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EDMUNDS' REVIEW |
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, most of them with far less sporting credentials. Last year, the Golf received a complete redesign, adding smoother exterior styling and more powerful engines. This year brings a turbocharged engine that's standard on the GTI and optional on the Golf GLS.
The Golf is available as a base two-door GL, an uplevel four-door GLS, or a sporty two-door GTI in either GLS or GLX trim. There are three powertrains for the GL and GLS. The standard 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine is good for 115 horsepower, while an optional, fuel-sipping, 1.9-liter Turbo Direct Injection (TDI) diesel engine is available. You can also opt for the turbocharged 1.8T motor, which increases horsepower to 150 and produces lots of low-end torque across a wide rev range.
The GTI comes standard with the turbo, or you could get the GLX version which serves up a smooth 2.8-liter narrow-angle V6 with a wide torque band. Horsepower is rated 174 at 5,800 rpm, while torque is 181 foot-pounds at 3,200 revs.
All Golfs are available with a standard five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic transmission (except the GTI VR6, which is five-speed only). Silky and playful, the new turbo engine, as well as the GTI with the VR6, make for high-spirited driving.
Golfs come with a long list of standard features, including side-impact airbags, four-wheel-disc ABS, 15-inch wheels and tires, clear halogen headlamps, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, anti-theft alarm, remote entry, and a split-folding rear seat with three headrests. Options for the GLS include leather and heated seating, alloy wheels, and power glass sunroof. The GTI GLX adds 16-inch alloys, dark wood decor and cruise control. All have VW's two-year, 24,000-mile limited warranty with free scheduled maintenance for the same period.
For 2000, Golfs also receive standard sliding sun-visor extenders, a brake-wear indicator and an optional, dealer-installed in-dash CD player. Optional is an eight-speaker Monsoon sound system.
Consumers will be impressed by Golf's structural rigidity, which not only provides a solid, quiet body with precise gaps between the doors and body panels, but an overall feel of quality. It all rides on the Golf's front MacPherson struts and rear independent torsion-beam axle. Separate shock and coil-spring mounts reduce intrusion into the luggage compartment and cut road noise.
Inside, the instrument panel is stylish yet functional, and the dark wood trim in the GLX model blends well with the high-quality fit and finish of the soft-textured surfaces. Like the New Beetle, gauges are backlit in blue with vibrant red pointers. Volkswagen wanted this combination to be marque-specific, noting that they are the same colors used by international air traffic on airfields at night. Seats are firm and supportive, and the back seat folds down for expanded cargo-carrying capacity.
Behind the wheel of the Golf, whether swayed by value or performance, drivers will be racing to start their engines.
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CONSUMER COMMENTS |
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COMPETING MODELS |
This information has not yet been compiled for this vehicle. Please check again soon to see our complete review.
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WARRANTIES |
- Basic: 2 yr. / 24,000 mi.
- Drivetrain: 10 yr. / 100,000 mi.
- Roadside: 2 yr. / Unlimited mi.
- Rust: 12 yr. / Unlimited mi.
- Extended Warranties Available -- Get a FREE Quote -- Save up to 70%
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SPECIFICATIONS & SAFETY FEATURES |
Performance Data
- Acceleration (0-60 mph): NA
- Braking Distance (60-0 mph): NA
- Roadholding Index: NA
- Base Number of Cylinders: 4
- Base Engine Size: 1.8 liters
- Base Engine Type: Inline
- Horsepower: 150 hp @ 5700 rpm
- Torque: 155 ft-lbs. @ 1750 rpm
Dimensions
Exterior:
- Length: 163.3 in.
- Width: 68.3 in.
- Height: 56.7 in.
- Weight: 2906 lbs.
- Wheelbase: 98.9 in.
Interior:
- Front Headroom: 38.6 in.
- Rear Headroom: 37.4 in.
- Front Shoulder Room: 53.7 in.
- Rear Shoulder Room: 51.7 in.
- Front Hip Room: NA
- Rear Hip Room: NA
- Front Leg Room: 41.5 in.
- Rear Leg Room: 33.5 in.
- Maximum Luggage Capacity: NA
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Safety Features
- Anti-Lock Brakes: Standard
- Head Air Bag: Standard
- Side Air Bag: Standard
- Integrated Child Seat: Not Available
- Traction Control: Standard
- Stability Control: Not Available
Crash Test Results
- Driver: Rating = Not Tested
- Passenger: Rating = Not Tested
- Side Impact Front: Not Tested
- Side Impact Rear: Not Available
- Crash Offset: Not Tested
- Bumper Bash: Not Tested
Fuel Data
Fuel Tank Capacity: 14.5 gal.
EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway)
Manual: 24 mpg / 31 mpg
Range in Miles: (City/Highway)
Manual: 348 mi. / 450 mi.
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INSURANCE COST |
Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.
Get FREE customized quotes for your vehicle:
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Not available in NJ and MA
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VEHICLE PRICES (MSRP, DEALER INVOICES, & TMVSM) |
(All Prices in US Dollars)
GLS 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4Cyl Turbo 5M)
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6.95%
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See Payments for 2000 Volkswagen Golf |
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Check Edmunds' list for currently available incentives and rebates for this vehicle. Be sure to take any incentives/rebates into account when calculating an appropriate price for the vehicle.
[Advertising Charges: Most vehicle invoices include a legitimate advertising fee levied by either the manufacturer or regional dealer groups. Ad fees can range from less than 1 percent of the vehicle's MSRP to more than 3 percent, depending on region. Metropolitan-area dealers are more likely to charge higher advertising fees than rural dealers. When you comparison shop for a car, be sure to ask the dealers how much the advertising charge is on the vehicle.]
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SELECTED STANDARD EQUIPMENT |
1.8L I4 DOHC turbo 20-valve engine; FWD; 5-speed manual transmission; electronic traction control; front independent suspension with stabilizer bar, rear independent suspension with stabilizer bar; power steering; 4 disc brakes with 4-wheel ABS; front side airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners; 15" x 6" steel wheels, P195/65HR15 tires; air conditioning, pollen filter; 8-speaker, AM/FM, cassette, and roof antenna; cruise control; anti-theft protection with engine immobilizer; remote power door locks; power windows, 1 one-touch operation; Instrumentation and warnings include tachometer, clock, low fuel; variable intermittent wipers, intermittent rear window wiper, rear window defroster; premium/velour upholstery, height-adjustable front seats; 60/40 folding rear seat; front reading lights; passenger side vanity mirror; tilt adjust steering wheel; power heated body color mirrors; front door pockets; remote trunk release, remote fuel door release.
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OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT (DESCRIPTION & PRICES) |
Color Availability:
Note: The colors displayed are not exact due to technical limitations, and are based on content available at the time of publishing. Colors may change without notice. Please consult brochure for additional information. Two-tone colors are displayed only as their primary color.
Exterior Colors |
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Interior Colors |
| Black
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| Bright Green Pearl
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| Candy White
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| Flash Red
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| Indigo Blue Pearl
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| Satin Silver
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AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT |
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FINANCING INFORMATION/CALCULATOR |
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Return to Volkswagen Vehicle List
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sources that are believed by Edmunds.com, Inc. and other data providers to be reliable, but no assurance can be given that this information is official or complete. Neither Edmunds.com, Inc., nor its data providers warrant the accuracy of this information, and all information is subject to change without notice. Certain marketing and buying services listed here are not
operated by nor are they the responsibility of Edmunds.com, Inc.
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