Volkswagen Golf R Black Edition [US] (2025)

The standard two-tone, 19-inch forged alloy wheels are 20% lighter than the previous Golf R wheels, further enhancing handling and performance. Black Edition models feature a gloss-black version of the same wheel and 235/35 summer performance tires come on every Golf R. Painted brake calipers sit behind each wheel option-they are blue on standard versions and black on Black Edition models-and front calipers are emblazoned with the "R" logo.

Black Edition models swap the traditional blue "R" details for blacked out versions throughout, including: grille and headlight accents; front, side, and rear "R" logos; darkened headlight elements; front and rear brake calipers; and black quad exhaust tips. A "BLACK" badge is added to the B-pillar and both the front and rear "VW" logos are blacked out.

The 2025 Golf R is available in three colors: Lapiz Blue Metallic, Mythos Black Metallic, and Pure White.

Interior

As much as the exterior of the Mk8 Volkswagen Golf R clearly announces its sporting intentions, its interior deftly balances enthusiast-focused features with state-of-the-art technology, while remaining comfortable and practical. There is an expansive 91.1 cu-ft of interior room and 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 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.

Sport seats with integrated head restraints and supportive bolsters feature perforated black Nappa leather seating surfaces and the characteristic blue "R" stitched into the backrest. The driver's seat offers 12-way power adjustment as well as three memory presets, while the passenger seat has a powered backrest. The seat side panels and stitching are highlighted with a matching blue-a look that continues to the rear seats, where the sides of each headrest share the same blue. Both front seats are heated and ventilated (limited availability), and the rear outboard seats are heated. The optional Euro Style Package on both standard and Black Edition models replaces the standard Nappa leather seats with lighter manually-adjusted seats featuring diamond-patterned fabric and ArtVelours seat covers.

This driver-centric design focus is evident from the new floating 12.9-inch infotainment screen, which is angled slightly towards the driver-a trait frequently seen in premium luxury and performance vehicles. The premium performance personality of Golf R is further accentuated with black headliner and carbon-look trim, buttons and haptic keys 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 on standard models; Black Edition models feature carbon fiber décor.

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

An R-specific multifunction sport steering wheel is wrapped in leather with perforated inserts and an ergonomic "D" shape, further signaling the car's performance intentions. The heated steering wheel features controls for the Digital Cockpit Pro instrument cluster and has touchpads 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 driver assistance features and capacitive sensors monitor to make sure the driver has their hands on the wheel. Further to the left, a blue "R" button can be used to quickly put the Golf R into "Race" mode and to shortcut to the Driving Mode Selection screen in the infotainment display. All Golf R models are equipped with R-specific paddle shifters.

Ambient lighting comes standard on the Mk8 Golf R 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.

The VW Golf R is loaded with comfort and convenience features. Volkswagen's KESSY® keyless access with push-button start is standard, as are Nappa leather sport seats; a 12-way power driver's seat with three-position memory; heated and ventilated front seats; heated outboard rear seats; three-zone Climatronic Touch automatic climate control with controls for rear passengers; automatic rain-sensing windshield wipers; automatic headlights; an auto-dimming rearview mirror; LED reading lights; Volkswagen Car-Net® with Wi-Fi capability when you subscribe to a data plan; 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, operated by a touch slider at the front of the headliner. The Euro Style Package deletes front seat ventilation and most power adjustment, along with driver-seat memory and sunroof.

