Volkswagen Beetle Type 1 (Kafer) or Volkswagen Jetta I (A1)?

1946–2003 vs 1979–1984 · Sedan/Convertible vs Sedan

In short

Length: Beetle Type 1 (Kafer) 4,110 mm, Jetta I (A1) 4,265 mm — a 16 cm difference.
Boot: Beetle Type 1 (Kafer) 260 l, Jetta I (A1) 630 l.
Lowest consumption: Beetle Type 1 (Kafer) 8.4 l/100 km, Jetta I (A1) 5.8 l/100 km.
Power: Beetle Type 1 (Kafer) 33–37 kW, Jetta I (A1) 37–82 kW.
Standard equipment: Beetle Type 1 (Kafer) 12 items (Standard), Jetta I (A1) 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 Jetta I (A1)1979–1984 · 9 engines · C, L, Formel E, GLSpecifications →Listings →

Only differences

better value

	Volkswagen Beetle Type 1 (Kafer)1946–2003no listings	Volkswagen Jetta I (A1)1979–1984no listings
Dimensions
Length	Length4,079 mm–4,110 mm	Length4,265 mm
Width	Width1,550 mm–1,585 mm	Width1,630 mm
Height	Height1,500 mm	Height1,395 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase2,400 mm–2,420 mm	Wheelbase2,400 mm
Ground clearance	Ground clearance155 mm	Ground clearance130 mm
Trunk volume	Trunk volume140 l–260 l	Trunk volume630 l
Curb weight	Curb weight840 kg–950 kg	Curb weight855 kg–985 kg
Fuel tank	Fuel tank40 l–42 l	Fuel tank40 l
Engines
Production years	Production years1946–2003	Production years1979–1984
Body type	Body typeSedan, Convertible	Body typeSedan
Number of engines	Number of engines5	Number of engines9
Power	Power33–37 kW (45–50 hp)	Power37–82 kW (50–111 hp)
Displacement (l)	Displacement (l)1.5–1.6	Displacement (l)1.1–1.8
Fuel	FuelPetrol	FuelPetrol, Diesel
Gearbox	GearboxManual, Automatic	GearboxManual
Drivetrain	DrivetrainRear-wheel	DrivetrainFront-wheel
Lowest consumption	Lowest consumption8.4 l/100 km · 1.6i	Lowest consumption5.8 l/100 km · 1.6 D
Best 0–100 km/h	Best 0–100 km/h18 s · 1.6	Best 0–100 km/h9.1 s · 1.8 GLI
Top speed	Top speed135 km/h	Top speed185 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 trim21 · GLI
Equipment · Interior4 · 5
Black Interior	Black Interior✓	Black Interior✓
Grey Interior	Grey Interior—	Grey 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✓
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 Jetta I (A1)?

Length: Volkswagen Jetta I (A1) 4,265 mm, Volkswagen Beetle Type 1 (Kafer) 4,110 mm (a 155 mm difference). Wheelbase: 2,400 vs 2,420 mm. Boot: 630 vs 260 l.

Which uses less fuel — Volkswagen Beetle Type 1 (Kafer) or Volkswagen Jetta I (A1)?

The most frugal Volkswagen Beetle Type 1 (Kafer) uses 8.4 l/100 km (1.6i); the most frugal Volkswagen Jetta I (A1) 5.8 l/100 km (1.6 D).

Which is more powerful — Volkswagen Beetle Type 1 (Kafer) or Volkswagen Jetta I (A1)?

The strongest Volkswagen Beetle Type 1 (Kafer) makes 37 kW (50 hp) (1.6); the strongest Volkswagen Jetta I (A1) 82 kW (111 hp) (1.8 GLI).

Other comparisons

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