Volkswagen Golf 2002 Review

Unlike the car it replaced, the cute and quirky Beetle, the Golf's more conventional nature hasn't allowed it to create such a cult following.

But that hasn't lowered its popularity, as the Golf has been one of Europe's top-selling cars for two decades and remains one of the benchmarks that carmakers around the globe analyse.

In Australia, through its four generations, the Golf has graduated from a basic small car into a top-quality rival for the top-selling Japanese hatches. But, with our present healthy economy, it has become a serious option for small families.

These families would traditionally look at the big Aussie cars or a cut-price alternative to the more up-market, badge-driven European cars, such as the BMW 3-Series.

But whatever the Golf does is sure to be followed by many. That's certainly been the case with this latest model.

Volkswagen Australia, the factory-run subsidiary of the famous German carmaker, has just broadened the Golf family to give Down Under customers more choice with a number of better-value models.

It hopes the expanded range will boost sales of the Golf even though the model is four years old and an all-new fifth-generation version is scheduled to be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show later this year.

The new lineup consists of five individual models, ranging from the entry-level 1.6S, which kick-starts the range at $25,990, through the 2.0S at $28,400 and the range-topping sports GTi at $38,500.

Both the regular 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre models also have a more-luxurious SE option, costing $29,400 and $31,990 respectively.

All versions come with a decent list of standard features, including dual front airbags, anti-skid brakes, seat-belt pre-tensioners, aircon, CD sound, central locking and an engine immobiliser.

The SE models gain extra equipment, including an anti-theft alarm, remote locking, color-coded bumpers, cruise control, trip computer and sports seats.

The 1.6S comes with 15-inch steel wheels, the 2.0S has 16-inch steel wheels while both SE models have 15-inch alloy wheels.

Both models have the choice of either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission to send power to the front wheels.

The 1.6-litre engine produces 75kW of power at 5600 revs and 148Nm of torque at 3800. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder delivers an extra 10kW at 5200 revs and 170Nm at 2400 revs, which is remarkably low in the rev range for a naturally aspirated engine.

The GTi is a completely different beast, with its 1.8-litre turbo-charged engine producing 110kW and 210Nm. It also has sports suspension, BBS alloy wheels, black wood trim, auto aircon, a three-spoke steering wheel, fog lights and side airbags.

On the road

THIS Golf is the most straightforward and enjoyable Volkswagen we've driven in an age.

The Beetle RSi is outrageous fun, and the Passat is refined and sophisticated, but the affordable Golf models are back where they belong.

The 2.0S, at the halfway point in the latest lineup, is the best reflection of the changes. It's not trying to be a hot hatch, not trying to be a prestige car. Yet it succeeds without trying -- apart from performance -- because Volkswagen has the basics right.

It's the Golf that VW has needed to take the fight back to Euro-newcomers, including the Holden Astra and Peugeot 307, as well as Japan's latest Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, because it is well built and good to drive.

The price isn't great, and would run just over $30,000 by the time you were driving away, but is another sign of the escalation in small-car deals. Even a three-door Barina can now cost $22,000 by the time it's on the road.

The design of the Golf is unchanged for 2002 and shows how well the car is ageing.

It is tidy, simple, and results in a five-adult cabin with a roomy boot -- and plenty of back-end people-luggage combinations.

Equipment in the S is fair, but remote central locking should be part of the deal at the price and a cruise control would make life easier.

Volkswagen has kept up the sensible stuff with anti-skid brakes and twin front airbags.

The output from the engine looks feeble on paper, but the bottom-end torque is the best news and means you don't have to work hard to keep the car going pretty well.

Swinging to about 4000 revs in each gear keeps the car flowing in traffic and in the sweet spot for highway work.

Economy is commendable, with 500km hops -- or longer -- between refuelling.

The S is surprisingly enjoyable on twisty roads, even without GTi-style tyres or power. It can keep up a swift pace, with good cornering balance and terrific brakes.

The only shortcoming we found was a ``pogo-stick'' feeling from the tail when it was fully loaded. The multi-adjustable seats are firm, yet supportive.

It all adds up to a car which is again becoming an aspirational purchase. The two-litre cars are a very attractive deal.

Would we buy Golf? Yes, but the 2.0S is definitely the pick of the present Golf club.