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Although the manual transmission appears to be phasing out in the Volkswagen GTI and Golf R, it looks like the Jetta GLI will continue to offer a stickshift option. Volkswagen is hinting at the debut of a new model featuring a six-speed manual transmission on June 25. This is likely an exciting preview of the upcoming Jetta, along with its sportier counterpart, the Jetta GLI. Both compact sedans are scheduled for a refresh in 2025, and there has been much speculation regarding whether the GLI will keep its manual transmission during this redesign. It seems the answer is affirmative.
Volkswagen may have opted to support driving enthusiasts by retaining the manual transmission option for the Jetta GLI in an increasingly sparse market for stick shift vehicles in the U.S. This trend is evident even among German manufacturers, including BMW and Volkswagen, who were once strong advocates for manual transmissions in their performance models. If the GLI retains the six-speed manual, it will stand out in Volkswagen showrooms as the only new model available with this feature. An earlier teaser hinted at this development with the phrase “Let’s Go!” cleverly placed in the front of the new GLI, and this second teaser likely confirms the return of the manual option:
I’m not suggesting that this will elevate the new GLI above the GTI in terms of appeal—not at all. We do not anticipate a significant power increase from the current 2.0-liter turbo inline-four engine, which produces 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque; this already represents a substantial upgrade from the standard Jetta’s 1.5-liter turbo inline-four engine. However, retaining the manual transmission option in what VW optimistically describes as the “GTI with a trunk” could finally give the GLI the recognition it deserves, placing it more prominently in the minds of American car enthusiasts and potential buyers. While the GLI may always exist in the GTI’s shadow, it certainly merits more attention than it usually receives.
Naturally, Volkswagen’s cryptic statement that “a shift is coming…” has fans speculating about whether this indicates a significant change on a larger scale or hints at something more consequential than merely updating a dependable small sedan. There are even queries about the potential of an electric vehicle with a manual transmission being teased, which would be exciting, but it’s best to temper our expectations—at least in the near future. All indications suggest that this production is focused on the Jetta GLI, the most underappreciated and often overlooked compact from Volkswagen.
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