JETTA MK1

About the Jetta Mk1

The original Jetta was a Golf with a trunk, and that was exactly the point. Launched in 1979 as the notchback alternative, it targeted American buyers who still associated hatchbacks with economy rather than practicality. The formula worked — identical mechanicals to the Golf but with a proper three-box silhouette that played well in conservative markets. Diesel versions delivered remarkable fuel economy, and the build quality punched above its price point. This was VWs gateway drug for the North American sedan market.