Mazda will offer a six-speed manual in the 2027 Mazda3, moving the gearbox into the 2.5 S Premium Plus hatchback, which starts at $31,950 before a $1,315 destination charge. That is $300 more than the outgoing manual-equipped Premium, and buyers get extra cabin equipment for the money.
The manual remains a narrow choice. Buyers who want three pedals give up all-wheel drive and cannot have the turbocharged engine.
What the manual comes with
The stick shift pairs with Mazda's naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder, which produces 186 hp (139 kW) and 186 lb-ft (252 Nm) of torque on regular gasoline. It is not a fast powertrain, but it suits most driving apart from high-speed highway overtakes.
The Premium Plus hatchback adds a 10.25-inch centre display with touchscreen functionality for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus 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. The heated wheel and larger display are upgrades over the previous base manual Mazda3.
The catch is that Mazda still will not combine the manual with its two most desirable options. All-wheel drive and the turbo engine each bring their own benefits, and pairing either with the stick would bring the car close to the spirit of the old MazdaSpeed3.
Turbo and AWD models
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).
The Preferred hatchback adds an all-wheel drive option priced at $29,990, or $31,305 with destination charges included.
Trim changes and pricing across the range
The base 2.5 S is no longer available, making the Select Sport at $27,040 the new entry point, about $1,390 more than in 2026. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto now come standard on the Select Sport, while the Preferred adds wireless phone charging.
Front-drive Preferred hatchbacks now start at $28,040, which is $600 less than the outgoing version. Sedan buyers keep a base 2.5 S, now priced at $24,750, and can add a Premium AWD trim with leather upholstery and a 12-speaker Bose stereo.
Mazda has not announced Australian availability or pricing for the 2027 Mazda3, so the figures above apply to the market covered by its pricing and packaging announcement. The manual's survival matters because annual model year updates often quietly drop enthusiast features, and Mazda has done the opposite here, even if the stick stays confined to one front-drive, non-turbo hatchback.
