2025 Volkswagen Golf

2025 Volkswagen Golf R Black Edition

Powertrain: 2.0L TSI 16-Valve DOHC Turbo 4-Cylinder R-Performance 4Motion AWD

Exterior Color: Mythos Black Metallic

Interior Color: Blue & Soul Black Cloth/ ArtVelours

Options: Golf R Euro Style Package ($3,795), Monster Mats/Trunk Liner ($296)

MSRP as tested: $53,731 (With Destination & Delivery)

Pros: Performance/Handling, Affordability (GTI), Versatility

Cons: No More Manual, Touch Controls, Price Creep

The Volkswagen Golf made its debut in May 1974 in Europe as a replacement for the iconic VW Beetle. The Golf reached the U.S. market a year later, in 1975, where it was sold under the name Volkswagen Rabbit. Since its debut, there have been eight generations with the most recent generation debuting in 2019. New for 2025, Golf gets an updated design (front & back), new paint colors, new wheel designs, improved infotainment, push-button steering wheel controls, and the loss of the manual transmission. There are two Golf models to choose from, the GTI or R.  GTI models are available in three trims known as S, SE, and Autobahn. All trims come with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4, paired only with a 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic and front wheel drive. It produces 241 horsepower and 273-pound feet of torque. Golf R models are available in a standard trim and in a Black Edition. Both come with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 that delivers 328 horsepower and 295-pound feet of torque mated to a  7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic. Golf R models get permanent AWD (VW’s 4Motion) with torque vectoring at the rear for better handling.

GTI models start at $32,445 for the S and climb to $40,880. The Golf GTI was recently named the Midwest Automotive Media Association’s favorite affordable vehicle at their annual Spring Rally. Pricing for the Golf R starts at $47,100 and climbs to $48,415 for the Black Edition. Competition includes the Audi S3, Honda Civic Si/Type R, Hyundai Elantra N, Toyota GR Corolla, Mazda3 Turbo, and Subaru WRX. I spent a week in each of the Golf models and here is what stood out. 

Exterior Style:

As part of its mid-cycle refresh of the eight generation Golf, both models received redesigned front bumpers with a wider-looking grille that features an illuminated VW badge.  It also received new LED headlights with a slimmer profile and sharper edges along with an LED lightbar across the front. VW integrates fog lights in the lower front fascia in one of the more unique ways with five different lights on each side that make it stand out at night. The side profile remains essentially the same and definitively a Golf. Around back are updated taillights with a revised graphic signature while the rest of the hatch remains unchanged. VW also gave Golf a variety of new wheel designs for both the GTI and R. The R has lighter forged 19-inch wheels as an option while GTI gets new 19-inch wheels on higher trims. New paint colors include Slate Blue Metallic and Alpine Silver Metallic which offer some fresh alternatives. Overall, most design changes are subtle, but still impactful. The clean, sleek front lighting reduces some of the muscular edge that some enthusiasts might favor in favor of some more subtle sophistication. 

Golf R Black Edition:

The Black Edition comes with larger intakes, gloss black trim, quad exhausts, and lighter wheels to amplify the sporty presence without going overboard. It’s a sinister looking Golf from all angles with blacked out badging, darkened R logos and a black tailpipe. It’s exclusively offered in Mythos Black or Lapiz Blue paint. Inside are sports black and blue Nappa leather upholstery with carbon-fiber trim accents. Also available is a Euro Style Package ($3,795) that includes weight-saving measures and an Akrapovič exhaust system with a more distinct exhaust note to distinguish it from the standard model. There’s limited production so this may be a model to get for 2025 if you want something more original. 

Powertrain / Handling:

The Golf GTI comes ready to perform at a reasonable price with its 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4.  Despite the manual going away this year, the 7-speed dual clutch automatic is still fun to drive. With 241 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque it will get from 0-60 MPH in around 5.6 seconds which feels quick for a compact hot hatch. It’s punchy from a stop and quick around corners. The turbo lag is minimal and well-managed. The GTI’s suspension and chassis tuning remain sharp. The car feels composed through corners, with a balance between firmness and comfort on imperfect roads. It also features an electronic limited-slip front differential that helps reduce wheel spin and understeer. This car is easy to drive with precise steering and confident road manners.  

Step up a level to the Golf R and the turbocharghed 2.0L inline-4 is tuned to deliver 328 horsepower and 310 lb-ft. of torque.  There’s still no manual, but this one comes standard with AWD and a torque-vectoring rear differential (able to distribute power side-to-side at rear) for better grip, handling, and ability to induce controlled oversteer. It will get from 0-60 MPH quicker in about 4.6 seconds and it will sound better doing it with a more robust exhaust system. The AWD + torque-vectoring rear diff gives the car excellent grip, especially exiting corners. This one glides around the corners confidently planted to the payment and zips right back into power mode as you accelerate. The Golf is available with various driving modes like Comfort, Sport, Race, Special, Drift, and Individual to allow you to tune driving (throttle response, AWD bias, suspension stiffness) depending on the situation and preference. The R comes with adaptive damping which helps balance comfort and agility. When pushed, the car remains stable, body control is good, and the ride isn’t harsh as long as you’re not in the stiffest mode.

