-cost option.

Whereas the WRX uses symmetrical all-wheel drive to get its power down, the i30 N sedan utilises a limited-slip front diff and integrated drive axle to make it as engaging as possible through the bends.