2025 VW Golf GTI review

Aussie p-platers who flocked to this popular car will be forced to look elsewhere after a huge change to keep them off the roads.

David McCowen

3 min read

8 hours ago

Motoring

For a car that aims to be all things to all people, there’s a touch of elitism to Volkswagen’s Golf GTI.

Long upheld as the car enjoyed by everyone from relatively new drivers to millionaire enthusiasts such as Jeremy Clarkson, the pitch is that this is a car that works on all occasions, in just about any environment.

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Volkswagen has updated the Golf GTI for 2025. Picture: Supplied

School carpark? Sure. Flash hotel? Absolutely.

Stop-start traffic? Yep. Sunday blast in the hills? For sure.

Except that the car is off limits to new drivers.

Or folks strapped for cash.

While the previous-generation Golf GTI could be steered by literally anyone in Australia with a driver’s licence, the new one has a more powerful motor that puts it on the banned list for young drivers in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia.

Drivers in those states need to progress from their provisionary licence to their full permit in order to take the wheel of a new GTI.

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Subtle looks are part of the GTI’s appeal. Picture: Supplied

That’s because the old car’s 180kW motor has been dropped in favour of a more powerful replacement with a strong 195kW and 370Nm – enough to sprint to 100km/h in just 5.9 seconds with the help of launch control and a snappy dual-clutch automatic transmission.

It’s a decently rapid car.

And it delivers on a promise to shine in myriad environments.

Yep, it works perfectly well in town, on the highway and in the commute.

And there’s a duality of character here that works well for the GTI, which can dig deep to deliver a special drive when required.

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The Golf GTI shines in most driving conditions. Picture: Supplied

Clever tech including adaptive shock absorbers with 15-stage adjustment let you change the suspension from pillowy-soft to rock-hard and everywhere in between.

A torque-vectoring limited-slip front differential helps you get on the gas earlier than before, and big brakes tucked behind gorgeous 19-inch alloys slow the car with power and precision.

While it’s not quite as wild as a Toyora GR Corolla, Hyundai i30N or Honda Civic Type R when pushed, it gets near enough while being a better proposition in everyday driving.

Much better.

The GTI gets big things right.

It doesn’t look too rowdy or ostentatious.

The driving position is perfect – particularly if you choose manually adjustable cloth seats that place you low in the car.

And it feels just as special at 50km/h than it does at multiples of that.

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The new steering wheel has traditional buttons. Picture: Supplied

VW has also corrected sore points from the old car. The extra power is nice to have, as is a new steering wheel with old-school physical buttons in place of the hugely annoying haptic touch controls of the old car.

It also has a larger central touchscreen and a subtly reworked interior with 30-colour ambient lighting.

A classic tartan cloth interior remains standard in the GTI. Photo: Supplied

This is good news. But the bad news is that the Golf GTI is not a cheap car anymore. Back in 2018, you could get a pared-back VW Golf GTI Original for $38,490 drive-away.

The new model starts from about $64,000 drive-away, and rises when you add desirable options.

Kings Red metallic paint costs $300. Then there is a panoramic sunroof ($1900), a “sound and vision” package with upgraded hi-fi, a better infotainment system and head-up display ($2000) and heated leather seats ($3900).

Tick those boxes and you’re well beyond $72,000 drive-away, almost double what the car cost not all that long ago.

2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI. Picture: Supplied

And it costs more than $4000 to service for five years, too.

Yes, you still get a lot of car for your money. And rivals have also increased their prices.

But as brilliant as the Golf GTI remains, it’s hard not to feel as though it’s less like a car for everyone, and more like a toy for wealthy enthusiasts.