Volkswagen | Golf R and Jetta get modernized for 2025

Volkswagen last week unveiled two of its compact cars that will get a light facelift for the 2025 model year.

As expected, the Golf R will receive a few additional horses under its hood by increasing the total from 315 hp to 328 hp, still produced by a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder. This cavalry will be tamed only by a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and the torque will be transmitted to all four wheels by means of the 4Motion all-wheel drive.

On the aesthetic side, the headlights and taillights have been redesigned as well as the front bumper and the rear bumper. New, lighter 19-inch rims called “Warmenau” are also making their debut.

The cabin is not to be outdone with the addition of a completely revised multimedia system equipped with a larger touch screen (10.2 inches). The Golf R, however, retains the controversial haptic buttons on its steering wheel.

Volkswagen Canada has confirmed to us that the first 2025 Golf Rs will not arrive until spring 2025. Details of the North American variant will be known later this year. For those interested, the manufacturer will stretch the production cycle of the 2024 model to fill orders. The Canadian branch tells us that it is trying to accumulate manual examples to meet demand.

A refreshed Jetta

The Jetta compact sedan also gets an update for 2025 that focuses on its front end, which incorporates a light stripe on some trims. The cabin also gains a new so-called “floating” touchscreen and touch-sensitive buttons.

Mechanically, the production version loses the manual gearbox to retain an eight-speed automatic transmission guiding four 1.5L turbo cylinders (158 hp). The GLI variant keeps the manual transmission alive, the last Volkswagen model to do so here. This six-speed gearbox will work alongside the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission to guide a 228-hp turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine.

On sale from the third quarter of the year at prices not yet specified.