![](\"http:\/\/whatmenadore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2025-volkswagen-golf-gti-review.jpg\")
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In a market where affordable performance cars regularly come and go, you can always depend on the Volkswagen Golf GTI. Relatively speaking, the GTI hasn\u2019t changed much since the first generation debuted way back in the mid-1970s. It\u2019s still the sporty, reliable five-door that enthusiasts have come to love.<\/p>\n
These days, though, there are some really<\/em> great alternatives\u2014the Honda Civic Si, the Hyundai Elantra N, the Subaru WRX, the Toyota GR86, hell, even the base Ford Mustang. On the higher end of the spectrum, Toyota has the GR Corolla, while Honda has the Civic Type R. The point is: With so many new and exciting options out there, the GTI<\/a> feels like the same car that VW\u2019s been trotting out for decades. Only marginally better.<\/p>\n For 2025, the GTI ditches one of the key features that helped make it such an icon in the first place: Its manual transmission. Pair that with a cabin maligned for its lack of buttons, a design that\u2019s barely different than before, and an engine that\u2019s less powerful than its European counterpart, and it\u2019s easy to see why some fans might be falling out of love with VW\u2019s ubiquitous five-door and looking elsewhere.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Very Quick Even if it is less powerful than its European counterpart, you still can\u2019t really fault the GTI for its engine. VW\u2019s turbocharged 2.0-liter makes 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, which sends the hot hatchback to 60 miles per hour in just about 5.7 seconds. It\u2019s pretty darn quick.<\/p>\n The GTI\u2019s motor is punchy and direct, with gobs of torque down low and smooth power all the way up to redline. You can rev the hell out of this engine, too\u2014that is, before the transmission takes over and forces you to upshift.<\/p>\n Speaking of that transmission: It\u2019s excellent. The death of the GTI\u2019s manual is a tragedy, but it\u2019s hard to find fault with VW\u2019s quick-shifting, seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. It rips off lightning-quick shifts, minimizing perceived turbo lag, and sending a sharp recoil through your fingertips when you flick at the paddle shifters.<\/p>\n Although this 2025 model may not look all that different from its predecessor, one thing VW knows how to do exceptionally well is paint. The Slate Blue on this tester is a no-cost option, and it\u2019s the only color even worth considering.<\/p>\n Sure, the cabin\u2019s lack of buttons is an issue (more on that in a minute). Otherwise, VW knows how to make a clean, modern, and lovely interior. Even with its iconic plaid seats still intact\u2014exactly where they should be\u2014the GTI\u2019s cabin looks grown up and feels premium. Nothing about the new GTI\u2019s interior comes off as juvenile, which you might have said of some of its predecessors.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Not As Dynamic As Its Competitors Unfortunately, good looks and a punchy engine can only take you so far these days. The GTI feels flat and mostly unremarkable when you take a corner hard. Sure, it\u2019ll certainly get around that corner quickly\u2014the suspension keeps the car well-composed. But the GTI handles in a manner that\u2019s far less thrilling than the next-best Civic or GR Corolla. And for as quick-shifting as that automatic is, it\u2019s still no manual.<\/p>\n The interior looks pretty, but it leaves plenty to be desired in the ergonomics department. Even though VW added more hard buttons back onto the steering wheel following customer complaints, there are still no hard buttons for things like the volume and climate controls in the center console. Instead, you\u2019re left swiping at a less-than-useful slider at the base of the touchscreen. It\u2019s annoying.<\/p>\n At $33,670 with destination included, the GTI is still a screaming deal\u2014undercutting alternatives like the Elantra N and WRX by a few thousand dollars each. If you want a better audio system and a sunroof, the SE starts at $38,645. If you want the fanciest features\u201419-inch wheels, a head-up display, adaptive dampers, leather seats with ventilation, etc\u2014the fully loaded Autobahn model costs $42,105.<\/p>\n At face value, the GTI is still a great choice; it\u2019s a solid, fun, and relatively affordable hot hatchback (assuming you don\u2019t dig too deep into the options). But in an era with so many competitors\u2014and good competitors\u2014the GTI doesn\u2019t do enough to stand out.<\/p>\n Honda Civic Si<\/a> The 2025 Toyota GR Corolla Is Still the AWD Hot Hatch King<\/a> In a market where affordable performance cars regularly come and go, you can always depend […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2387,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/whatmenadore.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2385"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/whatmenadore.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/whatmenadore.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/whatmenadore.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/whatmenadore.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2385"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/whatmenadore.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2385\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2393,"href":"http:\/\/whatmenadore.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2385\/revisions\/2393"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/whatmenadore.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2387"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/whatmenadore.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2385"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/whatmenadore.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2385"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/whatmenadore.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2385"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n\n
\n Quick Specs<\/td>\n 2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI S<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Engine<\/td>\n Turbocharged 2.0-Liter Four-Cylinder<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Output<\/td>\n 241 Horsepower \/ 273 Pound-Feet<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 0-60 MPH<\/td>\n 5.7 Seconds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Fuel Economy<\/td>\n 24 City \/ 32 Highway \/ 27 Combined<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Base Price<\/td>\n $33,670<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n 2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI Pros<\/h2>\n
\nExcellent Transmission
\nLovely Interior
\nBeautiful Paint<\/p>\n![\"2025](\"http:\/\/whatmenadore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2025-volkswagen-golf-gti-review-1.jpg\")
\nPhoto by: Jeff Perez \/ Motor1<\/p>\n![\"2025](\"http:\/\/whatmenadore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2025-volkswagen-golf-gti-review-2.jpg\")
\nPhoto by: Jeff Perez \/ Motor1<\/p>\n2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI Cons<\/h2>\n
\nNo Manual
\nFew Hard Buttons<\/p>\n![\"2025](\"http:\/\/whatmenadore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2025-volkswagen-golf-gti-review-3.jpg\")
\nPhoto by: Jeff Perez \/ Motor1<\/p>\n![\"2025](\"http:\/\/whatmenadore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2025-volkswagen-golf-gti-review-4.jpg\")
\nPhoto by: Jeff Perez \/ Motor1<\/p>\n2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI Verdict<\/h2>\n
Competitors<\/h3>\n
\nHonda Civic Type R<\/a>
\nHyundai Elantra N<\/a>
\nSubaru WRX<\/a>
\nToyota GR Corolla<\/a><\/p>\n
Sport Compact Showdown: Honda Civic Type R vs Hyundai Elantra N<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n
\n \n2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI S<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Engine<\/td>\n Turbocharged 2.0-Liter Four-Cylinder<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Output<\/td>\n 241 Horsepower \/ 273 Pound-Feet<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Transmission<\/td>\n Seven-Speed Dual-Clutch<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Drive Type<\/td>\n Front-Wheel Drive<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Speed 0-60 MPH<\/td>\n 5.7 Seconds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Efficiency<\/td>\n 24 City \/ 32 Highway \/ 27 Combined<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Seating Capacity<\/td>\n 5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Cargo Volume<\/td>\n 19.9 Cubic Feet \/ 34.5 Cubic Feet<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Weight<\/td>\n 3,183 Pounds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Base Price<\/td>\n $33,670<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n As-Tested Price<\/td>\n $33,670 (est.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n On Sale<\/td>\n Now<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"