I have manual CX5 and MX5, 92 stock clutch and shifter.
CX5 smoother, easier to engage, lighter effort, and not as short as Miata, miata has a click click feel to to, CX5 clutch is very light and very easy to modulate.
I think is all marketing, but definitely very good.
for my use, 2.0L is sufficient but if they have 2.5L as an option and with 2mpg hit but 1 sec faster 0-60 I might consider it. the 2.0L is plenty strong pulling full load up the steep grades, just down shift to 4 or 5, that is why I think manual 2.0L is a good enough combo, no one believe me I can get 33-34 mpg aver, they all thought it is a hybrid.