This is an extremely nit picky little detail that some argue is irrelevant on CVT's, but will paddle shifters be standard on the base 2015 model with the variable transmission?

Want to at least be able to pretend I'm using a PDK gearbox lol

 

No. They come with the EX and EX-L.

 

I find the paddles on my sport auto useful when hanging in slow traffic, I can drop a gear to slow down just a bit without braking then I'm in a better gear to keep up when traffic moves..

 

Without the paddles, you just move the gear lever from "D" to "S" and it does the same thing.