Here’s a handy guide to help identify types of VWs. The year and model can be used to determine the MK, or generation, of a car.
MK2
Model years 1985-1992. Golfs and Jettas were available in two and four door versions. The GTI was only available as a two door hatchback. Although there were small differences in appearance and trim over the years, the largest MK2 body change came in 1990. Mid 1990-1992 MK2s got ‘big bumpers’. Check out the pics below for some examples of each style.
Late 90-92 Jetta GLI
Small-bumper Jetta
Late 90-92 GTI
MK3
Model years 1993-1999. Again, Golfs were available in two and four door versions, but Jettas were only available as a four door. The GTI was only available as a two door hatchback. There were small changes in the trim packages over the years, but the largest change was that they added a ‘VR6’ option on the highest ‘GLX’ and ‘GTI’ models.
Jetta GLX
Golf GL (4 door)
GTI VR6
MK4
Model years 1999.5-2005. Again, Golfs were available in two and four door versions, but Jettas were available as a four door sedan or wagon. The GTI was only available as a two door hatchback. There were small changes in the trim packages over the years but nothing too drastic. There were also a few ‘special edition’ models as well, like the ‘R32’, ‘GTI 337′, ’25th anniversary edition’, and ‘GLI’ Jetta.
2004 Jetta GLI
2005 GTI
MK5
Model year 2006+. This is the latest generation of Golf/Jetta/GTI. They actually call the MK5 Golf a ‘Rabbit’, so you’ll see that listed most places on this site. Rabbits and (for the 1st time) GTIs are available as a two or four door model. The Jetta is only available as a four door. As of right now there aren’t many different body styles, but time will probably change that!
MK5 Jetta GLI
MK5 GTI (2 door)
Corrado
Model years 1990-1994. Corrados were only available as a two door hatchback. There were two distinct models produced. The ‘G60’ was made from 1990-1992 and the ‘SLC’ (or VR6) was made from 1992-1994. See the pics below for an example of each.
Corrado G60
Corrado VR6
Other
Currently this would include just about everything else. This page hasn’t been updated in a LONG time, but if you submit a picture via facebook of a model we don’t have, I’ll add it to this page. 🙂
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