1974 Volkswagen Golf I (5-door) Dimensions, Size & Specs

The curb weight of the Volkswagen Golf I (5-door) ranges between 775 to 850 kg (1,709 to 1,874 lbs). This relatively lightweight construction contributed positively to fuel efficiency, making it economical to run. Additionally, the lighter weight enhanced nimble handling and agility, especially noticeable in urban driving and tight corners.

The maximum weight of the Volkswagen Golf I (5-door) ranges from 1200 to 1300 kg (2,645 to 2,866 lbs). This figure includes the vehicle's own weight plus passengers, cargo, and other load. The difference between the curb weight and maximum weight gives an estimated payload range of approximately 350 to 525 kg (772 to 1,157 lbs), indicating how much weight in passengers and cargo the car can safely carry.

The Volkswagen Golf I (5-door) offers a luggage capacity of 368 liters (approximately 13 cubic feet) with the rear seats in place. When the rear seats are folded down, this capacity significantly increases to 1102 liters (about 38.9 cubic feet), allowing for flexible storage options suitable for longer trips or larger cargo items.

The ride height or ground clearance of the Volkswagen Golf I (5-door) is approximately 124 to 125 mm (4.9 to 4.92 inches). This moderate clearance strikes a balance between providing enough space to clear common road obstacles and maintaining a low center of gravity for improved stability and handling on paved roads.

The Volkswagen Golf I (5-door) came with a variety of rim sizes, including 4.5J x 13, 5.5J x 13, 6J x 13, and 6J x 14. Tire sizes compatible with these rims included 175/70 R13, 175/50 R13, and 185/60 R14. These sizes reflect the era's standards and contributed to the vehicle's balance of comfort, handling, and road grip.

Yes, the Volkswagen Golf I (5-door), with its length of 3723 mm (146.5 inches), width of 1610 mm (63.4 inches), and height of 1410 mm (55.5 inches), fits comfortably in a standard residential garage. Standard garages typically accommodate cars up to approximately 6 meters (236 inches) in length and 2.4 meters (94.5 inches) in width, so the Golf's compact size allows for ample space around the vehicle for easy entry and exit.

The Volkswagen Golf I was conceptualized as a modern replacement for the Volkswagen Beetle, which was smaller overall and had a very different design layout. Compared to the Beetle, the Golf I offered a more compact front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout with a spacious hatchback design. Although slightly larger in length and width (Beetle was about 4,072 mm or 160.3 inches long but narrower in track), the Golf's improved interior packaging allowed for better practicality, more cabin space, and greater cargo versatility.

In comparison with contemporaneous compact hatchbacks such as the Ford Escort Mk II and the Opel Kadett C, the Volkswagen Golf I (5-door) was relatively compact yet practical. For instance, the Ford Escort Mk II measured around 3,986 mm (157 inches) in length and 1,624 mm (63.9 inches) in width. The Golf's slightly shorter length but similar width offered comparable interior space and cargo capacity, making it competitive in the compact market segment of its time.

The Volkswagen Golf I (5-door) was revolutionary in adopting a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout that became a blueprint for future compact cars. Its hatchback design combined compact exterior dimensions with a surprisingly spacious and flexible interior. The use of simple but efficient engineering features allowed for easy maintenance and affordability. These design choices set the stage for all subsequent Golf generations, influencing countless other vehicles globally within the compact hatchback segment.