Is the 2025 Golf GTI the Last Great Hot Hatch? The Hot Hatch Lives!

A Legacy on the Line

Let’s talk about hot hatches — a dying breed, but not quite dead. Over the years, I’ve spent a lot of time with Volkswagen’s performance hatchbacks — from the sophisticated all-wheel-drive Golf R to the more raw, front-drive GTI. Back in 2017, I put the Golf R up against the Ford Focus RS and sided with the VW. In 2018, I gave the Golf R a full review of its own. Then in 2019, I finally got behind the wheel of the GTI, the hot hatch that started it all. The last time a GTI graced our site was in 2024, when David Boldt reviewed the GTI Autobahn trim — and he had a few things to say about it.

Now it’s 2025, and I’m back in a GTI — this time, the entry-level S trim. And while this car might look familiar, it represents an important update. The 2025 model marks a mid-cycle refresh for the 8th-generation Golf GTI (internally known as MK8), which originally debuted globally in late 2019 and hit U.S. shores in 2022. So what’s new? Well, this update is more evolution than revolution — but that’s not a bad thing.

Familiar Form, Finer Details

Volkswagen didn’t reinvent the wheel with the 2025 refresh, and honestly, that’s part of the charm. The Golf GTI has always carried a clean, reserved design — sporty without being shouty. This latest version gets a revised front bumper and LED headlight signature, giving it a slightly sharper face. The grille is still low and wide, with the classic red GTI stripe cutting across the nose. While higher trims get a full-width light bar, the S trim keeps things simple, and in this Alpine Silver Metallic paint, it looks crisp and timeless.

From the side, you’ll spot 18-inch alloy wheels, standard on this trim. They fill out the arches nicely without overdoing it. Around back, the changes are minimal: updated LED taillights, a subtle spoiler, and those twin chrome exhaust tips tucked beneath the bumper.

Hatchback Practicality, Still Intact

One of the GTI’s greatest strengths is that it remains a hatchback first and a performance car second — and I mean that in the best way. Pop the rear hatch and you’re working with 19.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats up. Fold those rear seats flat, and you get 34.5 cubic feet — more than enough for weekend gear, camera equipment, or a couple of IKEA runs.

Classic Inside, Tech’d Up

Slide inside, and the GTI greets you with its most iconic interior feature: plaid sport seats. In this base S trim, they’re upholstered in durable cloth with that signature tartan pattern — a detail that connects every GTI generation to its roots. The bolstering is just right, offering enough support for spirited driving without being intrusive in daily traffic.

But the biggest change for 2025 is front and center: a new 12.9-inch touchscreen running VW’s MIB4 infotainment system. This finally replaces the laggy, overcomplicated MIB3 interface that frustrated so many drivers — including David Boldt, who made that critique in last year’s review of the 2024 GTI Autobahn. The new system is snappier, cleaner, and features illuminated touch sliders for volume and climate. Yes, they finally light up. You’re welcome, everyone.

The Digital Cockpit Pro also remains standard — a 10.25-inch configurable gauge cluster that looks sharp and adds a premium feel, even on this base model.

Power That’s Just Right

The engine under the hood hasn’t changed, but that’s not a complaint. The 2025 GTI continues with the 2.0-liter TSI turbocharged inline-4, producing 241 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a 7-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission, this setup delivers smooth acceleration and crisp shifts. Around town, the GTI is docile. On backroads, it comes alive.

For those craving more power — and all-wheel drive — the Golf R sits atop the lineup with 315 horsepower and a more aggressive personality. But for most drivers, the GTI’s front-wheel-drive setup is more than enough. It’s that sweet spot of power you can actually use, not just brag about.

Driving Feel: Still a Hot Hatch

The GTI S keeps its suspension simple — no adaptive dampers here — but the ride is well-balanced. It’s firm but forgiving, offering just enough feedback to stay connected to the road without punishing you over potholes. Steering is light but accurate, and the car’s compact footprint makes it easy to place in corners or squeeze into tight spots.

There’s real character here. The GTI doesn’t scream performance with crackles or turbo whooshes — it’s more subtle. But press your right foot down, and the torque hits quickly. The DSG downshifts confidently, and the car moves with urgency.

Yes, you’ll miss the manual transmission if you’re the type who lives for heel-toe action. But for daily duty, the DSG makes a strong case — it’s responsive when pushed and relaxed when cruising.

Smart Enough to Help

All 2025 GTI models come standard with IQ.DRIVE, VW’s suite of advanced driver-assistance features. It includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane centering (Travel Assist), blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and emergency assist — among others.

In daily use, IQ.DRIVE works quietly in the background. It’s no Super Cruise — GM still holds that crown — but it makes highway drives less stressful and doesn’t get in the way of the GTI’s fun-to-drive nature. A nice-to-have, not a defining feature.

Value in the Details

Our GTI S test car is priced at $32,445, with a $1,215 destination charge, bringing the total to $33,660. In today’s world, that’s a compelling number for a well-built, turbocharged, German-engineered hot hatch with modern tech and real practicality.

You get:

• Standard plaid sport seats
  
• 18″ alloys
  
• Digital Cockpit Pro
  
• New MIB4 touchscreen with navigation
  
• IQ.DRIVE standard safety tech
  

And you get the GTI name — which still means something.

Fewer Rivals, Bigger Spotlight

The GTI’s competition in the U.S. is shrinking, but there are still a few strong players:

• Honda Civic Si – Affordable and engaging, but down on power.
  
• Hyundai Elantra N – More aggressive and powerful, but rougher around the edges.
  
• Toyota GR Corolla – A rally-bred monster, but more expensive and less refined day-to-day.
  

We’ve lost some great ones too — the Ford Focus ST, MazdaSpeed3, and Subaru WRX hatch are all gone. That makes the GTI’s continued relevance not just refreshing, but kind of heroic.

Final Thoughts: The GTI Lives

The 2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI doesn’t need to reinvent itself — and it doesn’t try to. What it does instead is smart: it fixes the infotainment, refines the interface, and keeps the performance that’s made this car a legend since 1976. It’s still quick. Still practical. Still wearing plaid with pride.

So is this the last great hot hatch? Time will tell. But one thing’s for sure: the hot hatch lives — and the GTI is still leading the charge.

Want to see it in action? Check out our full video review on the TXGarage YouTube channel for driving footage, design close-ups, and more behind-the-wheel impressions.