Modern Motoring - 2025 Mazda 3

The 2025 Mazda 3 Sport manual comes in one lonely top-trim. Thankfully it's the GT trim that's got plenty of bells and whistles, plus plenty of standard safety.

The strongest appeal is the delightful driving dynamics, which are best in class. Add in a smooth shifting six-speed and it's driving bliss.

I hope I''m wrong on this; I think the Mazda 3 sedan will not live to see a fifth generation and I feel that there will not be a manual gearbox offered in the Sport/hatch version for the fifth generation, whenever it comes out.

Dollars and driving-wise, this is the best manual transmission car for 2025 under $50,000 CAD.