2002 Volkswagen Jetta Top Comparisons

Users ranked 2002 Volkswagen Jetta against other cars which they drove/owned. Each ranking was based on 9 categories. Here is the summary of top rankings.

2002 Volkswagen Jetta vs:

    #2
    Best 2002 Compact Sedans
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    Based on 15 rankings.
    #5
    Best 2002 Wagons
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    Based on 8 rankings.
    Have you driven a 2002 Volkswagen Jetta?  

    User Reviews

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    Displaying 1 - 10 of 2002 Volkswagen Jetta 10 reviews.
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    2002 Volkswagen Jetta GLX VR6 Wagon Review
    Thomas says:
    vs2005 Nissan Altima SE-R
    2002 Volkswagen Jetta GLX VR6 Wagon winning categories:
    • Power
    • Handling
    • Looks/Style
    • Front Seats
    • Back Seats
    • Cargo Capacity
    • Family Car
    • Value
    • Would Buy
    Handling Ranked 2005 Nissan Altima SE-R worse.
    "I think the Jetta narrowly beats the SE-R and that could be simply due to the superior tires I had on my Jetta. The steering feedback on the Jetta was a bit heftier than in the Altima."
    Family Car Ranked 2005 Nissan Altima SE-R better.
    "This is simply due to space. The Altima has it. The Jetta does not. It has an unbearable rear seat even for a sedan. My Scion tC had more rear legroom than my Jetta. The Altima is also superior in cargo capacity."
    2002 Volkswagen JettaReview
    Silky writes:
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    I Love My Car — I like that it is a smooth ride, everything is electric. Except the front seats. I just hate the fact that it is way to expensive to fix. It is great with gas the mileage. Bad cooling system... I love my car thou.

    Primary Use: Family transportation

    Pros: It's a gd car for a single person or a family with only one child. It is a smooth ride if the car is up to date with the shock absorbers/ struts... gd on gas per miles.

    Cons: A car that u always always have to keep right on top of it. It is too expensive to fix.

    11 of 12 people found this review helpful.
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    2002 Volkswagen Jetta GLS WagonReview
    Charles writes:
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    Excellent Reliable Fuel Efficient Car — Where to start? I sincerely miss this car which I owned for four years and drove over 100,000 miles in it. Sold it to my sister who still drives it to this day. Other than the regular maintenance (oil change, tires, etc...) I had absolutely zero problem with my Jetta.

    Primary Use: Commuting to work

    Pros: Good on gas and so cheap to maintain. The 2.0L engine gives sufficient power.

    Cons: Front passenger seat is very uncomfortable and leg room is insufficient in the rear for adults

    9 of 10 people found this review helpful.
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    2002 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDiReview
    mtruther writes:
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    Finally Sold My Baby... —

    I drove my 2002 Jetta TDI for 215,000 miles and 12-years, and it's easily been an amazingly dependable and efficient vehicle. It carried great crash ratings, and while I never tested that, it's maneuverable enough where I've probably dashed my way out of a few close collisions. I love the low end torque on this one. It accelerates well, does well on hills, and is a pleasure to drive. I grew emotionally attached to it. It just hugs the road and drives better than your 4-cylinder Japanese or American cars. Yes, I love diesels. They last forever if you put maintenance in them, and this one has been flawless. Great engine and still on the original transmission. I averaged 40 mpg in mostly interstate driving, though notably with rush hour stop & go frequently. Yes, the drink holder is in an annoying location. Yes, I got a magnet to hold the glove compartment closed. Yes, the center console broke over time. Other than that, this has been a great little car. You can put kids in the backseat, though I'm not sure I'd want to make a routine of it. At least larger kids. It's doable and certainly better than a Golf or the like. I've taken this car back and forth on interstates and down dirt roads across the Mountain West. I'll miss her, and frankly, were it not for the deep snows ahead, wouldn't have ever traded it in.

    Primary Use: Commuting to work

    Pros: Very dependable engine and running parts
    Amazing fuel economy
    Lots of low end torque and fun to drive
    Comfortable
    Nice stereo
    Great online following in forums with lots of info

    Cons: Quirky electrical gremlins at times
    Expensive timing belt change
    Some cheaper plastic parts in the interior

    7 of 7 people found this review helpful.
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    2002 Volkswagen Jetta GLS VR6Review
    Xerxes1156 writes:
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    Do Not Buy This Car If You Live North Of The Mason-dixon Line. —

