Course Correction: The 2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI SE

It's nice to feel listened to.

Three years ago, in my review of the then-new generation Golf GTI, I praised the car and panned the tech. I was not alone. Most of the automotive press felt that the replacement of physical controls on the steering wheel with haptic touch surfaces was a major mistake.

The GTI is a driver's car. It is involving and engrossing and if you're doing anything besides driving, it needs to be quick and precise and haptics...weren't.

Well, good news. Mostly. 2025 is the year for a mid-cycle refresh of the Golf GTI Mark VIII, and haptics have been replaced by physical switches. I say "mostly" because big, round knobs for audio and climate have not made a full comeback.

Still, the infotainment system has been updated, with VW's quickest processor and a more intuitive layout, so the distraction level is lower than it was. We're going in the right direction.

There are also new headlights, an illuminated VW logo in the grille and a standard lightbar. Navigation, dynamic road sign display and wireless app connect are all standard on all three Golf GTI trim levels (S, SE and Autobahn).

No changes under the hood, with the sole powertrain continuing to be the 2.0-liter 16-valve turbo four that makes 241 horsepower mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Zero to 60 sprints remain at 5.1 seconds, but fuel economy has taken an unexplained hit. The 2022 EPA estimate of 25 city/34 highway is now 24/32.

The GTI also remains a hatchback---just the coolest one on the planet---and that pays off in cargo space---19.9 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 34.5 cubice feet with those seats folded.

Rear seat legroom is adequate at 35 inches.

Up front, the GTI is friendly for six-footers.

Our tester was the mid-level Golf GTI SE. Base price $37,420 ($38,645 including destination).

As I write this tariffs are still an open question. The GTI is assembled in Wolfsburg, Germany and has only one percent (not a typo---1%) North American content. The price may (or may not) have changed substantially at your dealer by the time you read this.

Standard equipment in the SE is generous. You can spend an additional $3,460 for the Autobahn and get 19-inch wheels, summer performance tires, a 12-way power driver's seat, power reclining front passenger seat, ventilated leather seats, heated rear seats, an upgrade of the climate control from one zone to three and a head-up display (which, now that I've written it out, is a very good value), but if you'd rather keep that money in the bank, the SE gets you:

Selectable drive modes, a limited-slip front differential lock, XDS cross differential system, vented front and rear disc brakes, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED exterior lights, adaptive front lighting with dynamic cornering lights, puddle lights in the side mirrors, illuminated door handle recesses, power folding heated side mirrors with position memory, a power tilt and slide sunroof, rain-sensing wipers, rear wiper and washer, automatic climate control, heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats (power reclining for the driver), 60/40 split-folding rear seat with center armrest, four USB-C ports, auto-dimming interior rearview mirror, multi-color adjustable ambient lighting, front footwell lights, illuminated vanity mirrors, carpeted floormats front and rear, a comprehensive suite of active safety features, a Harman Kardon premium audio system with center speaker and subwoofer, wireless charging, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a three-month trial subscription to SiriusXM with 360L.

The only extra-cost option on our test vehicle was a set of four Monster Mats to replace the standard floormats. That was $190, which puts the bottom line on the window sticker at $38,835.

Yeah, I want big round knobs for audio and climate (and a six-speed stick), but the car itself is so good, I find it irresistible---especially for under $40,000. If I were shopping for a new car right now, I'd very likely come home with a GTI.