Volkswagen Golf I or Volkswagen Polo II (86C)?

1974–1983 vs 1981–1994 · Hatchback 3-door/Hatchback 5-door/Convertible vs Hatchback 3-door

In short

Length: Golf I 3,815 mm, Polo II (86C) 3,725 mm — a 9 cm difference.
Boot: Golf I 340 l, Polo II (86C) 215 l.
Lowest consumption: Golf I 6 l/100 km, Polo II (86C) 5.2 l/100 km.
Power: Golf I 37–82 kW, Polo II (86C) 33–83 kW.
Standard equipment: Golf I 12 items (L), Polo II (86C) 9 items (CL).
Neither is listed on Autodrom right now.

Volkswagen Golf I1974–1983 · 9 engines · L, LS, GL, GLSSpecifications →Listings →

Volkswagen Polo II (86C)1981–1994 · 5 engines · CL, GL, C, FoxSpecifications →Listings →

Only differences

better value

	Volkswagen Golf I1974–1983no listings	Volkswagen Polo II (86C)1981–1994no listings
Dimensions
Length	Length3,705 mm–3,815 mm	Length3,725 mm
Width	Width1,610 mm–1,620 mm	Width1,580 mm
Height	Height1,390 mm–1,410 mm	Height1,340 mm–1,355 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase2,400 mm	Wheelbase2,335 mm
Ground clearance	Ground clearance125 mm–130 mm	Ground clearance115 mm–120 mm
Trunk volume	Trunk volume240 l–340 l	Trunk volume195 l–215 l
Curb weight	Curb weight750 kg–900 kg	Curb weight740 kg–845 kg
Fuel tank	Fuel tank40 l	Fuel tank42 l
Engines
Production years	Production years1974–1983	Production years1981–1994
Body type	Body typeHatchback 3-door, Hatchback 5-door, Convertible	Body typeHatchback 3-door
Number of engines	Number of engines9	Number of engines5
Power	Power37–82 kW (50–111 hp)	Power33–83 kW (45–113 hp)
Displacement (l)	Displacement (l)1.1–1.8	Displacement (l)1.0–1.4
Fuel	FuelPetrol, Diesel	FuelPetrol, Diesel
Gearbox	GearboxManual, Automatic	GearboxManual
Drivetrain	DrivetrainFront-wheel	DrivetrainFront-wheel
Lowest consumption	Lowest consumption6 l/100 km · 1.5 D	Lowest consumption5.2 l/100 km · 1.4 D
Best 0–100 km/h	Best 0–100 km/h8.8 s · 1.8 GTI	Best 0–100 km/h8.6 s · 1.3 G40
Top speed	Top speed182 km/h	Top speed196 km/h
Trim levelsL · CL
Items in the base trim	Items in the base trim12 · L	Items in the base trim9 · CL
Items in the top trim	Items in the top trim22 · GLS	Items in the top trim16 · GT
Equipment · Comfort0 · 1
Steering Wheel Height Adjustment	Steering Wheel Height Adjustment—	Steering Wheel Height Adjustment✓
Equipment · Interior5 · 3
Black Interior	Black Interior✓	Black Interior—
Fabric	Fabric✓	Fabric✓
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 System	Audio System—	Audio System✓
Audio Preparation	Audio Preparation✓	Audio Preparation—
12V Socket	12V Socket✓	12V Socket✓
Equipment · Visibility & lights1 · 1
Halogen Headlights	Halogen Headlights✓	Halogen Headlights—
Automatic Headlight Leveling	Automatic Headlight Leveling—	Automatic Headlight Leveling✓
Equipment · Safety1 · 0
Rear Door Child Locks	Rear Door Child Locks✓	Rear Door Child Locks—
Equipment · Exterior3 · 2
Steel Wheels	Steel Wheels✓	Steel Wheels✓
R13 Wheels	R13 Wheels✓	R13 Wheels—
Full-size spare wheel	Full-size spare wheel✓	Full-size spare wheel✓
On Autodrom now
Listings	Listings0	Listings0

Frequently asked questions

Which is bigger — Volkswagen Golf I or Volkswagen Polo II (86C)?

Length: Volkswagen Golf I 3,815 mm, Volkswagen Polo II (86C) 3,725 mm (a 90 mm difference). Wheelbase: 2,400 vs 2,335 mm. Boot: 340 vs 215 l.

Which uses less fuel — Volkswagen Golf I or Volkswagen Polo II (86C)?

The most frugal Volkswagen Golf I uses 6 l/100 km (1.5 D); the most frugal Volkswagen Polo II (86C) 5.2 l/100 km (1.4 D).

Which is more powerful — Volkswagen Golf I or Volkswagen Polo II (86C)?

The strongest Volkswagen Golf I makes 82 kW (111 hp) (1.8 GTI); the strongest Volkswagen Polo II (86C) 83 kW (113 hp) (1.3 G40).

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