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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  Thumper is a Great Drive!!! - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By DrJohnston - June 19 - 7:00 am

  The Rabbit is a great car! It handles very well, but is still fairly compliant on the rough streets of cleveland. The automatic is great. I love the three settings (D,S,Tipi). The shifts are a little slow, but not bad for a slush box. Inside the car is great except for the lack of a center arm rest. The stereo sounds very crisp! Out of the comparable cars, Honda Fit, Scions, Civics, and such, I found this to be the best car on the market.

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  Has It All - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Marty - May 29 - 9:13 pm

  I have been researching the hatchback market for awhile and finally settled into a 4-door Rabbit. Its superior in so many ways to the Dodge Caliber, Toyota Matrix, Honda Civic and Mazda 3. I love its looks, refined interior, long list of standard features, performance, ride, fit & finish and how it is so quiet. It has everything Id want in a car at a very reasonable price. It is a small economical car with NO compromises.

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  Get Up-N-Go - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Craig Vedder - May 29 - 12:16 pm

  I am very impressed with the pick up of the 2.5L Rabbit. This is also matched with a great feel of the road and the perfect amount of engine noise. It handles great and the seats are nice and snug to your body. The interior has a better fit and finish then a lot of the high end lines out there. Detail is key for me - they even put little VW logos on the headlight assembly.

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  Well worth it. - 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Shakecakes - April 29 - 3:56 am

  The handling is still a little unresponsive, but VW definitely put some thought into this car. Fuel mileage is a little bad but coming from 20/27 Im good. There are little easter eggs in this car that a good run-through should show. Stereo system could be improved, as it sounds like Im listening through two old computer speakers, but who buys the base and expects premium sound? Radio reception and sound are much better than I expected. The back seat is big enough to fit maybe one person comfortably, but dont through two adults back there. Also you dont even notice the lack of arm rest if you decide to opt out of the iPod dock. But thats more a personal preference. All in all, get it.

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  2007 Rabbit 2.5 - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By kendall - March 28 - 4:46 pm

  I have owned my Rabbit for one month now. Ive put just over 1,100 miles on it and have loved every minute of it. The car is responsive and fun to drive. Im really happy with my Rabbit. I just wish it got better gas mileage. I drive 30 miles one way to work every day. So far I have been getting around 25 MPG average.

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  Comments on the Rabbit - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By blas - March 25 - 2:16 pm

  The VW Rabbit is a fun little car. For the price that you pay and the options you get, it is amazing. The downside I found is that the manual gets fewer MPG then the automatic (must be because they want you to spend the extra $1075 for the auto) but the manual is a lot more fun. The ride is very bumpy but I have come to expect that from smaller cars. Other then that I highly recommend to any one this car. The price is right and the options (for base models) beat out any other car of the same size.

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  Might Be A Lemon... Or It Might Just Be The Brand - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By jen86 - March 17 - 3:22 am

  I bought my rabbit used from a Volkswagen dealership in 09, its an 07 model and it only had 12,000 miles on it when I drove it off the lot. Its now got about 77,000 miles on it, & its had problems since I got it. This car has had the wheel well fill up with water and seep through my seats ($4-500 fix) a bolt fall out of the engine mount (covered by warranty), the alternator failed at 50,000 miles ($500 at the dealer), the airbag light & the brake pads are worn light (electrical issue) are both on ($1000 to repair those 2 things at the dealer), and the CV joints are shot ($670 at the dealer). I would caution people against buying a Volkswagen if they want longevity in an automobile.

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  Thunderbunny 09 - 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Paul - March 15 - 9:16 pm

  My White little Rabbit dominates the small car genre easily in Sport. Test driving other small American and Japanese cars felt like a waste of time after riding in VWs 09 Rabbit. The Focus is hard to focus on after you are behind the wheel of a fully powered Rabbit.

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  What a fun car to drive! - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Harry Lauer - February 15 - 9:56 pm

  Ive had my Rabbit for a little over a month now and the car has been a joy to own. Nice switch from my 2003 gmc 2500 (which i have to have for work as I am a mason contractor). Lots of bang for the buck and the quality is amazing. Much nicer than any of the "other" small cars in that price range.

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  I couldnt ask for a better first car. - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By jdamato - February 14 - 3:33 am

  My Rabbit is my first car and its a fantastic car. My brother drove it for a year and then handed it down to me for a Jeep. Its really everything I wanted in a car. A good design, amazing handling and performance and very good gas mileage(just what I need for a job thats 22 miles away from my house). I havent had any major problems yet. The only problem I had was my emergency brake wasnt disengaging all the way and it wore my back brakes really fast.