Volkswagen Beetle Type 1 (Kafer) or Volkswagen Golf II?

1946–2003 vs 1983–1991 · Sedan/Convertible vs Hatchback 3-door/Hatchback 5-door

In short

Length: Beetle Type 1 (Kafer) 4,110 mm, Golf II 3,985 mm — a 13 cm difference.
Boot: Beetle Type 1 (Kafer) 260 l, Golf II 340 l.
Lowest consumption: Beetle Type 1 (Kafer) 8.4 l/100 km, Golf II 5.7 l/100 km.
Power: Beetle Type 1 (Kafer) 33–37 kW, Golf II 40–118 kW.
Standard equipment: Beetle Type 1 (Kafer) 12 items (Standard), Golf II 12 items (C).
Neither is listed on Autodrom right now.

Volkswagen Beetle Type 1 (Kafer)1946–2003 · 5 engines · Standard, Export, L, LSSpecifications →Listings →

Volkswagen Golf II1983–1991 · 9 engines · C, CL, GL, GTSpecifications →Listings →

Only differences

better value

	Volkswagen Beetle Type 1 (Kafer)1946–2003no listings	Volkswagen Golf II1983–1991no listings
Dimensions
Length	Length4,079 mm–4,110 mm	Length3,985 mm
Width	Width1,550 mm–1,585 mm	Width1,665 mm
Height	Height1,500 mm	Height1,400 mm–1,415 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase2,400 mm–2,420 mm	Wheelbase2,475 mm
Ground clearance	Ground clearance155 mm	Ground clearance120 mm–130 mm
Trunk volume	Trunk volume140 l–260 l	Trunk volume340 l
Curb weight	Curb weight840 kg–950 kg	Curb weight845 kg–1,050 kg
Fuel tank	Fuel tank40 l–42 l	Fuel tank55 l
Engines
Production years	Production years1946–2003	Production years1983–1991
Body type	Body typeSedan, Convertible	Body typeHatchback 3-door, Hatchback 5-door
Number of engines	Number of engines5	Number of engines9
Power	Power33–37 kW (45–50 hp)	Power40–118 kW (54–160 hp)
Displacement (l)	Displacement (l)1.5–1.6	Displacement (l)1.3–1.8
Fuel	FuelPetrol	FuelPetrol, Diesel
Gearbox	GearboxManual, Automatic	GearboxManual, Automatic
Drivetrain	DrivetrainRear-wheel	DrivetrainFront-wheel
Lowest consumption	Lowest consumption8.4 l/100 km · 1.6i	Lowest consumption5.7 l/100 km · 1.6 D
Best 0–100 km/h	Best 0–100 km/h18 s · 1.6	Best 0–100 km/h8.3 s · 1.8 G60
Top speed	Top speed135 km/h	Top speed216 km/h
Trim levelsStandard · C
Items in the base trim	Items in the base trim12 · Standard	Items in the base trim12 · C
Items in the top trim	Items in the top trim18 · LS	Items in the top trim24 · GTI
Equipment · Interior4 · 5
Black Interior	Black Interior✓	Black Interior✓
Fabric	Fabric✓	Fabric✓
4 Seats	4 Seats✓	4 Seats—
5 Seats	5 Seats—	5 Seats✓
Folding Rear Seat	Folding Rear Seat✓	Folding Rear Seat✓
Load Cover	Load Cover—	Load Cover✓
Equipment · Multimedia2 · 2
Audio Preparation	Audio Preparation✓	Audio Preparation✓
12V Socket	12V Socket✓	12V Socket✓
Equipment · Visibility & lights1 · 1
Halogen Headlights	Halogen Headlights✓	Halogen Headlights✓
Equipment · Safety0 · 1
Rear Door Child Locks	Rear Door Child Locks—	Rear Door Child Locks✓
Equipment · Anti-theft1 · 0
Mechanical Lock (Steering/Gearbox)	Mechanical Lock (Steering/Gearbox)✓	Mechanical Lock (Steering/Gearbox)—
Equipment · Exterior4 · 3
Steel Wheels	Steel Wheels✓	Steel Wheels✓
R13 Wheels	R13 Wheels—	R13 Wheels✓
R15 Wheels	R15 Wheels✓	R15 Wheels—
Full-size spare wheel	Full-size spare wheel✓	Full-size spare wheel✓
Underbody Rust Protection	Underbody Rust Protection✓	Underbody Rust Protection—
On Autodrom now
Listings	Listings0	Listings0

Frequently asked questions

Which is bigger — Volkswagen Beetle Type 1 (Kafer) or Volkswagen Golf II?

Length: Volkswagen Beetle Type 1 (Kafer) 4,110 mm, Volkswagen Golf II 3,985 mm (a 125 mm difference). Wheelbase: 2,420 vs 2,475 mm. Boot: 260 vs 340 l.

Which uses less fuel — Volkswagen Beetle Type 1 (Kafer) or Volkswagen Golf II?

The most frugal Volkswagen Beetle Type 1 (Kafer) uses 8.4 l/100 km (1.6i); the most frugal Volkswagen Golf II 5.7 l/100 km (1.6 D).

Which is more powerful — Volkswagen Beetle Type 1 (Kafer) or Volkswagen Golf II?

The strongest Volkswagen Beetle Type 1 (Kafer) makes 37 kW (50 hp) (1.6); the strongest Volkswagen Golf II 118 kW (160 hp) (1.8 G60).

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