2025 Volkswagen Golf/GTI: mileage, fuel cost, safety and recalls
The 2025 Volkswagen Golf/GTI gets 25 to 27 miles per gallon combined, depending on the version. The best is the 2025 GTI at 27 mpg.
How the Golf/GTI ranks in its class
In the Compact Cars class for 2025, the Golf/GTI ranks 15th of 22 for combined mileage (27 mpg), 7th of 22 for yearly fuel cost ($2,300 for its cheapest version, cheapest first) and 15th of 22 for tailpipe CO2 (326 grams per mile for its lowest version, lowest first). The middle model of the class gets 30 mpg, costs $2,600 a year and puts out 299.5 grams per mile.
Across all 250 2025 models in the file that burn fuel, the middle best-version figure is 25 mpg and the highest is 57 mpg (Toyota Prius). Of the 249 other models, 90 get more miles per gallon than the 2025 Golf/GTI's best version, 11 other models get the same and 148 get less. The 2025 Golf/GTI's cheapest version costs $2,300 a year to fuel by the agency's figure; of the 241 other models with a cost figure, 58 cost less, 5 the same and 178 more.
Nearest models in the class (places 9 to 17 of 22)
Open the best-mileage list of this class for 2025. Cost and CO2 in the table are each model's lowest figure over its versions; plug-in hybrid and fuel-cell versions have no fuel cost and are left out of the cost column.
| Place | Model | Best version | mpg | Fuel a year, cheapest version | CO2 g/mi, lowest version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 2025 Volkswagen GLI | 2025 GLI (Manual 6-spd) | 30 | $2,100 | 301 |
| 13 | 2025 Audi A4 | 2025 A4 quattro | 29 | $2,650 | 301 |
| 13 | 2025 Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 2025 C300 | 29 | $2,650 | 303 |
| 15 | 2025 Volkswagen Golf/GTIThis car | 2025 GTI | 27 | $2,300 | 326 |
| 16 | 2025 Cadillac CT4 | 2025 CT4 (4-cyl 2.0 L) | 26 | $3,000 | 345 |
| 17 | 2025 Acura TLX | 2025 TLX FWD | 25 | $3,100 | 352 |
| 17 | 2025 Lexus IS | 2025 IS 300 | 25 | $3,100 | 356 |
Your fuel cost
Pick a 2025 version, then set your miles and fuel price. Fuel price as of 2026-11-14, U.S. Department of Energy / EPA. The price box starts at the dated price of the fuel the picked version burns (regular, midgrade or premium gasoline, diesel, E85 or electricity) and sets the price of that fuel. Miles are limited to 1,000 to 60,000 a year and the price to $0.01 to $20.00; a value outside that is worked out at the nearest limit.
2025 GTI, 4-cyl 2.0 L: 24 mpg city, 32 highway, 27 combined. The agency's own estimate for the 2025 Golf/GTI version is $2,300 a year (15,000 miles, the agency's fuel prices).
Compare with a rival
The 3 nearest rivals in the Compact Cars class for 2025, picked by closest combined mileage; only versions with a fuel-cost figure are listed. Same miles as on the left. The price box on the left is the price of the fuel of the version you picked: a rival that burns the same fuel uses that price, a rival that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. The 5-year line is 5 times the yearly gap.
The Golf/GTI costs $668 less to fuel each year.
Over 5 years the Golf/GTI costs $3,340 less to fuel than the CT4 (5 times the yearly difference, at these miles and these prices).
- 2025 Cadillac CT4
- 2025 Acura TLX
- 2025 Audi A4
The Golf/GTI against its nearest rivals
Dollar gaps use each car's best-mileage version.
| Rival in 2025 | Best version | Combined | Fuel a year, agency (15,000 miles) | Against the Golf/GTI (mileage) | Agency yearly fuel cost against the Golf/GTI | Side by side |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Cadillac CT4 | 2025 CT4 (4-cyl 2.0 L) | 26 mpg | $3,000 | 1 lower | $700 more a year | - |
| 2025 Acura TLX | 2025 TLX FWD | 25 mpg | $3,100 | 2 lower | $800 more a year | - |
| 2025 Audi A4 | 2025 A4 quattro | 29 mpg | $2,650 | 2 higher | $350 more a year | - |
Every version of the 2025 Volkswagen Golf/GTI
EPA test figures for 2025; the last column is the yearly fuel cost against the cheapest version.
| Version | Engine | Gearbox | Drive | City | Highway | Combined | Fuel a year | CO2 g/mi | Fuel vs cheapest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 GTI | 4-cyl 2.0 L | Automatic (AM-S7) | Front-wheel | 24 | 32 | 27 | $2,300 | 326 | cheapest |
| 2025 Golf R | 4-cyl 2.0 L | Automatic (AM-S7) | All-wheel | 22 | 31 | 25 | $3,100 | 349 | +$800 |
Does a cheaper-to-fuel 2025 version pay back?
Enter the price difference you were quoted for the 2025 Golf/GTI; this page has no prices. Miles come from the calculator. The fuel price box there sets the price of the fuel of the version picked there; a version here that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. Versions with no fuel-cost figure are not listed.
Type the price difference you were quoted to see the payback.
Emissions
Tailpipe CO2: the 2025 GTI puts out 326 grams per mile; across the 2 tested versions the figure runs from 326 to 349.
EPA scores (1 to 10, 10 best) for the 2025 GTI: fuel economy score 5, greenhouse gas score 5.
