What’s New for 2025: Volkswagen

Volkswagen leans into the latest tech upgrades for the 2025 model year, but a lot of questions remain on the utility of such features. The use of ChatGPT to recognize and respond to voice commands expands to most models for 2025, but you’ll need a subscription to unlock features. More immediately, every 2025 Volkswagen now comes standard with a 12.9-inch touchscreen. 

The world’s second largest automaker is in the midst of a transition to electric vehicles, much like many other automakers. But it’s been a rocky rollout following the 2021 launch of the Volkswagen ID.4, which already gets a significant tech reboot for the 2024 ID.4 crossover SUV. The 2025 Volkswagen ID.7 originally expected this year has been delayed indefinitely, and the much anticipated ID.Buzz electric van has been delayed until the fourth quarter of this year.

The reshuffled lineup may help explain why, domestically, Volkswagen Group was outsold by Tesla and Subaru in the first quarter of 2024. Here are the changes to the existing lineup, and what’s new for 2025.  

New models

2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz

• Three-row successor to the legendary Bus comes as an electric van powered by a 91-kwh battery back and a single-motor model shared with the ID.4 and rated at 282 hp.
• Range can be estimated at about  250 miles but it hasn’t been certified by the EPA.

• The 1st Edition has a two-tone exterior with a unique 20-inch wheel design, roof rail cross bars, a panoramic roof, a 700-watt premium sound system, power-sliding doors, and a power tailgate.

• The base Pro S will get 20-inch wheels, a parking-assistance system, 30-color ambient lighting, and the 12.9-inch infotainment system.

Carryover models

2025 Volkswagen ID.4

• After a significant refresh for the electric crossover, the ID.4 Pro with the 82-kwh battery pack carries over unchanged.
• Single-motor rear-wheel-drive Pro models have an EPA-rated range of 291 miles; dual-motor models have a range of 263 miles.
• ID.4 Standard and ID.4 S versions with the 62-kwh battery pack go 206 miles.

2025 Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport

2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI

• Like the Golf R, the GTI refresh includes revised styling, increased standard equipment, an available surround-view camera system, and a larger 12.9-inch touchscreen replaces the current 8.3-inch screen.
• As of now, the 241-hp 2.0-liter turbo-4 with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission carries over. It’s still front-wheel drive only.

2025 Volkswagen Golf R

• 2.0-liter turbo-4 boosted from 315 hp to 329 hp and it pairs with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It’s unclear if the 6-speed manual option will return.
• All-wheel drive is standard.
• The refresh includes revised styling, increased standard equipment, a larger 12.9-inch touchscreen, and improved electronic driver-assist technology.

Forthcoming models

• The redesigned 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan compact crossover SUV enters its third generation late this year.
• The refreshed Taos small crossover will be updated later this year.
• The 2025 Jetta and Jetta GLI compact sedans get refreshed sometime this summer.