Volkswagen Golf GTI [US] (2025)

S and SE models come with 18-inch wheels with 225/40 all-season tires as standard; S models with a 5-spoke design, and SE models with a black diamond-turned surface in a split 5-spoke design. Autobahn models feature a new 19-inch wheel design inspired by the Mk5 Golf GTI's classic "horseshoe" wheel and 235/35 summer tires. Trademark red brake calipers reside behind every wheel option for GTI models.

Returning colors for the 2025 Golf GTI include Mythos Black Metallic, Opal White Pearl Effect, and Moonstone Grey. The newly available Slate Blue Metallic and Alpine Silver Metallic colors replace the outgoing model's Atlantic Blue and Reflex Silver, respectively.

Interior

The 2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI features an enthusiast-oriented cabin that is at the same time highly practical. There is 91.9 cu-ft of interior room, along with 19.9 cu-ft of luggage space-space that rivals midsize sedans. The versatility of the load space is enhanced by a trunk floor that can be raised or lowered, while the 60:40 split backrest can be folded down to give an almost flat cargo area of 34.5 cu-ft, enough to accommodate grocery runs, travel bags and suitcases, or even a full-size bicycle.

Heated and bolstered front sports seats recall the first Golf GTI with their unique ergonomics, integrated head restraints, red stitching, "GTI" embroidery, and standard grey and black tartan "Scalepaper" style fabric on the seat and backrest areas. SE models offer new Clubsport ArtVelours seating surfaces in Soul Black with red accents as well as optional Vienna leather seating surfaces in two-tone black and grey with red accents, the latter of which is standard on Autobahn. Red is also used for decorative seams and edging on all trims.

The driver-centric design focus of the Golf GTI is evident from the new center stack, which features a freestanding 12.9-inch display that is angled slightly towards the driver-a trait frequently seen in premium luxury and performance vehicles. The Golf GTI has a premium performance personality that is further accentuated with black headliner, buttons that are backlit in white, and the use of premium materials and soft-touch plastics throughout. New Carbon Gray décor is featured throughout the cabin. Brushed stainless-steel pedals are standard on all trims.

The driver controls are positioned to help optimize ergonomics and usability. For instance, the driving lights and defrost functions are operated using a shared "Light and Sight" digital panel to the left of the steering wheel. Touch sliders used below the infotainment display to adjust the standard Climatronic® automatic climate control and to change audio volume-these are illuminated for 2025.

The 2025 Golf GTI boasts a heated multifunction sport steering wheel with new push-button controls. Three silver spokes are complemented by a red outline on the lower spoke surrounding a GTI wheel clip. The steering wheel features controls for the Digital Cockpit Pro instrument cluster and has rocker switches for volume adjustment and audio selections. On the left side of the steering wheel, a Travel Assist button engages the standard semi-automated hands-on partially-automated, hands-on driver assistance features and capacitive sensors monitor to make sure the driver has their hands on the wheel. All models are equipped with paddle shifters.

Ambient lighting is standard on the Mk8 GTI and washes the interior with color. Thirty colors are selectable and illuminate the decorative trim in the dash and doors, storage compartments in the doors and center console, and the footwells. The digital instruments and infotainment system also take on the selected background color. Along with the individual colors, pre-configured "mood" lighting profiles can be selected.

Every 2025 Golf GTI is equipped with a plethora of comfort and convenience features. All trims have standard Climatronic Touch automatic climate control, automatic rain-sensing windshield wipers, automatic headlights, auto-dimming rearview mirror, LED reading lights, push-button start, and Volkswagen Car-Net® with Wi-Fi capability when you subscribe to a data plan. SE models add KESSY® keyless access, and the optional leather package adds driver seat power with memory and ventilation for front seats. The top-of-the-line Autobahn further adds three-zone Climatronic with controls for rear seat passengers, standard Vienna leather sports seats, a 12-way power driver's seat with memory, ventilated front seats, heated rear outboard seats, and a head-up display, which is digitally projected onto the windshield, virtually floating in front of the driver. A panoramic power tilt-and-slide sunroof is standard on the SE and Autobahn trims, operated by a touch slider at the front of the headliner.

