Vehicle History Report
Get a CARFAX Vehicle History... the first step to protecting yourself from costly hidden problems.
- • New Cars
2002 Volkswagen Cabrio Full Review
Date Published: 7/31/08
Also in the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Volkswagen Cabrio Full Review
7.
8.
2002 Volkswagen Cabrio Review
Based on VW's previous Jetta/Golf design, this 4-seat convertible gets only minor changes for 2002. Cabrio comes with a 2.0-liter 4-cyl engine, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, front side airbags, air conditioning, and alarm. The convertible top has a glass rear window with electric defroster; the GLX-model's roof is powered. For '02, heated front seats are standard on the GLS and GLX, the self-dimming rearview mirror gains an on/off switch, and silver Cabrios are available with a gray instead of a white top. VW's bumper-to-bumper warranty is now 4 years/50,000 mi. instead of 2/24,000, and the powertrain warranty is 5/60,000 instead of 10/100,000. Cabrio continues on the 1994-1998 Jetta/Golf platform until at least 2003.
Competition
Our only Best Buy in this class, the Volkswagen New Beetle, offers interesting styling and a nice mix of comfort, performance, and economy. The New Beetle is the most practical and affordable in this class.
If raw performance is what you are after, we Recommend the fun-to-drive Acura RSX and Toyota Celica. These cars offer a lot of bang for your buck.
If raw performance is what you are after, we Recommend the fun-to-drive Acura RSX and Toyota Celica. These cars offer a lot of bang for your buck.
News
VW's only convertible--for now, at least--took a 6.9-percent loss in year-to-year sales for the first nine months of 2001. That compares with a 22.4-percent gain in calendar 2000.
Informants say a redesigned Cabrio will make a late-2003 European debut as an '04 model. A new "Mark V" Golf and Jetta are due about the same time. But VW of America is often slow to bring over new models and features from Europe, so we suspect this trio might not reach U.S. dealers until late 2004.
The third-generation convertible reportedly boasts a folding metal top a la Mercedes-Benz SLK. Power operation should be standard except perhaps on a price-leader model. Cabrio may get a further sales boost from spicier powertrains, including the 180-hp turbo 1.8T 4-cyl now available in the Golf/Jetta line.
VW was known to be working on a 2-seat semi-convertible with a lift-off roof panel above the cockpit, but the current status of this project is unclear. If it does get the green light, the car would be marketed as a kind of bargain-priced Audi TT, likely powered by the turbo 1.8T and offering front drive only. Whether VW will sell it here is another matter.
Informants say a redesigned Cabrio will make a late-2003 European debut as an '04 model. A new "Mark V" Golf and Jetta are due about the same time. But VW of America is often slow to bring over new models and features from Europe, so we suspect this trio might not reach U.S. dealers until late 2004.
The third-generation convertible reportedly boasts a folding metal top a la Mercedes-Benz SLK. Power operation should be standard except perhaps on a price-leader model. Cabrio may get a further sales boost from spicier powertrains, including the 180-hp turbo 1.8T 4-cyl now available in the Golf/Jetta line.
VW was known to be working on a 2-seat semi-convertible with a lift-off roof panel above the cockpit, but the current status of this project is unclear. If it does get the green light, the car would be marketed as a kind of bargain-priced Audi TT, likely powered by the turbo 1.8T and offering front drive only. Whether VW will sell it here is another matter.
2002 Volkswagen Cabrio Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Steering/handling | Cargo room |
| Rear visibility | |
| Rear-seat entry/exit | |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
Decently brisk takeoffs and passing ability with manual shift, but progress bogs with automatic transmission, especially up long, steep grades.
| GL, man. | GLX, auto. | Class Average |
| 4 | 3 | 5.7 |
Decently brisk takeoffs and passing ability with manual shift, but progress bogs with automatic transmission, especially up long, steep grades.
Fuel Economy
A plus: about 25 mpg overall with either transmission in our tests.
| GL, man. | GLX, auto. | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 6.1 |
A plus: about 25 mpg overall with either transmission in our tests.
