Overview & Reviews

When the Volkswagen Golf was introduced in 1974, it came to the U.S. in 1975 as the Volkswagen Rabbit, a hop-away hit. Initially available as either a two- or four-door hatchback and later on as a convertible and even a pickup truck, the diminutive Rabbit combined a nimble, front-wheel-drive chassis with high-quality German construction and incredible space efficiency. This successor to the beloved Beetle easily embarrassed American economy cars in terms of performance, fuel-efficiency and cabin space. In 1985, the Rabbit nameplate was replaced by the Golf moniker (meant to recall the Gulf of Mexico, not a golf ball), which was what the car had always been called in Europe.

More than two decades later, the Rabbit name returned. In a reversal of the 1980s name swap, VW replaced the Golf name with the Rabbit badge on U.S.-bound hatchbacks in mid-2006. This Rabbit ran with an inline-5 rather than a four-cylinder engine, and it retained the characteristic boxy but very functional hatchback architecture, although it was larger and heavier than before. It also offered some upscale features (such as heated seats) not usually seen in its segment, as well as that solid feel on the road that seems to be a birthright of German-engineered cars.

Sadly, the rascally Rabbit died once again following the 2009 model year as Volkswagen reverted to the Golf name once again when it redesigned the car. However, despite the different name, you'll still find the same well-engineered hatchback, though it's made in Mexico these days

Most Recent Volkswagen Rabbit
The most recent VW Rabbit was introduced for 2006, replacing the Golf. It was offered as a two- or four-door hatchback in just one trim level and with only one engine choice. Two-door Rabbits came with a number of standard niceties such as air-conditioning and full power accessories, while the four-door version upped the ante with heated front seats, a fold-down rear armrest and an upgraded stereo.

During its brief, three-year life, the Rabbit changed little. It originally featured a 150-horsepower five-cylinder engine, but it was upgraded to 170 hp for 2008. Transmission choices included a five-speed manual and a six-speed automatic, though for 2009 the four-door was only available with the automatic.

In reviews, we lauded the Rabbit's high-quality cabin trim, which imparted a richness that's rare in the compact class. Additionally, the Rabbit's comfortable ride and competent (if not overly sporty) handling dynamics made it a well-rounded and practical economy car. Below-average fuel economy is our only major gripe about the Volkswagen Rabbit, as this economy hatchback struggled to average 24 mpg during combined city and highway driving.

Shoppers interested in an older or newer model than this will want to examine the Golf. It has much of the same characteristics of the Volkswagen Rabbit. It was available from 1985-2006, then reintroduced for 2010. There was also the original Rabbit sold from 1975-'84. From a used-vehicle standpoint, however, the odds of finding one fit for general use are quite low.

User Reviews:

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  Im a believer! - 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Bossanova - August 31 - 10:16 pm

  When it was time to trade in my old car (a 95), I looked at nearly all of the cars in the $15-20K market. Drove the Mazda3, Vibe, Versa, Matrix, Civic, xD... they all kind of felt the same. I had resigned myself to a functional compact with few features that I could "make do" with; then I drove the Rabbit. WHOA - it was like finding religion. There is absolutely no car in this class that is nearly as fun to drive. Plus even the base model is packed with extras. The interior is refined with quality materials. I got the 2-door 5-speed manual and I love it. Ive never owned a VW before, but the Rabbit has definitely made me a believer.

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  Thousands spent for New transmission @ 79K - 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By milkman128 - August 20 - 9:49 pm

  The fuel economy and quality of the drive train are the biggest downer for me. It has good pep to its step and handles incredibly well. Although with my Transmission failing so early I worry about the power train quality. It looks pretty inside and out, handles very well but doesnt appear to have the longevity dynamic.

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  Almost perfect - 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Schwe1nhund - August 19 - 5:03 pm

  Excellent car that handles extremely well on the road. Negotiates curves like a charm. I got this after wrecking my 07 Mazda 3 (through no fault of my own). The Mazda was a good car, but this one blows it out of the water. The Rabbit offers a smoother ride, a tighter turn radius, and generally a better grip on the road. Also, the Mazda is more expensive if you add all the features that is standard in the Rabbit. Its worth mentioning that because of this cars higher safety rating, my insurance went down significantly. From the outside, the car looks simple, but in my opinion that simplicity gives it a more distinguished look. The laser welded body is a big plus.

