2009 Mercury Mountaineer vs. 1978 Volkswagen 181
To start off, 2009 Mercury Mountaineer is newer by 31 year(s). Which means there will be less support and parts availability for 1978 Volkswagen 181. In addition, the cost of maintenance, including insurance, on 1978 Volkswagen 181 would be higher. At 4,009 cc (6 cylinders), 2009 Mercury Mountaineer is equipped with a bigger engine.
Both vehicles are rear wheel drive (RWD) - it offers better handling in dry conditions; in addition, if you are looking to drift, both vehicles do the job better than front wheel drive vehicles. With that said, do keep in mind that many other factors such as speed and the wear on your tires can also have significant impact on traction and control. 2009 Mercury Mountaineer has automatic transmission and 1978 Volkswagen 181 has manual transmission. 1978 Volkswagen 181 will offer better control over acceleration and deceleration in addition to better fuel efficiency overall. 2009 Mercury Mountaineer will be easier to drive especially in heavy traffic.
Compare all specifications:
| 2009 Mercury Mountaineer | 1978 Volkswagen 181 | |
| Make | Mercury | Volkswagen |
| Model | Mountaineer | 181 |
| Year Released | 2009 | 1978 |
| Engine Position | Front | Rear |
| Engine Size | 4009 cc | 1584 cc |
| Engine Cylinders | 6 cylinders | 4 cylinders |
| Engine Type | V | in-line |
| Valves per Cylinder | 2 valves | 2 valves |
| Horse Power | 207 HP | 0 HP |
| Drive Type | Rear | Rear |
| Transmission Type | Automatic | Manual |
| Number of Seats | 6 seats | 5 seats |
| Vehicle Width | 1880 mm | 1650 mm |