The 2025 GTI offers a conveniently connected experience. The Discover Pro MIB3 infotainment system with navigation and a 12.9-inch display is standard for model year 2025, and features voice control, Bluetooth technology for compatible devices, multi-phone pairing, HD radio, and SiriusXM® with 360L (three-month Premium Plan trial). Plus Speech with AI, Volkswagen's generative AI-enabled voice assistant, is available through a subscription in the myVW mobile app and a one-year trial is included. Connecting devices is easy with standard wireless App-Connect (CarPlay® and Android AutoTM) and a new ventilated 15W wireless charging pad for compatible devices. Four USB-C ports are available-two front, and two charge-only rear-all of which feature 45-watt fast charging.

The advanced Volkswagen Digital Cockpit system, standard on all GTI models, presents drivers with a fully digital instrument cluster. All models receive the 10.25-inch fully configurable Digital Cockpit Pro with up to four views-including full-screen navigation-and numerous viewing options, including car status, navigation, driving data, phone information, driver assistance features, and more. When using the native navigation system, drivers are able to display a full screen map in the digital cluster and simultaneously on the center display.

User experience designers have developed a unique GTI graphics layout for the standard Digital Cockpit. It can be opened using the new "View" button on the steering wheel and consists of a combination of three round instruments: the rev counter with GTI logo in the center surrounded by one round instrument each on the left and right. These can be individually assigned, for instance to show the engine's boost pressure or the current power output.

There are two speaker configurations for GTI-entry S models include seven speakers; SE and Autobahn feature the Harman Kardon® audio system with 480 watts, nine speakers including a subwoofer, and a 12-channel amplifier.

SiriusXM with 360L. Golf GTI models offer the most advanced audio entertainment platform-SiriusXM with 360L. SiriusXM with 360L combines satellite and streaming content delivery into a single, cohesive in-vehicle entertainment experience and provides more choice and a more personalized listening experience. Available by subscription (three-month trial subscription included), SiriusXM with 360L delivers more SiriusXM channels, an expansive library of on demand content, plus personalized "For You" recommendations help listeners to discover more of what they love. An enhanced sports play-by-play offering makes it easier to find the listener's favorite team when it is game time, and individual listener profiles allow multiple drivers and passengers to customize their own favorite channels.

Volkswagen Car-Net®. For model year 2025, myVW users can enroll in a number of Car-Net connected vehicle services such as: Remote Access, Safe & Secure, VW Vehicle Insights, and Wi-Fi- Hotspot. Click here to read more about Car-Net.

Powertrain

The 2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI is powered by a compact turbocharged engine, just like the past four generations. The 2.0-liter TSI® turbocharged and direct-injection unit that powers the Golf GTI is a member of the fourth-generation EA888 engine family and is built in Volkswagen's state-of-the-art factory in Gyor, Hungary.

The GTI's EA888 evo4 engine displaces 1984cc and produces 241 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 273 lb-ft of torque at just 1,600 rpm. The evo4 engine is paired with a 7-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission with Tiptronic®. The transmission incorporates a Start-Stop System designed to save fuel, as well as a launch control feature.

The EA888 engine line is a masterpiece of modern engine design that balances performance, efficiency, and drivability in a lightweight and compact package. The powerful four-cylinder engine uses an aluminum-alloy crossflow cylinder head that houses dual overhead camshafts. Volkswagen's latest variable cam phasing system, which controls both intake and exhaust valves, as well as a variable lift system for the exhaust valves, help allow the traditionally opposing goals of performance and efficiency to be met simultaneously. The exhaust headers of the EA888 engine have been integrated directly into the cylinder head. This not only improves the system coolant operation (aiding rapid warm-up, which helps improve efficiency), but also allows greater thermal management of the exhaust stream. This, along with a turbocharger that can withstand extremely high exhaust temperatures, means the forced-induction system doesn't require complex fuel enrichments under high load, helping improve efficiency at the other side of the curve.

