Popular Cars in 1979: The Complete List

Roads and showrooms in 1979 reflected a mix of shifting tastes and practical choices: drivers weighed fuel economy against comfort, imported designs competed with domestic models, and new safety and emissions rules nudged engineering choices. That year’s lineup captures both suburban family cars and small city-friendly designs, giving a clear snapshot of late‑1970s motoring.

There are 39 Popular Cars in 1979, ranging from the compact AMC Pacer to the Euro‑styled Volkswagen Passat. For each entry, the list shows Market (main),1979 sales (units),Engine power (kW) so you can compare where each model sold, how many were sold, and their power output — see the full list you’ll find below.

Which models led sales in 1979 and why did they resonate with buyers?

Top sellers tended to be reliable, affordable family cars and light pickups from established brands, with imports gaining ground where buyers sought fuel efficiency or European styling; economic concerns, evolving safety standards, and shifting fuel prices pushed consumers toward compact and efficient choices more than pure performance that year.

How do I interpret Market (main),1979 sales (units),Engine power (kW) in the list?

“Market (main)” shows the primary region for each model, “1979 sales (units)” gives the number sold that year, and “Engine power (kW)” lists factory-rated output in kilowatts — use those columns together to see where a car was popular, how many were sold, and how its performance compared.

Popular Cars in 1979

Images and Descriptions

Toyota Corolla

Compact, reliable sedan/hatchback that dominated global sales in 1979; prized for fuel economy, simple mechanics and broad dealer networks, with modest 1.3–1.6L engines and solid build that made it a common family car worldwide.

Volkswagen Golf

Practical front-wheel-drive hatchback widely adopted in Europe by 1979; the Golf combined efficient 1.1–1.6L engines, nimble handling and hatchback versatility, quickly becoming a cultural touchstone for everyday motoring.

Volkswagen Beetle

Iconic rear-engine compact still widely registered in many markets in 1979; celebrated for simplicity, affordability and a huge cultural footprint, with small air-cooled engines and immense aftermarket and owner community support.

Ford Escort

Small family car and one of Britain’s best-sellers in 1979; the Escort offered a range of economical engines, simple mechanics and broad appeal to budget buyers and fleets, cementing Ford’s mass-market stronghold.

Ford Cortina

Mid-size saloon that was a long-time UK favorite in 1979; the Cortina offered roomy interiors, a range of 1.6–2.0L engines and strong fleet and private sales, appearing frequently in British media and everyday streets.

Volkswagen Passat

Comfortable family saloon/hatchback with front-wheel drive and a modern layout for 1979; valued for roomy cabins, reliable VW engines and as a practical alternative to traditional rear-drive saloons.

Renault 5 (Le Car)

Popular supermini in France and across Europe by 1979; the Renault 5 combined compact dimensions, clever packaging and economical 0.8–1.2L engines, becoming a common urban runabout and cultural symbol of the era.

Fiat 127

Small economical hatchback widely bought in Europe in 1979; the Fiat 127 was praised for its compact footprint, practical interior and simple 0.9–1.3L engines, making it a ubiquitous city car of the period.

Peugeot 504

Durable mid-size saloon popular in Europe and African markets in 1979; known for ruggedness, comfortable ride and 1.8–2.0L engines, the 504 was favored for long-distance and varied-terrain reliability.

Peugeot 305

Practical family car launched earlier in the decade and selling steadily in 1979; appreciated for straightforward engineering, comfortable ride and economical 1.3–1.6L engines for everyday use.

Opel Kadett

Compact family car widely registered across Europe in 1979; the Kadett delivered reliable engineering, a range of small economical engines and broad appeal to private and fleet buyers.

Opel Ascona

Mid-size saloon that sold well in Europe in 1979; the Ascona provided roomy interiors, a choice of 1.6–2.0L engines and steady sales to families and companies.

BMW 3 Series (E21)

Compact premium sports-saloon gaining strong popularity by 1979; the 3 Series combined sporty handling, refined engines (1.6–2.3L) and aspirational branding, appealing to buyers seeking driving enjoyment with practicality.

Mercedes-Benz W123

Executive mid-size saloon renowned for build quality and longevity in 1979; the W123 was a bestseller for Mercedes, offering robust 2.0–2.5L engines and a reputation for durable, comfortable transport.

Datsun (Nissan) Sunny

Reliable compact sold widely in Japan and export markets in 1979; the Sunny offered economical engines, simple packaging and strong dealer support, making it a common choice for families and fleets.

