Overview & Reviews

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.

• Fun-to-drive, lots of standard goodies, hatchback design offers excellent cargo utility.

• Limited engine choices with departure of 1.8T four-door, some controls hard to decipher, handling could be crisper, dated styling.

User Reviews:

Showing 21 through 30 of 97.00

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  Golf Diesel - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By Walter Remy - January 20 - 3:46 am

  This is a really fun car to drive. It gets great fuel economy and it extremely reliable. This car now has over 50,000 miles with no problems whatsoever. The paint finish and interior stll look like almost new.

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  VW cars- THE BEST UNDER $20000!!! - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By Flanker - October 13 - 10:00 am

  We have a 2000 Jetta and a 2001 Golf. They are great! Just great! Quality, design, convenience, features, price, gas milage... We can go on and on and on. They often ask me "is there anything you regret about these cars, there must be something" to a guy like that I say "yes I do regret that I did not buy them much sooner" PERIOD

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  Golf GLS - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By wfrye - August 18 - 9:36 am

  The Golf is a blast to drive, having only a few shortcomings. The cupholders are in the worst place imaginable and the cruise control is not intuitive. Otherwise very good ergonomics - even an adjustable center rest that gets out of the way for shifting. The car needs the 1.8 liter Turbo engine, though, as our 2000 Golf has. That gets the car rolling and it is much smoother and quieter too.

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  gti? - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By Arthur Melkonian - July 13 - 10:00 am

  even if it is the cheapest bavarian car out there, it still does it for me!

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  Great car! - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By pilotdc9 - June 15 - 10:00 am

  I have had absolutely no problems with this car during its 68,000+ miles. Very comfortable on long trips and my 17 year old loves it. Fuel economy ranges between 42 and 53.7 mpg.

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  Impressive - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By Egolf - June 7 - 10:00 am

  Only owned 1week, but I love it. Very smooth and refined. Pleasantly surprised with the power from base 2.0 engine and 5speed trans. So far, fuel economy near upper end of rating and car not even broken in. Its a Benz on a budget. This car is an excellent highway/hi-speed cruiser. After 1 week of ownership, cant really comment on reliability but if it proves to be reliable then this may be the best car Ive ever owned.

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  Cant beat it - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By chukchi - May 28 - 10:00 am

  Its been a little over two years and 60k miles since I purchased my Golf. I have owned 3 other VWs. This one maintains the good VW qualities and has fixed most of the bad ones. The safety features are untouchable by other cars in its price range and many of the more expensive cars on the market. Handling and performance are more than acceptable. I average 31-33mpg with mostly highway and backroad driving. The only problems I have had are minor (broken window clips, cracked window moldings, loose wiper fluid hose in hatch). The best characteristic is the cargo space. I fit a new dishwasher with all its packaging in the back, with room to spare.

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  Luxury for everyone - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By Pseudobrit - April 14 - 10:00 am

  Great car so far. I fill the tank up maybe twice a month. Interior is lovely. A reviewer was right when he talked about "democratized luxury." This is a nicely appointed, fully featured car for well under 20k. Total cost to own/cost per mile is lower than any of the "similar vehicles" Edmunds offers for review.

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  67000+ and counting - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By applehead - March 13 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my 2000 Golf GL TDI 5 speed new in March, 2000. The odometer now shows 67k+ miles, 2/3 at 65+ mph. The only service has been routine oil changes every 10k, using fully synthetic oil. No problems of any sort, and I still average 50 mpg. This car does everything well; very good acceleration and handling, excellent cargo capacity, a plethora of safety features. The overall performance is so good, when I first test drove a TDI, I asked the salesman if he was sure it was a diesel! Farfignugen works!

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  So far So good - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By audiPhile - January 25 - 2:00 am

  I bought mine new and have 28K miles on it. My left headlight and the right brake light didnt work at 27 K. Had to take it to dealer and replaced it(Warranty). I havent had any engine problems at all except that it drinks a lot of oil and I keep 2 quarts in my trunk. I asked the dealer last week and he told me to bring in next time the oil shows half in the dip stick and they would do an oil consumption test. One more thing. My doors get stuck in freezing winter and have to use force to open. Recently I hear light noise from my AC grill. Got to get it done soon! But overall I like my car. Has been very reliable and fun and looks nice!