Five-Point Inspection: 2014 Mazda3 i Touring

4: Transmission is awesome

In addition to prioritizing solid value in the new 3, Mazda also gave the car a hint of sportiness, thanks to its absolutely perfect manual transmission. While not all drivers out there know how to pilot a car with a stick-shift, the Mazda3 has to be one of the easiest to approach for newbies thanks to its effortless engagement and clearly defined gates.

Pairing it with the responsive 2-liter engine, the Mazda3 delivered excellent fuel economy and a fun drive. There have been rumblings about the 2.5 model getting a manual transmission option, and we can’t wait to try that combo.