Volkswagen has confirmed that it will stop selling cars with manual transmissions in the United States after 2026, ending a tradition that marked decades of the brand among automotive enthusiasts.
The last model from the German manufacturer to offer the option will be the 2026 Jetta GLI, equipped with a 2.0-liter turbo engine producing 228 horsepower and currently available with both a six-speed manual gearbox and a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission. From 2027, the sporty sedan will be sold only with an automatic transmission. The change comes after Volkswagen had already removed the manual gearbox from the Golf GTI and Golf R models during the 2025 line update. As a result, the Jetta GLI had become the brand’s only vehicle in the US still available with three pedals.
In a statement sent to the American press, Volkswagen said that global demand for manual cars has fallen to a point where “the market can no longer sustain them,” despite their strong appeal among a smaller group of enthusiasts.
Even with the end of the manual transmission, the Jetta GLI will continue to be offered as the sporty version of the Jetta line. According to tests by Car and Driver magazine, the automatic DSG configuration accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in about 5.6 seconds, slightly faster than the manual model.
The decision follows a broader trend in the automotive industry, with manufacturers abandoning manual transmissions in favor of automatic gearboxes that are more efficient in terms of fuel consumption and production. Currently, fewer than two dozen new models still offer a manual gearbox in the American market.
Photos: Volkswagen USA. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
