Facelifted VW Golf GTI Is Ashamed of Wearing Eyeliner When Rolling in Pairs

You may be wondering what is the biggest novelty here, and it revolves around the face. More specifically, the red trim spanning from one new headlight to the other that kind of gave the previous tester an eyeliner effect.

The upper grille trim looks slightly different, and it misses out on the GTI badge mounted next to the right headlamp. The front bumper also did not feature the large sensor in the middle anymore, and it had redesigned outer edges with a softer styling.

There isn't anything new to report on regarding the profile, which carries over unchanged, complete with the front fender trim and the same wheels. The back end looks identical to that of the previously scooped prototype, and that includes the GTI emblem on the tailgate positioned below the OEM logo, just like on the current hot hatch.

Zoom in on certain pictures, and you will see a more sizeable infotainment screen, which could be the 15-inch unit equipping the new Tiguan and Passat. Chances are the digital instrument cluster was also refreshed, and we'd expect the German automaker to give the facelifted Golf GTI a new steering wheel and perhaps a tweaked center console. New upholstery and trim could also be on the list, and some driving gizmos could be updated.

It is too early to speak about the powertrain, but logic tells us the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder unit will survive, likely with little to no modifications. In the current car, it pushes out 241 hp (244 ps/180 kW) and 273 lb-ft (370 Nm) of torque, delivered to the front wheels through an automatic transmission. It has been reported that the manual gearbox might survive, though we will believe it when we see it.

It is not only the GTI version of the Golf Mk8 that is undergoing a mid-cycle refresh, as the entire family is getting similar updates. This includes the normal versions of the compact car and the range-topping Golf R with its all-wheel drive system.

The two hot hatches are the only variants of the Volkswagen Golf Mk8 that are still being sold in the United States, and we don't see a reason why the facelifted iterations won't make their way to our shores. The current Golf GTI has an MSRP of $31,765, and the punchier Golf R starts at $45,455. It is possible that the facelifted Golf GTI will be showcased sometime next year, and we will probably see it at dealers in our market for the 2025 model year.