Volkswagen Golf GTI Facelift Review

This really is a car that needs little introduction.

The poster child of affordable power within a practical package, the Golf GTI has long inspired generations since its very first iteration was launched in Germany in 1976.

Does this updated model live up to this long and hallowed lineage?

The 'VW' logo is now an illuminated item, while the car's head lights and front bumper have also been redesigned in this update

Albatross

Top story for this Mk8.5 Golf, of course, is the fact that the touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel (which were met with near-universal derision for being too easy to accidentally activate yet requiring a hard press when you actually wanted to use them) have now been replaced with conventional buttons.

But don't let this distract you from the fact that there's been a significant feature upgrade in the rest of the cabin. We found the interior of the Golf GTI to be a tech-filled space when we saw this car's predecessor, and this latest iteration has continued to receive a few upgrades.

The Volkswagen Golf now makes use of a 12.9-inch infotainment complete with the firm's voice assistant system

The car now makes use of Volkswagen's 12.9-inch infotainment system that comes complete with its own voice assistant system so you can simply bark verbal instructions at the car if you want it to adjust the air-conditioning temperature.

We first experienced this new generation infotainment system in the Volkswagen Tiguan where it was loved for its vibrant colours and dark blacks, it's a system that has become familiar by now and pairs with the commendable build quality of the rest of the car's switchgear to make the cabin of the Golf GTI feel decidedly premium. 

Having said all this, I did find myself wishing that the button to select between the car's different drive modes was located somewhere closer to hand.

Volkswagen's Dynamic Chassis Control system offers an impressive total of 15 different damper settings

Eagle

On the outside, the fact that the 'VW' logo is now illuminated is likely to be the first change that will catch your attention, but, just like that cabin, there have also been significant improvements made elsewhere.

At the front, the car's head lights and bumper have been redesigned, and at the rear, the taillights have also been tweaked so they get more prominent illuminated elements.

All of these are welcome changes, to my eyes, that only add to the already purposeful stance of the GTI. I'd even go out on a limb and point out that this GTI's matte exterior elements give it just the right amount of visual aggressiveness, as opposed to the gawdy and unnecessarily eye-catching gloss black elements that litter across the Golf R-Line.

The 2.0-litre engine in the Golf GTI now produces a total of 261bhp, 20bhp more than before

Birdie

And does this Golf GTI have the performance to back its sporty exterior.

Volkswagen's EA888 engine has been graced with an additional 20bhp for this updated iteration of the GTI, and as before, it proves itself one capable unit. There's a healthy dollop of torque to depend on when you're simply cruising around town and want to keep the rpms low, but push the car hard and it returns the enthusiasm with frantic acceleration when that engine is kept at boiling point.

The Golf GTI exhibits eager turn-in, and the ride quality is commendable in this GTI as well. A total of 15 different settings from Volkswagen's Dynamic Chassis Control means you get to choose between a slightly underdamped ride at its softest option, or to capably rein in unwanted body control while settling for a ride that is but a touch brittle at the other extreme.

The 19-inch 'Queenstown' alloy wheels of the Golf GTI are a delight to behold

Par

So, is this still the practical hatchback that offers reasonably priced power which we have always loved?

In some ways, yes. For those who are looking strictly for a petrol-powered hot hatch, the alternatives to this $271,900 Volkswagen Golf GTI currently available in our market only comprise of more premium options such as $369,888 Mercedes-AMG A35 hatchback, or the $338,888 BMW M135 (all prices as of 29 April 2025 and inclusive of COE).

But that only tells part of the story. As we noted when we drove the Skoda Octavia RS, there are now many different pathways to affordable power in a practical body at this price point, especially for those willing to consider electric power or something from a Chinese manufacturer.

Shopping for a petrol-powered hot hatch? The GTI remains a capable choice

And then there's the fact that the changes to this Golf GTI don't quite do enough to make it feel special. We were impressed by its predecessor's tech-laden cabin when we first got behind the wheel of one in May of 2021, but a 12.9-inch infotainment screen and voice-activated assistants aren't distinctive enough to make this new iteration stand out in today's crowd. 

Sure, it can be countered that the changes expected from a facelift model ought to be less dramatic than what is expected from an all-new model, but the reality is the market has moved on at an incredible pace in the past years.

I really didn't want to rain on the parade of the GTI - 2026 will mark the model's 50^th anniversary - and it's also a car which has always been loved by the team here at Sgcarmart (it was even our 2021 Car of the Year). But I also can't help feeling that changes will need to be made - be it electrification or otherwise - if the GTI nameplate is to survive for another half-century. 

And if future iterations of the car also continue to thrill and excite with the fine handling and drive which we have witnessed today, those 50 years will no doubt be as successful as those already past.

Shopping for your next hot hatch? Don't miss out these reviews:

Click here to catch our thoughts on the new MINI John Cooper Works Electric when we drove it in Thailand

We also drove the upcoming new BMW M135 over in Germany

Or maybe you'd rather read about our drive in the Hyundai i30N when we were in Spain