2002 Volkswagen Golf Review
Fuel Economy
23 - 38 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
Looking for a cheap, functional, fun-to-drive car? The Golf offers all three, though the departure of the four-door turbo takes away some of the fun.
Pros
Fun-to-drive, lots of standard goodies, hatchback design offers excellent cargo utility.
Cons
Limited engine choices with departure of 1.8T four-door, some controls hard to decipher, handling could be crisper, dated styling.
What's New for 2002
The speedy 1.8T four-door has been eliminated from the Golf lineup. A CD player now comes standard on the GLS model, and the GL trim level is available both in two- and four-door configurations. Mojave Beige joins the color spectrum. Also new for the 2002 model year, all Volkswagen vehicles come with an improved four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, up from two years/24,000 miles. In addition, Volkswagen offers a fully transferable limited powertrain warranty that covers five years or 60,000 miles.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
I love this car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 4 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2002 Volkswagen Golf GLS TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
Review
My dad had a Rabbit diesel and that car provided about a million miles and years of service so I had my eye on this Golf when I first saw it. I got it with 60k miles and it now has 100k miles. It is 6 years old but still looks great, and the brake pads have never been changed! It gets about 36 mpg which is right with what the window sticker says. This is a low maintenance car, all I do is change the oil around 5k miles and drive it.
Favorite Features
Everyone comments on the cute styling, it is not garish or tacky like some of the other small cars. The instrument lights are beautiful. It holds it's resale value, I'll never sell it, but it is still worth close to what I paid for it, so I feel like I have got my moneys worth.
Suggested Improvements
The only problems I have had is the battery went bad, and I had to replace the water pump at 80k miles, I had the timing belt replaced at the same time because it was overdue anyways, and one glow plug. The tan fabric gets dirty easily. The doors will freeze shut if you don't keep lube on the seals.
Stylish and cheap
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2002 Volkswagen Golf GL 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Since I bought the car I had a great experience using a VW product. The car drives excellent, has a great steering sensation, not so much power but with the 5 speed tranny still gets a good speed. Brakes and shocks had a great feeling, and the fuel economy is great, even with the A/C on, and the equipment is fine. Changed engine due to flooding, but any other major problem
Favorite Features
Sunroof, small size for parking, engine sound, cold A/C.
Suggested Improvements
Think everything has been improved
Look elsewhere
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 6 | Reliability: | 2 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2002 Volkswagen Golf GL 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I bought this VW for quality German engineering. My mistake. It had chronic (monsoon) radio/cd problems which are expensive to repair. Front door windows fell out but were covered by mfr recall. Transmission went out twice (112,000 and 128,000 miles). It cost $4500 and VW America would not help with either transmission. Even the wheel logos are poorly installed and fall out at $40 each. Cup holders completely block access to stereo while in use. Black velour seats tend to hold lots of lint and dirt. Looking forward to selling this car and buying a Japanese or American car.
Favorite Features
Good looking car.
Suggested Improvements
VW America should provide better quality control and stand behind their product better. Radio/cd player goes out frequently. Automatic transmission is very unreliable and expensive.
Get one if you can
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2002 Volkswagen Golf GL TDI 2dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
Review
We bought this car new, after the dealer went high and low trying to find one. It has 175000 miles on it and is by far the lowest-cost joy of a car we have ever owned. Going for 300,000+! Only the two-seat Honda Insight tops it for freeway-driving economy and this has no multi-thousand- dollar battery battery bank overhauls looming in the future!
Favorite Features
The TDI engine technology is the best of the best. Volkswagen should never have "improved" on the A4 engine since the previous versions and the 2004 and later PD versions have not performed as well.
Suggested Improvements
It may appear in the new VW Sportwagen (Jetta in the U.S.) in January '08, but VW desperately needs to get back on the A4-type track with a 6-speed manual at 60+ mpg. Their prototype TDI hybrid at around 100 mpg would really take the cake, overriding the cost of the long-term battery replacements.
2 out 2 people found this review helpful
Great Car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2002 Volkswagen Golf GL TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
Review
I like to drive. I have 155k on a late 2002. It is still running and looking great. I have had no major issues with the car; it is he best car I have owned!
Favorite Features
Gotta love the hatchback! 5 speed is great also. How about that MPG.
Suggested Improvements
You should not paint the interior plastic, it peels. Also the headlights cloud over in time
View Pricing for Other Years
- 2010 Volkswagen Golf
- 2006 Volkswagen Golf
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- 2004 Volkswagen Golf
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- 2002 Volkswagen Golf
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