It's a historic year for the 2025 VW Golf GTI, a hot-hatch long beloved by driving enthusiasts. For the first time in its 50 years on the road, it won't offer a manual transmission. While that's likely to cause some to reach for their Kleenex box, the good news is that a fun, engaging ride is about a lot more than a stick shift, and the 2025 GTI proves it. Its refresh also brings welcome design, upgraded technology, and expanded driver assistance updates.
Exterior
My entry-level S model wears Alpine Silver Metallic, a new-for-2025 hue and rides on 18-inch 5-spoke design alloy wheels with all season tires and red brake calipers. The GTI also features a unique grille, bumpers, side skirts, exterior trim, rear roof spoiler, and chrome-tipped exhaust.
The entire lineup gains revised headlight and bumper designs plus illumination for both the upper grille and VW logo. Up front, a large single-piece honeycomb lower air intake grille is a tribute to previous generations. The GTI red line now runs through the revised headlights. Designers also added GTI badging on the doors. Also new for 2025, an adaptive front-lighting system.
There are also performance LED headlights and daytime running lights along with X-Shaped LED fog lights and cornering lights. In back, an LED taillight cluster. All GTIs also feature side mirror puddle lights that project a stylized golf ball pattern with a GTI logo.
Performance
There are no horsepower changes for 2025. A turbocharged 2.0-liter four cylinder delivers 241-horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. A smooth-shifting 7-speed dual-clutch automatic - the only transmission available - features paddle shifters. Acceleration is - true to GTI form - fantastic, and the sport exhaust note is definitely alluring. As with other VW's, the start/stop system is noticeable, but you can deactivate it.
The GTI isn't short of performance-minded equipment which includes a torque-sensing limited slip differential, a cross differential system, and four-wheel sport suspension. (For an adaptive damping system, you'll need the Autobahn trim.
ESC Sport and ESC Off functions are only for use by very experienced drivers on closed courses like racetracks.
Interior
The GTI S's interior shows its sporty - driver centric - yet practical side. Its Titan black and plaid cloth interior fits the GTI's vibe perfectly. It's nice to see even the entry-level S get new carbon gray decor throughout the cabin. Brushed stainless-steel pedals are standard on all trims.
The bolstered front sport seats with GTI embroidery are expertly made to keep you comfortable and hold you in place. Another plus: they're heated even on the entry-level trim. The driver's seat has power recline but is otherwise manually adjusting.
It's clear what the GTI is all about when you dig into the 10.25-inch VW Cockpit Pro digital display. You find a lap timer and other performance info, all bright and easy to read. New for 2025, the heated, multifunction GTI-badged sport steering wheel ditches haptic touch controls in favor of push-button controls, due to driver feedback.
A new center stack features a new 12.9-inch display. I did find the touchscreen to be surprisingly hot to the touch on a summer day. It runs VW's Discover Pro system with standard wireless App-Connect (CarPlay and Android Auto). It's also where you'll find Ida, your personal voice assistant. You'll access 30-color ambient lighting through the system as well as re-configured “mood” lighting profiles.
Below the screen, you find automatic climate control and audio volume sliders, not my favorite in terms of easy-to-use, but they are newly illuminated. I like the glossy black center console and the gear shift - but I had trouble with the console bin.
Legroom is nice in the 60/40 split second row. But you lose a bit of headroom due to stadium seating. Cloth seats are comfortable and passengers get a nice-sized center armrest. There is more plastic back here but the door panels do get some suede treatment and red stitching.
Soft-touch seat backs are a nice touch and I like the upper double pockets, you don't see that often. There is a center pass through to the cargo area and overhead lighting. Speaking of cargo area, there's plenty of it, one of the things that makes hot hatches so practical.
Other standard S features include a 7-speaker audio system, a new 15W wireless charging pad, automatic rain-sensing windshield wipers, push-button start, carpeted front/rear floor mats and USB-C ports for both rows.
Safety
The GTI has a list of safety features- including IQ Drive with hands-on semi-automated capability. It includes: Travel Assist (semi-automated driving assistance); Front Assist (Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring); Active Side Assist (Blind Spot Monitor); Rear Traffic Alert; Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Stop and Go; Lane Assist (Lane Keeping System) and Emergency Assist (semi-automated vehicle assistance in a medical emergency).
The S trim is also equipped with dynamic road sign display, park distance control front and rear and rear view camera.
Ride and Drive
As a hot hatch, the Golf GTI is by definition a vehicle you're going to have fun driving, even without a 6-speed manual. Exceptional driving dynamics include sharp steering, nimble handling and a great ride quality thanks to its sport suspension.
Of four drive modes, Sport offers the best throttle response. Large front and rear brakes deliver excellent track-ready braking performance.
Options
Just one option, Monster Mats ($190).
What You'll Pay
Ringing it at just under $34,000 - the Golf GTI S is a great value. Especially given it has all of VW's latest technology which includes its infotainment system and touchscreen, Digital Cockpit Display and IQ Drive driver assistance features.
Verdict
If you can get past the fact it's no longer available with a manual transmission, you'll find that the refreshed Golf GTI gets some great updates for 2025, while still delivering its storied excellent sporty driving dynamics.
2025 VW Golf GTI S
- What I Liked most: Engaging driving dynamics - fun to drive ride, 12.9-inch display color and graphics.
- What I would change: Touchscreen display seems way too hot to the touch on summer days.
- MSRP: Base: $32,445. As equipped: $33,860.
- Official Color: Alpine Silver Metallic.
- Fuel Economy: 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway/27 mpg combined.
- Odometer when tested: 1,710 miles.
- Curb Weight: 3,183 pounds.
- Spare tire: Space-saving emergency spare.
- Length-Width-Height: 168.9" long/70.4" wide/57.7” high.
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 13.2 gallons with filler on the passenger side.
- Towing Capacity: N/A.
- 2025 VW GTI S in a few words: A prime example that good things happen when you listen to your customers..
- Warranty: 4-years/50000 Miles New Vehicle Limited warranty, 7-years/100,000 Miles corrosion perforation warranty
- Final Assembly Location: Wolfsburg, Germany.
- Manufacturer's website: Volkswagen
