2025 Volkswagen Golf R

If you need one car to be nearly everything an enthusiast driver could possibly want it to be (efficient commuter, capable canyon carver, car-pool-friendly kid carrier, cavernous cargo hauler, autocross champion), there is still no substitute for a Volkswagen Golf GTI.

The GTI starts at $33,670 (all prices include a $1,225 destination charge), and the Golf R’s base price is $48,325.

Catch up on everything you might’ve missed at the 2024 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Volkswagen’s performance Golf GTI and Golf R hatchbacks are updated for the 2025 model year — without a manual transmission.

Volkswagen is refreshing what many enthusiasts consider its halo cars, the GTI and Golf R hatchbacks, for the 2025 model year.

The refreshed model features tweaked front and rear styling, new wheel designs, an updated infotainment system and no more manual transmission.