Originally billed as a “Rabbit with a trunk,” the first generation Volkswagen Jetta was designed for the growing number of buyers worldwide who wanted extra cargo space and the style of a sedan in a compact car. Shortly after its U.S. introduction in 1980, the Jetta became the best-selling German model in America, with more than 3.2 million models sold since.
When it first hit American roads, the compact Jetta defined a new segment for Volkswagen. The brand had considerable success with the subcompact Rabbit in the late 1970s, following the end of Beetle sales in the United States. Built off the Golf platform and named for the German word for “jet stream,” the Jetta two- and four-door versions were the sixth models in the VW lineup for 1980, along with the Rabbit, Dasher, Scirocco, Vanagon and VW Pickup.
For its era, the Jetta offered a standard amount of power—76 horsepower from a 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder engine. More important was its handling prowess, tuned to offer a tighter road feel than the other compact vehicles of its era. It had a healthy list of standard features, from power-assisted brakes and AM/FM cassette-player combo, to cut-pile carpet and intermittent wipers. The only options were a three-speed automatic transmission (in place of the standard five-speed manual), air conditioning, sunroof, tinted glass, and aluminum-alloy wheels.
| 1980 Jetta | ||
| Height | 55.5 inches | |
| Width | 63.4 inches | |
| Length | 167.8 inches | |
| Wheelbase | 94.4 inches | |
| Trunk space | 14.1 cu. ft. | |
| Horsepower | 76 | |
| Torque (lb-ft) | 83 | |
| Transmissions | Five-speed manual, three-speed automatic | |
| EPA-estimated Fuel Economy | About 21 mpg combined* | |
| Brakes | Front disc/rear drum | |
| Steering | Rack and pinion, unassisted | |
| Wheels | 13-inch steel wheels with chrome hubcaps; optional 13-, 14- and 15-inch aluminum-alloy wheels | |
| Colors | Alpine White, Diamond Silver, Black, Indiana Red, Mexico Beige, Inari Silver | |
| Cruise Control | Unavailable | |
| Lights | Dual sealed-beam headlights, bulb taillights | |
| Infotainment | AM/FM cassette stereo | |
| Air Conditioning | Optional | |
| Seats | 4 | |
| USB ports | Not yet invented | |
| Ashtrays | 2 | |
| Cigarette Lighter | 1 | |
| Armrests | 0 | |
| Cupholders | 0 | |
| Airbags | 0 |
*EPA estimates for older models were revised lower than their original figures in subsequent years.
