The Golf R has long been a source of debate among the team, usually in this-or-that discussions. More often than not, it ends up the winner of these keyboard debates and armchair comparisons, even against stiffer competitors. We are not totally surprised; this extra spicy hot hatch really is one of the most well-rounded options on the market. The recently updated 2025 Volkswagen Golf R takes a good thing and makes it even better, upping the ante in the game it is already winning.
What’s new for 2025?
The current, eighth-generation Golf R has always been a sharp looker, and the refresh for 2025 makes it even better. The new headlight and front bumper adds to the Golf R’s already all-business look, and the black-and-white theme as part of the optional Black Edition dress-up is appropriately sporty. In a segment where you can go big spoiler, widebody, or a whole ‘lotta vents, the Golf R actually stands out to us for its clean and sleek lines. Yet again, less is more.
Moving on inside, you will find a new 12.9-inch touchscreen housing Volkswagen’s latest MIB3 infotainment system. While the screen is visibly larger and resolution is ultra-vivid, we would prefer a more integrated design, as the freestanding look seems a bit out-of-place on the Golf R’s otherwise clutter-free dashboard design. Curiously, the Golf R did not receive the same update as the GTI, which reversed its course on its capacitive — and very disliked — steering wheel touch panels. We find the decision to not update them on both models baffling.
The rest of the cabin is quite lovely, especially with our tester’s optional grey fabric seating and the carbon fibre trim pieces. The Golf R feels roomy for its size; we never had any issues with head- or legroom in either row, and the 564-litre cargo hold is plenty usable with the rear seats up. The Harman Kardon sound system produces above-average sound quality, but keep in mind audiophiles do not typically gravitate towards hot hatches. [The old Fender system was much better, anyway. —Ed.]
How does the new Golf R drive?
The 2025 Golf R is powered by the fourth-generation version of Volkswagen’s famed EA888 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It now produces 328 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, improvements of 13 and 15, respectively. Gone is the option to shift on your own gears, but the standard seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is a good consolation prize. It responds lightning-quick to kick-downs and feels rewarding when firing off gear shifts.
The Golf R will happily rocket off the line without any slip, either, with its standard all-wheel-drive. It does so with such poise that you almost feel like the speedometer is slightly off. Aside from the extra power, the big deal here for 2025 is the optional Akrapovic exhaust, adding some much-needed growl and character to the R without making owners go for an aftermarket system. Best of all, this exhaust adds visual appeal with its aggressive, almost oversized quad tips.
Handling continues to be another strong suit of the 2025 Golf R. Not only is it highly responsive to our commands, but it also feels intuitive as it hooks to the pavement to launch out of any fast corners. The all-wheel-drive system features real torque vectoring, in that it sends power to any wheels that need grip, rather than applying brakes to the inner wheels. On a tight corner, you can really feel the Golf R rotate as you gradually apply more throttle at the apex. When the fun needs to stop, the oversized brakes do a marvellous job hauling the Golf R to a stop, and the consistent pedal feel inspires confidence.
Is the updated Golf R worth it?
Base price of the 2025 Volkswagen Golf R is $53,595, with our tester having added the $500 Pure White paint with black roof, and the $3,000 titanium exhaust system to bring the as-tested total to $57,095. Standard on all Golf Rs is IQ.Drive, Volkswagen’s full suite of driver and active safety assists. It now includes Park Assist Plus for 2025, in addition to Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian and Cyclist Monitoring, Dynamic Road Sign Display, Park Distance Control, and Adaptive Cruise Control. It’s a bit of a jump from last year’s car, but it seems like each one of its competitors are not any cheaper, and the exhaust system alone is worth the bump.
Perhaps not so much for Volkswagen, but lucky for all of us driving enthusiasts, the 2025 Volkswagen Golf R faces incredibly stiff competition. Entries like the GR Corolla and Acura Integra Type S are excellent, and we would even pit it against heavier hitters like the BMW M240i xDrive and the Audi S3. Still, we continue to find ourselves preferring the Golf R: it has always been an incredibly well-rounded daily driver, and this latest update makes it even harder for anyone else to dethrone it.
