Bucking the trend towards automatic transmissions, Volkswagen offers a manual option in both the Jetta and Jetta GLI, appealing to drivers who crave a more engaging experience.
This commitment to driver control extends to the upcoming 2025 Jetta, as a recent teaser hints at the return of the stick shift.
The red stitching on the gear shifter in the teaser suggests a focus on the performance-oriented Jetta GLI, which rivals sporty sedans like the Hyundai Elantra N.
While the availability of a manual transmission in the base 1.5-liter Jetta remains to be seen, Volkswagen’s decision to offer it in the Jetta GLI is unexpected.
Unlike the automatic-only Golf GTI and Golf R, the forthcoming Jetta redesign marks a generational leap for the compact sedan.
This seventh iteration, codenamed A7, debuted in 2018 for the 2019 model year. The initial engine offering was a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 147 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque.
The performance-oriented Jetta GLI, revealed later that year, came equipped with a more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
This makes sense when you consider sales figures: the Jetta and Jetta GLI combined barely reached 60,000 units sold in the US in 2023, a fraction of what Toyota and Honda achieved.
However, Volkswagen recognizes Jetta’s value as an attractive entry point to the brand, with a starting price that undercuts their pricier SUVs and electric vehicles.
