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Like its hot-hatch sibling, the Golf GTI, the VW Golf R is receiving an update for the 2025 model year. The changes include more power for the turbocharged four-cylinder engine, visual tweaks inside and out, and a new infotainment system. A Black Edition trim also joins the lineup with the expected blacked-out exterior look.
The 2025 Golf R's new front-end design is highlighted by a light-up VW badge, new headlights, and reworked bumpers. The taillights are also redone, and new 19-inch wheels—which VW calls "Warmenau" after the name of the town where its R division is headquartered—are said reduce unsprung weight. The Black Edition has darkened badges, black brake calipers, black exhaust tips, and black wheels, and VW confirmed that this package is coming to the U.S.
Because of the 13 extra horsepower from the turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine, VW says the new model will be slightly quicker than before; the automatic-transmission Golf R previously got to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds in our testing, so we can expect to shave a couple tenths off that time. All-wheel drive remains standard, but the only transmission choice is now the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. As in the GTI, the six-speed manual transmission has been sadly discontinued.
Inside, VW says that the new 12.9-inch infotainment screen runs new software and offers an upgraded voice-assistant function. The drive-mode buttons on the steering wheel are also rejiggered to prevent accidental activation via the touch-sensitive controls—sounds silly, but this was a real problem we encountered when we took the previous Golf R to our Lightning Lap track test, so the change is appreciated.
We'll find out more U.S.-specific information on the Golf R later this year, and VW says the updated model will go on sale in our shores in early 2025. Pricing will likely go up a bit compared with the 2024 model's $47,690 starting price for the DSG automatic–equipped version.
Caranddriver