2026 Mazda Mazda3 2.5 S Premium: Stamford Buyers Guide
Quick Answer: 2026 Mazda3 2.5 S Premium
The 2.5 S Premium is priced at $31,650 MSRP and is the only 2026 Mazda3 Hatchback trim sold with a manual transmission — a standard SKYACTIV-MT 6-speed, with no automatic version offered on this trim at any price. It's front-wheel drive (not AWD), and pairs the manual gearbox with Bose 12-speaker premium audio and leather-trimmed seats. EPA-rated 25 city / 34 highway / 28 combined. Riley Mazda stocks the Premium on Myrtle Ave in Stamford, though as a low-volume configuration it's worth calling ahead to confirm availability.
Read the name carefully — "Premium" means manual here
This is the trim in the lineup most likely to surprise a shopper who skims past the specs. Every other Mazda3 Hatchback trim, cheaper and pricier alike, comes with a six-speed automatic. The 2.5 S Premium is the exception: it's built exclusively with a SKYACTIV-MT 6-speed manual transmission, and there's no way to special-order an automatic version of this specific trim. If you want the Premium's leather and Bose stereo but need an automatic, the trim doesn't exist in that combination — the closest automatic equivalent is a step down to the Carbon Edition or a step up to the Turbo Premium Plus, both automatic.
For the shopper who actually wants a stick, though, this is the one to seek out: the same 186-hp naturally aspirated 2.5-liter as the trims below it, a proper clutch pedal, front-wheel drive, and a cabin dressed in leather-trimmed seats with Bose 12-speaker premium audio — features usually reserved for automatics in this segment. Fuel economy comes in at 25 city / 34 highway / 28 combined on regular unleaded, essentially identical to the AWD Carbon Edition despite the different gearbox.
Because it's low-volume, plan the visit
Manual-transmission cars make up a shrinking share of new-vehicle sales nationally, and dealer stock reflects that; a specific Premium in a specific color may need to be located or ordered rather than pulled straight off the lot. Riley Mazda's inventory search shows what's on the ground right now, and the sales team can check the regional network or place a factory order if the exact build isn't already in Stamford.
An enthusiast buyer's experience
Manual-transmission buyers at Riley Mazda aren't a new phenomenon. Jim Diaz, whose family went shopping specifically for a stick-shift Mazda3: "We are glad that we did. Hunter Smith worked with us during the entire process. Hunter was professional, knowledgeable, fair and did not pressure us. Based on the experience with this car we chose to buy another car a week later for my wife. Now we are a three Mazda car family." Hunter Smith is Riley Mazda's Assistant Sales Manager on the team page, and the story is a useful reminder that the store has a track record of tracking down specific, less-common configurations rather than steering buyers toward whatever's easiest to sell.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the 2026 Mazda3 2.5 S Premium?
$31,650 MSRP before the $1,235 destination charge, Connecticut's 6.35% sales tax, registration, and the annual municipal vehicle tax. The pricing & leasing guide covers the full stack.
Does the Mazda3 Hatchback have a manual transmission?
Yes, on exactly one trim: the 2.5 S Premium, which comes standard with a SKYACTIV-MT 6-speed manual. Every other Mazda3 Hatchback trim, including trims both cheaper and more expensive than the Premium, is automatic only.
Can I get the Premium's features with an automatic?
Not in this exact combination. The leather-and-Bose equipment set is tied to the manual-only Premium trim; buyers who need an automatic should compare the Carbon Edition (leather, AWD, automatic, no Bose) or step up to the Turbo Premium Plus (leather, Bose, AWD, automatic, turbo power).
Is the Premium all-wheel drive?
No, it's front-wheel drive. AWD on the Mazda3 Hatchback is standard only on the Carbon Edition and Turbo Premium Plus, and neither of those offers the manual gearbox.
Where can I see one near Stamford?
Call the sales team or search current inventory before making the drive, since manual-transmission stock turns over differently than automatic trims. Riley Mazda is on Myrtle Ave, a short trip from Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, and Norwalk.
The bottom line
The 2.5 S Premium is a niche trim doing something increasingly rare: pairing a real manual transmission with genuine leather and a premium stereo, at a price that undercuts the automatic-only Turbo Premium Plus by more than $6,000. It's not the trim for someone who assumed "Premium" meant "loaded automatic" — it's the trim for someone who specifically wants a clutch pedal and doesn't want to give up the nice interior to get one.
MSRP excludes the $1,235 destination charge ($1,280 in Alaska), taxes, title, license fees, and options; the dealer sets the actual selling price. Fuel-economy figures are EPA estimates for this trim's FWD/manual configuration. Equipment and availability can change with production timing, and manual-transmission stock in particular may require locating or ordering; confirm current specifications and availability with Riley Mazda. Customer quotes are excerpts from public Google reviews of Riley Mazda.
