2001VolkswagenGolfVolkswagen Golf2001 Volkswagen Golf GLS 1.8TSedanHatchbackFWDBrazilAll Golf models get clear side marker lights, trunk entrapment buttons, new cupholders and head protection airbags. Golf GL and GLS get higher-quality interior fabrics and the GTI benefits from a new 16-inch wheel design, optional 17-inch wheels, and multi-function steering wheel controls.Fun-to-drive, lots of standard goodies, hatchback design offers excellent cargo utility.Some controls hard to decipher, handling could be crisper, dated styling.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, many of them with less sporting credentials. 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, produces lots of low-end torque across a wide rev range, and can now be had with an optional sports suspension. The GTI comes standard with the 1.8T turbo engine and new sports suspension in GLS trim, or you can 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. This year the GLX gets a new 16-inch wheel design and standard multi-function steering wheel controls for the radio and cruise control system (steering wheel controls are optional on GTI models in GLS trim). New 17-inch alloy wheels are optional on all GTI models. 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, both the turbo engine and the VR6 make for high-spirited driving. Ownership piece of mind comes from VW's two-year/24,000-mile limited warranty with free scheduled maintenance for the same period. The Golf offers 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, sliding sun-visor extenders, a brake-wear indicator, an anti-theft alarm, remote keyless entry, a split-folding rear seat with three headrests and an optional, dealer-installed, in-dash CD player. An eight-speaker Monsoon sound system is also available. New standard features for 2001 include an improved cupholder design, a trunk entrapment button and head protection airbags. 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 front MacPherson struts and a 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. Ford FocusHonda CivicHyundai TiburonToyota Echo224,00010100,0002Unlimited12UnlimitedNANANA41.8 litersInline150 hp @ 5700 rpm155 ft-lbs. @ 1750 rpm164.9 in.68.3 in.56.9 in.2915 lbs.98.9 in.38.6 in.37.4 in.53.7 in.52.7 in.NANA41.5 in.33.5 in.18 cu.ft.StandardStandardNot AvailableStandardNot AvailableStandardNot AvailableRating = Very GoodRating = Very GoodNot TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot Tested14.5 gal.25 mpg / 31 mpg23 mpg / 29 mpg363 mi. / 450 mi.334 mi. / 421 mi.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.$16,675$17,9007.35%$550N/A2% of the Base MSRPGL (5M): 2.0L I4 SOHC SMPI 8-valve engine, requires unleaded fuel; 5-speed OD manual transmission; engine oil cooler; 90 amp alternator; front-wheel drive, 4.24 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust; front independent strut suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, gas-pressurized front shocks, rear semi-independent torsion suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs, gas-pressurized rear shocks; rack-and-pinion power steering; 4-wheel antilock disc brakes; 14.5 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; front and rear body-colored bumpers with body-colored rubber strip; body-colored bodyside molding; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite halogen headlamps with daytime running lights; driver's and passenger's manual remote body-colored heated folding outside mirrors; 15" x 6" steel wheels; P195/65HR15 BSW A/S tires; full-size steel spare wheel; air conditioning, air filter, rear heat ducts; premium AM/FM stereo radio, seek-scan feature, cassette player, CD changerpre-wiring, in-dash CD pre-wiring, 8 speakers, theft deterrent, and integrated roof antenna; power door locks with 2-stage unlock, remote keyless entry, power remote hatch/trunk release, power remote fuel door release; 2 power accessory outlets, driver's foot rest, retained accessory power; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, in-dash clock, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, battery, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, low washer fluid, trunk ajar; driver's and passenger's front airbags, driver's and front passenger's seat-mounted side airbags, driver's and passenger's overhead airbags; ignition disable, panic alarm, security system; tinted windows; variable intermittent front windshield wipers, sun visor strip, fixed interval rear wiper, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 5, front bucket seats with adjustable tilt headrests, driver's and front passenger's seats include 6-way adjustment, easy entry; 60/40 folding rearbench seat with tilt headrests; height-adjustable front seatbelts with pretensioners; cloth seats, cloth door trim insert, full cloth headliner, full carpet floor covering with carpeted floor mats, chrome interior accents; interior lights include dome light with fade, front and rear reading lights, door curb lights, illuminated entry; steering wheel with tilt and telescopic adjustment; dual illuminated vanity mirrors, driver's side auxiliary visor; day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, locking glove box with light, front and rear cupholders, instrument panel bin, driver's and passenger's door bins; carpeted cargo floor, cargo cover, cargo tie downs, cargo light, concealed cargo storage; body-colored grille, black side window moldings, black front windshield molding and body-colored door handles.
GL TDI (5M) (in addition to or instead of GL (5M) equipment): 1.9L I4 SOHC direct diesel injection intercooled turbo 8-valve engine, requires diesel fuel and 3.39 axle ratio and cruise control.
GLS (5M) (in addition to or instead of GL TDI (5M) equipment): 2.0L I4 SOHC SMPI 8-valve engine; 4.24 axle ratio; driver's and passenger's power remote body-colored heated folding outside mirrors; child-safety rear door locks, power front and rear windows; front bucket seats with adjustable tilt headrests, center armrest with storage; height-adjustable front and rear seatbelts with front pretensioners; premium cloth seats; 2 seatback storage pockets.
GLS TDI (5M) (in addition to or instead of GLS (5M) equipment): 1.9L I4 SOHC direct diesel injection intercooled turbo 8-valve engine, requires diesel fuel and 3.39 axle ratio.
GLS 1.8T (5M) (in addition to or instead of GLS TDI (5M) equipment): 1.8L I4 DOHC SMPI intercooled turbo 20-valve engine (requires premium unleaded fuel); traction control and 3.94 axle ratio.
GTI GLS (5M) (in addition to or instead of GLS 1.8T (5M) equipment): sport-ride suspension, rear semi-independent torsion suspension with anti-roll bar, front express open/close sliding and tilting glass sunroof with sunshade; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; driver's and passenger's power remote body-colored heated folding outside mirrors and driver's and front passenger's head airbags.
GTI GLX (5M) (in addition to or instead of GLS (5M) equipment): 2.8L V6 SOHC SMPI 12-valve engine; traction control, 3.39 axle ratio; sport suspension; 16" x 6.5" silver alloy wheels; P205/55HR16 BSW A/S tires; air conditioning with climate control, radio steering wheel controls; exterior temp, trip computer, trip odometer; heated jets variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers, rain-detecting wipers, heated-cushion driver's and passenger's seats, leather seats, leatherette door trim insert, genuine wood dashboard insert, wood gearshift knob, genuine wood door panel insert, genuine wood console insert, leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt and telescopic adjustment, auto-dimming day/night rearview mirror, and leather-wrapped gearshift knob.