Read the full 4Car Road Test
2002 Top Ten position
All UK car sales: 7
Fleet car sales: 8
Small family car
Introduced: 1997, new model due mid-2004
Bodystyles: Three- and five-door hatchback, estate, cabriolet, saloon (Bora, not discussed here), new Beetle, plus Touran compact MPV later this year
Price band: £10,875-£20,790
NCAP crash test rating: 4
The Golf is...
a long-running favourite, even though it is really rather outdated. It has a smart image other small family cars can only dream of, and remains the posh choice in this market sector, and even though anecdotal evidence suggests it's not quite as well-built as popular wisdom would have you believe, it has a reputation for reliability, solid build and a quality finish. The Golf comes with a large choice of engines and trims, from the utiltarian 1.4 to the executive-cruiser, four-wheel drive 2.8 V6 4MOTION and the uncompromisingly sporty 240bhp R32, and there are a series of excellent PD (Pumpe Duse, or unit injection) diesel engines. The GTis may not really be proper GTis any more - although the 1.8T turbo versions are appealingly quick - and even come in diesel form, but the R32 is a real stormer. Cabriolet models (based on the last-generation Golf platform) remain on the price lists but are being phased out in anticipation of the Beetle Cabriolet, to be launched this summer.
For
Image, appearance of quality, nice cabins, refinement, residual values, PD diesel engines, solid feel.
Against
The mainstream models have dull, stodgy handling, closely-related Seat Leon is cheaper, relatively high price.
Sum-up
Still a benchmark for quality in this class, despite its age.
Engines, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions
Petrol:1.4 (75bhp): 41.5mpg, 163g/km
1.6 (105bhp): 33.6mpg, 170g/km
1.8T (150bhp): 35.3mpg, 192g/km
1.8T (180bhp): 33.6mpg, 202g/km
2.0 (115bhp): 34.9mpg, 194g/km
2.3 V5 (170bhp): 28.8mpg, 211g/km
2.8 V6 (204bhp): 25.4mpg, 264g/km
R32 3.2 (240bhp): 24.6mpg, 276g/km
Diesels:1.9 SDi (68bhp): 53.3mpg, 143g/km
1.9 GT TDI PD 100 (100bhp): 42.8mpg, 143g/km
1.9 GT TDI PD 130 (130bhp): 52.3mpg, 146g/km
1.9 GT TDI PD 150 (150bhp): 52.3mpg, 149g/km
Spec rundown
Basic-spec E models (1.4 and 1.9 SDI engines only) have power steering, driver, passenger and side airbags, ABS, central locking, radio/cassette and a split/folding rear seat, with a spartan cloth interior. Match models (which have just replaced S specification) add electric windows, a CD player, 15-inch Avus alloy wheels, remote central locking and alarm, ESP (electronic stability programme) and electric mirrors. Plushly-trimmed SE versions have cruise control and the option of leather seats, V5 models have the option of satellite navigation and V6 versions have a full top-end spec including a six-CD autochanger and xenon gas-discharge headlamps (leather optional). GTI models have spec similar to the SE, and the R32 has a full sports specification with lowered, stiffened suspension, leather bucket seats, aluminium-trimmed cabin and xenon headlights.
Market info
Many VW dealers are currently offering E-spec models at £9,995. Watch out also for special finance offers, especially on mainstream/lower-powered models, and VW dealers can be open to offers, though not on R32, V6 or GT TDI PD versions. The biggest savings are to be had by importing, or buying an import from one of the larger car supermarkets - most are bought in from the Republic of Ireland. But although the Golf is dearer than its Seat equivalent, it does hold its value extremely well, due to high demand on the used market - it's a good investment, though inevitably, residual values of this current range will suffer a little when the new model is launched at the end of this year.
