10 Manual Performance Cars You Can Still Buy in SA in 2025

We’ve rounded up all the manual performance cars you can still buy in South Africa in 2025…and for good measure, added a little hot hatch to the mix.

Despite that modern automatic or dual-clutch transmissions offer quicker shift times, and are arguably preferred by the majority, many still find it alluring to row cogs themselves. Fortunately, there are still automakers that understand the charm and, noteworthy, driving experience associated with a manual performance car. As such, these manufacturers continue to offer three-pedal models for purist drivers. Here’s all the manual performance cars, including a little hot hatch, you can buy in South Africa in 2025.

1. Suzuki Swift Sport

Suzuki Swift Sport driving

Image: Suzuki

For good measure, we’ve added Suzuki’s pocket-rocket hatchback to this list. Although based on the previous-generation Swift, the Sport is still available in our market…with no confirmation whether a new iteration will be introduced. The Sport is powered by a 1.4-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, which channels 103 kW and 230 N.m to the front axle via a six-speed manual cog swapper. The Japanese automaker claims these figures allow for a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 8.0 seconds. While not as quick in a straight line, the Swift Sport remains a fun little hatch to pilot. In addition, it’s the least expensive car featured here by a fair margin – costing R463 900.

2. Toyota GR86

Toyota GR86 driving

Image: Toyota

Priced from R833 900, the GR86 is the most accessible member of Toyota’s Gazoo Racing family. Sharing a drivetrain and platform with the Subaru BRZ, the GR86 employs a 2.4-litre naturally aspirated flat-four, which produces 174 kW and 250 N.m. Power is exclusively send to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. Toyota claims 0-100 km/h sprint time of 6.4 seconds.

3. Toyota GR Yaris

Toyota GR Yaris front

Image: Toyota

Toyota’s rally-bred hot hatch, the GR Yaris is equipped with the most powerful turbocharged three-cylinder engine currently available. The 1.6-litre turbo-triple is coupled with a six-speed manual, which delivers 210 kW and 400 N.m of torque to the road via the Japanese marque’s GR-Four all-paw drivetrain. According to the firm, these figures allow the manual GR Yaris to complete the obligatory 0-100 km/h sprint in 5.2 seconds. The GR Yaris manual is priced from R906 400.

4. Toyota GR Corolla

Toyota GR Corolla driving

Image: Toyota

Employing the same drivetrain as the GR Yaris, the Toyota GR Corolla, which we tested in the July 2023 issue of CAR magazine, gains an injection of power – to 221 kW. Though, compared to the updated GR Yaris, it’s slightly less torquey (370 N.m). However, it’s plenty quick in a straight line. On our test strip, this manual hot hatch recorded a 0-100 km/h time of 5.03 seconds, before completing the quarter mile in 13.23 seconds. The GR Corolla is priced form R883 600.

5. Honda Civic Type R

Honda Civic Type R driving

Image: Honda

Honda’s ‘Type R’ nameplate is renowned, and the new Civic Type R is arguably one of the best do don this moniker to date. Equipped with what is arguably one of the best manual transmissions in the business, the Civic Type R’s six-speeder delivers 235 kW and 420 N.m to the road via its front axle. Honda claims a 0-100 km/h time of 5.5 seconds. Pricing starts at R1 021 600.

6. Toyota GR Supra

Toyota GR Supra driving

Image: CAR magazine

Originally exclusively available with an eight-speed automatic ‘box, since 2023, Toyota’s flagship GR sportscar can also be had with a six-speed manual. Equipped with a 285 kW/500 N.m 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six, the GR Supra recorded a 4.67-second 0-100 km/h sprint time in our January 2024 Performance Shootout. Pricing starts at R1 524 800.

7. BMW M2

BMW M2 driving

Image: BMW

Not only is the M2 one of the few manual sportscars you can still buy in South Africa in 2025, it is the only BMW M car that can be had with three pedals. The G87-generation M2 is powered by the German marque’s familiar 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six, which sends 353 kW and 550 N.m to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual ‘box. The M2 completes the 0-100 km/h dash in a claimed 4.2 seconds. Pricing starts at R1 581 334.

8. Porsche 718 Cayman GTS/Boxster GTS

Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 parked

Image: Porsche

The Porsche Cayman GTS and Boxster GTS (seen here) are available with a six-speed manual, and are exclusively rear-wheel-driven. Powered by a 294 kW/420 N.m 4.0-litre naturally aspirated flat-six, both the 718-generation Cayman GTS and Boxster GTS sprint to the three-figure marker from a standstill in 4.5 seconds. Prices start at R2 133 000 (Cayman GTS) and R2 170 000 (Boxster GTS).

9. Porsche 911 Carrera T Coupé/Cabriolet

Porsche 911 Carrera T parked

Image: Porsche

The 992.2-generation Porsche Carrera T features a 3.0-litre turbocharged flat-six that’s good for 290 kW and 450 N.m, and sends drive to its rear wheels via a six-speed manual. The German automaker claims a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 4.5 seconds. The Carrera T is priced from R2 921 000.

10. Porsche 911 GT3/GT3 Touring

Porsche 911 GT3 driving

Image: Porsche

Porsche’s most hardcore manual performance car comes in the shape of the 911 GT3. Acclaimed as one of the best driver’s cars available, we sampled the 992.2 generation at the international launch event in Spain. Coupled with a six-speed manual, the 911 GT3’s rear-mounted, 4.0-litre atmospheric flat-six produces 375 kW and 450 N.m, allowing for a claimed 0-100 km/h sprint time of 3.9 seconds. Pricing starts at R4 623 000.

Click here to browse thousands of new and used vehicles here with CARmag!

The post 10 Manual Performance Cars You Can Still Buy in SA in 2025 appeared first on CAR Magazine.


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