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Volkswagen listened and made sweeping changes to the mid-generation refresh for the GTI Golf. We take a look at the updates for this legendary hatchback.What is New for the 2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI?
Part of the first model year of the re-vamped Mk 8.5 Golf GTI family, Volkswagen’s pride and joy sporty hatchback comes at us with updated exterior styling, new alloy wheel designs, and mildly updated tech and features inside. All alongside a simple lineup of three trims.
Though it gains a few positives over the old Mk 8, there are a few things to consider with the new design as well before you pull the trigger on buying the new one. Especially if you’re expecting a true-to-form Golf GTI experience of the last few decades, you definitely want to check this out.
2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI – media.vw.com | Shop 2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI on Carsforsale.com
Carsforsale.com Score
8.75/10
Powertrain
Score
9/10
Interior
Score
8.75/10
Technology
Score
8.5/10
Value
Score
8.75/10
The Breakdown
Timeless styling
A gem of an engine
Competitive fuel economy
Ample rear legroom
Surprisingly good trunk space
FWD only
We miss the stuck shift
2025 Prius Specs
- 241 horsepower from base engine
- 273 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 3 available trims
- 19.9 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 34.5 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- Adaptive cruise control available
- 10.9-inch Touchscreen Navigation
- 4-year/50,000-mile limited warranty
2025 Golf GTI Drivetrain 9/10
On the face of it, the Golf GTI’s drivetrain shares much in common with the iconic VW Golfs of the past. It’s a two-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine nets 241 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. That’s good for a zero to 60 sprint in the mid-five-second range, about a second or so slower than the all-wheel drive Golf R. Because VW only sells sporty Golfs in the States these days, any one of them that you buy new packs multi-link suspension setups and low-profile tires for the best possible driving experience.
It sounds amazing, like it’s a mid-2020s analog to the 1.6-liter engine that started the breed with the Mk 1 Golf GTI back in the day. The problem is that there are a few inconsistencies with the modern interpretation. Let’s just come out and say it, there’s no more manual transmission. The final 2024 production year for the Mk 8 Golf GTI was the final time a VW hot hatchback left the factory sporting a stick shift and a third pedal. For people who grew up with the Golf GTI being a manual car by default, that is a bit disappointing.
Worse still, the European-spec Mk 8.5 Golf GTI gets an engine tune that gives the engine an extra 21 horsepower. Sadly, North Americans markets won’t get this luxury. We’re used to JDM brands skimping on the real highlights of their domestic auto production. But Volkswagen? That’s a puzzling decision on their part. Still, the seven-speed paddle-shift automatic you get in the 2025 Golf GTI is a perfectly snappy gearbox. In general, the Mk 8.5 is still a competent and very fun handling machine. Just not quite as pure or visceral as the ones of old.
2025 Golf GTI Interior 8.75/10
While this is indeed a hatchback, it’d be a little inaccurate to say the Golf GTI Mk 8.5 is a pipsqueak. Its 103.6-inch wheelbase gives it a good few inches over some of the hatchbacks out there, like the recently defunct Nissan Versa hatchback and Mitsubishi Mirage. With that in mind, the rear legroom is a solid 35”.
Cargo storage is pretty great for the size too. With 34.5 cubic feet of space behind the front seats with the rears in their stowed position, the practicality factor just gets higher and higher the more you dig into this. As for seat upholstery, the base S trim makes do with cloth in a funky plaid pattern, while the SE offers ArtVelour seat coverings in black. The range-topping Autobahn trim steps up with leather seats, plus the option of uber-plush Vienna leather for that extra pack of luxury.
2025 Golf GTI Tech and Features 8.5/10
First things first, the previous Mk 8 Golf GTI had one of the most polarizing interiors of nearly any car of the last few years. Either you loved its touchscreen HVAC controls and left-hand-side capacitive macropod with various functions, or you hated it. Plus, Volkswagen’s proprietary infotainment operating system was often bemoaned as a little wishy-washy as far as operation goes.
All the credit in the world to VW because they genuinely listened to what consumer feedback had to say. Firstly, the left-hand side macro pad has more prominent LED illumination for smoother operation, as does the rest of the capacitive controls beneath the center screen. Speaking of, it’s considerably bigger than before, even on the base trim. Does it exactly fix the criticisms levied at HVAC control systems partially integrated into center screens? Not exactly, but it’s still a remarkably more put-together infotainment suite than what was offered before.
Improved voice assistant software and a new steering wheel with buttons replacing the capacitive touch make for a more intuitive cockpit. With all the same driver aides as the Mk 8, plus, hands-on semi-autonomous driving via adaptive cruise control, it’s as modern as a 2025 automobile needs to be. Hats off to VW for responding to feedback effectively. It means we can go back to showering the marquee with praise instead of bickering about the downsides.
2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI Trims & Pricing
S – $33,670
You get a sweet plaid pattern on the cloth seats with heated front seats and a leather wrapped steering wheel along with a 10.9” center screen and digital gauge cluster.
SE – $38,465
Unique ArtVelour seat coverings, 18” R-design alloy wheels. The SE also adds a sunroof, premium sound system, and keyless entry. An optional Leather Seat package adds upgraded leather seating with front seat ventilation and driver seat power adjustment.
Autobahn – $42,105
Plush leather seats, adaptive dampening, and 19” alloy wheels. The Autobahn trim level also includes a head-up display, ventilated leather seats, and heating seating in the front and back.
2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI Overall Value 8.75/10
Think of the Golf GTI less in terms of miles per gallon and more like smiles per gallon or smiles per dollar. When measured from that perspective, it’s actually a really solid bargain. In terms of a brand-new compact sedans, the Golf GTI is admittedly still expensive, but totally worth it now that gen 8.5 worked out the problems.
CarsForSale.com Overall Score 8.75/10
2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI – media.vw.com | Shop 2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI on Carsforsale.com
Gen 8 was a hit-or-miss affair by most accounts, and that wasn’t something the GTI’s design team in Germany was going to take lying down. They got back, licked their wounds, and brought common sense solutions where they were needed desperately. Did they fix everything? Not quite. This is still not an interior for people who enjoy lots of buttons. But it’s a heck of a lot better and more intuitive than what came before. Kudos to VW, now keep it up.
FAQ’s For The 2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI
Is the Volkswagen GTI all-wheel drive?
The Volkswagen GTI is offered with front-wheel drive.
How much does the Volkswagen GTI cost?
The base Golf GTI S costs $33,670.
Is the Volkswagen GTI a diesel engine?
No, The 2025 Volkswagen GTI uses regular gasoline.
