The new Volkswagen Rabbit debuted in 2006 as a badge replacement for the long-running Golf. A few additional features were added for the 2007 model model year, including an MP3 player input and a tire-pressure monitor, but the Rabbit is unchanged for 2008.
Volkswagen will offer two trims: a two- or four-door hatchback. The number of doors will not affect wheelbase, length, or convenience features. A notable difference: The two-door model comes equipped with a CD/MP3 player with an auxiliary input jack, while the four-door Rabbit gets a premium audio system with an in-dash six-disc CD changer. Standard features on both Rabbits include 15-inch wheels, heated mirrors, powered accessories, keyless entry, cruise control, and a 60/40-split folding rear seat. Buyers may add either 16- or 17-inch alloy wheels and an iPod adapter.
Both models house a 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder engine, which generates 170 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. Buyers will choose between a five-speed manual or an optional six-speed automatic transmission. EPA estimates for the Rabbit are 22/30 mpg.
The Rabbit has been praised for a comprehensive list of available safety features (including front seat-mounted side airbags, full-length head curtain airbags, a tire-pressure monitor, and stability control), and high NHTSA crash-test scores. Test drivers also give the Rabbit high marks for instrumentation, ergonomics, and ride quality. A common complaint is the lack of room in the rear quarters.
While we highlight specific author bylines where possible, sometimes our content results from the combined efforts of several members of the CarGurus editorial team. As with all our editorial content, you can expect high levels of automotive insight and expertise delivered in a style that is approachable and free from jargon.
Power steering problem: changing battery erased PS computer; even though parts store replaced it in their shop. Small garage couldnt reprogram it either, because of special software. Had to go to VW dealer,. It would have been cheaper to pay 2X battery price at dealer & lot less time & hassle.
All VWs after 2006 & up same problem; new type of electro-mechanical steering.
Only issue so far, otherwise VWs now (March 2021) are way-way overpriced.Mar 04, 2021
by Bob D
Feb 10, 2020
The price went from $4,000 to almost $6,000. I understand tax, but the other feels were out of scope. Feb 10, 2020
by Matt G
Mar 03, 2015
Overall, this a well built machine. It has been reliable thus far and can be great for anyone with a family of four or less. Great for city where parking can be difficult. Can maneuver around tight turns and has good visibility.Mar 03, 2015
User rating:
by Ron J
Mar 04, 2021
Power steering problem: changing battery erased PS computer; even though parts store replaced it in their shop. Small garage couldnt reprogram it either, because of special software. Had to go to VW dealer,. It would have been cheaper to pay 2X battery price at dealer & lot less time & hassle.
All VWs after 2006 & up same problem; new type of electro-mechanical steering.
Only issue so far, otherwise VWs now (March 2021) are way-way overpriced.Mar 04, 2021
by Bob D
Feb 10, 2020
The price went from $4,000 to almost $6,000. I understand tax, but the other feels were out of scope. Feb 10, 2020
by Matt G
Mar 03, 2015
Overall, this a well built machine. It has been reliable thus far and can be great for anyone with a family of four or less. Great for city where parking can be difficult. Can maneuver around tight turns and has good visibility.Mar 03, 2015
by Anonymous
Jul 23, 2014
It is a very dependable, economical, sporty, driveable, sexy vehicle that handles a curvy road with no problem. The brakes are fantastic and the rear hatchback space is voluminous, plenty of room! Plus chicks dig it! And the sunroof lets in plenty of air.Jul 23, 2014
by Jason P
Jul 07, 2014
Over all very impressed with my rabbit, it is a great car for students,a good ,first car, or a daily driver. The rabbit is fun to drive ,handles great in all weather and so far has only cost me gas ,oil and routine maintence!!!!!Jul 07, 2014
by Bryan E
Jul 10, 2013
Can't beat this car for the money, get a used one for under $10,000 these days. Strong engine, brakes, tight handling all wrapped up into a super functional hatchback. No wonder this design is so popular in Europe! Forget the bad wrap against VW, this generation Rabbit is a well built and reliable car.Jul 10, 2013
by Christopher Z
Feb 01, 2013
