2002 Volkswagen Golf GLS

Due to some strange lineup of the planets, lately my driveway looks like CarMax with all new cars. Among this bevy of rides have been a Prowler and two Porsches, an AMG Mercedes and a Mustang Cobra, sportscars, luxury sedans, economy cars, convertibles. You will read about them in the weeks to come. This odd convergence of several makes and models simultaneously presents both challenges and opportunities. The challenge, of course, is to give them all a fair and thorough test, which means lots of extra driving for me. The great opportunity, however, is to compare and contrast these vehicles one on one. Some interesting observations emerge that time and distance might otherwise muddle.

Interestingly enough, of all the high-sticker cars I had to choose from as I write on this particular morning, what really inspired me was this Volkswagen Golf GLS with the 1.8 turbo.

Perhaps the excesses represented elsewhere in my automotive stash illuminate what a fabulously fun, compact five-door this is for the money. Or maybe it was the mischievous delight on my husband’s face as he fed me dust, tires chirping, at red lights late one night in this squatty VW. I was beside him driving that wicked Benz and wasn’t about to take the bait.

Whatever the motivation, I really love this unassuming, but quick, little car. Here’s why.

The Good News
First and foremost, the Golf is a driver’s car. This year, the lines between the performance-oriented GTI model and this GLS get somewhat blurred, since you can now get sport-tuned suspension and this 150-horse turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine as options on the GLS. Which is precisely what I had.

Thusly equipped, this little front-wheel-drive hatchback qualifies as true pocket rocket. It’s not the jet-propelled 174-horse VR6-equipped GTI GLX, mind you, but is still plenty good for grins.

The 1.8T’s 155 foot pounds of torque peaks at 1,950 rpm and holds steady all the way to 4,500 rpm for exceptionally strong pull. Mine was mated to a five-speed manual transmission, as it should be.

Add the sport suspension to the VW’s exceptionally rigid chassis and its low-to-the-ground, front-wheel-drive handling feels tighter than ever. Really, everything about this car exemplifies what we embrace about German engineering, from the high quality finish throughout to its solid command of the road. Even as a compact, this Golf is a quiet, sturdy car. As well as a kick in the pants.

This most recent generation Golf has also been expanded for a roomier cabin. A lot of safety equipment has also been added as standard, like anti-lock braking, side airbags for front seat occupants and now an airbag system to protect the heads of fronts and rear passengers in side-impact crashes. The latter is a first in this class. The Golf’s safety measures are extraordinary.

There are also impressive amenities, like one touch up-down windows that also operate with the key and heated seats (the $84,000 911 I drove didn’t have those, thank you very much). Air conditioning, cool sound system: It’s all there.

The Bad News
The Golf doesn’t sell nearly as well in the U.S. as the Jetta, which rests on the same platform but is a conventional sedan and much more stylish. While I applaud simplicity in design, the Golf really is the plainest of plain janes.

But that’s also part of what I like about it. Unlike the Mitsubishi Eclipses of this world, the Golf GLS’s vanilla exterior hides its marvelous spirit in a plain brown wrapper, like a great surprise. Such cunning can be very appealing. Especially in speed zones.

Gas Mileage
EPA rated at 25 mpg city/31 city, thanks to this VW’s ultra-fuel efficient turbocharged, intercooled, five-valve technology.

Price
Manufacturer’s base, $17,900;
Price as tested, $20,425

Is it worth it?
Absolutely.

Beth Stein is a life-long car buff and free-lance journalist living in Nashville. She has reviewed new vehicles in print for 12 years as a weekly columnist for Nashville’s daily newspapers and on television for Road Test Magazine and Motor Trend Television. Currently, her reviews appear nationally on Car And Driver Television.