Ride Quality
Soaks up most bumps well and tracks true, but a bit floaty over large crests or deep troughs taken quickly.
| GL, man. | GLX, auto. | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 3.5 |
Soaks up most bumps well and tracks true, but a bit floaty over large crests or deep troughs taken quickly.
Steering/Handling/Braking
Sprightly, with firm, precise steering. Tight, twisty roads induce more body lean and nose-plowing than we like, but cornering always predictable. ABS brakes provide sure, short stops.
| GL, man. | GLX, auto. | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 7.4 |
Sprightly, with firm, precise steering. Tight, twisty roads induce more body lean and nose-plowing than we like, but cornering always predictable. ABS brakes provide sure, short stops.
Quietness
Refined for a ragtop. Tire noise and top-up wind rush moderate. Engine growls when working hard, but settles down to a tolerable hum at cruising pace.
| GL, man. | GLX, auto. | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 3.2 |
Refined for a ragtop. Tire noise and top-up wind rush moderate. Engine growls when working hard, but settles down to a tolerable hum at cruising pace.
Controls
Mostly self-evident. Effective blue night lighting for gauges, red for other dashboard controls.
| GL, man. | GLX, auto. | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 5.5 |
Mostly self-evident. Effective blue night lighting for gauges, red for other dashboard controls.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
Fine top-up head room, good leg space. Wide, comfortable seats have height adjusters. Steering wheel tilts. Top creates big blind spots when raised and lowers into a bulky stack that's hard to see over.
| GL, man. | GLX, auto. | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 4.5 |
Fine top-up head room, good leg space. Wide, comfortable seats have height adjusters. Steering wheel tilts. Top creates big blind spots when raised and lowers into a bulky stack that's hard to see over.
Room/Comfort (rear)
Enough width for two only, and leg space all but vanishes with front seats pushed back. Entry/exit requires awkward ducking beneath the rigid structural roll bar.
| GL, man. | GLX, auto. | Class Average |
| 3 | 3 | 1.5 |
Enough width for two only, and leg space all but vanishes with front seats pushed back. Entry/exit requires awkward ducking beneath the rigid structural roll bar.
Cargo Room
Meager, as in most ragtops. Standard folding back seat extends the load deck, but trunk opening too small except for medium suitcases.
| GL, man. | GLX, auto. | Class Average |
| 1 | 1 | 2.9 |
Meager, as in most ragtops. Standard folding back seat extends the load deck, but trunk opening too small except for medium suitcases.
Value within Class
Cabrio is fuel-efficient, fun to drive, well-equipped, and well-made. It is not inexpensive, but it is one of the few moderately priced convertibles with four usable seats. And resale values are strong.
| GL, man. | GLX, auto. | Class Average |
| 5 | 4 | 5.2 |
Cabrio is fuel-efficient, fun to drive, well-equipped, and well-made. It is not inexpensive, but it is one of the few moderately priced convertibles with four usable seats. And resale values are strong.
Total Score
| GL, man. | GLX, auto. | Class Average |
| 47 | 45 | 45.5 |
Scores for all Sporty/performance Cars
| Low Score | 34 | |
| Average Score | 45 | |
| High Score | 59 |
2002 Volkswagen Cabrio Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 09/10/2001
| Trim Name | Retail Price | Dealer Invoice | Destination Charge |
|
|
|||
| GL 2-door convertible, manual | $19,600 | $17,947 | $550 |
|
|
|||
| GL 2-door convertible, automatic | $20,475 | $18,811 | $550 |
|
|
|||
| GLS 2-door convertible, manual | $20,600 | $18,856 | $550 |
|
|
|||
| GLS 2-door convertible, automatic | $21,475 | $19,720 | $550 |
|
|
|||
| GLX 2-door convertible, manual | $22,300 | $20,400 | $550 |
|
|
|||
| GLX 2-door convertible, automatic | $23,175 | $21,264 | $550 |
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's
manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker.
Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are
what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options.