Datsun (Nissan) Bluebird

Mid-size saloon popular in Japanese and export markets in 1979; the Bluebird combined pragmatic packaging, 1.6–2.0L engines and dependable performance for everyday driving and business use.

Datsun 240Z/260Z

Sports coupe with strong enthusiast and media attention in 1979; the Z offered sleek styling, capable inline-six engines and affordable performance, cementing its cultural status among sports-car buyers.

Toyota Celica

Sporty compact coupe popular for style and value in 1979; the Celica combined attractive design with reliable 1.6–2.0L engines, appealing to younger buyers seeking sporty looks and everyday usability.

Honda Civic

Subcompact that had become a strong seller by 1979 due to fuel economy and reliability; the Civic’s small efficient engines and lightweight design made it a popular urban and commuter car internationally.

Honda Accord

Mid-size family car introduced earlier and selling well in 1979; the Accord was praised for refinement, refined 1.6–2.0L engines and increasing appeal in export markets as a durable everyday car.

Fiat 131 Mirafiori

Conventional family saloon with solid European sales in 1979; the 131 combined conservative styling, comfortable interiors and 1.4–2.0L engines, appealing to buyers seeking traditional saloon practicality.

Lancia Beta

Italian-engineered family car with sporting variants and moderate popularity in 1979; the Beta offered innovation and a range of engines, admired by buyers wanting distinctive Italian styling.

Renault 12

Durable family saloon popular in several European and developing markets in 1979; the 12 was valued for simple mechanics, roomy cabin and fuel-efficient engines for everyday transport.

Austin Allegro

British mid-size car that remained commonly seen in 1979; despite mixed reviews, the Allegro sold in volume thanks to BL’s market reach and offered basic comfort and modestly powered engines.

Morris Marina

Simple, affordable saloon widely registered in the UK and export markets in 1979; the Marina appealed through low purchase cost, easy maintenance and a range of small-to-mid engines.

Vauxhall Viva/Chevette

Compact family car with steady UK sales in 1979; the Viva/Chevette line offered small economical engines, cheap running costs and broad use as daily transport and fleet vehicles.

Holden Kingswood/Kingswood SL

Popular Australian large family car and fleet staple in 1979; the Kingswood provided roomy interiors, tough suspension and 3.3–4.2L engines suited to local conditions and long-distance use.

Holden Commodore

Introduced in 1978 and quickly popular by 1979; the Commodore brought modern design, refined engines and strong domestic sales as a comfortable large family car and fleet favorite.

Ford LTD/Granada (US/Canada)

Large American personal-luxury and family saloons that sold strongly in 1979; offered V6 and V8 engines, roomy cabins and conventional rear-drive packaging appealing to traditional North American buyers.

Chevrolet Caprice/Impala

Full-size American saloon and fleet mainstay with large numbers on US roads in 1979; known for V8 power, spacious interiors and dominance in taxi, police and private ownership.

Oldsmobile Cutlass

One of the best-selling mid-size American cars in 1979; the Cutlass blended comfort, V6 and V8 engine choices and popular trim levels making it a common family and executive choice.

Chevrolet Malibu

Popular mid-size Chevrolet with strong fleet and private sales in 1979; offered a range of inline-six and V8 engines and a reputation for straightforward, comfortable transport.

Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am

Sporty coupe with strong media profile and enthusiast following in 1979; the Trans Am’s performance image, muscular styling and V8 power made it a cultural icon for performance-car buyers.

AMC Pacer

Distinctive compact with strong contemporary media attention in 1979 due to unusual styling and packaging; the Pacer offered roomy cabin space and small-six engines, becoming a memorable period design.

Mazda 626/Capella

Mid-size family car selling steadily in Japan and export markets in 1979; known for efficient 1.6–2.0L engines, practicality and growing reputation for reliability.

Subaru Leone

Compact with growing export presence in 1979, notable for early use of practical all-wheel-drive variants in some markets; engines typically small-displacement, emphasizing economy and ruggedness.

Saab 99

Swedish compact executive car with niche popularity in Scandinavia and Europe in 1979; the Saab 99 was known for safety features, turbo development and quirky but practical design.

Skoda 105/120

Widespread in Eastern Bloc and some export markets in 1979; these simple rear-engined compacts were inexpensive, easy to repair and a common sight across regional roads.

Rover SD1

Executive hatchback notable in 1979 British motoring press and fleet sales; the SD1 offered advanced styling for its class, V8 and six-cylinder engines and strong media attention despite mixed reliability.

Popular Cars in Other Years