Another One Bites the Dust: Volkswagen Kills The Manual Transmission

The Volkswagen Jetta GLI is officially joining the growing list of enthusiast darling cars losing their manual transmission.

Beginning with the 2027 model year, Volkswagen will reportedly offer the Jetta GLI exclusively with a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic, ending the availability of a traditional six-speed manual in the compact sedan.

The change surfaced through Volkswagen dealer order guides and was later confirmed by a company spokesperson, according to TFLCar.

For enthusiasts, the writing has been on the wall for a while. Volkswagen already eliminated manual transmissions from the Golf GTI and Golf R as part of the Mk8.5 refresh, leaving the GLI as the last VW still offering three pedals in North America.

Volkswagen said the decision wasn’t made lightly, considering the loyalty manual shoppers have toward the brand.

“As drivers and car enthusiasts, we appreciate manuals too,” the company said in its statement. “That’s why our region worked very hard to keep them around. We know it matters to a small but passionate group of drivers who love being fully engaged and rowing their own gears.”

It's the same explanation we've been hearing for years—shrinking demand sealed the manual’s fate.

“Global demand continued to narrow to a point where the market can no longer sustain it,” the statement continued. “As much as it hurts, that reality meant making some tough choices.”

For buyers who want a brand-new stick-shift Volkswagen, the 2026 model year is the final opportunity. The compact sport sedan segment still offers a few alternatives for manual-stans, though the list is dwindling. The Honda Civic Si remains manual-only, while buyers willing to spend a bit more can still row it themselves in cars like the Subaru WRX and Hyundai Elantra N.

Mechanically, little else is expected to change. Both the outgoing 2026 model and the upcoming 2027 version continue using Volkswagen’s 2.0-liter EA888 turbocharged four-cylinder engine, good for 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.

Interestingly, pricing for the manual and DSG-equipped 2026 GLI appears identical at $35,040.

For some buyers, the DSG may actually be the preferred option. Volkswagen’s dual-clutch gearbox shifts rapidly and generally delivers better performance than the manual version. But for many enthusiasts, that’s not really the point.

Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here.