Great little two-door. Spacious, practical, good looking. Fun to drive, with
good on-demand power and a great 5-speed stick. It's no GTI, but it'll put
a bigger smile on your face than anything else in the category, while still
managing to be refined and comfortable.Feb 01, 2013
by Hootan T
Jan 01, 2011
Has its own language. German quality, a mixure of power, agility and unique handling. A 5 Cylinder Engine matched with the best transmistion on its class gives you a pleasure of driviing an urban car with race capabilities. Best safety on its class. Rock it Bunny!!!!Jan 01, 2011
by Pavlo H
Oct 11, 2010
Well its the first VW i've ever driven, and im not going to lie its pretty quick. It has a 2.5 straight 5 engine. Its louuuddd! Mornings are probably the best time to drive it because you can hear the engine alot. I would mod it, but then its not really mine, or yet that is.. Build quality is amazing. We havent had anything break leak or even squeek on it. Appearance wise, i guess id like it to be lower but back to the fact that it isnt mine and its a daily for my father. Cost of ownership? Sure it gets about 280 miles to a tank of gas depending on how you drive it, and sure it could be better but you gotta pay to play. the car is absolutely amazing to drive. It does need a few minor upgrades tho. Thicker sway bars and id say thats it fror minor. Anything else would be major, something that either makes the FFFPSHHH sound or something that whines. turbo or supercharger.Oct 11, 2010
by Eric V
Sep 27, 2010
my only complaint is road noise. Otherwise, tremendous value and solid
construction. Would recommend. seats 4 adults comfortable; can squeeze in 5 no
problem - plus gear. iPod inteface is good, interior quality is very good for price.
easy & inexpensive to own.Sep 27, 2010
by Christopher H
Aug 06, 2010
Pretty peppy little car that if driven like a grandma can get up to 32mpg. The 2008 Rabbit has 20 more HP than the previous years and it helps for when you're getting onto the freeway. Not a fast car by any means but still fun to drive.
A pretty stiff chassis and good brakes provide for a fun drive when you want and solid looks and functional interior make this VW a great daily driver of you can't afford the GTI/R32.Aug 06, 2010
by Mike B
Jun 12, 2010
Performance is pretty good not to slow but not crazy fast like the 337. It is built very well not alot of wind/road noise, handles awesome. Looks are pretty sweet not your typical gti look little different cause its a rabbit. car is very fun to drive.Jun 12, 2010
by Kevin A
Jan 09, 2010
This car is very much the revelation compared to my previous car, 05 Hyundai accent. I was worried about VW's reliability given their past but I must say that this Rabbit hasn't possessed any of those flaws. It accelerates decently, but the throttle delay from the drive by wire does get a bit annoying from light to light.
This car shines in it's passing power and cornering grip. It's been a good car also, only had 1 issue with the clock spring for an airbag and horn going out on the steering wheel. Under warranty, nothing out of pocket, one time thing so im still happy.
Im surprised that I've beaten the EPA ratings for gas mileage on this car more than once. I should be getting 25 combined or less, when I'm actually getting 28 on average cycles. Best hwy has been 34, this car loves taking long trips.
Would easily recommend it and have done so many times already :-) Jan 09, 2010
by Anthony M
Jan 04, 2010
The rabbit is a fun car to drive and it's good on gas, but I
would recommend putting a turbo in it if you have the money
for it. It's okay as a commuter car, but if you're looking for a
fast car you should really look into buying the GTI.Jan 04, 2010
by Anthony N
Aug 28, 2009
wish the gas mpg was a bit better, needs wider sticky tires, at least some 205/45/17 would be perfect, fun to drive overall, looks sweet and tons of aftermarket goodies out there avail. but they tend to not be as cheap as they could beAug 28, 2009
by Michael J
Jul 15, 2009
Very good build quality, extremely fun to drive, fantastic fuel economy, peppy and strong powerplant, comfortable on long trips, extremely affordable, and so far very reliable.
Very fun to haul friends around in, plus you can really stuff the hatch full of almost anything, there is alot of room!Jul 15, 2009
by Tim J
Jun 13, 2009
Great acceleration, I can easily pass on I81 (speed limit = 70).
Good power, and I reached 32 MPG on a 250 mile road trip.
Get the 6 speed tiptronic auto transmition.
