Volkswagen Golf 4: specifications, photos and reviews

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

For the first time, the 4th generation Volkswagen Golf was presented to the public in 1997 as part of the Frankfurt Motor Show. In general, this car model is one of the most famous and has been produced at the facilities of the German concern for several decades. Today's article will focus specifically on the fourth generation of the Volkswagen Golf 4. Review of the car - later in our article.

Design

The appearance of the compact German hatchback has remained unchanged for years. And once again, Bavarian designers decided to follow the familiar path - without experiments and unnecessary innovations, successfully refresh the look of the car.

Interestingly, the Germans manage to modernize the design even with minimal changes and make it relevant for at least the next 5-6 years. Volkswagen Golf 4 was no exception. Owner reviews also note the versatility of the car's appearance. Today it is a purely female compact car, and tomorrow it will be transformed into a real male sports car. At the same time, it is enough to equip the Golf with new discs and a couple ofaerodynamic body kits. In confirmation of this, we post a photo for comparison.

It would seem that such different cars. But they were assembled on the same conveyor. So the Germans guessed right with the design. Volkswagen Golf 4 is a kind of constructor that everyone can transform to suit their style and character.

By the way, the 5-door hatchback is not the only body version for the Golf. In 1999, Volkswagen developed two new car modifications with a station wagon body and a 3-door hatchback. Thanks to this, the company expanded its circle of customers by an order of magnitude. Now the Golf is a large family car with a roomy trunk, a small women's subcompact or a formidable sports hatch (by the way, in the German domestic market there were bodies for the Golf of the convertible type). But for the most part, the Volkswagen Golf 4 was suitable for young people who love speed and compactness. The Volkswagen looked like a kind of small animal, a predator conquering night streets and wide autobahns.

Finally, we note the fact that the body of the "Golf" was completely made of galvanized steel. And this meant that even under the most severe climatic conditions, the car was 100 percent protected from rust. Up to this point, German manufacturers only covered the metal body with a layer of galvanization. With the fourth generation of Foltz, it began to be made entirely of galvanized steel. To ensure that the hatchback is immune to corrosion,it’s enough just to look firsthand at the state of the metal of the car (fortunately, there are more than one generation of such “Golfs” in Russia). Even since 1997, not a single car has rusted yet, and this is without after-sales anti-corrosion treatment.

Reviews, dimensions and capacity

Volkswagen Golf 4 has quite standard dimensions for its "golf class". The length of the car body is 4150 mm, width 1735 mm, height 1440 mm (for the Volkswagen Golf 4 hatchback). Reviews note that due to such small dimensions, the machine is able to easily maneuver even in the narrowest streets. This is a big plus. But there are minor problems with ground clearance - car owners say. The total ground clearance of the car is 13 centimeters. As for the volume of the trunk, despite its small body, the hatchback is able to fit up to 330 liters of luggage (almost like on some full-size sedans). With the rear row of seats folded down, the volume increased to a record 1180 liters. For the station wagon, this figure was 460 and 1470 liters, respectively. Judging by the reviews of motorists, the "Golf" in the station wagon could perform the function of a real cargo-passenger minivan, as it can accommodate up to 4 passengers and at the same time has one of the most voluminous trunks.

Volkswagen Golf 4 - photo and interior review

The interior of the car is very comfortable and ergonomic. The compact 4-spoke steering wheel fits comfortably in your hands, on the center console there is a cassette recorder and buttons for controlling the stove and climate control. Front panel is not overloadedextra buttons, the dashboard is very simple and clear in perception. By the way, here already in the "base" there is a black-and-white digital computer (similar to the one that was installed on the "top ten" at one time). For its age, the car has quite a bright and interesting interior. True, by today's standards, it would seem very old.

In the top trim levels, the Golf was sheathed inside with leather and equipped with electric heated mirrors and power windows. True, there was one drawback in the cabin, which concerned a different level of location of the gas and brake pedals. True, over time you quickly get used to this feature.

Volkswagen Golf 4 - Specifications

The range of engines for the fourth generation Volkswagen Golf was more than diverse. In total, the buyer was asked to choose between five petrol or three diesel units. The power range was also different. The weakest motor developed a power of 68 horsepower, the most powerful - up to 130 "horses". The choice among gearboxes was also provided. In total, the Golf was supplied to the European market in 4 gearbox versions. Among them, it is worth noting two automatic (for 4 and five speeds), as well as two mechanical (5 and 6 gears) transmissions. As practice has shown, the service life of each of them is about 200 thousand kilometers. It is only after this run that the gearbox undergoes its first repair.

By the way, changing the oil in the transmission is also often notwas required. On the "mechanics" oil went up to 60 thousand, on the "automatic" - up to 40 thousand kilometers. Relatively speaking, the replacement of the lubricant was required every 1.5-2 years. Mechanical boxes were equipped with a very reliable clutch system, which also nursed 150-200 thousand mileage without any problems.

Dynamics of acceleration

A wide range of engines made it possible for each customer to choose exactly the car that would best meet his requirements. So, "Golf" with the weakest engine made a breakthrough to "hundreds" in 18 seconds and accelerated the car to 169 kilometers per hour of maximum speed. A hatchback with a top-end 130-horsepower engine gained a "hundred" in just 10 seconds. At the same time, the “maximum speed” of the VW Golf 4 was 190 kilometers per hour.

Fuel consumption

It is worth noting that even the most powerful engine was characterized by low fuel consumption. On average, he spent about 8 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers. The most economical and low-power engine consumed no more than 6.5 liters per "hundred".

Cost on the Russian market

Serial production of the 4th generation Volkswagen Golf was officially discontinued in 2004. Since the new year, it has been swept up by a newer hatchback, the Volkswagen Golf 5. Therefore, you can buy the fourth Golf only in the secondary market.

Its average cost ranges from 6 to 10 thousand dollars. Remarkably, even with its considerable age (10-17 years), this car is able to compete in terms of durability.parts and assemblies, even the new Priore or Grant. What is most appreciated in the "German" is the body and the engine - they are almost eternal and will serve until the arrow shows 1 million kilometers on the odometer. And it's not in vain that the Germans make the best quality cars in the world.