The 2025 Golf R offers a conveniently connected experience. Volkswagen's Discover Pro MIB3 infotainment system with navigation and a new 12.9-inch display is standard, and features voice control, Bluetooth technology for compatible devices, multi-phone pairing, HD radio, and SiriusXM® with 360L (three-month Platinum Plan trial). Plus Speech with AI, Volkswagen's generative AI-enabled voice assistant, is available through a subscription in the myVW mobile app. 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-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. If the vehicle is equipped with navigation, when using the native 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 graphics layout for Digital Cockpit specific to R models. Accessed with the View button on the steering wheel, "R-View" presents a combination of three instruments: the rev counter with "R" logo in the center, flanked by two customizable instruments, which can be configured to show the engine's boost pressure or the current power output, for instance. The tachometer can be displayed centrally in analog format, or horizontally at the top edge of the display in digital format. The scale ranges from zero to eight (equivalent to 0 to 8,000 rpm). When the manual DSG® mode is activated, this display provides easily visible shift recommendations for the track-only Special and Drift modes. Additionally, the Digital Cockpit Pro in the Golf R can display a variety of data such as the relative boost pressure, oil temperature, torque, power, a G-meter, the torque distribution of the all-wheel-drive system, and a lap timer for track work.

To satisfy the audiophile, the Golf R features a Harman Kardon® audio system with 480 watts, nine speakers including a subwoofer, and a 12-channel amplifier.

SiriusXM with 360L. Golf R 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 read more about Car-Net.

Powertrain

The Volkswagen Golf R is an altogether different breed of Golf. In addition to being the performance benchmark of the Volkswagen catalog, the Mk8 Golf R is the most powerful production Golf ever. The 2.0-liter TSI® turbocharged and direct-injection unit that powers the Mk8 Golf R is a member of the fourth-generation EA888 engine family and is built in a state-of-the-art factory in Gyor, Hungary.

In Golf R specification, the EA888 evo4 engine displaces 1,984 cc and now produces 328 horsepower (achieved using premium fuel) at 5,850 rpm, and 295 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 rpm. That is 13 more horsepower than the MY24 Golf R. The evo4 engine is paired with a 7-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission with Tiptronic®. The recently updated DSG gearbox is now designed to stay in manual mode if the driver has selected it when in "Special" or "Drift" driving mode. 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 Golf R hold its torque peak over a broader rpm range and gives the Mk8 Golf R noticeably more tractive power. A secondary benefit of the reduced friction is that engine acoustics are improved.

The VW Golf R delivers EPA-estimated fuel economy of 22 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined.

4Motion® all-wheel-drive system with rear-axle torque vectoring. The advanced torque vectoring system in the Mk8 Golf R serves as the foundation for its updated handling abilities, delivering a new level of performance for its category.

While the previous generation's 4Motion system could send up to 50% of the engine's total power to the rear axle via a multi-plate clutch, the new system distributes the drive power not just between the front and rear axles, but also between the two rear wheels. Using a rear differential with two multi-plate clutches, it can distribute up to 100% of the rear torque to an individual rear wheel. This makes it possible to significantly increase the agility of the Golf R, particularly when cornering. The system is designed to apportion power between the wheels based on speed, throttle application, yaw, and other factors. In a typical corner, more power can be directed to the wheel on the outside of the curve in a matter of milliseconds, reducing the cornering radius.

The benefits of the latest-generation 4Motion system are still retained, helping to eliminate traction losses. The system activates before wheelspin occurs by using an advanced control function based on specific driving conditions. When operating under a relatively low load or when coasting, the front wheels are driven and the rear wheels are decoupled, helping to save fuel. However, the rear wheels can be engaged in fractions of a second whenever necessary via the center differential, which is activated by an electro-hydraulic oil pump.

A control unit continually calculates the ideal drive torque for the rear wheels and controls how much the multi-plate clutch should be closed by activating the oil pump. The oil pressure increases the contact pressure at the clutch plates in proportion to the torque desired at the rear axle. So, the amount of pressure applied to the clutch plates can be used to continuously vary the amount of torque going between the front and rear wheels, up to a maximum of 50% at the rear axle.

In addition to the center differential that acts longitudinally and the torque vectoring function of the rear axle, electronic differential locks that are a function of the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system act laterally. The system can briefly brake a wheel that is slipping, enabling uninterrupted and stable transfer of drive power to the wheel on the opposite side.