The EA888 evo4 was enhanced to optimize power development. Fuel is delivered by the latest high-pressure direct-fuel-injection system at 5,076 pounds per square inch, compared to 2,900 psi on the previous EA888 engine. Internal friction is minimized compared to its predecessor, which helps the GTI hold its torque peak over a broader rpm range and gives the Mk8 Golf GTI noticeably more tractive power. A secondary benefit of reduced friction is that engine acoustics are improved.

EPA-estimated fuel economy is 24 mpg in the city, 32 mpg on the highway, and 27 mpg combined.

Chassis

The eighth-generation Golf GTI is built on Volkswagen's MQB modular platform. The unitary construction chassis has two solid-mounted subframes with bolt-on front fenders, and utilizes technologies such as the laser clamp welder, which produces "wobble seam" welds in a wave pattern to help maximize strength in a limited space.

The VW Golf GTI has a stamped steel body and chassis that boasts a large percentage of high-strength, hot-formed steel. This technology allows much of the chassis and body to be constructed from thinner and lighter parts without loss in strength. In the Mk8, the chassis benefits from a further increase in the use of ultra-high-strength steel and an extremely rigid aluminum subframe.

The running gear on the Mk8 GTI features several modifications designed to increase precision and driving stability over the Mk7. The strut-type front suspension has reconfigured wishbone bearings and revised damping hydraulics. The springs and buffer stops were reconfigured as well, to give a front axle spring rate 5% higher than Mk7 GTI. The multilink rear axle features similar modifications, including a new wheel mount, wishbone bearing and spring setup, as well as reconfigured auxiliary springs. The spring rate at the rear axle increased by 15% compared with the Mk7. The damping bearings and damping hydraulics were revised as well.

On the Mk8 models, vehicle dynamics settings closely integrate the electronic stability control (ESC) with the electronic differential lock (XDS®) and the optional DCC® adaptive damping system. By adapting the individual wheel damping 200 times a second, it can deliver particularly agile and accurate handling.

The GTI comes standard with the electronically controlled torque-sensing limited-slip VAQ differential. Compared with mechanically operated differentials, the system in the GTI offers a variable degree of intervention depending on the actual driving situation and ESC, EDS and XDS+ functions. This makes it possible to avoid steering corruption, as is the case with purely mechanical differentials. The VAQ differential optimizes grip and handling in fast corners, thus enhancing the performance and helping to decrease understeer, a traditional weakness of front-drive cars.

The GTI can handle corners in a neutral stance and also accelerates without any loss of traction. This is due in part to the fact that the amount of VAQ differential locking torque can be significantly increased in Sport mode. On the racetrack, it is possible to adapt the ESC intervention in two stages. In ESC Sport mode, the ESC thresholds and ASR slip thresholds are increased to reduce the intensity of interventions. In ESC Off mode, ambitious drivers can deactivate ESC altogether.

The 2025 Golf GTI models come equipped with large 13.4-inch front and 12.2-inch rear vented disc brakes. An advanced electromechanical brake servo helps to sharpen pedal response, shortening braking distances in testing. At the same time, the system allows precise brake pedal modulation in higher brake pressure range.

Driving Mode Selection. All GTI models feature standard Driving Mode Selection with four modes: "Eco," "Comfort," "Sport," and "Custom." Comfort and Sport have a different steering weight and throttle response, while Custom allows a driver to tailor the steering and throttle to their preference. The Sport mode gives more aggressive shifts and throttle map. In Comfort mode, shift algorithms optimize compliance and steering effort lightens, and throttle response and ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) acceleration are lowered. In Eco mode, shift algorithms optimize fuel efficiency.

