Volkswagen Golf Hatchback (97-04) - Review

Review by Parkers on
The fourth generation Golf delivers luxury, quality and refinement in a very safe package. Rivals may look or drive better, but none offer the Golf's superb cabin and solid but understated image. It costs more than most small family cars, but depreciation is slow and running costs are reasonable. Fuel economy is fine on petrol-engined cars, but the diesel cars are excellent, especially the PD high pressure injection engines. These give enjoyable brisk performance combined with 50mpg.
3.5 out of 5

Equipment

All cars get ABS, power steering, electronic brake distribution, immobiliser, height and reach adjustable steering column, ISOFIX child seat anchors, split folding rear seats, tinted glass and cloth upholstery. S models add central locking, electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors, electric windows and an electric sunroof. Additionally, SE models add air conditioning, carpet mats, a CD player, front and rear armrests, height-adjustable front passenger seats, remote central locking and an alarm. GTI and V5 adds alloy wheels, six-disc CD changer, front fog lights, height-adjustable front sport seats, leather covered steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake. GTI models also come with traction control, lowered suspension, lumbar support, wood and chrome gear knob, while V6 4MOTION models get stability control, a chrome twin exhaust pipe, four-wheel drive and a six-speed manual gearbox. Available options include air conditioning, alloy wheels, a CD autochanger, cruise control, curtain airbags, fog lights, leather upholstery, parking sensors, rain sensors and sports suspension.

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Compare Equipment

Trim

Equipment

Key:

Standard item

Optional item

  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • ABS
  • Air conditioning
  • Alarm
  • Alloy wheels
  • Audio remote
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • CD
  • CD Multichanger
  • Central locking
  • Climate control
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Cruise control
  • Driver`s airbag
  • Electric driver`s seat
  • Electric mirrors
  • Electric passenger`s seat
  • Electric sunroof
  • Folding rear seats
  • Front electric windows
  • Front fog lights
  • Full size spare wheel
  • Headlight washers
  • Heated mirrors
  • Heated seats
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Leather seat trim
  • Lumbar support
  • Metallic Paint
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • PAS
  • Passenger`s airbag
  • Rear electric windows
  • Remote locking
  • Service indicator
  • Side airbags
  • Space saver spare wheel
  • Sports seats
  • Steel wheels
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
  • Traction control
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