Chassis

The eighth-generation Golf R 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 Volkswagen Golf R 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 Golf R features several modifications designed to increase precision and driving stability over the Mk7. In the front, an updated strut-type design with lower control arms has spring rates that are 10% stiffer than those of the previous Golf R, with adjusted damper hydraulics and increased range of variability. The damper bump-stops and control arm bushings were reconfigured, and the bonded rubber mounts of the transverse links were optimized for enhanced comfort and higher steering precision. Compared to its predecessor, camber has been increased significantly, for an additional one-degree and 20 minutes of negative camber. Finally, the anti-roll bar is 10% stiffer, and the rubber anti-roll bar mounts are directly vulcanized onto the bar; this process guarantees optimal acoustic characteristics as well as outstanding responsiveness.

The rear axle utilizes a multi-link design with an anti-roll bar: this configuration allows a high level of lateral rigidity for optimal handling while also maximizing compliance on the longitudinal axis to ensure ride comfort. The spring rate is 10% stiffer than that of the Mk7 Golf R, with damper hydraulics adjusted accordingly. The damper bearings and helper springs were also updated.

The connection of the anti-roll bar and damper at the spring link is a key design feature; this reduces the forces within the axle. Finally, the rear suspension employs updated control arm mounts and newly designed hub carriers, which significantly improve steering precision and driving stability. The track and camber values are set individually via eccentric bolts on the spring link and upper transverse link.

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

All 2025 Golf R models come equipped with larger 14.1-inch front and 12.2-inch rear vented disc brakes. The front calipers are a two-piston floating design, while the rotors are cross-drilled and supported with aluminum hats to minimize mass. 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. The Driving Mode Selection feature offers seven modes: "Eco," "Comfort," "Sport," "Race," "Drift," "Special," and "Custom." The pre-programmed modes have a different steering heft and throttle response, while Custom allows a driver to tailor the steering and throttle to their preference. The sportier modes give more aggressive shifts and throttle mapping. In Comfort mode, shift algorithms optimize compliance and steering effort lightens, and throttle response and ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) acceleration are dampened.

In track-only "Drift" mode, the Golf R changes its stability control parameters (to ESC Sport), and the torque vectoring system kicks off the drift by sending all available rear torque to the outside wheel. To help ensure that the profile is only selected on private roads, the infotainment system always displays a confirmation prompt before it is activated.

The Golf R also has a "Special" setting configured for highest performance around Germany's famed Nürburgring Nordschleife racetrack. Torque vectoring is optimized for the track's cornering profile, along with softer damper settings.

In both Drift and Special modes, the accelerator pedal response curve has been crafted in order to create an unfiltered sense of performance. This high degree of control is an advantage when it comes to perfect drifts on snow and ice, or on asphalt. Additionally, the DSG calibration has been optimized to keep the rpm consistently high. In automatic mode, the dual-clutch gearbox switches up as late as possible and down as early as possible, which aids power development.

DCC. The Golf R features the DCC adaptive damping system. The DCC system continuously reacts to the road surface and driving situation while taking into account various inputs such as 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 at the four dampers 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 suspension 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," "Sport," and "Race" 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.

ESC Sport. Another standout feature on the Golf R 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. A progressive variable-ratio electric power steering system has been specifically tuned for the Mk8 Golf R. This is an elegant solution to help with a common problem with steering systems, which is that different speeds and maneuvers ideally require different steering rates. In this case, the teeth on the steering rack are spaced more tightly toward the center than on a normal rack. The lower steering ratio in the center means that the car can respond quickly when entering a turn, while the higher ratio at the ends of the rack can help reduce the amount of effort needed near full steering lock, such as when parking. The Golf R uses an enhanced system with a more direct ratio and new software, enabling steering lock of just 1.96 turns.

Safety and Driver Assistance

To help protect occupants, the VW Golf R 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 R 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 R 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 R has standard Park Distance Control, Dynamic Road Sign Display, Park Assist Plus with throttle control, Head-up Display, and Light Assist (High Beam Control for headlights).

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 standard on all 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 is standard, and floats information in the driver's line of sight, including digital speed, navigation information, and driver assistance system info and warnings.

Light Assist, standard on all 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 R 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).