DCC. Golf GTI Autobahn trims feature the DCC adaptive damping system. The DCC system continuously reacts to the road surface and driving situation while taking account of various inputs including steering, braking, and acceleration. By means of the set driving profile mode, the driver can influence the reduction in body motion as desired. The required damping is calculated for each wheel and adjusted within fractions of a second. This ensures that DCC always provides the highest level of driving comfort and ideal driving dynamics in conjunction with the vehicle dynamics system. For example, "Comfort" optimizes the dampers for a smooth highway ride, while "Sport" favors a firmer setting for better cornering performance.

In the latest DCC generation, the vehicle setup can be extended in "Custom" mode to go beyond the existing range of the fixed "Comfort" and "Sport" modes. The driver can set and store their personal driving profile using a digital slider to adjust damping firmness. Beyond the "Comfort" setting, the body is isolated from the road surface as much as possible. Beyond "Sport" mode, there is an extended setting range with maximum damping for minimized body movements and extremely direct handling for that unbridled GTI feeling.

ESC Sport. Another standout feature on the Volkswagen Golf GTI is the ESC Sport and ESC Off functions, for very experienced drivers for use only on closed courses, such as a racetrack. The system is activated by accessing the "Vehicle" menu from the infotainment display. In ESC Sport mode, the ESC thresholds and traction control (ASR) slip thresholds are increased to reduce the intensity of interventions. In ESC Off mode, ambitious drivers can deactivate ESC altogether. However, Front Assist and Swerve Assist reactivate ESC in emergencies.

Progressive variable-ratio steering. Enhanced "progressive" steering is standard on the GTI. The engineers set up the steering ratio more directly than a standard linear steering gear while applying new software algorithms. While conventional steering systems operate on the basis of a fixed gear ratio, the steering in the GTI applies a progressive gear ratio. This significantly reduces the amount of lock required to steer when maneuvering and parking. On winding country roads and when turning off, the driver will notice sharper responses thanks to the more direct setup. It also means that the driver does not have to change their hand position as frequently.

Lock-to-lock, there are just 1.96 turns in the GTI (with 18-inch wheels and tires). Progressive steering is differentiated from basic rack-and-pinion steering system by variable gearing as well as a more powerful electric motor. In contrast to systems with a fixed steering ratio, the transition between indirect steering straight-ahead response and direct response to larger turning angles is more agile.

Safety and Driver Assistance

To help protect occupants, the Golf GTI provides a combination of both passive and active safety systems. It features six airbags as standard (front and side airbags for front passengers and side curtain airbags for outboard seating positions), along with a number of electronic safety systems, such as an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). All Golf GTI models feature a standard rearview camera.

A standard feature on the Golf GTI is Volkswagen's Automatic Post-Collision Braking System. This builds on the premise that a collision is rarely a single, instantaneous action, but rather a series of events that follow the initial impact-the most significant of which can cause additional collisions. The Automatic Post-Collision Braking System helps address this, in certain crash scenarios, by applying the brakes when a primary collision is detected by the airbag sensors, thus potentially reducing residual kinetic energy and, in turn, the chance of additional damage.

The Golf GTI also includes Volkswagen's Intelligent Crash Response System that shuts off the fuel pump, unlocks the doors, and switches on the hazard lights if the car is involved in certain types of collisions.

Volkswagen's IQ.DRIVE® advanced driver assistance technology features hands-on semi-automated capability. On the highway, IQ.DRIVE features lane centering and a capacitive steering wheel to help make driving easier. Around town, IQ.DRIVE can alert you to surprise obstacles in front of you, and keeps an eye around you to help make driving safer.

The IQ.DRIVE system is standard on all trims for model year 2025. The system utilizes front and rear radar, a front camera and several ultrasound sensors to collect data from the surrounding area, enabling Travel Assist (semi-automated driving assistance); Front Assist (Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring); Active Side Assist (Blind Spot Monitor); Rear Traffic Alert; Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Stop and Go; Lane Assist (Lane Keeping System); and Emergency Assist (semi-automated vehicle assistance in a medical emergency).

