2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Saves The Manual

Volkswagen made the decision to kill the manual GTI after 2024 due to what was, at the time, more stringent Euro 7 emissions regulations. But VW tells AutoGuide that it kept the manual GLI around just for the North American market. It was able to do so GLI is developed specifically for the North American region, whereas the more global GTI is handled at home in Wolfsburg where demand for manual performance cars has slackened. 6-speed-flavored news aside, there’s also a facelift in store for both the Jetta and Jetta GLI.

Outside, VW has applied new front and rear bumpers to the pair. The new front bumper features updated LED headlights with an available light bar on Sport trims and up. GLI models feature their usual red accenting. In back, a new trunk lid with a light bar changes up the lighting signature for all models. VW has deployed some new wheel options for the Jetta lineup: 17-inchers for SE models and 18-inch alloys for SEL and GLI trims with optional black-wheel packages for both the Jetta SE and GLI.

Updates continue inside, where buyers will find an entirely new dash housing a standard 8-inch screen. Climate controls are touch-based now, which has historically not gone well for VW EM we’ll have to see how these do. Jetta SE models now benefit from some of the higher-trim SEL’s features like wireless charging and App-Connect. Other interior updates are comprised of updated colors and trim elements for each Jetta trim. Cloth seats in black or grey are standard on the entry-level Jetta S, with Sport trims benefitting from the GLI 40th Edition’s embossed cloth seats. SE models get new leatherette seats in black or blue, and SEL models now have perforated leather sets trimmed in black or brown leather. Meanwhile, GLIs will get leather seats in black with red stitching and trim accents.

VW’s IQ.DRIVE suite of driver aids will be standard on all GLI models, including the manual. The system includes forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and lane keep assist. Under the hood, base Jetta models keep their 1.5-liter, 158 horsepower turbocharged inline four-cylinder engines with an 8-speed automatic transmission. GLI models are still powered by VW’s 2.0-liter EA888 engine with 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch auto or the aforementioned six-speed manual.

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