Volkswagen Golf Mk8.5 detailed, here in 2025

VOLKSWAGEN has announced details of its updated Golf MK8.5 range this week, the update to feature a suite of interface, technology, and styling improvements ahead of its arrival in Australian showrooms in around 12 months’ time.

Significantly, Volkswagen has addressed some of the issues surrounding its complex touch-sensitive human-machine interface by offering a larger touchscreen, improved illumination, a faster MiB4 processor and – in some instances – traditional ‘hard’ switchgear.

The model range is characterised by remoulded front bumpers with sharper LED headlights, new intake apertures and a honeycomb style mesh on GTI grades. European GTE (electric vehicle) grades add an optional illuminated ‘VW’ emblem.

Badging moves from the front guards to the front doors. New sill covers and a larger spoiler (GTI) are found, as is a restyled rear bumper cover and LED tail-lights. Five new alloy wheel designs are available.

Four new metallic paint hues are added including Anemone Blue, Crystal Ice Blue, Grenadilla Black, and Oyster Silver. A black-painted roof is available as is carbon-fibre garnishing on GTI grades.

Sheetmetal for the Small segment hatch remains unchanged.

The Volkswagen Golf – currently priced from $31,190 plus on-road costs – is an important rival to the likes of the Honda Civic (from $47,200 +ORC) Hyundai i30 (from $24,000 +ORC), Mazda 3 (from $30,320 +ORC), Subaru Impreza (from $31,490), and Toyota Corolla (from $29,610 +ORC).

Last year, the Volkswagen Golf sold 3592 units in the Australian market, an increase of 11.4 per cent on the year prior.

Inside, and in addition to the technology changes already listed, the VW Golf 8.5 receives enhanced materials for the dashboard pad, model-specific instrumentation graphics, larger 10.4- and 12.9-inch instrumentation and infotainment screens, update voice assistant with AI-powered responses, head-up display (optional), 360-degree camera, and remote automated parking.

The range will receive more powerful petrol engines alongside diesel, hybrid and electrified alternatives, the German brand at this stage offering information on all variants bar the Golf R flagship.

European market engine choices are extensive, though as is the case currently, not all will be offered Down Under.

The four-cylinder range includes familiar 1.4- and 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol units paired with eight-speed automatic and dual-clutch transmissions driving the front wheels. Power jumps 10kW (to 150kW) and 15kW (to 195kW) respectively.

A 1.5-litre turbo-petrol unit is also noted with optional MHEV technology and delivering 85kW or 110kW, the former with a six-speed manual transmission.

Unlikely to be considered in Australia, the European market will again see a turbocharged diesel four-cylinder unit displacing 2.0 litres and developing 85kW or 110kW, grade dependent, the former with a six-speed manual transmission.

Importantly, a range of new energy options will see the 2025 Volkswagen Golf include plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivelines.

The petrol-electric alternatives now feature a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit used in favour of the previous 1.4-litre unit in conjunction with an electric motor. The combined output is still rated 150kW in the base eHybrid grade, with top-spec GTE variants now outputting 200kW (+20kW). All electric driving range increases to 100km (+38km).

Each of the PHEV variants scores a significantly larger lithium-ion battery pack than before (up 9.1kWh to 19.7kWh) and may now be charged at up to 11kW AC and up to 50kW DC for faster recharge times.

Local pricing and specification detail will be advised closer to the models’ arrival.