First Aussie drive of the new MK8.5 (Volkswagen Golf GTI 2025 Review)
Few performance nameplates are as iconic and having the staying power of the Golf GTI and the latest MK8.5 generation has finally landed Down Under.
No longer purely cheap fun, the latest GTI kicks off in Australia at $58,990 before on-roads. There’s no three-door option any more. And no conventional cog-swapping manual gearbox, either.
But the revamped 2025 fronts up with more power (195kW), performance (5.9sec 0-100km/h) and polish than any GTI prior, promising the best blend of fun factor and everyday livability – the two GTI touchstones – of the entire Volkswagen hatchback lineage.
Chasing Cars contributor and long-time Volkswagen fanboy Nathan Ponchard takes the latest MK8.5 for a spin or three to see whether the newcomer deserves to be considered the best of the GTI breed.
Time codes:
0:00 – Intro
0:30 – Australian spec
1:32 – Powertrain
1:45 – Interior
2:47 – Options
4:15 – On road
4:35 – Ride comfort
5:12 – Limited slip diff
6:46 – Handling
7:55 – Gearbox
9:17 – Downsides
10:29 – Verdict
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