What we know!
Within this current model year, the Golf R has received a face life of sorts, including redesigned headlights which swivel with steering inputs, a new front VW logo that now lights up and a reworked grille featuring more of an open concept. This concept serves to improve engine and brake cooling. More changes come in the form of a new set of 19-inch forged wheels, which shed a combined 16 pounds of unsprung mass. There’s also an exciting new Black Edition, where VW swaps out wheels, body badges and brake calipers for all things black, with black-painted replacements that add all-out style. That is in addition to outfitting the interior with real carbon-fiber trim and overall carbon-gray decor, resulting in an upscale complement for the returning Nappa leather seating surfaces, 30-color ambient lighting and 10-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio.
Similar to the GTI, the Golf R for 2025 benefits from its own mechanical adaptive front lighting system, adding auto-leveling and cornering lamps to the LED headlight clusters. In addition, each R features Park Assist Plus, which is a hands-free self-parking driver assist system.
With a $3,795 Euro Style Package, an Akrapovic titanium axle-back exhaust finisher and ArtVelours seats are presented.
In abandoning its manual, Volkswagen instead for the Golf offered more desirable parts that had once been reserved only for European models. In addition to the lighter wheels, the Euro Style kit shaves off around 80 pounds by deleting the sunroof and stripping the front seats of their ventilated cushions and power-sliding functions. A special exhaust that is 15 pounds lighter than the standard system is also presented.
In the area of power, the Golf R features under hood a 2.0-liter turbo four which feeds a familiar seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. While the engine still makes 295 lb-ft of torque, its powerband is slightly wider and output rises from 315 to 328 hp. As a result, the Golf R is indeed the mightiest hot hatch in America, surpassing the manual-only 320-hp Acura Integra Type S.
Boasting a broad bandwidth, the Golf R through its standard adaptive dampers provide a wide ride-quality spectrum that ranges from stiff to supple. Drivers even enjoy a Drift mode that overpowers the outside rear wheel for tail-wagging behavior. In fact, in Special or Drift drive modes, the vehicle provides all that is needed for today’s driver.
The 4Motion all-wheel-drive is a difference maker without a doubt, shuffling power to the wheels predictably and intuitively. In fact, thanks to this setup, the drivetrain’s rear differential can send as much as 100 percent of rear torque to either side of the car, making it reasonably easy for the hatch’s rear end to come around and with just some throttle modulation.
Design-wise, the Golf’s interior features a nicer trim on the dash and doors, with a model-year refresh also including a new 12.9-inch touchscreen that replaces the old 10.0-inch unit. Backlit sliders help control the volume knob, while the new MIB3 infotainment interface provides ease of which to operate thanks to larger icons, quicker responses and a more logical layout.
There is also a new AI voice assistant powered by ChatGPT.
With a starting price tag of $48,325, the Golf, when fully loaded, is right on par with other luxury sedans, yet the clear winner due to its practical hot hatch look and feel.
Added power, updated styling, improved tech and all-new options on the brand’s flagship AWD extra-hot hatch means that drivers’ needs of today have definitely been met! The overcompensator? You bet! Take a test drive, and reserve yours today!