2025 VW Golf facelift revealed with updated looks, power, and tech

Can you believe it? This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Volkswagen Golf, and to celebrate, the German carmaker has given the 2025 model a facelift with sharpened looks, enhanced powertrains, and artificial intelligence-backed tech.

We start at the front where the revitalised hatchback has been given a set of slimmer LED headlights and a new grille, complete with an illuminated ‘VW’ logo. The taillights have also been redesigned for the facelift with a new 3D motif.

Customers who opt for the top-of-the-range IQ.Light LED matrix headlights will experience a new main beam with a range of up to 500m.

Four new exterior colours are available to choose from, including Crystal Ice Blue Metallic, Anemone Blue Metallic, Oyster Silver Metallic, and Grenadilla Black Metallic, along with three new wheel designs.

Thanks to customer feedback, Volkswagen has addressed several headaches that were once found in the interior, with the steering wheel’s touch-sensitive buttons being replaced with physical alternatives, while the air conditioning and radio volume touch sliders have now been illuminated so they can be seen at night.

The facelift Golf will also feature an updated infotainment system and a larger 10.4- or 12.9-inch screen that comes with ChatGPT integrated into the IDA voice assistant, enabling occupants to “interact with the car using natural language” and have content read back to them while on the road.

As for the driver, they get an upsized 10.2-inch digital instrument display along with an optional head-up display.

A range of new powertrains will come with the new Golf, including a new plug-in hybrid system (eHybrid and GTE) with a fully electric range of 100km. Also on offer is a mild-hybrid (eTSI) variant, turbocharged petrol (TSI), and a turbo-diesel (TDI).

The sportiest of the lot (so far), the GTI, has been given a bump in power from 180kW to 195kW courtesy of its 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder. Details of the even spicier Golf R have yet to be revealed.

Volkswagen has updated the parking assist system for the new model, with the car now being able to detect whether a space is big enough to park in by itself. Park Assist Pro will also be available on the Golf for the first time, meaning users can now park their car using their smartphone. In addition, the facelift also introduces a 360-degree surround view camera.

“The Golf has been at the heart of the Volkswagen brand for half a century now, offering affordable mobility for all at the highest technical level,” says Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars.

“The Golf does not get any better than this.”

Overseas customers will be able to order the 2025 Volkswagen Golf in a few weeks, but we have yet to hear when the model will be made available in New Zealand.