The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price
and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently
throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's
window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national
manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings
may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
GL
Powertrain
2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.
Safety
Dual front airbags, front side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, integral roll bar, daytime running lights, emergency inside trunk release.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning, interior air filter, power steering, tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats w/height adjustment, center console, cupholders, folding rear seat, heated manual mirrors, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/cassette w/CD changer controls, digital clock, tachometer, rear defogger, intermittent wipers, heated washer nozzles, illuminated visor mirrors, remote decklid release, floormats.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Manual folding top, theft-deterrent system, 195/60HR14 tires, wheel covers.
GLS adds to GL:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Cruise control, heated front seats, heated power mirrors, power windows.
GLX adds to GLS:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Leather upholstery, power folding top.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Fog lights, alloy wheels.
Optional Equipment
Powertrain |
Retail Price |
Invoice Price |
|
California and Northeast emissions
|
||
|
GL, GLS, GLX
|
$100
|
$99
|
|
Required on cars purchased in Calif., N.H., N.Y., Mass., Conn., R.I., Pa., N.J., Del., Md., Va., Vt., and Washington, D.C.
|
||
|
|
||
2002 Volkswagen Cabrio Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | Volkswagen Cabrio 2-door convertible |
| Wheelbase, in. | 97.4 |
| Overall Length, in. | 160.4 |
| Overall Width, in. | 66.7 |
| Overall Height, in. | 56.0 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 2825 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 8.0 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 13.7 |
| Seating Capacity | 4 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 38.7 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 42.3 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 36.6 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 31.1 |
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
| sohc I4 | |
| Size, liters/cu. in. | 2.0 /121 |
| Horsepower @ rpm. | 115 @ 5400 |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. | 122 @ 3200 |
| Availability | Standard |
|
EPA City / highway mpg
|
|
| 5-speed manual | 24/31 |
| 4-speed automatic | 23/29 |
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft;
dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders;
V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions
per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--"
= measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
 Antilock Brakes Traction Control Antiskid System |
Front Side Airbags Curtain Side Airbags Rear Side Airbags |
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | Volkswagen Cabrio 2-door convertible |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's
worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to
rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury:
5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact
crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%;
1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover
when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%;
2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
| Class | Years/Miles | Comments |
| Powertrain | 5/60,000 | -- |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 4/50,000 | -- |
| Corrosion | 12/unlimited | 6/unlimited on Cabrio, 8/unlimited on EuroVan. |
| Free roadside assistance | 4/50,000 | -- |
| Free scheduled maintenance | None/-- | -- |
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive.
There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two
other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for
2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any
on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts
and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in:
Mexico
Drivewheels:
front-wheel drive
Also in the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Volkswagen Cabrio Full Review
7.
8.
Car Buying Resources
Vehicle History Report
Sell Your Car
Powered by:
-
MAKE -
CATEGORY
Acura
Aston Martin
Audi
Bentley
BMW
Buick
Cadillac
Chevrolet
Chrysler
Dodge
Ferrari
Ford
GMC
Honda
Hummer
Hyundai
Infiniti
Isuzu
Jaguar
Jeep
Kia
Lamborghini
Land Rover
Lexus
Lincoln
Lotus
Maserati
Mazda
Mercedes-Benz
Mercury
Mini
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Pontiac
Porsche
Rolls-Royce
Roush
Saab
Saturn
Scion
Smart
Subaru
Suzuki
Toyota
Volkswagen
Volvo
Subcompact Car
Compact Car
Midsize Car
Large Car
Premium Midsize Car
Premium Large Car
Sporty/performance Car
Premium Sporty/performance Car
Minivan
Full-size Van
Compact Sport-utility Vehicle
Midsize Sport-utility Vehicle
Large Sport-utility Vehicle
Compact Pickup Truck
Premium Midsize Sport-utility Vehicle
Premium Compact Sport-utility Vehicle
Large Pickup Truck
Premium Compact Car
Premium Large Sport-utility Vehicle
Exotic Car
