Overview & Reviews

Volkswagen's compact Rabbit receives a welcome infusion of power for 2008, celebrated with a modified moniker as it's now called the Rabbit S.

• Roomy and upscale cabin, comfortable ride, high crash test scores, impressive build quality.

• Well-equipped four-door has high base price, a bit too vanilla when compared to sleeker rivals.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 91.00

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  Rabbit high cost maintenance - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Jeff - November 4 - 10:13 pm

  I bought this car after owning a Subaru Forester for 4 years. I decided that I no longer needed all wheel drive and wanted something a bit smaller and economical to own/drive. I take the car in for routine maintenance as required. I was a bit disappointed when at my last service of 19,400 miles I was told I needed new rear brakes. This is before fronts. VW tells me this is common to use rears that fast. Cost to replace $465 at dealer (did not have it done there, instead opted for local repair garage). If you had to do this every 19,000 miles it does not make this care economical to drive. I am told all VWs go through brakes that fast.

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  2008 Black Rabbit - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Brian - July 15 - 8:33 pm

  I bought this 08 Rabbit in June and now 8 months later have no performance or build quality complains. Broke it in easy for 1500 mi. My son is the primary driver who uses it to commute back and forth to college and to work. Weve taken it on 600+ miles trips to NJ and Pittsburgh and mpg has been excellent at 31 highway. The only recurring issue has been the crummy head unit for the stereo. Twice the cd player has failed. Dealer overnighted a replacement the first time, and I expect same replacement this time, but really why the cheapo stereo? Ive thrown Walmart stereo/cd players into vehicles that have lasted for years with no issue. No other problems with this West Virginia Bunny.

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  Really fun car. - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By billbolduc - June 21 - 3:06 pm

  I love my new Rabbit. The lease on my 2004 Passat was up, and I was tired of paying for premium gas, so I tried the Rabbit and loved the way it felt. Although it is in a different class (economy vs. midsize), I find it sportier and more agile than my 04 Passat, but it doesnt ride quite as well. The new boost in horsepower gives it plenty of power to get out of the way. It has enough interior room for most needs, although the family would probably be more comfortable in my wifes minivan. The build quality appears to be very good. Overall, another great product from Volkswagen.

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  08 Rabbit Habit - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By LuvVeeDub - January 20 - 10:40 pm

  had it only 2 weeks, but driving A LOT. my first experience in a rabbit made a terribly disconcerting metallic rubbing whine when i test drove one initially (with alloy wheels pkg.), but the one i bought had the steel wheels and no such noises. still have quite a bit of clutch pedal travel compared to my subaru outback and am still trying to get used to launching without excessive revving (maybe im just a retard) and while in 1st/2nd gears, torque dies around 3500 rpm. i expected more torque since due to 177 lb./ft. rating. shoulda bought the DSG auto trans in retrospect. wished leather seats were available. almost dislocated my left shoulder reaching back for the safety belt.

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  Good little car - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Mike - July 4 - 8:36 am

  After about a year with my Rabbit, I can finally write a review. The Rabbit is a fun little car to drive, with a lot of pep. The 6 speed tiptronic transmission is a lot of fun and very unexpected in such a low price car. The interior and build quality constantly amaze me after having Fords, Pontiacs, Chevys. The 2.5 engine doesnt mind being revved, and sounds pretty good when doing it. Although, it is a fairly thirsty little car, as I average 17 in city driving. It replaced a Crown Vic which was getting 12, so I cant complain that much. Not a bad car in winter either, never got stuck once with a good set of snow tires.

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  Wascally fun at a weasonable price - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By chromewheels - May 21 - 6:26 am

  After exhaustive research and test drives, I went with the Rabbit. I bought the 4-door with the manual transmission, which I hear is a combination that wont be available next year. Not to mention I really dont like the looks of the next generation Rabbit. I knew the gas mileage wasnt great before I bought the car, so Im not all that disappointed. I love the torque, this thing really pulls even from off-idle. The driving position and controls are top notch. I wish the diesel was available when I bought this, wouldve been a no-brainer. The inline-5 is a weird-sounding engine, not really worth revving up. All in all, Im happy with it.

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  Little bargain monster - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Dell_Boy - December 17 - 2:00 am

  If you want a cool looking fun to drive cheap to run runabout then this is it!! I actually traded down from a 2009 GTI with DSG to my VW Rabbit with the standard automatic and I actually prefer the drive of the Rabbit than I did to the GTI. Power delivery is obviously less but not a huge difference as it has 170bhp which has plenty up and go for me. The car is very versatile, comfortable on long journeys, love the 60/40 split rear seats to give HUGE cargo space for such a little car, 4 doors makes it a good family car with kids and cheap enough to buy out right so I have no car payments :-) I love it!!! You cannot go wrong with this well built European styling little rocket.

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  Nice Bunny - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By VW family - September 23 - 12:56 pm

  Bought a black 4-door Rabbit for my son the other day. We now have 3 VWs and an old Audi in the family. Theyre great cars. This car rides well. Power is more than adequate from the 170 hp motor. It even sounds good. Handling is good. Tiptronic is the tranmission (not the engine) and the 6 sp. auto is is very nice. It even has a sport mode. This car is not nearly as sporty as my GTI, but is a better freeway car by far and is easy to drive with the auto. trans. Black looks great and there is extra tint on the windows so it looks like a mini-limo to me - very cool.

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  Great, Sensible Car - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Steve - September 8 - 8:03 am

  I have long wanted a VW and finally purchased a slightly used 2008 model this year. I wanted a GTI, but it was out of my price range. Ive test driven both and can say that the 5 cylinder Rabbit has enough power for most drivers and pretty much all driving situations. The suspension isnt as sporty (read: body lean) in the corners, but overall very fun to drive. Interior isnt as unique/special as the GTIs but still full of features and very comfortable. Great car with great fuel economy. I get 28mpg with approx 80% highway driving.

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  Gas mileage-not very good - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Sharon - March 26 - 8:43 am

  When it was time to get a new car, I was torn between 2 cars. 2008 Honda Civic and the 2008 VW Rabbit. I test drive these 2, and really liked both cars. But time to decide which to get is a pain!! Anyway, emotions got better of me, and so I picked the Rabbit. It has pickup, power and appeal. However, the gas mileage sucks. Literally. I drive on the highway at 60 mph (trying to save $$) everyday, but still get about 25-miles to the gallon. City mileage, forget it. It;s nowhere close to the sticker mileage. Its more like 9-20 mph. I am gypped and I am not enjoying this car at all. I AM DISAPPOINTED! So there, thats my honest opinion. I shouldve gotten the Civic. City mileage is 39 mph.