Volkswagen of America announced its changes for the 2025 model year.
After the Atlas family and ID.4 received significant changes for 2024, the rest of the lineup is all-new or refreshed for 2025.
With an active Car-Net enrollment, most Volkswagen models will offer an available voice assistant with ChatGPT, Automotive Fleet reported in January 2024.
Golf GTI & Golf R Get an Update
The popular compact car receives a facelift for model year 2025. The European Golf GTI was revealed in January, while the European Golf R will debut shortly.
More details on the U.S. offers for both models will come closer to their market introduction in early 2025.
Classic-Inspired ID. Buzz Debuts
The all-electric Volkswagen ID. Buzz pays homage to the automaker’s classic microbus. Next to it is the ID.7, which has a delayed North American launch. The vehicles were pictured next to the VW Beetle in a photoshoot celebrating the automaker’s 75th anniversary in the United States.
The ID. Buzz debuts for 2025, bringing the classic Microbus into the modern era, re-imagined for the electric future.
Available in Pro S, Pro S Plus, launch-only 1st Edition trims and both RWD or 4Motion AWD configurations, the US-version of the ID. Buzz has three rows of seats to accommodate six or seven passengers, with copious amounts of room for people and their luggage.
The vehicle offers striking light signatures, including a giant illuminated logo at the front, and features an array of colors, including two-tone paint schemes. Standard features include a 91-kWh battery, 20-in. wheels, 12.9-in. infotainment system, 30-color ambient lighting, and Park Assist Plus.
Available features include captain’s chairs, electrochromic panoramic glass roof, harman/kardon premium audio, head-up display, Flexboard cargo system, and Area View camera.
More details on the offer structure can be found here, and EPA-estimated range and pricing will be announced closer to launch in Q4 of this year.
ID.4 Returns After Upgrades
Among the 2024 updates in the all-electric ID.4 SUV is a new rear electric motor that increases power to 282-hp on rear-wheel- and 335-hp on all-wheel-drive models.
Volkswagen’s all-electric ID.4 SUV received significant upgrades for the 2024 model year 82-kWh battery models, including a revised infotainment system and software, a new rear electric motor that increases power to 282-hp on rear-wheel- and 335-hp on all-wheel-drive models, and improved range of an EPA-estimated 291 miles for the ID.4 Pro RWD model.
The 2025 model will be available in seven trims: three Entry (Standard, Pro, AWD Pro), three S (S, Pro S, AWD Pro S), and one S Plus (AWD Pro S Plus). All models with the 62-kWh battery add standard 12.9-in. display with backlit sliders and S models with 62-kWh battery add ventilated front row seats.
S and S Plus models feature an available Black Package, including black mirror caps, door handles, badging and 20-in. black aluminum-alloy wheels. S Plus models also add an auto-dimming driver’s side door mirror.
Jetta and Jetta GLI Get Front, Rear End Treatments and New Wheel Options
Modernized front and rear end treatments, alongside new wheel choices and colors, give the Jetta a more distinctive appearance.
The entry models to the VW lineup will be refreshed for 2025. The Jetta and performance-tuned Jetta GLI offer revised styling, interior refinements, and new technology, and a lower starting price than the outgoing 2024 automatic-transmission model with a starting MSRP of $21,995.
On the outside, a revised front fascia features new upper and lower grille designs. New LED headlights, as well as an available light bar, provide a distinctive and modern appearance, while a new trunk lid with a standard light bar connects the taillights.
LED headlights and daytime running lights (DRLs) are standard from the S trim, while the illuminated light bar in the grille is standard on Sport, SEL, and GLI models. The Sport trim features a blacked-out grille.
GLI models feature black upper and lower grilles with honeycomb detailing and a red accent strip that draws a visual connection to its sport-tuned stablemate, GTI. As on GTI, the GLI lettering sits above to the left.
The Jetta S comes standard with 16-in. two-tone machined alloy wheels with a 10-spoke design wrapped in 205/60 R16 all-season tires. The Sport trim includes 17-in. two-tone machined alloy wheels with a 10-spoke design.
Jetta SE models feature new 17-in. two-tone wheels with a 10-spoke design as standard, while the optional Black Wheels Package offers new 18-in. black alloys. Jetta SEL models wear new 18-in. alloys.
The GLI comes with new 18-in. machined alloy wheels standard, with 18-in. gloss black alloy wheels in the same design available in the Black Package. All models with 17-in. wheels feature 205/55 R17 all-season tires; all models with 18-in. wheels feature 225/45 R18 all-season tires.
Customers will also see two new exterior color options—Monterey Blue Pearl and Monument Gray.
Inside, the Jetta features a new dash design as well as new colors and decor across the range. The revised upper dash seamlessly integrates the passenger air vent. The flowing, three-bar design also directs the eye to the new focal point for the cabin—the floating touchscreen infotainment system, which now has an 8-in. display as standard across all models.
Taos and Tiguan to Get an Update
The entry compact Taos SUV receives a major refresh for the 2025 model year. The reveal of the updated Taos is planned for late Q3 2024.
The compact Tiguan SUV enters its third generation as an all-new 2025 model. Details, including reveal timing, will be shared later this year.
Atlas & Atlas Cross Sport Return After Major Refresh
The Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport include newly standard 15W wireless charging and Light Assist on all trims. The 2024 models are shown here.
After a major refresh for the 2024 model year, including an elegant new interior and a refined turbocharged engine, the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport midsize SUVs return to the Volkswagen lineup for 2025. Each model in the Atlas family is available in five trims.
The Atlas range includes SE, SE w/ Technology, Peak Edition SE w/ Technology, SEL, and SEL Premium R-Line. Atlas Cross Sport trims include SE, SE w/ Technology, SEL, an all-new SEL R-Line Black, and SEL Premium R-Line.
The SEL R-Line Black trim on Atlas Cross Sport features blackout details and 20-in. black aluminum-alloy wheels outside, and a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel and stainless-steel pedal caps inside.
Both models include newly standard 15W wireless charging and Light Assist on all trims. SEL Premium R-Line trims sport new high-end design and comfort features, including headrest perforation, four-way lumbar support, and massage function for front seats.
New colors on both Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport include Mountain Lake Blue and Avocado Green, which was previously only on Atlas Peak Edition; on Atlas alone, Pure Grey is now available outside the Peak Edition trim.
Select model year 2025 vehicles are expected to begin arriving in dealer showrooms in September, and others will be launched through early 2025.
What Else is Happening at Volkswagen?
The 2025 model year lineup announcement comes as the automaker celebrates 75 years in the United States.
The ID.7 all-electric sedan was slated for a late 2024 North American debut, but Volkswagen announced in May 2024 that the release was delayed, with no expected release date for commercial fleets and consumers. AF reported that its Q1 sales growth was driven by the SUV segment.
Editor’s Note: This story was originally published June 2024 and was updated Sept. 3 with newly-released information on the Jetta and Jetta GLI.
