Those that prefer to row your own gears, rejoice: Our hypothesis yesterday was correct, and the 2025 VW Jetta GLI will still be available with a six-speed manual.
VW unveiled a refreshed Jetta and Jetta GLI this morning, promising “style and better value” for 2025.
While there’s no additional power for the 2025 GLI–the 2.0-liter EA888 engine good for 228 horsepower …
Interesting that the GLI keeps the manual, but the GTI doesn't.
Is the average GLI buyer really more likely to buy a manual over the average GTI buyer? Or is there something else at play here?
In reply to Colin Wood :
The car is a refresh of the old model, like a MK 7.75 vs a MK8. I'm guessing it's all the older parts
In reply to J_D :
Good point. It's likely easier to keep offering the manual than nixing it.
Bravo for keeping the manual available!
I've owned somewhere in the neighborhood of 6 Jettas over time, all have been absolutely fantastic cars. Gotta give them huge credit for keeping the manual alive when so many have long ago abandoned the notion.
If you want manuals, let's hope people buy them. Ultimately, dollars do the talking and, ultimately, convincing in boardrooms. Encourage your friends to save the stick 
.
A magazine article just posted indicates that since the Jetta is a US market controlled car model it was able to keep the manual.
Would a Jetta manual compete in the market against a civic SI? Is it any fun to drive relative to an SI or Mazda 3 hatchback manual?
In reply to Advan046 :
I'm biased on this but the 3 Jetta GLI's I've owned have been some of the best low buck fun I could imagine having. My current 2017 Jetta GLI I took out on Tail of the Dragon with no upgrades other than pads and brake fluid, was able to drive it hard enough to get the front brakes smoking and was grinning ear to ear the whole time, then drove back to FL getting 31+MPG the whole way. As with any German car, they're more finicky with the maintenance than something like a Civic Si, but I've driven a number of those over the years and never was inspired enough to buy one. I also have never experienced an unexpected failure, short of a dead battery on any of them, and I'm not by any means gentle on them. If I was ever forced to go back to just one car, it'd be another GLI.
I saw a MkI Jetta GLI yesterday. They were never, ever common, even when they were new. It was beautiful and so very cool.
You'll need to log in to post.
