Automakers Killed These Manual Cars for 2025

Rest in peace to the manual gearboxes that didn’t make it to the new year.

Photo by: Volkswagen

By: Jeff Perez

Jan 3, 2025 at 2:00pm ET

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The manual transmission is a dying breed. Waning demand and stricter emissions regulations have forced dozens of automakers to ditch the do-it-yourself shifter over the last few years. This year is no different. A few hatchbacks, a handful of sedans, and even a pickup truck all lost their six-speeds for 2025.

We're sad to see them go.

Honda Civic Hatchback

Photo by: Honda

Even though you can still get a stick on the Civic Si and Type R models, Honda cut the six-speed from the base Civic Hatchback. The only transmission still available on the five-door is a CVT. It's paired to a standard 2.0-liter engine making 150 horsepower on the base Civic Hatchback Sport, or an electrified 2.0-liter pumping out 200 horsepower on the hybrid models.

Jeep Gladiator

The Gladiator was one of the last pickups with a stick. Now, it's gone. Jeep announced the manual's death last September as the brand began rolling out its 2025 models. The lone transmission is an eight-speed automatic gearbox, which is paired to the standard 3.6-liter V-6 engine. The Gladiator makes 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque for 2025.

Kia Forte / K4

The Kia Forte nameplate is gone, and with it goes the manual transmission. Kia still offered a six-speed on the sportier GT model up until 2024. A new K4 sedan replaces the Forte for 2025, and it offers a base model with a CVT and 140 horsepower, or a sportier GT-Line Turbo with an eight-speed automatic and 190 horsepower.

Mini Cooper

Photo by: Mini

Mini is moving into a new era without the manual. The entire Cooper range—including the iconic John Cooper Works model—loses its six-speed for 2025. The only transmission is a seven-speed dual-clutch, which you can pair with the 161-horsepower base model or the 201-horsepower S trim.

Volkswagen GTI

Volkswagen’s iconic hot hatch loses its manual for 2025. Sad. VW ditched the six-speed for a standard seven-speed dual-clutch automatic instead, which combines with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 241 horsepower.

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Volkswagen Golf R

Photo by: Volkswagen

Just like the GTI, the Volkswagen Golf R is an automatic-only affair for 2025. It pairs a seven-speed dual-clutch with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine sending 328 horsepower to all four wheels. At least the Golf R makes 13 more horsepower than last year.

Volkswagen Jetta

Photo by: Volkswagen

Did you know the Volkswagen Jetta still had a manual transmission option in 2024? Well, now it doesn't. Like the GTI and Golf R before it, Volkswagen ditched the six-speed option on the Jetta for 2025. The only gearbox on the base Jetta is an eight-speed automatic. But don't worry, you can still get a manual on the GLI.