Mileage by model year
Best combined figure of the Golf/GTI gas version and electric version each model year since 2016, set against the 2025 model.
| Model year | Best gas version | Best electric (MPGe) | Versions tested | Against 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 29 mpg | 116 MPGe | 9 | 2 mpg higher than 2025 | |
| 2017 | 29 mpg | 119 MPGe | 13 | 2 mpg higher than 2025 | |
| 2018 | 29 mpg | 119 MPGe | 13 | 2 mpg higher than 2025 | |
| 2019 | 32 mpg | 119 MPGe | 13 | 5 mpg higher than 2025 | |
| 2020 | 32 mpg | none | 4 | 5 mpg higher than 2025 | |
| 2021 | 33 mpg | none | 4 | 6 mpg higher than 2025 | |
| 2022 | 28 mpg | none | 4 | 1 mpg higher than 2025 | |
| 2023 | 28 mpg | none | 4 | 1 mpg higher than 2025 | |
| 2024 | 27 mpg | none | 4 | same as 2025 | |
| 2025This page | 27 mpg | none | 2 | this page | |
| 2026 | 27 mpg | none | 2 | same as 2025 |
Compared with the 2024 model: 4 versions were tested then and 2 now; the best figure went from 27 to 27 mpg (no change).
The 2026 model has 2 tested versions.
| Version in 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 GTI, 4-cyl 2.0 L | 27 mpg | 27 mpg | no change |
| 2025 Golf R, 4-cyl 2.0 L | 25 mpg | 25 mpg | no change |
2 2024 versions have no match in 2025.
Safety record
Crash-test ratings, 2025
The U.S. safety agency's model list has the 2025 Volkswagen Golf/GTI (as GOLF GTI). The U.S. safety agency's ratings list returned no star ratings for the 2025 Volkswagen Golf/GTI on 2026-11-14. Not every model is crash tested, so this means "not rated by NHTSA", not a good or a bad result.
Owner complaints, 2025
The U.S. safety agency's model list has the 2025 Volkswagen Golf/GTI (as GOLF GTI). The U.S. safety agency's database returned no complaints for the 2025 Volkswagen Golf/GTI on 2026-11-14.
Safety recalls
The U.S. safety agency's model list has the 2025 Volkswagen Golf/GTI (as GOLF GTI). The U.S. safety agency's database returned no recalls for the 2025 Volkswagen Golf/GTI on 2026-11-14. Recalls can be added later; check your own car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
More Compact Cars for 2025
Other 2025 models of the same agency class, each with its best combined figure. The Golf/GTI itself is at 27 mpg.
Other Volkswagen models of 2025
More Volkswagen models that have a 2025 page here, with the class of each and its best combined figure.
Common questions
Which 2025 Volkswagen Golf/GTI gets the best mileage?
The 2025 GTI with 27 mpg combined (24 city, 32 highway).
How much does a 2025 Volkswagen Golf/GTI cost to fuel for a year?
The 2025 Volkswagen Golf/GTI costs between $2,300 and $3,100 to fuel by the agency's estimate, which assumes 15,000 miles a year. The cheapest is the 2025 GTI at $2,300; the dearest is the 2025 Golf R at $3,100. Use the calculator above for your own miles and fuel price.
What mileage does the all-wheel-drive Golf/GTI get?
2025 Golf R: 25 mpg combined (22 city, 31 highway).
How does the 2025 Volkswagen Golf/GTI rank among 2025 Compact Cars models?
The 2025 Volkswagen Golf/GTI is 15th of 22 for combined mileage. The top of the class is the 2025 Toyota Corolla at 50 mpg, and the middle figure for the class is 30 mpg. In the list, the next one ahead is the 2025 Mercedes-Benz C-Class at 29 mpg and the next one behind is the 2025 Cadillac CT4 at 26 mpg.
Did the Golf/GTI change from 2024 to 2025?
The 2024 model had 4 tested versions and the 2025 model has 2. The best figure went from 27 to 27 mpg (no change).
How did the 2025 Volkswagen Golf/GTI do in crash tests?
No star ratings were returned for the 2025 Volkswagen Golf/GTI on 2026-11-14. Not every model is crash tested.
Do owners complain about the 2025 Volkswagen Golf/GTI?
No complaints were returned for the 2025 Volkswagen Golf/GTI on 2026-11-14.
Does the 2025 Volkswagen Golf/GTI have recalls?
The agency's database returned no recalls for the 2025 Volkswagen Golf/GTI on 2026-11-14 (its model list has this car). Check your own car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How fresh these numbers are
For the 2025 Volkswagen Golf/GTI: EPA file 2026-11-04; fuel price 2026-11-14; crash tests 2026-11-14 (no stars returned); complaints 2026-11-14; recalls 2026-11-14. Not covered: purchase price, towing, reliability, repair and insurance costs.
Mileage and fuel cost for the 2025 Volkswagen Golf/GTI: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, fueleconomy.gov vehicle file (file dated 2026-11-04). Recalls for the 2025 Volkswagen Golf/GTI: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (checked 2026-11-14). Crash-test ratings for the 2025 Volkswagen Golf/GTI: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints for the 2025 Volkswagen Golf/GTI: NHTSA (checked 2026-11-14). Fuel prices: U.S. Department of Energy / EPA (2026-11-14). Your own mileage depends on how and where you drive. Where our numbers come from.