Travel Assist enables semi-automated hands-on driving capability from 0 to 95 mph. Travel Assist can be activated by a button on the steering wheel and uses the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Assist (Lane Keeping Assist) features to help to steer as well as accelerate and brake the vehicle in response to traffic and center the vehicle within lane markings. This allows the driver to observe driving tasks while using minimal force on the wheel. It is the driver's responsibility to continuously monitor the system, remain alert, and maintain control of the vehicle at all times. To ensure this, Travel Assist monitors the capacitive steering wheel to make sure the driver has their hands on it. When Travel Assist is active, the cockpit display can show the lane markings (solid or dotted) and may also adjacent vehicles (car, motorcycle or box truck).

Front Assist is intended to warn drivers of potential frontal collisions (Forward Collision Warning) with vehicles and pedestrians, and in some cases provide automatic braking assistance (Automatic Emergency Braking). The system can detect cyclists or pedestrians traveling parallel to or crossing in front of the vehicle and alert the driver.

Within physical system limits, Forward Collision Warning warns the driver of potential imminent front-end collision situations, both acoustically and visually by a warning symbol in the instrument cluster if the car is traveling above 18 mph. Furthermore, an automatic jolt of the brakes can warn the driver of the danger. If the driver fails to brake, Automatic Emergency Braking is activated to help slow the vehicle. If the car is traveling below 18 mph and the system detects a potential front-end collision, Automatic Emergency Braking activates without a prior acoustic and visual warning. If the brake pedal is applied but the driver brakes too lightly, the brake pressure can be increased by the system (Braking Support).

Side Assist (Blind Spot Monitor) uses two radar sensors at the rear of the vehicle to scan the approaching traffic and is intended to warn drivers of the presence of other vehicles in adjacent lanes. If the driver uses the turn signal to indicate a lane change while a vehicle is detected in a blind spot, the system utilizes a flashing LED symbol in the outer area of the side mirrors. Even if the driver does not use a turn signal, the LED symbol in the mirror will illuminate if a vehicle is detected in the blind spot. The system is designed to help alert drivers in specific situations; stationary objects or oncoming vehicles do not trigger warnings, nor do vehicles more than one lane across away from the vehicle.

If Lane Assist is active, Side Assist becomes Active Side Assist and the system not only warns the driver with the flashing LED symbol if a vehicle is detected in the blind spot, but within system limits, it can also countersteer to help keep the car in its lane even if the turn signal is on. If the driver still tries to steer out of the lane, the system will warn with an additional vibration of the steering wheel.

The Rear Traffic Alert system is intended to detect vehicles approaching from the side that may be difficult for the driver to see while reversing. The system offers a 180-degree view of the back of the car, and will present a visual and an acoustic warning, if a potential collision with a crossing vehicle is detected. If the driver does not react, the system can apply the brakes to help mitigate and, in the best case, can prevent a collision. The system is activated by putting the car in reverse.

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) uses a forward-facing radar to maintain a set speed while helping maintain a set distance to the vehicle in front. The driver sets the speed and the desired spacing via buttons on the multifunction steering wheel and can further use those buttons to adjust and cancel the ACC function while the accelerator can be used to override the ACC function. Pressing the brakes always cancels the ACC function. All ACC-related system messages appear in the central multifunction display.

When the roadway ahead of the vehicle is clear, the system maintains the set speed. Models fitted with ACC can match speeds with a vehicle in front and come to a stop if the vehicle in front stops. If the car in front moves within three seconds, ACC will resume automatically to the set speed. If the car stands longer than three seconds, the driver can resume ACC control by pressing the accelerator pedal or the "resume" button on the steering wheel. If the driver continues to keep their hands on the steering wheel, the time that the vehicle can automatically resume can be extended beyond three seconds.

