The Rabbit is back -- or at least the name is back. When Volkswagen introduced the Golf in the mid-1970s, it used that name for its new car everywhere in the world, except for the U.S. market, where it dubbed the car "the Rabbit." But when the German automaker gave the car a major restyling in 1985, it changed the name from the Rabbit to the Golf for the U.S. market. (With us so far?) However, with sales of the Golf flagging in the U.S., VW decided to return to its original iconic nameplate, so once again, the Rabbit is running in America.
The Rabbit, which went on sale mid-year in 2006, is available in both two- and four-door versions. And other than the fact that it's a hatchback, the new version has little more than its name in common with the Rabbits of the late '70s and early '80s. First of all, it's made in Germany, rather than in the U.S. or Mexico. What's more, Volkswagen has gone to great lengths to deliver a car that offers both great value and lots of quality design features. For instance, its side impact and rear crash protection ratings were high enough to win an award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Other high-end features include a fully independent suspension system, an electro-mechanical steering system, and a laser-welded body for heightened body strength. Its also heavier and a bit larger than the previous Golf model, giving it more interior headroom and legroom in the rear seat.
Also new is the Rabbit's 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine that pumps out a respectable 150 hp. The engine conforms to stringent zero-emissions guidelines and gets up to 30 mpg on the highway, according to VW. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, while a six-speed automatic with Tiptronic is available as an option.
In addition to the features mentioned above, the new Rabbit comes standard with six-way adjustable seats with side bolsters, dual front and side-impact airbags, remote power door locks, power mirrors, power windows with pinch protection and key activation, blinkers with a lane change feature (flashes three times with a single tap), two power ports, four-wheel anti-lock disk brakes, cruise control, and traction control.
Drivers have been quick to recognize the Rabbit's affordability (at least for the base models) and its German-made quality. They also have responded positively to the smoothness of its ride, its redesigned interior and exterior, and its economical gas mileage.
I have a automatic 2006 VW Rabbit but its transsmition doesn't work correctly, I woukd like change to manual transsmition. Is it possible? What do you think? Thanks for comments.
I drove my car a little bit then left it home, The next day the battery was dead, i charged the battery 2 days ago. Well i just got it legal a day ago but now when i go to start it will start for about 2 seconds then just shut off. What do i do? Does anyone know what is wrong with it?
car has traction control and front and side airbags... Is this a price I should pay for this car? Any warnings about a 2006 with 75,000 one-owner miles?
Hope for some help here. I have a 2006 Rabbit I bought in 2008. Love it. Keys got lost. Took to VW dealership and they ordered two sets of blanks on 2 separate occasions. Blanks do not work. they suspect keys may have been re keyed once before and now vin# doesnt match blanks. what to do. any suggestions would be most helpful.
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Door trim: simulated alloy
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: trunk release · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Storage: door pockets
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 8
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Safety
Active head restraints: driver
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside
Suspension
Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Spare tire size: full-size matching · Wheels: steel
Wheels
Wheel covers: full
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Door trim: simulated alloy
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: trunk release · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Storage: door pockets
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 8
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Safety
Active head restraints: driver
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside
Suspension
Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Spare tire size: full-size matching · Wheels: steel
Wheels
Wheel covers: full
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Front and rear side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with pass-thru · Door trim: simulated alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Overhead console: overhead console with storage · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Storage: seatback
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual adjustments: 6 · Power adjustments: 2
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual
Roof
Sunroof: power glass
Safety
Active head restraints: driver
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside
Suspension
Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Spare tire size: full-size matching · Wheels: steel
Wheels
Wheel covers: full
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Front and rear side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with pass-thru · Door trim: simulated alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Overhead console: overhead console with storage · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Storage: seatback
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual adjustments: 6 · Power adjustments: 2
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual
Roof
Sunroof: power glass
Safety
Active head restraints: driver
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside
Suspension
Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Spare tire size: full-size matching · Wheels: steel
Wheels
Wheel covers: full
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent