4 days ago
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A mid-life makeover for the VW Golf hatch has brought updated styling, new features, more power, and at the cost of a few features, a cheaper base model.
The price of the cheapest 2025 Volkswagen Golf hatchback has been reduced by $500 – offset by a trimmed equipment list – as part of a mid-life upgrade for the long-running small car.
The updated Golf due in showrooms by mid-year adds a refreshed appearance, new interior technology, and more power for the flagship GTI and R performance editions.
Volkswagen has lowered the price of the entry-level Life grade by $500, now starting from $38,690 plus on-road costs, while higher grades have climbed by up to $5700.
Some equipment has been removed from the Life – in-built satellite navigation and three-zone climate control, now single-zone – but technology has been added, such as a higher-power wireless phone charger.
The touchscreen in all models are larger – 10.3-inch in the Life, or 12.9-inch in other models – with new, quicker-to-respond software and illumination for the touch-sensitive climate and volume slider controls.
All but the R now feature physical buttons on their steering wheels, after the previous touch-sensitive designs were criticised for being fiddly and hard to press accurately.
Other standard features in the Life include a 10.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, LED headlights, 17-inch wheels, fabric seats, front and rear parking sensors, and a suite of advanced safety features.
New to the range is the Style, which adds 18-inch wheels, a 12.9-inch touchscreen, and equipment previously limited to performance variants, such as a power-adjustable driver's seat and high-grade headlights.
It can be optioned with a panoramic sunroof, as well as a Sound and Vision pack that now includes a 360-degree camera for the first time.
Heated and ventilated seats and Vienna leather trim are now standard in the R-Line – $5700 dearer than before – which adds sports styling, seats and steering, plus unique 18-inch alloys.
Powering the three 'regular' Golf models is a familiar 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine developing 110kW/250Nm, matched with an eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission.
The GTI is now priced from $58,990 plus on-road costs – or an estimated $63,000 to $67,000 drive-away – amounting to $2900 more than its previous, regular RRP.
In recent months, the outgoing model has been offered with every option pack for $59,990 drive-away. Optioning the new model to match its equipment level would push the price to $66,790 plus on-roads, or more than $70,000 drive-away.
Now standard on the GTI are the previously optional 19-inch wheels – rather than 18s – plus a more powerful 195kW/370Nm 2.0-litre turbo engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto and front-wheel drive.
It inherits features newly standard in lower grades, including a 12.9-inch touchscreen, while the sunroof has become a standalone option no longer linked with leather seats, so buyers can get a sunroof without losing the base 'tartan' cloth trim.
Power in the flagship R has risen by 10kW/20Nm to 245kW/420Nm – matching the same 2.0-litre turbo engine in the defunct R 20 Years edition – enabling 0-100km/h in a claimed 4.6 seconds through all-wheel drive.
It has received a $400 price rise, and the option at launch of a $1500-dearer Black Edition with darkened highlights.
The 2025 Volkswagen Golf range is due in showrooms from April.
2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI price in Australia
Note: All prices above exclude on-road costs.
2025 Volkswagen Golf standard features:
2025 Volkswagen Golf Style adds (over Life):
The Style can be optioned with a $1900 panoramic sunroof, or the $2000 Sound and Vision Package (details at bottom of story).
2025 Volkswagen Golf R-Line adds (over Style):
The R-Line can also be optioned with a $1900 panoramic sunroof, or the $2000 Sound and Vision Package (details at bottom of story).
2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI adds (over base Life):
The GTI can also be optioned with a $1900 panoramic sunroof, the $2000 Sound and Vision Package, and $3900 Vienna Leather Package (details at bottom of story).
2025 Volkswagen Golf R adds (over GTI):
A $1900 panoramic sunroof is the only option on the Golf R.
2025 Volkswagen Golf R Black Edition adds (over R):
The $2000 Sound and Vision Package optional on Style, R-Line and GTI adds:
The $3900 Vienna Leather Package optional on GTI adds:
Optional paint tiers include:
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
