Key Takeaways

• The 2025 Volkswagen lineup will see major changes to the Jetta, Tiguan, Golf GTI, Taos, and Golf R models.
• Updates for the models are expected by the end of 2024 or in early 2025.
• The new Golf GTI will exclude the manual option, but a 328-horsepower Golf R is coming.

We’re in for a raft of changes to the Volkswagen lineup for the 2025 model year, with five different models receiving updates of some kind. This comes as VW plans to introduce the ID. Buzz to the US market in the next few months, and after it recently delayed the ID.7 electric sedan indefinitely. The five models in question are the Jetta, Tiguan, Golf GTI, Taos, and Golf R, and practically all of them have been spied testing over the last few months.

Each of these models will arrive either by the end of 2024 or in early 2025 and will join a wider lineup rounded out by the Atlas and ID.4, both of which already received a substantial update that managed to fix many of their previous problems in 2024. While we’ll have to wait and see exactly how these models turn out, we do know a little about what to expect.

Volume Seller Changes

Starting with the Jetta, we’re expecting the model to grow slightly as it attempts to fill the gap created by the lack of other sedans in VW’s lineup. It will experience new exterior looks, and hopefully, one change will be the removal of its massive mouth. We’re also expecting a new infotainment update on the inside in line with the great updates seen on models like the refreshed GTI.

VW plans for the Taos to get a significant refresh that should arrive in the third quarter of this year with similar updates to the Jetta, but the real changes are coming to the Tiguan, which will receive an all-new generation for 2025 based on the Chinese VW Tayron. It should be a major upgrade over the current model, and deep down we’re hoping the model will receive the PHEV powertrain its European counterpart does that offers up to 62 miles of electric-only range.

Performance Changes

The biggest change for the 2025 model year is definitely the GTI dropping the manual option for the first time, despite getting better in almost every other respect. As a consolation prize, the company has launched a 296-horsepower GTI Clubsport model to commemorate the hot hatch’s 50th anniversary. It’s one of the most powerful GTIs ever made, but unfortunately, it’s not slated for the US, making this a sad year for GTI fans.

Rounding out the changes will be the arrival of the most powerful Golf R ever, with the company teasing 328 horsepower in the AWD hatch. The hope is the model will also match the 309 lb-ft of torque offered in the Golf R 333 that debuted last year, but even if it doesn’t, it should still trounce competitors like the GR Corolla and WRX. There’s also potential for a limited-edition Clubsport model before the model goes electric, but we’ll have to see what the pencil pushers let the brand do.