As the sedan’s twilight approaches, the manual transmission seems to be vanishing even more swiftly—though the light is still barely flickering. Fortunately, brands like Volkswagen recognize the intrinsic value of keeping the manual transmission alive and well. After all, with nearly half of the GTIs and GLIs sold in the U.S. are equipped with a manual gearbox, one must ponder: why not let this delightful relic continue to thrive?  

Marking its sixth year in production, the 2025 Jetta arrives with minimal changes following its refresh in 2023. The exterior boasts a subtle facelift, featuring a more alluring front fascia and a grille adorned with a touch of red lip gloss, proudly showcasing its performance pedigree. In line with Volkswagen’s modern design language, an updated unibrow light bar nearly bridges the headlights, with a similar aesthetic applied to the taillights. Thankfully, Volkswagen has opted against the gaudy illuminated badging found on the Atlas—because sometimes, less truly is more.  

LIKES: Easy to drive for first time manual owners, sounds like a late WRX STi, fun to drive characteristics

Step inside, and the GLI presents a more pronounced array of updates. It features a sleek new dashboard, complemented by the familiar 8-inch infotainment system that protrudes from the center console like a proud peacock. The GLI now boasts an inductive wireless charging pad, and the steering wheel has been graced with heating functionality—thankfully resisting the temptation to adopt those finicky touch-sensitive controls. However, not all is rosy in the realm of climate control; the knobs have been replaced with a more streamlined touch-capacitive unit. Fortunately, this iteration is responsive enough to keep your irritation at bay, unlike some of its predecessors that might have left you feeling, shall we say, a tad overly animated. 

Regrettably for the GLI enthusiasts, it’s only available in the top-tier Autobahn trim, which kicks off at a princely $33,940. However, before you raise an eyebrow in disbelief, allow me to assure you that this compact sedan is surprisingly well-equipped for its stature and price point. It boasts fully adaptive cruise control that harmoniously coexists with the manual transmission—simply shift gears, and it takes care of the acceleration and braking. Additionally, you’ll find ventilated front seats, a dual-zone climate control system, and auto up/down windows all around—an amenity that isn’t universally available in the automotive realm, I might add.   The GLI also features a generous sunroof, automatic rain-sensing wipers, a customizable 10.3-inch digital cluster display, BeatsAudio and a plethora of other delightful touches. It’s safe to say that despite its solitary trim, the GLI offers a veritable cornucopia of features.  

Under the hood, the GLI remains steadfastly unchanged, featuring a robust turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four that churns out a commendable 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Power is transmitted through either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission at no additional upcharge. 

The turbocharged engine delivers an exhilarating punch from corner to corner, and although the shifter’s throws might be longer than we’d ideally prefer, its operation remains fluid and satisfying. In Sport mode, the steering effort strikes the perfect enjoyable balance of comfort and rewarding feedback. And an electronically controlled limited-slip differential artfully distributes torque across the front axle, ensuring optimal performance. 

While the manual transmission lacks the launch control system found in its automatic counterpart, we’re perfectly content with that. There’s a clever technique for launching the GLI manual that avoids triggering the traction control system and if executed flawlessly, this method can propel the GLI to 60 mph in approximately 6.0 seconds. However, in the spirit of responsible driving, we refrained from attempting this trick ourselves and even without it, the GLI proves to be a cunning little go-getter. 

On the open road, the GLI is an absolute joy to drive. It is equipped with three-way-adjustable adaptive dampers and offers a plethora of drive modes, including the option to customize and personalize your own setup. However, we found that the sweet spot lies in Sport mode. While this setting does firm up the dampers, it avoids the pitfalls of discomfort or excessive bouncing. And while some may take issue with the synthesized engine noise, we found it rather amusing—it evokes the spirited growl of a mid-2000s Subaru WRX STi, bringing a smile to our faces.   

DISLIKES: seats are firm and flat, the easy exit seat feature makes it hard to start, not as engaging as a GTI  

The GLI’s only notable drawback lies in its standard all-season tires. The absence of summer tires can leave the car feeling as though it’s not quite reaching its full performance potential. With a more capable set of rubber, its already commendable handling and performance would undoubtedly be enhanced. However, it’s worth noting that a switch to more performance-oriented tires could potentially take a toll on fuel economy. While I didn’t conduct a highway MPG test to verify the claimed 37 mpg, it did meet its EPA rating of 30 mpg combined, proving itself to be quite efficient in everyday driver. 

In today’s market, the number of sedans—and even fewer with manual transmissions—has dwindled significantly, with only the Honda Civic Si, Hyundai Elantra N, and Subaru WRX remaining alongside the Volkswagen GLI. The 2025 GLI exemplifies the enduring appeal of the manual transmission in an era increasingly dominated by automatics.  As options for passionate drivers diminish, the GLI stands as a beacon, celebrating the art of driving and preserving the spirit of the manual transmission. In this twilight of compact sedans, let us embrace the GLI and the unique thrill it provides, ensuring this cherished relic continues to flourish on our roads.