The Mk8.5 Volkswagen Golf is due to arrive in Australia from April, when the facelifted German hatchback will become available in six model variants.

    It’s been a year since the updated Golf was revealed in Europe, and now Volkswagen Australia has locked in features and specifications for the local range – but pricing is yet to be announced.

    The lineup will comprise the entry-level Golf Life, the new Style, the mid-range R-Line, the front-wheel drive GTI, the all-wheel drive R performance flagship, and an even more aggressive looking R Black Edition.

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    While there’s no sign of a return for the discontinued Golf wagon, all variants of the Mk8.5 Golf feature a restyled front bumper and LED headlights, as well as a full-width front light bar, which on European examples is interrupted by an illuminated Volkswagen badge. 

    The Golf Life has lost a handful of features in the update, as it’s no longer available with satellite navigation, tri-zone climate control or ambient interior lighting.

    Its infotainment touchscreen however has grown from 10 inches to 10.4 inches, and now features a new, simpler menu structure with configurable shortcuts and upper and lower control bars that always remain visible, as well as illuminated temperature and volume control sliders.

    To get satellite navigation, tri-zone climate control and 30-colour ambient lighting, you’ve now got to buy the Golf Style, which Volkswagen says is more akin to the Mk7 Highline.

    This variant gains a larger 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen with voice assistant, a 14-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory, microfleece upholstery and LED Plus headlights, among other features.

    The R-Line gets arguable the largest upgrades as a part of the update, with heated and ventilated front seats, power adjustment with memory for the driver, and Vienna leather throughout.

    Golf GTIs have received a 15kW power increase and now produce 195kW and 370Nm, while they’ll also be fitted with 19-inch wheels as standard, up from 18 inches.

    At the top of the range, the Golf R has also become more potent, gaining 10kW and 20Nm to now produce 245kW/420Nm, matching the Audi S3.

    It’s also two-tenths of a second quicker from 0-100km/h, achieving the benchmark sprint in a claimed 4.6 seconds.

    A breakdown of each variant’s drivetrain is available below.

    Volkswagen Golf Life, Style, R-LineVolkswagen Golf GTIVolkswagen Golf R
    EngineTurbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrolTurbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrolTurbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
    Power110kW195kW245kW
    Torque250Nm370Nm420Nm
    Drive typeFront-wheelFront-wheelAll-wheel
    TransmissionEight-speed torque-converter automaticSeven-speed dual-clutch automaticSeven-speed dual-clutch automatic

    Price increases are expected across the range, accounting for the new equipment and higher outputs.

    The pre-facelift Golf Life is priced from $39,190 before on-road costs, the Golf R-Line starts at $42,290, the Golf GTI costs $56,090 and the Golf R is $70,590.

    Standard Equipment

    The 2025 Volkswagen Golf Life features as standard:

    • 17-inch alloy wheels
    • Automatic LED headlights
    • Surround lighting
    • Leather-wrapped steering wheel
    • Climate control
    • 10.4-inch infotainment touchscreen
    • Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
    • DAB+ digital radio
    • Ventilated wireless smartphone charger
    • Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
    • Adaptive cruise control
    • Blind-spot monitoring
    • Lane-keep assist
    • Front and rear parking sensors
    • Park assist
    • Rear cross-traffic alert

    The Golf Style adds:

    • 18-inch alloy wheels
    • ‘LED Plus’ headlights
    • Chrome exterior highlights
    • Dark tinted privacy glass
    • 14-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory
    • ArtVelours microfleece upholstery
    • 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen
    • Embedded navigation
    • IDA voice assistant
    • 30 ambient lighting colours

    The Golf R-Line adds:

    • Unique 18-inch alloy wheels
    • R-Line exterior and interior styling
    • Front sports seats with heating and ventilation
    • Power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory
    • Vienna leather-appointed upholstery
    • Driving profiles
    • Progressive steering

    The Golf GTI adds:

    • 19-inch alloy wheels
    • Fog lights
    • Tartan upholstery
    • Tri-zone climate control
    • Adaptive dampers
    • Park Assist Plus

    The Golf R adds:

    • Unique 19-inch alloy wheels
    • Matrix LED headlights
    • 3D LED tail-lights
    • Harman/Kardon sound system
    • Nürburgring and Drift drive moses
    • Surround-view camera
    • Torque-vectoring

    The Black Edition package for the Golf R adds:

    • Darkened badges and headlights
    • Black brake calipers
    • Black 19-inch ‘Estoril’ wheels
    • Black exhaust outlets

    Options

    A Sound and Vision package for the Golf Style, R-Line and GTI will add:

    • Harman/Kardon sound system
    • Head-up display
    • Surround-view camera

    These variants can also be ordered with a panoramic sunroof as a standalone option.

    The Golf GTI’s Leather Package will bring:

    • Vienna leather
    • Power-adjustable driver’s seat
    • Heated and ventilated front seats

    MORE: Everything Volkswagen Golf
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    2025 Volkswagen Golf is an exercise in fixing complaints
    MORE: 2025 Volkswagen Golf R: Hot hatch gets hotter

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    Jordan Mulach

    Born and raised in Canberra, Jordan has worked as a full-time automotive journalist since 2021, being one of the most-published automotive news writers in Australia before joining CarExpert in 2024.

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