Our Thoughts Exactly: 2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI

Flashback to late May, when George and I were at Road America for the Midwest Automotive Media Association Spring Rally. It was Day 2 at the Motorplex – the karting course – and it was autocross time! 

We spotted a Kings Red Metallic 2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI SE among the vehicles in the grid. We thought “of, this is perfect for the autocross! What could possibly go wrong?” Or, right?

Those questions will not be answered. Only to say that the Golf GTI was not harmed by any of us. In fact, it did its thing even on a tight karting course. 

They always have. That is why enthusiasts have been flocking to all eight generations of this seminal “hot hatch” for the past 50 years – across almost every continent.

The Golf GTI (in the USA, we received it was a Rabbit GTI from the Westmoreland, Pennsylvania plant towards the end of the first generation’s run stateside) was the reference point for the “hot hatch” or “sport compact” genre. It changed our worldview of performance cars for good. That combination of practicality and high revving excitement has brought enthusiasts of many ages and generations to its clutches – and DSGs. 

A couple of months later, a Kings Red Metallic 2025 Golf GTI SE eventually followed us home. We had our suspicions that this was the same exact car George and I ran at Road America. That’s another question we won’t address on here. 

Let’s take this approach: It’s the Mk8.5 model in the middle trim. It’s an updated model with a few features that were not on the last Golf GTI we reviewed – and made a video on. And, no, we did not take this on a closed circuit during our time with this tester. 

Here’s a spoiler…I liked it much better this time around. 

Compared to the 2023 Golf GTI we had; there is really nothing new to report regarding the mid-cycle refresh. Mostly it is a series of slight updates. There is more LED illimitation up front with different side badge placement onto the front doors. 

Otherwise, it is a familiar shape. The two-box design holds up as a familiar sight for enthusiast’s eyes. The eighth-generation model is sleeker, however. The large lower front grille sports a five-slot fog lamp setup – a new Golf GTI signature. The evolution of ther roofline and rear end keeps things in order for loyal drivers. 

This SE tester adds a set of 18-inch five-spoke “two-tone” alloy wheels to the Golf GTI’s design. It is perhaps the most revolutionary detail on a very familiar exterior. 

Interior-wise, more familiarity from the earlier Mk8 Goff GTI. The Digital Cockpit Pro offers a two-dial format on a completely digital screen. You can customize the screen for the information you need. You can also change the “background” to a native navigation view. 

Our SE tester sports a 12.9-inch infotainment screen on a flat panel attached to the center stack. You can tether your smartphone to the App-Connect system wirelessly. The result is solid sound through a set of Harman Kardon premium speakers. There are also a few pre-set audio settings you can fine tune your sound from these speakers. 

One thing to note is how it can be somewhat tricky the infotainment system is to navigate. There were some functions that I could not get to work competently with the infotainment system. 

In good news, the steering wheel has real, honest-to-God tactile controls. This to offset some of the haptic/soft touch controls found elsewhere in the cockpit. Selecting the DSG is through a toggle switch on the console. There are other words to describe the “shifter.” Thankfully, there are paddle shifters on the steering wheel to fine tune your gear selection. 

The high-back bucket seats lock you in with sold bolstering. They are comfortable, as well. Being seating on long drives felt fine, as long as you are invested in your time behind the wheel. Rear seat room seemed tight for larger adults, but perfect for smaller folks. 

The upholstery is an interesting mix of cloth materials – including one called ArtVelours. It looked and felt like a mix of a velour and a suede material. The seat pattern has an interesting name – one that evokes jealously from the Golf GTI faithful stateside. It is called “Clubsport.” 

The reason why the Golf GTI has so many faithful enthusiasts is its practicality to go with its “hot hatch” credentials. Wth the rear seats up, there is 19.9 cubic feet of space. Fold down the rear seats to open it up to 34.5 cubic feet of cargo volume. 

While practicality is a major attraction, enthusiasts are more interested in what’s underneath the hood. There’s the EA888 turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, for starters. That motor delivers 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Our tester came with the only transmission available on the 2025 Golf GTI – the seven-speed DSG gearbox. This power is sent to the front wheels only. 

Sorry, folks, no manual transmissions are available anymore on the Golf GTI…

Yet, that might not be a bad thing. The DSG shifts quicker than the manual. It is faster off the mark. It makes freeway jaunts a lot of fun. Heck, it cruises quite nicely, even though that exhaust note encourages you to kick a little butt whenever the opportunity presents itself. 

We often forget about another key attraction to the 2025 Golf GTI – it’s efficiency. During our time with this seminal “hot hatch,” we observed an average of 31.0 MPG. 

One thing to expect from a 2025 Golf GTI is a taut chassis with a sporting feel. You have to remind yourself of its credentials and reputation before you tackle a winding road. Without an adaptive suspension, you simply just feel your ways through the turns. It does so unapologetically. You want to have fun, but you don’t want to scare yourself to death. Don’t worry, the 2025 Golf GTI has your back. It will treat you with controlled thrills, thanks to its sport suspension and VAQ Limited Front Slip Differential Lock. 

 The steering system exhibits a certain feel, especially when take the corners. It has a solid feel, enabling you to take precise turns. On-center was solid, as well. As far as the brakes are concerned, the red-painted front calipers look like they would stop on a dime. They do in both normal and panic situations. Pedal feel was good, as was its response to the wheels. 

For the 2025 model year, you have a choice of three trim levels on the Golf GTI. Pricing starts from $32,445. Our SE tester came with a sticker price of $38,835. 

Combining the two experiences of the karting course and extensive driving on the road, you can only conclude that the 2025 Golf GTI remains true to its mission. It is the first thing you think of when it comes to the “hot hatch” and the “sport compact.” It is definitive in the way to invites you to enjoy a nice stretch of highway or a series of curves through the mountains. 

It may not be as “tight” as some enthusiasts would like it to be. Then again, not everyone is a hardcore enthusiast. 

However, it does not take a “car bro” to appreciate the fun factor the 2025 Golf GTI has to offer. It takes a good driver and a great sense of direction to enjoy a vehicle that is still worth the experience of taking one on a nice run. 

DISCLAIMER: Vehicle provided by Volkswagen of America – our opinions are of our own.

All photos by Randy Stern