Lane Assist (Lane Keeping System) uses cameras to recognize lane markings and help drivers stay within them. When driving above 35 mph, if the system's camera recognizes visible lane markings and, using a special algorithm, calculates that the vehicle is unintentionally straying from its lane without using a turn signal, Lane Assist will vibrate the steering wheel to warn the driver, and then actively countersteer to help keep the vehicle in its lane. If the driver takes his or her hands off the wheel for a defined period of time, the system provides an audible warning and a visual signal in the instrument cluster, asking the driver to take over.

The system will not intervene if it cannot properly detect lane markings. If the turn signal has been set before crossing a lane marking, the Lane Assist system will not intervene or give a warning. The driver can override the system at any time by applying minimal force to the steering wheel.

Emergency Assist can bring the vehicle to a stop if the driver is incapacitated. Emergency Assist constantly monitors the driver's attentiveness by checking the input of their hands on the steering wheel. If the system does not detect driver input, a series of warnings (visual, audible, and brake jolts) will occur. If still no input is detected, Emergency Assist will slow the vehicle to a gradual stop in its own lane and activate hazard lights. Emergency Assist requires Lane Assist or Travel Assist to be active for the system to intervene.

In addition to IQ.DRIVE, the Golf GTI has standard Park Distance Control and Dynamic Road Sign Display. Park Assist Plus with throttle control, Head-up Display, and Light Assist (High Beam Control for headlights) are available.

Park Distance Control is standard and uses ultrasonic sensors located in the front and rear bumpers to monitor a range of up to approximately five feet in front or behind the vehicle. The system may activate below 9 mph and helps provide guidance when parking or in tight spaces. The system has audible and visual warnings when the car starts to approach parked cars or static objects of sufficient size from the rear.

Maneuver Braking, a part of the Park Distance Control system, is intended to mitigate or help prevent collisions with detected static obstacles to the rear while the vehicle is maneuvered. The system is active between 1-6 mph. If the system detects a stationary object, it can apply the brakes automatically to help prevent or mitigate a collision. The system can be deactivated at any time using the touch display or permanently in the setup menu.

Park Assist Plus is available on Autobahn trims. This system can automatically park the car into parallel and perpendicular parking spaces (the latter both forward and in reverse) by automatically controlling the steering, throttle, braking, and gear changes. It can also assist with pulling out of a parallel parking space. While driving below 25 mph, pressing the Park Assist Plus button in the center console will activate the system to scan the left and right sides of the vehicle for parking spots. When the system detects a space, a message will appear in the multifunction display prompting the driver to stop. The driver only needs to press the brake and then press "Start" in the multifunction display for the vehicle to begin automatically maneuvering into the parking space. If there is an obstacle in its path, the vehicle will automatically apply the brake. Once cleared, parking will automatically resume. The driver can override or deactivate the system at any time by turning the steering wheel, pressing the brake, or pressing the button.

Dynamic Road Sign Display is standard and uses a forward-facing camera to detect and read road signs. After verifying the information with signage data stored in the onboard navigation, the system alerts the driver on the infotainment screen in the center console, and on the Digital Cockpit Pro instrument display.

The head-up display, available on Autobahn trims, floats information in the driver's line of sight, including digital speed, navigation information, and driver assistance system info and warnings.

Light Assist, now available starting on SE trims, automatically switches on the headlamp high beams above 18 mph on dark or poorly lit roads, if there is no oncoming traffic detected. Below 12 mph, the high beams automatically switch off.

Warranty & Maintenance

Every 2025 Golf GTI comes with a bumper-to-bumper New Vehicle Limited Warranty and Carefree Maintenance Program. The warranty provides coverage for four years or 50,000-miles (whichever occurs first) and can be transferred to a subsequent owner throughout the remainder of its duration. The Carefree Maintenance Program provides scheduled maintenance services at one year or 10,000 miles (whichever occurs first) and two years or 20,000 miles (whichever occurs first) at no additional charge and can be transferred to a subsequent owner throughout the remainder of its duration. Golf GTI models also receive complimentary coverage in the Volkswagen 24-Hour Roadside Assistance Program for three years or 36,000 miles (whichever occurs first).