2025 VW Golf GTI and Golf R Make First Appearance in U.S.-Spec Form
These refreshed hot hatchbacks no longer offer manual transmissions and carry starting prices of $33,670 for the GTI and $48,325 for the Golf R.By Joey CapparellaPublished: Apr 17, 2025
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Joey Capparella|Car and Driver
- Volkswagen’s two hot hatchbacks, the Golf GTI and Golf R, are both refreshed for 2025.
- VW had previously revealed the Euro-spec versions of these cars, but this is our first time seeing the U.S.-spec versions.
- The 2025 Golf GTI starts at $33,670, and the 2025 Golf R starts at $48,325.
VW’s updated hot hatchbacks have finally landed in the U.S. We spotted the new 2025 Golf GTI and Golf R today at the New York auto show, and Volkswagen confirmed that this is the first appearance of the U.S.-spec versions of these refreshed models. The big news for 2025 is that both Golfs sadly lose their manual transmissions. VW has also made changes to the sport compact cars’ infotainment systems, equipment, and powertrains.
Joey Capparella|Car and Driver
The GTI Autobahn pictured here is painted in a new color called Slate Blue. In addition to that, you can spot several small changes that VW made to the U.S. car when compared to the Europe-spec models revealed last year. We can see amber turn signals in the headlights and yellow reflectors on the front fenders; the U.S.-spec car’s taillights also appear to be unchanged from those on the previous GTI, as they don’t adopt the new design seen on the Euro cars. These same tweaks apply to the U.S.-spec 2025 Golf R, which was shown in its new Black Edition trim.
Joey Capparella|Car and Driver
Joey Capparella|Car and Driver
VW had already announced U.S. pricing and specs for the 2025 Golf GTI and Golf R. The GTI starts at $33,670 and will be offered in S, SE, and Autobahn trim levels, and it carries on with the same 241-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four from before. The Golf R gets a 13-hp increase for its turbo-four and now produces 328 horsepower; it starts at $48,325, and the Black Edition costs $1315 extra. The seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is now the only choice across the board for both models.
