If you want a manual transmission in a compact car, most automakers offering such a package restrict you to the small engine or base trim. For 2015, Mazda isn’t one of those companies.
As promised, the new-for-2014 Mazda 3 now offers a six-speed manual transmission with both the base 2.0-liter engine, as well as the uplevel 2.5-liter mill on “s” trim cars, as Autoblog confirmed Monday. The 2015 Mazda 3s started arriving at dealers last month.
A Mazda representative told the site that it held off on adding a manual to the larger engine to “prioritize engineering resources” towards more popular models, indicating even Mazda anticipates few buyers will opt for this configuration – even if it sounds like the most fun 3 you can buy right now.
Still, with the emphasis Mazda puts on driving dynamics in its new SkyActiv-era cars, the 3 2.-5-liter with a manual sounds like one of the most entertaining compact hatch you can buy. So go buy one.
By Zac Estrada
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