What are its faults? There's no standard CD player. Also, only a single-CD unit is available for the dash. A dealer installed 6-disc trunk-mounted unit is optional but who wants to be messing with this audio relic when competitive brands are offering slick 6-disc dash-mounted units.
Minor gripe aside, the Golf is superb in every other respect. The icing on the cake is a 48 month/80,000 km bumper-to-bumper warranty with roadside assistance, plus a 60 month/100,000 km powertrain warranty. Corrosion is covered for 12 years with unlimited mileage as well. All said, if you're looking for a performance oriented people hauler with better than average cargo capacity, you might want to pencil in a trip to your VW dealer.
Specifications:
- Price Range (MSRP):$19,230 - $32,020 (not including dealer installed CD player)
- Body Type: 3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback
- Layout: Front engine, FWD
- Base Engine: 115-hp, 122 lb-ft, 2.0-L I-4
- Opt Engine: 90-hp, 155 lb-ft, 1.9-L I-4 Turbo Diesel
- Opt Engine: 180-hp, 174 lb-ft, 1.8-L, 20-valve, DOHC I-4 Turbo
- Opt Engine: 174-hp (201-hp mid-year), 181 lb-ft, 2.8-L VR6
- Transmission: 5-spd man (opt 4-spd auto, 5-spd auto with manual-mode)
- Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS with EDS
- Cargo Cap (rear seats up/folded): 510 / 1,184 L (18 cu ft / 41.8 cu ft)
- Curb Weight: 1,257 kg (2,771 lbs)
- Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 9.6 / 6.9 L/100 km
- Warranty (mo/km): 48/80,000 comprehensive - 60/100,000 powertrain
- Direct Competitors:Acura 1.7 EL/RSX, Chevrolet Cavalier, Chrysler Neon, Daewoo Nubira, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra/Tiburon, Kia Spectra, Mazda Protegé, Mini Cooper, Nissan Sentra, Pontiac Sunbird, Saturn SL, Subaru Impreza/WRX, Toyota Corolla/Celica
- Web Site: www.vw.com
Article Gallery