    The car currently has 168,500 miles on it and it has only shown normal signs of wear and tear. It performs very well on the interstate (accelerating to 65mph is simple) and is a smooth ride. HOWEVER... Even a simple oil change can be expensive with this car. There are only a handful of shops within a 20 mile radius of my house that I can take it to for simple repairs. Most mechanics either don't know about Volkswagen or don't carry the necessary parts. There are only two places I can take it to get an oil change, one of which is a dealer. Don't expect to pay normal price for an oil change either- it takes six quarts of oil and the filter is rare. The car comes with an automatic traction control. By 'automatic', I mean that it never shuts off unless you pop the hood and unplug the fuse manually. Traction control is nice when you're driving down an icy road. However, I live in Maine. More accurately, I live in a part of Maine that received 48 inches of snow last month. I don't need traction control to drive on these roads. The average Mainer disables this feature because it does more harm than good. Did the plowman not have time to plow your driveway before work, leaving two inches of snow in front of your beautiful Jetta? Might as well call your boss and tell him/her you will be late. Get out your shovel because this car won't be able to move at all. No, I am not exaggerating. Volkswagen really sells a vehicle in New England that cannot drive over several inches of snow. When the car senses that it's not getting enough traction, it cuts power to the wheels. If anybody could provide a logical explanation as to how cutting power to a wheel can help someone out of a snowbank, please contact me! Want to disable the traction control option manually like I mentioned earlier? Good luck if you can find it. The engine has an odd European-style design to it, hence why some mechanics won't even touch a Volkswagen. I'm writing this review after being 45 minutes late to work because my car was stuck in my driveway AFTER SHOVELING A PATH!

    Primary Use: Commuting to work

    Pros: Smooth drive, comfortable seats, and good horsepower.

    Cons: Terrible in the snow and maintenance is expensive.

    8 of 8 people found this review helpful.
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    2002 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8TReview
    backdoc writes:
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    Sporty Feel, Fun And Fast — I really enjoy driving this Jetta because of the responsive handling and speedy performance. However, being that I own mountain property and have the need to drive on forest roads, the Jetta is not the vehicle of choice for such.

    Primary Use: Commuting to work

    Pros: Handles well and fun to drive, this Jetta was built for the Autobahn in Germany so it has a top speed of almost 160mph and will get their pretty darn fast.

    Cons: Interior is functional and in good shape but not particularly special.

    2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
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    2002 Volkswagen Jetta GL TDIReview
    schepsr writes:
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    My Vw Jetta Tdi — i've always liked the German Diesel. I've had a 86 TDI and now a 2002. The 86 was a high maintenance car, my quote was "My car and I have an unwritten agreement...I dedicate my weekends to repairing it and it gets me to and from work during the week. I've owned my 2002 for a few years now and it's been maintenance free (except for normal oil changes).

    Pros: Fuel efficient (38 city/45 highway).  Nice ride and reliable.

    Cons: Diesel is about 20% more expensive than regular gasoline.

    2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
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    2002 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDiReview
    chargingzebra writes:
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    Great Commuter — Sips diesel and is comfortable for the commute. The paint looks brand new and it's over ten years old. Maintenance costs are higher but it offsets that with how little fuel it consumes. Nice little commuter car and a great deal.

    Primary Use: Commuting to work

    Pros: Fuel eco, diesel engine, comfy seats, great paint longevity

    Cons: Maintenance costs

    2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
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    2002 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDiReview
    Dustin writes:
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    Extreme Reliability — For a car that has over 300,000 kms on it the car is running very strong still and just keeps on going and has incredible fuel mileage. If you want a family car that is stupid reliable and great on fuel this is the car for you.

    Primary Use: Family transportation

    Pros: fuel mileage, reliability

    Cons: stock EGR system

    6 of 6 people found this review helpful.
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    2002 Volkswagen Jetta GLX VR6Review
    Nischal writes:
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    Cool Entry Level Car — Very compact, fast, and solidly built, a few reliability niggles, nothing that would strand you on the road, but annoying. was just getting to get attached to it when we decided we needed more space. so off it went to carmax replaced by a Mazda CX-7

    Primary Use: Commuting to work

    Pros: miss it

    Cons: miss it

    0 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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    Displaying 1 - 10 of 2002 Volkswagen Jetta 10 reviews.
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    Reviews From Other Years

    2020 Volkswagen Jetta Reviews

    Review By Michael

    It is the perfect highway car, the smoothness of an American full size, the handling of a European sports sedan, and over 45 mpg on a trip. Read More

    Review By Paulstheman81

    Very easy to operate and the SE trim features many items as standard equipment. Great handling. Read More

    Read all 5 2020 Volkswagen Jetta reviews

    2019 Volkswagen Jetta Reviews

    Review By Guru9BP6G3

    I love this car, is very economical and plus it doesn’t have many miles. The only thing I do recommend is to have a lower cost, since it was very used from the inside. Read More

    Review By Guru9BRLHR

    Yes I think it’s a good value. It’s practical, simple and great on gas. ! Read More

    Read all 14 2019 Volkswagen Jetta reviews

    2018 Volkswagen Jetta Reviews

    Review By John

    Price is right, gas mileage is unbelievable. Good deal. Read More

    Read all 2018 Volkswagen Jetta reviews

    2017 Volkswagen Jetta Reviews

    Review By Carlos

    fully loaded with fog lights, signal lights on mirrors nice added safety for this type of vehicle. Read More

    Review By Jack

    Its just below a Passat in size but similar features. Read More

    Read all 10 2017 Volkswagen Jetta reviews

    2016 Volkswagen Jetta Reviews

    Review By Guru9VBWSG

    Fun to drive the 1.8 T Sports model. Excellent car. Read More

    Review By Sean

    Great fuel efficiency with amazing acceleration and toque. Very responsive handling, comfortable.cockpit and rear seats, with spacious cargo trunk. Read More

    Read all 6 2016 Volkswagen Jetta reviews
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