Volkswagen Golf GTI S -- Is The MK8.5 The Best Gen Yet?

In this car review, I take a closer look at the Volkswagen Golf GTI S and explore what makes it the best gen yet. With its impressive performance capabilities and sleek sport design, this car is a must-have for any car enthusiast.

I'll be discussing the Golf GTI S in detail, including its features, performance, and what sets it apart from other cars in its class, such as the Golf R.

If you're looking for a car that combines style, speed, and agility, then the Volkswagen Golf GTI S is definitely worth considering.

With its powerful 2.0T engine and responsive handling, this car is perfect for those who love to drive and want to get the most out of their vehicle.

So, is the new MK8.5 generation of the Volkswagen Golf GTI S the best gen yet? Watch to find out and learn more about this hot hatch!

Also check out Drive Culture on YouTube. Drive Culture is detailed car review YouTube channel hosted by the ultimate car enthusiast, Jonathon Rivers.

Who is Jonathon Rivers?

Well, he's a +15 year Auto Industry veteran, born and raised in the Motor City!

He lived several years in Japan, speaks & reads Japanese, and now works for American Honda Motor. (Although this channel is his own & not affiliated)

He's owned several fun cars including a Evo IV, multiple Civic Si, Focus RS, and most recently the Integra Type S (which he lead planning for Acura)!

He's also been lucky enough to drive just about every key new product in the market from compact cars, to SUVs, EVs and super cars!

If that isn't enough to prove his "car guy" status, Jonathon has also been featured in Motor Trend, Car and Driver, AutoBlog, Jay Leno's Garage, Raiti's Rides and the SavageGeese channels! He's on Instagram  here and Facebook  here.

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A transcript, cleaned up by AI and edited by a staffer, is below.

[Image: YouTube Screenshot]

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Transcript:

0:00

All right, let’s check it out. Wide-open throttle.

You hear that? Every gear shift feels like that. It’s very good. It has a really throaty sound.

0:17

Welcome to Drive Culture. I’m Jonathan Rivers, and today I have a 2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI. I’m going to tell you why this might be the best trim in the entire GTI lineup. We’ll go over the exterior, the interior, the powertrain, and of course, take it for a drive. If this is the kind of content you’re into, or if you’re new to the channel, be sure to subscribe and hit the bell so you don’t miss future videos. Let’s get started.

Pricing & Trims

0:49

Here we are with the Volkswagen Golf GTI. Before getting into trim levels, let’s talk briefly about the GTI itself, because this car has a storied legacy. Performance enthusiasts already know the history, but it’s worth revisiting.

The Golf GTI debuted in 1974 and helped create the hot hatch segment—small, affordable cars with larger engines and real performance. Since then, there have been eight generations of the Golf and GTI. This model is the eighth generation, commonly known as the Mk8, but more specifically, this is the Mk8.5. Volkswagen uses the “.5” designation for mid-cycle refreshes, and that’s what we’re looking at here.

The Mk8 launched around 2020, and now for 2025, Volkswagen has refreshed the styling, updated the infotainment system, and added a bit more power.

For 2025, the Golf GTI is offered in three trims: S, SE, and Autobahn. This one is the GTI S, which is the entry-level trim. Base MSRP starts at $32,445, not including destination, paint, or options. Even with minimal options and destination, this car still comes in under $35,000, which is impressive considering the competition and the current average new vehicle price hovering around $50,000.

This example is painted in Opal White Pearl, a clean color that highlights the car’s character lines and simple European design. Next, let’s take a closer look at the exterior.

Exterior

3:38

This is the 2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI S. Even though it’s the entry-level trim, it still looks well equipped. The overall design is understated, which has always been part of the GTI’s appeal. It doesn’t scream performance, but the capability is there.

Up front, you’ll notice subtle updates for the Mk8.5 refresh. The hood features strong character lines that flow into the grille, which is accented by a red stripe running across and into the headlights. The Volkswagen logo sits prominently in the center, with a red GTI badge off to the side.

The LED headlights look premium, and Volkswagen continues to do excellent work with lighting design. Below that, there’s a honeycomb mesh grille, with the intercooler visible behind it. You’ll also find parking sensors and integrated LED fog lights that blend cleanly into the front fascia.

From the side, the GTI looks like a simple hatchback, which again is part of the charm. Clear side markers, body-colored mirrors with LED turn signals, and subtle black trim keep things clean. The wheels are one of the few giveaways that this is a performance car. The 18-inch wheels are wrapped in Pirelli P Zero tires, sized 235/40ZR18, and red-painted brake calipers peek through the spokes.

