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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  Gas Leak...Anybody - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Gina - November 4 - 11:36 pm

  I just bought the 2dr manual, sage green Rabbit. I absolutely loved it until yesterday when suddenly the car left me in the middle of an intersection and gas started leaking from underneath the passengers seat. I have 788 miles on the car. So much for German quality control? Anybody out there has experienced the same thing?

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  Run Rabbit, run! - 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Two5 - November 2 - 7:40 am

  Car has seen all types of driving and has fared extremely well. The engine in the car is well suited to most driving situations and the abundance of power and torque plus an engine that enjoys revving provides an acceleration not found in competitors, the five speed manual has short throws and positive feel with good clutch feedback. Suspension is based on the sportier GTI, giving the Rabbit surefooted dynamics while providing a comfortable ride even over harsh roads, the standard ESP provides an added safety net. No problems while owning the vehicle, and fuel economy has averaged approximately 28 miles per gallon, while full tanks on the freeway can net up to 33 miles per gallon.

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  More Car for Your Money! - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Mauri Trevino - October 11 - 1:46 pm

  Civic? Mazda3? Rabbit? I too looked at each, but in the end the Rabbit was simply better. Feel the solid laser-welded construction of the Rabbit over a rough road. No goofy-fad interior either, clean, functional design with everything in clear view and reach. The most underrated: the engine. Some say 2.5L should have more horsepower, but then they havent felt the Rabbits torque. It pulls strong without winding revs. The 2.5L engine allows torque on tap and makes the driving experience something the others cant touch. Who wants to rev to 7,000 every time you want to pass? Not the people driving Rabbits! Oh, about the weight, yes its a little high but check out the crash test ratings. More metal is safer!

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  Rapid Rabbit - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Galileo - September 7 - 7:20 am

  I am a grandmother of five. Drive for pleasure and business. This car is precise, concise and fun. Great turning radii and very responsive. Extremely comfortable seats and easy on the eyes dashboard. I drive a lot of back country roads. The tiptronic offers the fun of a manual transmission and the flexibility of an automatic. I handed my Honda Fit over to one of my kids. The comfort of the Rabbit was impossible to resist. Heated seats and partially electronic, they are easy to adjust precisely. The car feels solid and centered and leaves me fatigue free. I am averaging 26-28 mph and the car is not broken in yet. Sound system is solid and satellite radio subscription is free for a tryout.

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  No longer status - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By David - September 6 - 2:40 am

  Guys dont buy any VW. I had two (jetta 16 and this junk). A few days ago I was lucky to trade it for Mitsubishi. I dont know where to start... These cars are good for 20-30,000 miles only. Last German engineer died in 1982 and VW brand is dead.

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  Never Again - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Jason Reid - August 22 - 9:23 pm

  This is my second VW. Now after I sold my first Golf I missed that car for over 5 years so it was apparent that i would buy another VW when I could. The car rides and handles great but my buddy gets better fuel mileage in his 2002 Toyota 4Runner. My Rabbit has stalled 9 times since ownership after a cold start in the middle of a busy highway, tell me thats safe. VW says that its not throwing any codes and it seems to be working fine. Oh yeah it also has an automatic transmission, go figure. Yesterday I test drove a Nissan Versa which had more interior space but 28 less horsepower which I didnt even notice and better gas mileage. Just stay away from this car.

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  147k mi & counting - 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Actually drive the vehicle - August 19 - 11:40 pm

  Dont know why folks knock VWs reliability, etc....thankfully, cars are not cell phones (yet). Bought my car new with a 5-speed manual in 2009 & have no problems. Handles like its on rails. Ergonomics are excellent. Dont need to look away from the road to change the heat or radio. First month of ownership (I still remember) didnt take the same way home from work twice on the back roads. Very practical for use on the road or light use on the track. Had 2 engine knock sensors problems & remedied under warranty. Have changed oil, rear brakes (once) & tune ups, otherwise no issues or rust. Also own a newer Golf Sportwagen with 6-speed manual & very much enjoy that too. Still dont know why people buy SUVs. The 09 is not our first VW & the 15 will not be our last.

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  Best Subcompact out there - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By BP - August 16 - 10:03 am

  Everything about this car is positive. The interior is great, the exterior is nice, and the engine is peppy.the interior is very good build quality, perhaps even upscale. The sunroof works great. Some say that it gets bad MPG, but in the real world, it only gets about 2-3 mpg less than those Japanese models that sacrifice everything to get 28 mpg in the city (real world, EPA for 2007 has been known to be inaccurate). Depending on the day, I get from 24-26 mpg in the city, and 27-32 mpg on the highway. I would rather drive a comfortable, safe, great handling, and good looking car than one that is small, uncomfortable, and one that has lackluster handling.

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  Great Rabbit... Cant wait for the 2008! - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By jm - August 7 - 6:00 pm

  I test drove all of the subcompacts that are available. I test drove them all, and came down to the conclusion that I would rather have an inexpensive car with a 6 (not 4) speed transmission, an upscale interior, a more powerful engine that can actually pass on the highway, more interior space, more comfortable seats, and better handling. This car is also much, much safer than the other competitors, especially with all of the massive SUVs out there now. We have had absolutely no problems with this car after almost 5000 miles! I would definitely buy another! My wife likes mine so much that she is going to take mine and I am going to trade in her 2005 civic for a 2008 rabbit 4dr automatic.

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  This car kicks! - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By VeeDubs Forever - July 31 - 3:03 pm

  Bought this car, a 2007 leftover, off the showroom floor. I fell in love with it the minute I drove it, and it just keeps getting better and better. When I see it from the outside I cant believe how small it looks - the interior is so roomy and comfortable. This is THE perfect city car. I drive less than 5 miles roundtrip each weekday, then take to the highway on the weekends. The Rabbit is zippy and such fun to drive either way. I love the safety features and the versatility. This is my second VW (2000 Jetta) but my first hatchback and I am utterly amazed by what will fit in this car. But what excites me the most are the high-end features like the wheels, the sunroof,and the heated seats.