Save the Manuals: Driving the New 2026 VW Jetta GLI | Talking Cars with Consumer Reports #517

Comments · 80

• CO

  @consumerreports · 2 months ago · pinned

  Also check out our episode on the Mazda Miata: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNUJ28pzGOI">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNUJ28pzGOI</a>

  2

• MS

  @mss627 · 1 month ago

  I haven&apos;t driven a manual in 10 years but I remember loving them in all iterations. &nbsp;The last one was a 2013 Fiesta S. &nbsp;Slow as hell but the manual made it livable.

  2

• HA

  @hansschweikert9153 · 2 weeks ago

  Great discussions gentleman.

• JE

  @jeffreid7181 · 2 months ago

  Great review gents, I just wanted to mention that the center armrest does indeed have an adjustment in the form of a small plastic lever that you fold down from the underside of the armrest that raises it maybe an inch or two. &nbsp;Unless of course they have changed this since I bought my 2025 GLI DSG. &nbsp; Cheers from the Great White (currently green) North!

  6

• ST

  @stevelovescars · 2 months ago

  Hi, Mike Quincy, Steve here from your old Automobile Magazine days. It’s great watching you on this channel.<br><br>I bought a GLI 6MT about 4 months ago. I cross shopped the Honda/Acura and Mazda3 HB. I did enjoy the shifter on the Hondas and Mazda a bit more but simply found the GLI a more pleasant experience for my daily driver. It is roomier, quieter, and better riding than all of those other cars, even before taking the adjustable suspension into &nbsp;account. &nbsp;The amount of features combined with substantial dealer discounts sealed the deal for me.<br><br>I did change the shift knob for one that looks like the old round golf ball style and it makes me happier with the shifter, :-)

  1

• LO

  @losdesmayosdelFilip · 1 month ago

  Love It when Ryan is on

• CA

  @cadabeso · 2 months ago

  Hey Mike,<br><br>This is Will, whose questions you read/answered. Thank you for the glasses info!<br><br>More importantly, you’ll be happy to know that I recently used the Donate button on the YouTube podcast to send you guys a well-deserved donation, even though (again) I can technically get Consumer Reports for free through UW library 😆

  1

• HO

  @hothatchpa · 1 month ago

  Here is the thing. &nbsp;The shift can be corrected and tightened with an aftermarket shift kit. &nbsp;The manual transmission connection and control with the car can not be replaced. &nbsp;I say get one while you can if this is what you are looking for.

  1

• DA

  @davidross8394 · 2 months ago

  I had a 2014 Mazda 6 with a 6 speed manual. It came with hill hold that gave you about two seconds before it released by itself. &nbsp;It came in handy on steep Pittsburgh hills. Very fun to drive for a car that size. If it had not been for a distracted driver plowing into me, I might still have it.

  1

• KM

  @Kmancanada · 1 month ago

  I heel-and-toe anytime I am driving a manual, and at minimum rev-match. I can&apos;t imagine any other way. I&apos;m with Monti on this.

  1

• DA

  @davidingram5965 · 2 months ago

  I have one of the last US imported Golf TSIs, 2018 Golf S, produced in Mexico. Has 120,000 miles-replaced water pump and that&apos;s it. &nbsp;43 mpg on trips, 5 speed manual-hill hold, surprisingly quiet and nimble. I hope to keep this a long, long time. I am one of the few guys out there shifting gears as the light turns green. An era is passing before our eyes.

  2

• AT

  @atmartens · 2 months ago

  Great podcast guys. I agree that not every manual is great. Don’t get me wrong… I want more options. I want wagons, manuals and hatch backs. The issue is like you said- they want to sell as many as they can so I think they try to make the manual easy to use, and most affordable in production. I’m not surprised it’s already been discontinued but sad to see the manual go.

  1