There are GTI badges on the doors, tinted windows on this particular car, and a black side spoiler running along the roofline.

At the rear, the design remains understated. The GTI badge is spelled out in red beneath the Volkswagen logo, which also houses the rearview camera. LED taillights keep things modern, and there’s a roof spoiler, rear wiper, and gloss-black antenna.

The rear bumper features a black diffuser-style insert, dual chrome exhaust tips, and rear parking sensors. Overall, the changes are subtle, and unless you’re a GTI enthusiast, you may not immediately notice this is the Mk8.5 refresh.

Next, let’s head inside.

Interior

10:07

Inside the 2025 Golf GTI S, it doesn’t feel like an entry-level trim. The cabin has a lot of premium touchpoints, especially considering the price.

The dashboard offers good visibility, helped by small cutout windows near the A-pillars. Materials are soft-touch up top, with a faux carbon-fiber trim running across the dash and high-quality air vents spanning the width.

The steering wheel feels excellent in hand, with a good diameter and thickness. It features leather with perforated grips on the sides, red contrast stitching, and a flat-bottom-style contour. One of the big updates for the Mk8.5 is the return to physical buttons on the steering wheel, replacing the previous haptic controls. This significantly improves usability. You also get a heated steering wheel, even on the S trim, along with paddle shifters.

The center console includes physical climate controls near the vents, USB-C ports, a rubberized phone tray, and a compact electronic gear selector. The engine start/stop button sits prominently, with a park button just behind it. There’s also an electronic parking brake, though no auto-hold function.

The center armrest is adjustable in height and extension and opens to a deep storage bin. The infotainment system is a large 12.9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It’s high-resolution and customizable, though many functions rely on touch or haptic-style sliders.

In front of the driver is Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit Pro, a fully digital instrument cluster with multiple layouts and customization options.

The seats are a highlight. They feature fixed headrests, aggressive bolstering, suede-like inserts, red GTI stitching, and the classic plaid seating surface that’s been a GTI trademark for generations. They’re heated, supportive, and comfortable. There’s no sunroof on the S trim, but the headliner and overhead controls still feel premium.

Door panels combine soft-touch materials with suede inserts, and the seven-speaker audio system sounds solid for a base setup.

Rear Seats

18:15

In the rear, space is surprisingly good for a compact hatchback. With the driver’s seat set to my position, I still have legroom and plenty of headroom. The boxy shape helps with overall space and visibility.

Rear passengers get plaid seat upholstery, adjustable headrests, two map pockets, additional storage pockets behind the front seats, rear air vents, and two USB-C ports. The center armrest folds down with cupholders and a pass-through to the cargo area. The center seat does have a slight floor hump, but three passengers can fit for shorter trips.

Cargo Area

20:48

Opening the hatch is done via the Volkswagen logo, which flips up to reveal the latch. Inside, the cargo area is well finished, with premium carpeting and a removable cargo cover.

With the rear seats up, cargo capacity is 19.9 cubic feet. Fold the 60/40 rear seats down, and that expands to 34.5 cubic feet—more than many small SUVs. There’s also a full-size spare tire under the floor, which is a nice touch.

Powertrain

22:15

Every 2025 Golf GTI, regardless of trim, uses the same powertrain. Under the hood is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder making 241 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission and a limited-slip differential.

Now let’s see how it drives.

Drive Review

23:16

Pulling away, the GTI feels refined and quiet, especially in Eco and Comfort modes. NVH levels are excellent, and it’s easy to drive as a daily commuter.

There are four drive modes: Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Custom. Sport mode sharpens throttle response, stiffens the steering slightly, and gives the exhaust a more aggressive character. The DSG transmission is quick and intuitive, always seeming to be in the right gear.

Wide-open throttle delivers a strong, linear pull with a throaty exhaust note and subtle pops on upshifts. The car feels quick, composed, and easy to place on the road. Ride quality is firm but not harsh, making it suitable for both daily driving and spirited back-road runs.

Manual control via paddle shifters is available, though the car will automatically upshift at redline to protect the drivetrain. Launch control is also included, even on this front-wheel-drive GTI, and it works well, delivering a clean, quick launch with minimal wheelspin.

Overall, the GTI strikes a great balance between performance and usability.

Outro

33:03

That wraps up the drive review of the 2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI. Is this the best trim in the lineup? Would you stick with the S trim under $35,000, or step up to the SE or Autobahn at closer to $40,000?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments. If you’d like to see comparisons with other GTI competitors, let me know. Thanks for watching, and I’ll see you in the next episode.