The Latest VW Golf GTI and Golf R Raise an Already Impressive Bar

The 2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R received a midcycle refresh that is more impactful than mild. Indeed, VW listened to critics and delivered meaningful updates like sharper tech, smarter driver assists, and subtle design changes that keep the hot hatch looking fresh while seeming more mature.

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For starters, the new 12.9-inch screen with its updated infotainment system is a massive leap forward. We know because we lived with the old setup. In our long-term 2023 Volkswagen GTI, the 8.25-inch display was small and frustrating, and the software gave us plenty to complain about, too. The 2025 model turns the page, delivering a clean, easy-to-use interface with crisp graphics and the kind of screen size this car always deserved. It’s not flawless, as it still lacks a proper volume knob and physical climate controls instead of the fussy capacitive-touch buttons, but overall, the upgrades make a night-and-day difference.

Another welcome change is the return of regular steering wheel buttons on the GTI, replacing finicky haptic controls. Why the Golf R still clings to the latter remains a mystery. Both models, however, do benefit from practical improvements like four USB-C ports—two up front and two in the rear. For 2025, the GTI and R also got new headlights, redesigned bumpers, and a slightly longer stance to deliver a more modern look.

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Changes under the hood are subtle but meaningful. The Golf R now delivers 328 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque—13 more horses than before—while sticking with its trusty all-wheel-drive setup. The GTI carries on with 241 hp and 273 lb-ft sent exclusively to the front wheels. Unfortunately, for 2025 the beloved six-speed manual disappeared from the U.S. lineup. Every Golf GTI and R now comes with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

Still, the loss of the manual wasn’t enough to hold the latest VW Golf GTI and Golf R back from advancing to the finalist round. Judges praised each model’s sharp body control, the strong acceleration, and the dual-clutch’s incredibly fast shifts, though some criticized its ride as harsh on 19-inch wheels. “The GTI is in no way hindered by not having a manual,” deputy editor Alexander Stoklosa said. “The dual-clutch transmission is perfect, and it behaves the way you want it to; manual mode is sublime.”

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Measured against our criteria, the Golf delivered where it mattered. Its instantly recognizable shape is modernized without losing its identity, and the cabin’s tech upgrades finally make it feel appropriate for our time. On the road and on the track, its engineering excellence shines through with sharp handling and confidence-inspiring control—proving once again why the GTI and Golf R are benchmarks among hot hatches. For 2025, VW also made adaptive safety features standard across the lineup, while the GTI gained a host of tech with only a modest bump in price. Efficiency isn’t their strong suit—27 mpg combined for the GTI and 25 mpg for the R—but performance has always been the point here.

Can the Golf claim MotorTrend’s Car of the Year crown for a third time? You’ll find out soon enough. This review was conducted as part of our 2026 Car of the Year (COTY) testing, where each vehicle is evaluated on our six key criteria: efficiency, design, safety, engineering excellence, value, and performance of intended function. Eligible vehicles must be all-new or significantly revised.