Death of the manual handbrake: 30 per cent of new cars have manual handbrake

Fresh research uncovers only three in 10 new cars have a manual handbrake, with JLR, Lexus, Mercedes and Porsche going electric-only

Citroen C4 Cactus - handbrake

The manual handbrake is becoming an endangered species on the new-car market, with 70 per cent of current models coming only with an electronic parking brake with no manual option, new research has revealed.

And some manufacturers - namely Jaguar, Land Rover, Lexus, Mercedes and Porsche - have ditched the mechanical handbrake across their entire model lineup, meaning it’s electronic or nothing if you want a car from these brands. 

Electronic parking brakes: what are they and how do they work

The trend for replacing manual handbrakes with electronic ones is increasing, too: back in 2018 37 per cent of cars had a manual handbrake, with just 30 per cent having one today. Dacia and Suzuki are among the car makers to continue to offer a manual handbrake across their ranges, but with seven out of 10 new cars come standard with an electronic handbrake, the familiar ratchet sound of a brake being applied is set to be consigned to the history books.

Chris Knapman, editor of Cargurus, which carried out the research, said: “First introduced on a production car – the flagship BMW 7 Series – in 2001, electronic parking brakes have rapidly gone from being a novelty to what our research shows is now the norm. These systems might lack the tactile feel that some drivers value from a traditional manual parking brake, but they bring several benefits in terms of convenience, safety and packaging.”

 A quick glance at last month’s best selling cars backs up the findings, with six out of the 10 most popular cars coming with an electronic handbrake as standard. 

 

 

 

Car

 

 

Manual handbrake available?

 

 

 

  1.  

    Ford Fiesta

     

 

Yes

 

 

 

  1.  

    Volkswagen Golf

     

 

No

 

 

 

  1.  

    Tesla Model 3

     

 

No

 

 

 

  1.  

    Ford Focus

     

 

No

 

 

 

  1.  

    Mercedes A-Class

     

 

No

 

 

 

  1.  

    Ford Kuga

     

 

Yes

 

 

 

  1.  

    Volkswagen T-Roc

     

 

No

 

 

 

  1.  

    Volkswagen Tiguan

     

 

No

 

 

 

  1.  

    Vauxhall Corsa

     

 

Yes

 

 

 

  1.  

    Ford Ecosport

     

 

Yes

 

 

Jack Coursens, the AA’s head of roads policy, called the rise of the manual handbrake “a sign of where car technology is going, as electronic systems take over manual and mechanical ones”

Cousens added there are “definitely some advantages to electronic handbrakes, such as the assistance they give for hill starts, and the fact they don’t carry the risk manual handbrakes do of not being set firmly enough when people park on steep hills. 

But Cousens cautioned: “One concern might be that this is just another piece of technology to go wrong. And young drivers, who may well learn to drive in a car with an electronic handbrake, could find themselves having to learn a new skill if their first car has a manual brake.”

He concluded: “As electronic parking brakes become more and more common, people may well hark back to the days of manual brakes; but then, do people really miss manual chokes?”

One drawback the demise of the mechanical parking brake brings, however, is the fact the handbrake turn - performed safely in track conditions, naturally - may become a lost art for the latest generation of drivers.

Are you sad to see the demise of the manual handbrake? Let us know in the comments below... 

Recommended

UK firm fitting ‘pop bang’ aftermarket exhausts fined in landmark court case
MINI Hatch exhaust
News

UK firm fitting ‘pop bang’ aftermarket exhausts fined in landmark court case

A successful court action against a workshop advertising and fitting non-standard exhaust parts is ‘a lesson for businesses’ from the DVSA
23 Nov 2023
Why is electric car insurance so expensive? EV vs ICE cost analysis
BMW iX3
News

Why is electric car insurance so expensive? EV vs ICE cost analysis

We look into claims that electric cars face higher insurance premiums than ICE equivalents
22 Nov 2023
No help for electric car buyers in Autumn budget statement
Parliament
News

No help for electric car buyers in Autumn budget statement

Chancellor resists calls from industry to fund EV purchase grants or reduce VAT on public charging
22 Nov 2023
What’s in the 2023 Autumn Statement for drivers? EV incentives, fuel duty or VAT on charging?
News

What’s in the 2023 Autumn Statement for drivers? EV incentives, fuel duty or VAT on charging?

We look at some of the options for chancellor Jeremy Hunt when he announces his plans on 22 November
21 Nov 2023

Most Popular

New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates
Renault 5 EV concept at 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed
News

New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates

Renault’s reborn Renault 5 will start from €25,000 in Europe, suggesting a circa-£30k price in the UK. It's due on sale in the summer of 2024. Here's …
1 Dec 2023
New BMW X3 replacement to grow in size and feature a minimalist dash
BMW Neue Klasse SUV exclusive image - front
News

New BMW X3 replacement to grow in size and feature a minimalist dash

BMW’s first Neue Klasse electric SUV could carry the iX3 nameplate and our exclusive images preview how it might look
30 Nov 2023
New 2024 Dacia Duster: third generation of Europe’s best-selling SUV revealed
Dacia Duster - front
News

New 2024 Dacia Duster: third generation of Europe’s best-selling SUV revealed

Dacia has taken the wraps off the latest Duster, which arrives with a new look and fresh technology
29 Nov 2023