What Transmission Types Will Be Offered On The 2025 Jeep Wrangler?

Introduction

It's not super controversial to say that when it comes to purist-focused vehicles, Jeep is one of the clear OGs in the market. While the rest of the American automotive industry has taken a hard turn away from manual gearboxes in favor of automatics and CVTs, Jeep has stayed steadfast, still offering you the opportunity to harness your own power as you see fit. With news of the 2025 Wrangler about to come out, we wondered - will that stay the same for upcoming model years?

Today we'll take you on an overview of the 2025 Wrangler's best specs and features so you can get an idea of what you might like to purchase for your next rig. Let's dive right in and see what the Wrangler will offer!

2025 Jeep Wrangler Performance Specs & Transmission Options

Answering the question posed in this blog's title is a tad tricky to answer because it's a multi-layered thing to ask in the first place. The facts are that the new 2025 Wrangler will come with its typical 285-horsepower Pentastar V6 engine, as well as a turbocharged 270-horsepower four cylinder, and another 375-horsepower electric turbo on the Wrangler 4xe.

All you need to know, though, is if you want to stick with the Wrangler's basic Pentastar engine for 2025 and moving forward, you can only get it with a stickshift - all other engine options will still offer an automatic transmission, though, just in case you need to scratch that itch somehow.

So why is Jeep doing this? We haven't received an official reasoning, and we don't expect one from Jeep in the first place - after all, they can pretty much do what they want with impunity in the eyes of many enthusiasts. But we'd bet that cost is a big factor; on recent model years, upgrading the Pentastar engine to an automatic can set you back as much as $4500, so why not cut out the option entirely? It saves you a couple pennies, and it saves Jeep the time and labor needed to put automatics in specific models.

Is Using A Manual Transmission Better For Off-Roading Anyway?

There is a question, though, that we shouldn't lose in the fold with this news breaking - is this a moot point to begin with? Is off-roading with a manual gearbox the preferred way of doing things?

We're not naive enough to say yes or no one way or another, because ultimately this comes down to personal preference. But there are definitely some pros of using manual transmissions on your off-roader, including the following:

• Better Control on Technical Terrain: Manual transmissions allow precise control over gear selection, giving drivers more control when navigating rocky, uneven, or steep terrain.
• Improved Engine Braking: When descending steep slopes, the ability to downshift manually provides superior engine braking, reducing reliance on your vehicle's brakes and preventing overheating.
• Enhanced Power Delivery: With manual transmissions, you can directly control torque and power output, allowing for smoother power delivery when crawling or overcoming obstacles at low speeds.

All these will factor into your decision, but in layman's terms, if you want more control over your off-roading experience, a stickshift will do the trick just fine if you know what you're doing.

When Will The 2025 Jeep Wrangler Be Released To Market?

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler is expected to be released to the market in late 2024. Jeep typically unveils their new models in the fall, and production usually follows shortly after, which is the timeline that we're in right now. Plus, there are a few minor improvements that you can look forward to that build off of the major changes released back in 2023.

Shop Wheels, Tires, Suspension & More For Your Jeep Wrangler At TrailBuilt Off-Road

So what do you think? Will you be getting a stickshift for your 2025 Wrangler? We want to know - of course, no matter what kind of rig you drive or are looking to build, we can help you out at TrailBuilt Off-Road. Check out our full inventory of Wrangler wheels, tires, suspension kits and more in stock now - our team is always standing by and ready to help you get what you want!