It'd be nice if it was available on the all-wheel drive variant, but we won't complain
📌 The Core Development
Annual model year announcements often end up with plenty of PR speak and, ultimately, much ado about nothing. Frankly, several of them end up downright disappointing when long-loved enthusiast features disappear, prices climb, or both happen. Thankfully, Mazda has some great news as we head into 2027. Its compact hatchback will continue to offer a six-speed manual, and buyers who choose it get a few extra comforts this time around.
According to Mazda's pricing and packaging announcement, the manual moves into the 2.5 S Premium Plus hatchback. It starts at $31,950, or $33,265 with the $1,315 destination charge. That's $300 more than the outgoing manual-equipped Premium, which makes the additional equipment a little easier to appreciate. Of course, that doesn't mean that the gargantuan caveats of the past are gone.
🔍 Background & Sector Context
Those who insist on three pedals have to forego all-wheel drive and can't get a turbo either. Those are, in our eyes, gigantic misses from Mazda as both the turbo engine and AWD setup each have their own benefits. Combining them with a stick would be near enough to a MazdaSpeed3 that we might be willing to quit begging for it. Still, Mazda is giving those who love to drive one more reason to keep considering this car.
The manual pairs with Mazda's naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder, producing 186 hp (139 kW) and 186 lb-ft (252 Nm) of torque on regular gasoline. As we've covered in previous reviews, it's not a fast powertrain, but it's great in pretty much every setting except high-speed highway passes. For 2027, Mazda adds a few cabin benefits.
📊 Industry & Real-World Impact
The Premium Plus hatchback gets a 10.25-inch center display with touchscreen functionality for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a heated steering wheel. A windshield-projected head-up display, adaptive headlights that swivel through corners, and signature LED lighting front and rear are also standard. Keep in mind, the heated wheel and display size are upgrades from the previous base manual Mazda 3.
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🔮 Strategic Outlook & What Lies Ahead
Overall, the Mazda3 improves in standard equipment. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto now come standard on the Select Sport, while Preferred adds wireless phone charging. The Preferred hatchback adds an AWD option priced at $29,990, though destination charges push the actual starting sticker to $31,305. Notably, the Base 2.5 S is no longer available.
That makes the Select Sport at $27,040 the new entry point and about $1,390 more than in 2026. On the flip side, front-drive Preferred hatchbacks now start at $28,040, which is actually $600 less than the outgoing version. Sedan buyers can keep the base 2.5 S, now priced at $24,750, and add a Premium AWD trim with leather upholstery and a 12-speaker Bose stereo. The turbocharged models top the range at $37,040 for the sedan and $38,190 for the hatchback, before destination. On premium fuel, they produce 250 hp (186 kW) and 320 lb-ft (434 Nm).
