Here's what to expect when the updated 2025 VW Golf R hatchback goes on sale early next year. A person can have a lot of fun answering the prompt of: "What is the world's fastest Volkswagen?" You can be clever and argue it's the brand-new Bugatti Tourbillon V-16 hypercar,

Volkswagen has just announced pricing for the sporty Golf models going on sale in the United States for 2025 — and yes, they're more expensive than before. That’s particularly true of the all-wheel-drive Golf R, which can now crest the $50,000 barrier with options.

A Volkswagen updated the GTI and Golf R models for 2025, with both featuring small design changes and more power.

The GTI starts at $33,670 (all prices include a $1,225 destination charge), and the Golf R’s base price is $48,325.

We already knew Volkswagen updated the GTI and Golf R for the 2025 model year.There are minor styling tweaks, a new infotainment system, and more power for the Golf R, what we didn't know yet was how much it would cost—we know now.

Volkswagen of America has just announced pricing information for the US market's refreshed Golf GTI and Golf R. Excluding the $1,225 destination, the hatchbacks start at 32,445 and 47,100 dollars, respectively.

The range-topping Golf GTI Autobahn begins at $40,880 and has adaptive damping as well as larger 19-inch wheels shod in summer tires. Buyers will also find an upgraded interior with heated/ventilated leather front seats, heated rear seats, and a tri-zone climate control system. They’re joined by a head-up display and Park Assist Plus.

The Golf R is priced at $50,995. It has the same 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine as before, but it’s been calibrated to offer more with a cavalry of 328 hp, an increase of 13 over 2024. Volkswagen makes no mention of torque in this case, so we can only guess that it's the same at 295 lb-ft.

VW's hot-hatch halo car loses its manual transmission, a move that makes the 2025 Golf R cost $1720 more than the 2024 model.

Volkswagen is spicing up its European portfolio by giving three of its sensible cars the heart of a hot hatchback. From now on, the Tiguan and Tayron SUVs and the Passat wagon can be ordered with the same turbocharged four-cylinder engine found in the Golf GTI.