Despite the fact that it was a subcompact, the 1976 Volkswagen Rabbit offered plenty of legroom and storage space, thanks to the fact that VW installed the car's 71-horsepower, overhead-cam, four-cylinder engine sideways, minimizing the amount of space it required. And because the engine was mounted in the front, it provided additional traction for the front-wheel-drive vehicle. A four-speed manual transmission was standard in the Rabbit, while a four-speed automatic was available as an option. The Rabbit was available as either a two-door or four-door hatchback. Standard equipment included padded sun visors, a rear window defogger, and specially designed front and back seats that improved support for the lower backs of passengers. Optional equipment included fog lamps, air conditioning, a passive restraint system, a racing-type steering wheel, and a European-style shift lever. The Rabbit provided 12.4 cubic feet of space in the cargo area, which could be doubled to 24.7 cubic feet by folding down the back seat. Drivers noted that the Rabbit was a dependable vehicle, although it needed to be properly maintained and tended to be a very basic automobile, with few extras or frills.