The Volkswagen Golf 4: a new philosophy for the Golf

Launched in 1997, the Golf 4 marks a turning point in Volkswagen's history: more technological, better equipped and as reliable as ever, it appeals as much for its comfort as for its iconic sporting versions such as the GTI, the V6 4Motion and the legendary R32. A safe bet that has become a sought-after youngtimer.

23/03/2026

Harald

5 minutes read

Volkswagen

The 4th generation of the Golf was unveiled at the 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Peter SCHREIER, the father of the first AUDI TT, was in charge of its design. There is a certain resemblance in the curves and the equipment. The idea was not to revolutionise the Golf after the success of the 3; the aim was to present a more modern, well-equipped, well-powered, quality car with a competitive price in this important compact segment. Plenty of content at a contained price.

The Golf 4: a step further towards technology or towards a bigger waistline?

The Golf gets bigger and continues to move upmarket. Driving pleasure came first in the late 90s. The Golf 4 offers what customers were looking for: comfort, acceleration, an on-board computer, a good stereo and air conditioning. The cherry on the Black Forest gateau (the cake, not the fir trees): it has dual airbags, 4 electric windows, ABS braking and ESP! Inevitably, all of this shows on the scales. The car that weighed 810 kg in 1974 now weighs 1,250 twenty-three years later; it seems to have followed Elvis PRESLEY's diet.

The Golf 4 is developed and built on a platform shared across the VW group's brands. To achieve economies of scale, VW built a scaffolding that proved very effective.

The G4 thus shares its chassis and powertrains with the Audi A3, the TT, the New Beetle, the Bora and the Skoda Octavia.

What are the most notable versions of the Golf 4?

The Golf 4 GTI

The one that comes to mind first, yet with 150 hp for 1231 kg … can you still talk about a GTI with that power-to-weight ratio? Appearing in 1998, it uses the same engine as the TT, which would have been surprising if it were otherwise. The 20-valve Turbo, as it is known, is torquey and powerful for an 1800. This engine, pushed to 180 hp for the VAG group, would appear on the Golf in 2002.

Golf 4 V5

A surprising naturally aspirated engine derived from the famous VR6 engine of the Golf 3, but with one cylinder cut off. You might wonder what for, since it too makes 150 hp (10 valves) and then 170 hp (20 valves)?! The GTI and V5 engines are different, and their torque and power curves differ and complement each other. It's still more of a GT than a sports car.

The Golf 4 V6 4 Motion

A version even higher up the range than the GTI, in terms of power, equipment and dynamic qualities, with an upgraded chassis, a specific 6-speed four-wheel-drive transmission (based on the Haldex system) and a smooth, strong 2.8L V6 engine of 204 hp. It is a very technological engine that uses a specific timing system, hollow camshafts, variable-geometry intake and a 24-valve cylinder head … a real contraption, in other words.

The V6 4 Motion is powerful and reassuring, but its looks remain too ordinary and too close to those of an ordinary Golf Diesel; connoisseurs expected more from VW.

The Golf 4 R32

The answer to those expectations? It appeared rather late, in 2002: a more aggressive look and an engine at last worthy of the potential of this 4 motion chassis: a VR6 on testosterone. Judge for yourself: the 15° V(R)6 goes up to 3.2 L, and gets a 24-valve cylinder head, variable intake… and a touch of tuning. The result: 241 hp at 6,250 rpm and torque worthy of the name, 320 Newton metres.

Its chassis is heavy (almost 1,500 kg!) but sharp, with Haldex 4-wheel drive, 4 BILSTEIN dampers, big brakes (those of the Passat W8) behind 18-inch spoked wheels, wraparound bumpers with air intakes, and an exhaust outlet on each side that produces a sound that promises a lot … Ostentatious, certainly, but not vulgar, the R32.

The R32 is to the Golf 4 what the VR6 was to the Golf 3: a real sporty compact in a rather ponderous range. With them, fans of the "little" VW found their smile again.

Its front bumper with 3 wide air intakes would inspire many Golf body kit makers such as Rieger, DSP or Dietrich, in the heyday of tuning.

The success exceeded VW's expectations and the 5,000 cars originally planned ended up as 14,000.

The Golf 4 TDI

This type of engine, which appeared with the Golf 3, had its hour of glory with the fourth generation of the (big) compact.

With the Golf 3 TDI, Volkswagen had set the pace against the competition in the segment. With the Golf 4, Wolfsburg bares its teeth and drives the point home. Buoyed by its success, the GOLF4 TDI was produced and evolved into multiple versions: TDI 90, 100, 110, 115, 130 and 150 hp, all based on the 1.9L engine; injection (conventional, then unit injectors), turbo and mapping did the rest.

Diesel has always been in vogue in France and Germany, where the motorways favour fast intercity driving. A sign of the times, no doubt, the TDI name became as famous as the GTI badge and is fully associated with the Volkswagen brand.

Cheaper than the competition and better equipped, the fourth generation of the Golf is still going strong and holds up very well on the used market. The reliability of the Golf 4 reassures buyers and high-mileage examples are nothing to fear, whether petrol or TDI.

The unusual versions to collect in this young youngtimer remain the V5, the V6 4 Motion and the legendary R32. The Golf 4 was, remains and will remain a safe bet. Will the same be true of the 5? Watch this space.