Volkswagen’s hottest hatch just got even hotter. For 2025, the Golf R gains more power, sharper looks, and enticing new options, making it an even more formidable player in the performance hatchback game.  

Let’s talk power first, because that’s why we’re all here. Under the bonnet, the 2025 Golf R’s turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine now produces 245 kW (328 horsepower) - 10 kW (13 horsepower) more than last year’s model. It still sends that power to all four wheels via VW’s excellent 4Motion all-wheel-drive system and a slick seven-speed dual-clutch DSG gearbox. The result? More punch, more grip, and more grins behind the wheel.  

Visually, VW has dialed up the aggression with revised headlights, a sharper front bumper, and a new illuminated light bar that integrates the front logo. If stealthy style is your thing, the new Black Edition is your ticket. It brings blacked-out wheels, brake calipers, and carbon fiber accents, giving the Golf R a meaner, motorsport-inspired aesthetic.  

Then there’s the Euro Style package, a proper nod to the purists. It swaps out leather seats for fabric ones, deletes the sunroof for weight savings, and adds a set of 19-inch forged alloy wheels that are 20% lighter than the standard setup. Oh, and did we mention the Akrapovič titanium exhaust? It not only saves weight but also adds an extra layer of drama to every blip of the throttle.  

Inside, the Golf R now features a larger 32.8 cm (12.9-inch) touchscreen running VW’s updated infotainment system. Shared with the ID.Buzz, it’s faster, more intuitive, and brings a modern edge to the interior. However, fans of traditional controls might lament that the Golf R sticks with haptic feedback buttons on the steering wheel, while the GTI gets hard buttons for 2025.  

Speaking of the GTI, it retains its 180 kW (241 horsepower) turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and seven-speed DSG, but sadly, the manual gearbox is no longer an option for either the GTI or the Golf R. While the GTI Clubsport won’t be making its way to the US, both the GTI and Golf R come loaded with VW’s IQ.Drive active safety features, including adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and Park Assist Plus as standard on the Golf R.  

Pricing details for the 2025 GTI and Golf R are still under wraps, but both models will hit showrooms in just a few months. With its extra power and sharper looks, the 2025 Golf R continues to define what a proper hot hatch should be: fast, fun, and unapologetically exciting.