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  Rabbit on Rabbit - Pure Adrenaline - 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Watson Martin - August 14 - 6:04 pm

  Go Rabbit go has been going for now decades. With its generational shift to mature adults who once X owned 80s Rabbits. Unfortunately, the unibody pick was not crossed over. More about that later. I live in Roanoke VA driving mostly along interstates or the valleys jurisdictional byways with plenty of ups downs and curves of all sorts. Car handles like a charm even more so on passes crossing dozens of ridge lines located along the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east and the Appalachia Mountains to the west. Its tight and krpt me out of the ditch approaching a downhill car - both balls to the wall - with dry leaves in tow. Fortunately I road the rail on the right edge of a steep unguarded cliff. Adrenalin should be this cars middle name. Love it but got to sale it cuz of growing family and desire for tech audio smart upgrades. Dodge Durango SX. Go figure. Taurague is not my deal as its much smaller for much more. American German dodge. Go figure.

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  I love Jack - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Dannie - August 13 - 6:56 pm

  Jack is the name I gave my 2007 Rabbit I bought 3 weeks ago. I LOVE my car. I looked at a Yaris, Civic, Fit, Corolla and was debating until my dad called me up and said I should test drive a Rabbit before making my decision. This car sold itself to me. I test drove it, pronounced this was the car I was getting and bought it! All my friends are jealous... in 3 weeks Ive gone from 17 miles to mid 700 miles and it still makes me very happy. I was looking for a 2 door manual transmission that made driving fun. I found it and more with everything it comes with. I strongly recommend this car to anyone!

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  Fun to Drive! - 2006 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Igloo - July 28 - 3:56 pm

  I shopped around and drove everything. I compared the Mazda3, Chevy Cobalt SS, Honda Civic, Chrysler 300, Ford Fusion, Subaru Legacy...you name it. Finally, I tried the Rabbit. Its such a fun car to drive! The stereo is excellent. The handling is incredibly precise (you feel like you could drive around cones all day!), they offer you tons of features. It even has heated cloth seats and heated side mirrors! Plus it has A/C vents for the rear seats (very cool) and traction control! I am shocked that our new Rabbit (150hp) is even faster than out V6 Ford Escape (220hp V6). This is a huge improvement over the Golf. If youre considering a Mazda3 or a Civic, give this a try, you wont regret it!

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  Great Car - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By shaun - July 14 - 5:26 pm

  I have had my Rabbit for over a year now. No problems whatsoever, and it is a wonderful car to drive. One thing I did wish was better was gas mileage, although you get in performance what you lose in gas mileage, so it is a trade off I am happy with. Any of the other similar cars with better mileage cant hold a candle to the get up and go that my Rabbit has.

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  This is no cotton tail - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Texas - July 12 - 12:23 am

  Have owned this car several years and its reliability is excellent. Did test drive several others before making this purchase. Drive 60 mile round trip to work road control is amazing. Ave around 28 mpg. I agree you have to watch it or you will be speeding, I tell everybody this is no cotton tail this is a jack rabbit. I have had no trouble so far with performance of any- kind.

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  Bunny! - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By trtl182 - July 4 - 2:26 am

  I looked at a few different vehicles like the Mazda3, Honda Fit, and Nissan Versa...and none of them fit like the Bunny does for me. The moment I laid eyes on it, I was in love. The car drives great, feels great inside, and is just all around fun to drive. Now that Ive had it a month, there are a few things Ive noticed. Its gas mileage has been 20 / 25 mpg, it has some odd noises here and there from the pedals, and the stereo seems like it is possessed at times. Other than that, it is packed with a lot of things that I wouldnt have expected for the price. And I get a guitar...what could be better?

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  Good Car, but Traded it in Two Months Later - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By A. Kaplan - July 1 - 5:40 am

  I fell in love with the Rabbit when I first saw it, and probably bought it too quickly (especially with the great trade-in offer and the deal I got). After about 3,500 miles, I decided the car wasnt for me. I lost about $2,500 on the car but bought a fantastic 2004 Saab 9-3 lightly used for roughly the same price (what Rabbits are retailing for). I just didnt enjoy the ride, everything "makes sense," and on paper the Rabbit is a technical marvel, but its also not very fun to drive. Also, the gas mileage leaves A LOT to be desired. My new car gets 35 miles to the gallon on the highway and is faster, while the rabbit averaged 27 mpg on a 1,500 mile all-highway trip.