- The 2025 Volkswagen Golf R’s output increases to 328 hp
- A manual transmission remains off the table for all Golfs, including the R
- The Golf R gains a larger touchscreen and more LED lighting
- Pricing starts at $48,325, including destination
Volkswagen has an updated 2025 Golf R currently arriving at dealerships, and on Wednesday the automaker confirmed some of the specifications and pricing for the U.S. market.
Pricing starts at $48,325, including a $1,225 destination charge, which is a couple of grand higher than the starting price of the 2024 model. For the extra money comes more power, though, and a tweaked design with more LED lighting.
2025 Volkswagen Golf R
The 2.0-liter turbo-4’s been boosted to 328 hp, up from today’s 315 hp rating. VW didn’t detail how the new Golf gained 13 hp, but it’s probably the same or similar tune as the 20th Anniversary Edition Golf R, which then got detuned for the U.S. market. Performance is quicker with a claimed 0-62 mph sprint of 4.6 seconds. All-wheel drive remains standard as does a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. No manual transmission will be offered because VW won’t allow buyers to #GiveAShift.
Spotting the updated Golf R won’t be hard thanks to a revised front lighting signature. An LED unibrow now spans the entire front end connecting the headlights, similar to what’s found on the electric ID.4. New 19-inch light alloy wheels fill the wheel wells and are said to be lighter than the current model’s wheels. The front bumper has been revised with reshaped intakes, and the rear diffuser is also new. The exhaust tips are now round rather than oval.
Inside VW’s swapped in a new freestanding 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system that integrates AI and ChatGPT, available as a subcription. The loathed touch-based climate and volume controls return, but it’s unclear if they are now backlit or not. Today’s Golf R’s touch-based controls are not. The car also features a sunroof, a memory function for the driver’s seat (with 12-way adjustment), leather trim, ventilated front seats, heated front and rear outboard seats, and a wireless charging pad.
A new Black Edition is also available, priced from $49,640, including destination. As the name suggests, it comes with black accents for the wheels, brake calipers, and badging.
2025 Volkswagen Golf R
An updated 2025 Golf GTI is also launching together with the updated Golf R. The performance duo are the only versions of the latest Golf that VW is offering in the U.S.
Update: Prices have been added to the original article.
