A few years back I sampled a Volkswagen Golf GTI Autobahn, and it was love at first drive. I’ve learned to trust my gut as I usually know within the first couple of minutes whether I’m about to enjoy a car. And the GTI had me swooning in the first 30 seconds. Then the very next day a Jeep interrupted my bromance, but the spark didn’t die. Fast forward to today, and here we are again with another opportunity to fall in love all over again, and yes, the heart still does that little skip once the seatbelt makes that click.

That early infatuation though had me ready to sign the papers despite having only had it less than 24 hours. A couple years later, Volkswagen released a special edition, a send-off for the manual, the 380 SE, that offered a few extra features for under $34,000 when it first went on sale. It felt almost unfairly perfect… until life, and the reality of finances, stepped in. No longer after that, the 380 SE quickly became a victim of dealer markups as its popularity surged, and the timing never aligned for me to pull the trigger. So, the 2025 model year now arrives with something of a bittersweet halo.

The emotional drumbeat here is simple, after fifty years of offering a manual, to see it vanish is something like Siegfried without Roy; an aging reference, perhaps, but it signals a cultural shift more than a mere feature list. Still, the show must go on, and the Golf GTI remains a compelling package that defies the era’s trend toward automatic-only devotion.

LIKES: Well-balanced chassis dynamics, responsive turbocharger, continues to be the hottest of hot hatches.

What I like most about the 2025 update is its well-balanced chassis dynamics and the way the turbocharger delivers a precise kick that is subtle in everyday driving, yet assertive when you press the right pedal. The GTI is still the hottest of hot hatches that wears its sporty badge proudly without shouting, and it remains the benchmark by which many rivals are measured.

From a design perspective, 2025 is a light touch, a mid-cycle refresh that rewards the careful observer. The front fascia has a cleaner, lower grille profile that contributes to a more streamlined look. It continues to carry a unique fog-light design, paired with an illuminated strip linking the headlights and a subdued illuminated badge, provides a modern signature without shouting for attention. New 18-inch wheels take center stage and align more closely with the GTI’s visual language than the previous gloss-black alternatives.

Powertrain continuity is a strength here. The seven-speed dual-clutch automatic continues to replace the manual that so many enthusiasts mourn, and Volkswagen has tuned it to be smoother for daily driving while sharpening response in Sport mode. The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder remains intact under the hood, delivering 241 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, a ratio that keeps the Golf GTI peppy without ever feeling overdone. And in practical terms, the numbers translate into a sprint from zero to sixty in a little over 5.5 seconds with launch control engaged. Among peers, the GTI still presides with a mature, composed temperament that many will misinterpret as “calm” only because the car’s potential is so well-contained.

If you’re comparing drivers’ smiles, the chassis remains the game-changer. It handles corners with a playful seriousness that suggests mischief is always a potential, yet well-behaved at the most inopportune times. It’s the tactile equivalent of a practiced dancer that is always a step ahead of your expectations. The steering, though, betrays a lingering area for improvement. It can feel a touch over-helmed by the GTI’s front-end prowess, skirting the line of an Americanized numbness. And when it comes to exhaust notes, its good to know you won’t get banned in the State of California… we’re talk to you Hyundai Elantra N.

DISLIKES: Infotainment is hard to navigate, touch sensitive volume control

On the interior, the 2025 refresh takes a mixed path. The infotainment system re-centers the experience with a larger display that protrudes more than it did in the 2022 model. The visual presence is striking, even a touch brash for some tastes, but the practicality is improved by the return of physical steering-wheel controls. The era of all-touch interfaces has its headaches, and the restored tactile controls are a welcome relief for anyone who prefers a straightforward, tactile control scheme when chasing performance. The seating, even in the sport-design variant, remains supportive and comfortable for a broad range of body types and driving condition. It’s unfortunate that the iconic plaid motif that once defined GTI’s interior identity is not available on the SE as it is on the entry level S.

As for the price, my tester was the mid-range SE, with a price around $38,645. It’s true that a few premium amenities such as adaptive dampers, available on the Autobahn would enhance the chassis’ dynamic range. Yet, even without those features, the GTI remains a playful, tossable companion that is practical enough for commuting, engaging enough for a weekend back-road sprint, and sophisticated enough to carry its heritage with pride that will average over 30-miles to the gallon. Yes, the price may feel steep in a market that values efficiency above all else, and yes, the absence of a manual is a cultural blow for purists. Yet love, as the cliché goes, isn’t always a bargain. True love, even in automotive form, often requires a bit more investment for those still seeking a little mischief wrapped in everyday practicality.