2002 Volkswagen Golf Review
2002 Volkswagen Golf Review
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Used Golf for sale
Appraise This CarVolkswagen Golf model years
Volkswagen Golf types
- Hatchback
- Diesel
See Edmunds pricing data
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
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
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.
Edmunds 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.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2002 Volkswagen Golf GL 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$174/mo for Golf GL
Golf GL
vs
$174/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
We've always liked the Golf, a fun-to-drive, chunky-but-spunky hatchback that has been a bestseller in Europe for more than two decades. Here in the States, the fourth-generation Golf does battle against a range of compacts, many of them with less sporting credentials.
Both the Golf GL and GLS are powered by a standard 2.0-liter SOHC four-cylinder powerplant producing 115 horsepower. An optional powertrain on the Golf is the Turbo Direct Injection (TDI) diesel engine making 90 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque, with an EPA rating of 49 miles per gallon during highway driving and 42 mpg in the city. Of these two engines, the TDI provides the most get-up-and-go, but neither compares to the turbocharged 1.8-liter four that VW offered on four-door Golfs in 2000 and 2001 (turbo fans now must buy a two-door GTI). All Golfs are available with a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic.
The hatchback rides on front MacPherson struts and a rear independent torsion-beam axle. Separate shock and coil-spring mounts reduce intrusion into the luggage compartment and cut road noise.
Standard features on the Golf GL include an anti-theft alarm system, air conditioning, power locks, split folding rear seats with three headrests and three-point safety belts, and a tilting and telescoping steering wheel.
The Golf GLS adds a folding front-center armrest, one-touch up and down power windows, power heated mirrors, cruise control and velour fabric seats. Options on the GLS include a four-speed automatic transmission, a Monsoon sound system, alloy wheels, a power glass sunroof, heated front seats and heated windshield washer nozzles.
The Golf offers a multitude of safety features that we don't usually see in cars at this price point. Automatic locking retractors (ALR) and emergency locking retractors (ELR) are provided for the seatbelts. Child seat tether anchorage points are also included. Moreover, side airbags and head protection curtain airbags come standard. It all comes in an attractively packaged interior boasting high-quality materials, as well as the best rear headroom and storage capacity of cars in this class.
All new Volkswagen vehicles come with an improved 4-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, up from 2 years/24,000 miles. In addition, Volkswagen offers a fully transferable limited powertrain warranty that covers 5 years or 60,000 miles. Four-year/50,000-mile 24-hour roadside assistance is also provided.
With top-notch warranty coverage, high-quality materials and construction, a roomy and functional interior, and traditionally Germanic handling, the Golf makes a compelling case for purchase by cash-strapped consumers looking for an inexpensive set of wheels that doesn't feel cheap.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2002 Volkswagen Golf.
5 star(67%)
4 star(23%)
3 star(8%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(2%)
102 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.88 out of 5 stars
AWESOME CAR!
doc5339, 05/26/2012
2002 Volkswagen Golf GLS TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
I never really liked Volkswagens, but I have really fallen in love with this car. I purchased the Golf with over 150,000 miles on it, and have no issues, other than scheduled maintenance and wear and tear replacement parts. Had to replace the Glow Plug Wiring Harness because it was throwing Codes.
The car has over 215,000 miles on it now, and still gets 43 MPG average, 46+ highway; … probably will get 50 MPG if you can force yourself to drive the speed limit on the highway.
Why buy a hybrid, when the batteries will fail when this TDI engine is just hitting its peak? Unless you drive 100% city, stay away from hybrids, TDI is the route to go for great fuel economy and long-term durability.
5 out of 5 stars
Good car to have, has lots going for it
Aleks, 07/20/2002
2002 Volkswagen Golf GL TDI 2dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
I really enjoy this car and i am glad i
got this car. Not only was the price
very nice, but it is very well worth the
money.
ALthough i got new tires, the handling
with the origial ones was also very good
both in handling and in grip.
This thing really does well in corners,
on ice, rain, and dirt. Cornering is
very nice, and the fuel economy is
spectacular.
4.25 out of 5 stars
My First New Car Treated Me Well
Claire, 01/21/2007
2002 Volkswagen Golf GLS 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
My Golf was perfect until after I had put 60,000 miles on it, then things started to fall apart. I had some mechanical trouble that ended up being quite costly. Other than that, I loved the car. It was fun and sporty.
2.88 out of 5 stars
Look elsewhere
robert, 07/01/2008
2002 Volkswagen Golf GL 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
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.
2002 Golf Highlights
Hatchback
GL
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $15,050 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 24 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $174/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 18 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Golf include:
- Alarm
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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