Both models of the Golf are true drivers’ cars. They are engaging from the moment you hit the gas pedal and are fun to drive around town, and it is even more fun on the track. The GTI will deliver sufficient performance for most drivers, but if you want a little extra boost and are willing to pay for it, the Golf R is the pinnacle of VW’s performance vehicles right now. 

Fuel Economy

When the GTI arrived with a full 13.2-gallon tank it offered a driving range of around 350 miles. EPA estimates are 24 MPG City, 32 MPG Highway, and 27 MPG Combined.  Fuel economy is good for its class, especially on the highway. 

When the Golf R arrived with a full 14.5-gallon tank it offered a driving range of around 360 miles. EPA estimates are 22 MPG City, 31 MPG Highway, and 25 MPG Combined. The R has to haul more (AWD, more power), which hits the fuel economy, especially around town.

Both cars have turbocharged engines so premium unleaded is recommended with a minimum 91 octane or higher. Occasionally filling up with mid-grade won’t immediately damage the car, but long-term use of anything below 91 octane is not recommended. The Golf R especially benefits from 93 octane where available for smoother running, more consistent performance, and sometimes slightly better mpg.

Interior:

The Golf’s interior receives several upgrades for 2025, leaving it both practical and functional. VW does a better job of mixing higher-quality materials and nicer trim in the new models. The layout is simple and driver friendly. At the center of the dash is  a new 12.9” touchscreen that replaces the previous 10” screen from 2024. The infotainment software sees major improvements in usability, though some quirks remain. The menus are more intuitive and overall operation is smoother. However, touch controls remain along with sliders for controlling things like the volume which just don’t always work well and end up being more distracting from the road than helpful. The interaction speed / response of these touch surfaces sometimes lags behind physical controls in competitors. Thankfully, VW did bring back physical buttons to the steering wheel for some improved functionality. The system does wirelessly integrate with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which worked well. Golf R models will also come with a GPS lap timer (with Performance package) plus G-meter, ideal for track-oriented driving. A Harmon Kardon audio system is also available depending on the trim level. 

Behind the steering wheel is a 10.25” digital instrument cluster that has customizable views. Between the front seats is a small center console with a small nub of an electronic gear selector that tips forward or back to select gears. There’s a small tray for your mobile device, a couple cup holders, and a small storage bin.  

Seating:

The Golf officially seats five passengers, but the rear seats are best suited for either two adults or three children. The front seats are comfortable, supportive and relatively roomy.  The side bolsters are prominent and keep you snug in your seat.  Cloth, leather, Nappa, or ArtVelours seat materials are offered in different trims; hotter trims (GTI SE, R) get more premium upholstery and more aggressively bolstered seats.  A 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated rear outboard seats and ventilated front seats are also available. Golf R models come standard with the Nappa leather with R logos in the headrests and the front seats are heated and ventilated. Optionally ( in the Euro Style package) seats can be made of lighter materials - fabric/ArtVelours with diamond patterns - reducing weight but still delivering decent comfort.

Cargo:

The Golf offers decent versatility when it comes to cargo. With the rear seats up, it provides 19.9 cubic feet of cargo space. With the rear seats folded down, there’s 34.5 cubic feet. It lands somewhere in the middle of its competitors. The rear hatch is manual and can be opened by flipping the VW emblem on the back. Inside the cargo area there are also tie-down hooks / anchors so you can secure cargo. The load floor is fairly low, making loading large items less of a strain and the hatch opens wide.

Safety / Driver Assistance:

All Golfs come standard with IQ.DRIVE, VW’s suite of driver assistance features plus other passive and active safety systems. Standard features include:

• Forward-collision warning
• Automatic Emergency Braking (With Pedestrian Detection)
• Lane Departure Warning & Lane Keep Assist
• Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go
• Travel Assist
• Emergency Assist
• Blind Spot Monitoring
• Rear Traffic Alert
• Park Assist
• Rear View Camera
• Automatic Post-Collision Braking

The 2025 Volkswagen Golf also gets good safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Final Statement:

Whether you opt for the Golf GTI or Golf R you’re getting an iconic hot hatch that is fun-to-drive. They share much of the same strengths and weaknesses with the same infotainment system, interior space, and general exterior style. Both also have impressive handling and quick acceleration. The Golf R has a more potent engine, but it doesn't drastically improve the car's overall experience. The starting price for the Golf R is also about $15k higher than the GTI and it will burn more gas. After driving both I would say the GTI is the better value, but if money is no object, then the Golf R Black Edition is a sinister looking hatch with performance chops to match.