Text by Tom Appel
2025 Volkswagen Golf R Black Edition
Specs
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | B |
| Power and Performance | A |
| Fit and Finish | B+ |
| Fuel Economy | B |
| Value | B- |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide’s impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | A |
| Tall Guy | B+ |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. “Big” rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, “Tall” rating based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 315-horsepower, 2.0-liter |
| Engine Type | Turbocharged 4-cylinder |
| Transmission | 7-Speed automatic |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Class: Sporty/Performance Car
Country of Manufacture: Germany
Color: Mythos Black
Seating Capacity: 5
Miles driven: 137
Real-world fuel economy: 19.9 mpg
Driving mix: 60% city, 40% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 22/31/25 (city, highway, combined)
Fuel type: Premium Gas
Base price: $49,640 (not including $1225 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Euro Style Package ($3795)
Price as tested: $53,495
Audio-System Quality
Poor Fair Good Very-Good Excellent
Pros and Cons
The great: Thrilling drive experience, excellent driving position, standard AWD
The good: Cabin fit and finish, plenty of cabin storage space
The not so good: Complicated digital interface, expensive for a Golf, requires pricey premium-grade gasoline
Review
Though generally considered a rough patch for most automakers, the Eighties did give birth to an exciting new car segment: the hot hatch. Some of the entries in the segment became legendary—think Toyota Corolla FX16 GT-S—and some were just sad—Ford Escort GT—but regardless of their legacy, these tweaked commuter cars did prove to customers that fun and practicality need not be exclusive concepts.
1983 Rabbit GTI
And no conversation about hot hatches would be complete without acknowledgment of Volkswagen’s pioneering effort, the GTI. Based on the maker’s humble—but delightful—Rabbit, the GTI debuted in the U.S. for the 1983 model year, and would forever change the way Americans thought about VW.
Really just a Rabbit with tuned suspension and upgraded wheels and tires, the GTI proved to be a smash hit with enthusiasts looking for affordable fun. The first GTI didn’t even boast a power bump over the standard Rabbit, but as the standard 8-valve 1.8-liter was smooth and rev-happy, no one seemed to mind.
The Last Golfs
But, times change, and along with them customer sentiment. Not only do American shoppers no long want hatchbacks, they no longer want cars in general. Fighting this trend is Volkswagen, though in odd way. The Golf (which used to be called Rabbit) is no longer offered in anything but hot-hatch trim. For 2025 (and continuing into 2026) the Golf is only offered in sporty GTI and extremely sporty R trim.
Engines
The differ primarily in commitment to performance and price. The GTI features a 241-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and a deftly tweaked suspension that brings great to the right drivers, even during slow commutes.
The R enjoys the service of a 315-horsepower version of the GTI’s turbocharged engine, plus a significantly upgraded suspension, larger wheels and tires, plus some specific body and cabin trim elements.
DSG Double-Clutch Transmission
And while both cars come with 7-speed “DSG” double-clutch automatic transmission, only the GTI can be had with a manual. Additionally, the R comes standard with VW’s “4MOTION” AWD system, while the GTI can only be had with front-wheel drive.
Prices and Trim Levels
Commitment to driving engagement can be measured here not only by the level of content found on the GTI and R, but also in the pricing. The sprightly GTI ranges in prices from $33,670 to $42,105. The Golf R represents a significantly greater commitment.
For 2025, the R is offered in two trim levels:
- Base: $48,325
- Black Edition: $49,640
The Black Edition predictably includes a number of black-themed accents, among them specific exterior trim, black-finish wheels, and unique headlight and grille treatments. Only two colors are offered for the Golf R for 2025, Lapiz Blue and Mythos Black. And yes, the Black Edition can be ordered in blue.
Both Golf R trim levels are offered with the $3795 Euro Style Package, which, counterintuitively deletes more equipment than it adds. More on the Euro Package in a little bit…
Consumer Guide recently spent a week with a 2025 Golf R Black in Mythos Black equipped with the Euro Style Package. All told, our test car came to $53,435 including destination charge.
Like the Golf of yore, the Golf R is fundamentally a hatchback, and a practical one at that. There’s a good amount of passenger space, plenty of cargo room, and excellent outward visibility. It is only these promising basic VW built a serious performance car.
The Golf R cabin is a clean and tidy space, with good looking trim, apparently excellent build quality, and nice, if not great, looking materials. The ambiance is businesslike, but not offputtingly so. Just classically German stoic.
There’s plenty space in the front row, even for larger guys such as this editor, and a reasonable amount of rear-seat space, too. The open cabin feels bright and airy, and as noted above, is easy to see out of in all directions.
As in many Volkswagen of recent vintage, we found the infotainment system to be slow and recalcitrant. Our device Bluetooth links were often disconnected, and the native control system was inconsistently able to manage our music libraries. Additionally, for whatever reason, the car would not play music from our phones in random order, instead playing selections from the same album, in order. Frustrating for a new car. Note that we recently spent a week behind the wheels of the redesigned VW Taos small crossover, and found most of these issues addressed satisfactorily.
Connectivity issues aside, we found the Golf R to be a driver’s dream, blending comfort with serious performance in a way previous-generation sporty Golf/Rabbits derivatives never did. While the GTI was always frisky fun, the Golf R is more of a Mustang GT hunter, with the added benefit of AWD.
Power from the boosted 4-cylinder engines comes on quickly with little perceptible lag, and the accompanying engine roar and exhaust note are a treat to the engaged driver’s ear. The DCT transmission shifts smoothly but very aggressively, and its decisive actions may not appeal to most drivers.
The steering is firm in the best possible way, requiring a little heft to manage, and providing realistic feedback. The brakes are strong and engage with authority, and seem unlikely to ever fade driven off of a race track.
Ride quality is another matter. Serious drivers will accept the R for what is, but more casual performance-car fans will want to this vitalized VW for an extended test drive to be sure the car doesn’t pound the pavement a little too rigidly for daily driving. We found the ride acceptable, you may not. If not, seriously consider the GTI.
We need to address the Euro Style Package, and it’s somewhat misleading name. The $3795 options is pretty hardcore, as it removes more content than it adds, all in the name of weight reduction. Gone are the power seats and sunroof, and added are a lightweight titanium exhaust system and reduced-mass 19-inch alloy wheels. Per VW, the package reduces the Golf’s curb weight by 80 pounds, down to about 3225. Worth it? That’s for you to decide, but we think the package is for only the most hard-core enthusiast.
There’s little in the way of direct competition to the Golf R. The hyper-caffeinated Toyota GR Corolla certainly deserves consideration, as it serves up a visceral commute unlike any other sporty car, however, like my mother at an André Rieu concert, the GR’s boundless nervous energy exacts a toll over time, and can be fatiguing on longer trips.
At $53,435, the Golf R comes dear, but for those who appreciate its potential, there’s a great deal here to love. Note that we slightly prefer the less-powerful, less-expensive GTI, mostly for its less-intense more carefree demeanor. But even at over $50,000, the Golf R is something of a bargain for those looking for serious performance. And, as it noted early, it’s rather practical, too. Click here for more Consumer Guide reviews.
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2025 Volkswagen Golf R Black Edition Pictures
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