Volkswagen’s 2025 Golf GTI arrives with the expected incremental improvements and one glaring omission.
The manual transmission is dead. Completely gone. Vanished like common sense at a manufacturer planning meeting.
Every GTI now comes exclusively with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. Pour one out for the third pedal.
The Hardware Rundown
The familiar 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder carries over with 241 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. Nothing revolutionary, but respectable numbers for a hot hatch weighing an estimated 3,250 pounds.
That powertrain should deliver 0-60 mph in approximately 5.5 seconds – quick enough to embarrass your neighbor’s crossover but not quick enough to scare anyone with a Civic Type R.
Fuel economy ratings land at 24 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined. Practical enough to justify this as your daily driver.
The chassis benefits from VW’s VAQ limited-slip differential and adaptive damping system with selectable driving profiles. Translation: it’ll still corner properly when pushed.
Interior Evolution, Not Revolution
VW finally addressed their catastrophic haptic control experiment. Physical buttons return to the steering wheel. Drivers with functioning nerve endings rejoice.
The dashboard now features a 12.9-inch central touchscreen with backlit touch sliders that actually provide feedback when you adjust them.
Interior materials receive a modest upgrade with:
- Faux carbon-fiber trim elements
- Improved seat materials and stitching
- Better overall fit and finish
The Clubsport S Is Coming
While the standard GTI plays it safe, the upcoming Clubsport S variant promises to be the GTI that enthusiasts actually want.
Reports indicate it will pack around 330 horsepower – a significant bump over the standard car and even more than the current 328-hp Golf R.
Weight reduction measures will accompany that power increase, creating what could be the most focused GTI in years.
Pricing for the standard 2025 GTI starts at $32,445 for the base S trim. That’s reasonable money for what you get, even without the manual option.
The Clubsport S will command a significant premium when it arrives, but it might be the only GTI worth considering for those who view driving as more than transportation.
Sometimes evolution means losing something essential. The GTI’s third pedal was exactly that.
