- Comfortable front seats
- Quiet, well-insulated cabin
- High standard of interior fit and finish
- Generally comfortable ride…
- … but suspension upset by bigger bumps
- Underwhelming dynamics
- 1.6-litre petrol engines lack refinement and performance is only adequate
- Automatic transmission can be reluctant to kick down
Review: Volkswagen Mk.4-I Golf (1998-02)
Overview
Released in October 1998, the Volkswagen Mk.4 Series I (Mk.4-I) Golf was a small, five-door hatchback. Manufactured in Wolfsburg, Germany, the VW Mk.4 Golf range initially consisted of the 1.6i and 1.8i variants (in GL and GLE editions, respectively). However, the 1.8i was replaced in June 1999 by the 2.0i. Please note that the related Mk.4 Golf GTi and Mk.4 Golf R32 have been reviewed separately.
Compared to the Volkswagen Mk.3 Golf , the Mk.4 Golf was 129 mm longer (at 4149 mm), 40 mm wider (1735 mm), 24 mm taller (1439 mm) and had a 36 mm longer wheelbase (2511 mm). The Mk.4 Golf was fitted with MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam at the rear.
| Variant | Edition | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6i | GL | 1.6-litre AEH/AKL petrol I4 | 4sp auto, 5sp man. |
74 kW at 5600 rpm | 145 Nm at 3800 rpm |
| 1.8i | GLE | 1.8-litre AGN petrol I4 | 4sp auto, 5sp man. |
92 kW at 5200 rpm | 170 Nm at 2400 rpm |
| 2.0i | GLE | 2.0-litre APK petrol I4 | 4sp auto, 5sp man. |
85 kW at 5200 rpm | 170 Nm at 2400 rpm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the VW Mk.4-I Golf GL included dual front airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution and front seatbelt pretensioners.
Euro NCAP crash testing
In Euro NCAP crash testing , a 1998 Volkswagen Mk.4 Golf fitted with a 1.4-litre petrol engine – and equipped with dual front airbags – received a four star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 24.78. In the frontal offset impact test, protection of the driver’s feet was weak and high loads were transmitted to the driver’s legs. In the side impact test, chest and abdomen protection was rated as adequate.
Features: Golf GL and GLE
Standard features for the Volkswagen Golf GL included an eight speaker sound system with CD player, air conditioning, central locking, power mirrors and windows, a tilt adjustable steering wheel and an immobiliser.
The Golf GLE was further equipped with cruise control, front fog lights, heated mirrors, a tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel, a front centre arm rest and height adjustable front seats. The GLE was also fitted with an electronic front differential lock.
Golf GL Rally and GLE Rally
During its production, limited-run GL and GLE Rally-badged models were released; these models featured 15-inch alloy wheels with low profile tyres, sports front seats, smoked tail-light lenses and floor mats.
2001 Golf GL Generation
In October 2001, a GL Generation-badged model was released with 15-inch alloy wheels, rear roof spoiler, ‘Trendline’ cloth sports seats, height adjustable front seats and floor mats.
Review: Volkswagen Mk.4-II Golf (2002-03)
Overview
Released in March 2002, the Volkswagen Mk.4 Series II (Mk.4-II) Golf was a minor update for the Golf range. The GL and GLE editions were effectively renamed S and SE, respectively. Furthermore, there was a minor power increase for the 1.6i (power up 1 kW and torque up 3 Nm).
| Variant | Edition | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6i | S, SE |
1.6-litre AVU petrol I4 | 4sp auto, 5sp man. |
75 kW at 5600 rpm | 148 Nm at 3800 rpm |
| 2.0i | S, SE |
2.0-litre APK petrol I4 | 4sp auto, 5sp man. |
85 kW at 5200 rpm | 170 Nm at 2400 rpm |
Features
Compared to their Mk.4-I predecessors, the VW Mk.4-II Golf S was fitted with a tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel; the Golf SE also featured 15-inch alloy wheels, remote central locking, an alarm and trip computer.
Review: Volkswagen Mk.4-III Golf (2003-04)
Overview
Released in June 2003, the Volkswagen Mk.4 Series III (Mk.4-III) Golf range saw the S and SE editions effectively replaced by the Generation and Sport, respectively.
| Variant | Edition | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6i | Generation | 1.6-litre BFQ petrol I4 | 4sp auto, 5sp man. |
75 kW at 5600 rpm | 148 Nm at 3800 rpm |
| 2.0i | Sport, Generation | 2.0-litre APK/AZJ petrol I4 | 4sp auto, 5sp man. |
85 kW at 5200 rpm | 170 Nm at 2400 rpm |
Safety equipment
Compared to their Mk.4-II predecessors, the VW Mk.4-III Golf Sport editions were fitted with front side airbags.
Features: Golf Generation and Sport
Compared to the Golf S, the VW Golf Generation added remote central locking and a trip computer; cruise control, however, was omitted.
Compared to the SE, the Golf Sport was further equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, climate control air conditioning, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift.
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