The stock tires have passed my performance expectations in both dry and wet conditions!Jun 13, 2009
by Felipe D
Jun 11, 2009
Its a pretty well built car considering its price. It performs well, its 2.5 I-5 is a unqiue engine and will accelerate your call good. Its a fun car to drive, for it is quick and has pretty good handling. Makes a great daily driver and can get to you from point A to point B in a semi fun way. The interior in the dark with the lights on are spectacular. Great color scheme and the buttons are well played out.Jun 11, 2009
by Jared P
May 14, 2009
The only performance issue I have had is a lack of acceleration when it tops out each gear. My Inline 5 definitely needs a turbo charger. Keep in mind that I say this because I want this car to go 0-60 in 5 seconds. Stock with out the turbo is still faster than almost all of its competitors and I believe everyone will be shocked at how quick the 170 hp 5 cylinder is. I think you can get the rabbit with the turbo charger on the I5 stock but I'm not sure how much that would have affected the $18,000 sticker price that I paid for mine. The Triptronic is an amazing revolution and is so much fun to drive, although I wish it would allow you to max out the gear and NOT auto shift for you. That is annoying and all it should have is a rev limiter. As for styling, it would have been nice to have the GTI or R32 look with the base rabbit but I preferred to put on what I WANTED aftermarket. I plan on putting on some nice rims and Michelins to replace the steel rims and continentals. Even excluding these alterations, this is by far the best car I have ever owned. After the the stage 1 is added I believe this car would definitely be rated close to my dads C5 vette (The older 345 hp C5) only its more comfortable for a daily driver. This car is affordable, easy and cheap to maintain. Although I do have to admit some parts may be more expensive than some other cheap economy cars but they rarely break or fail. At least they haven't in the first 30k miles on mine. The rabbit knocks out all the others when compared to, the ford focus, the chevy cobalt, the honda civic, the toyota corolla, scion, kia, the chrysler avenger and caliber and many others in its category. In all aspects the rabbit has more power, is faster, drives nicer, costs less when comparable options are added to the competitors, so far has less issues, lower maintenance costs, safer (one of the top two safest as noted by consumer reports), and is all around the second cheapest car to own (in overall costs as noted by consumer reports), beat only by the Toyota prius. If anyone wants a car that has the power to keep up with the "sportier cars" but has better handling, fuel efficiency and a lower price tag, then you definitely will love a rabbit or any VW model. If you don't mind a two door without the automatic, a new rabbit starts at about $15,000 with a million more options.May 14, 2009
by Paul C
Apr 28, 2009
Not real pic as i havent got it yet! twas my dads so im waitin for it at the mo! already got a remap, intake,exhaust system lined up!shud push up to bout 160-180 bhp. from 120 bhp
Apr 28, 2009
by Patrick W
Jan 26, 2009
It accelerates very well and has a lot of room for a 2 Door Hatchback. Very comfortable and feels secure. Love 5 Speed Manual. I love driving it and can't wait to put some new rims on it in March. Jan 26, 2009
by Rob D
Jan 18, 2009
Build quality, handling, and interior space beat the crap out of every other car in its class. Solid dashboard, cool interior lighting, decent gas mileage. And it's a blast to drive. One of my favorite things about it is that you don't see them very often. Jan 18, 2009
by Randy B
Dec 30, 2008
I have wanted to buy a brand new Volkswagen
Rabbit (Golf) since I learned how to drive. The very
first car that I called "mine" was a '92 4-door Golf
that I inherited when I was a senior in high school
(2003). I knew when I had that car that as soon as I
could afford it I would be buying a brand new one.
I bought this Rabbit in August of '08 and have no
serious complaints. The car handles well, has
plenty of power, especially torque (177 ft/lbs) and
is a blast to drive. It has plenty of driver legroom, I
myself am 6'4" and feel really comfortable driving.
Road noise is not a problem even going down the
interstate at 70mph.
Some of the minor complaints I have had include
mediocre fuel economy (for a "compact" car) and
expensive oil changes. The fuel economy is rated
at 29/21 (highway/city). I believe this is attributed
to having a five-cylinder motor with gear ratios
more appropriate for a four-cylinder motor. At
70mph the motor runs at approximately 2900rpm.
I personally feel that the motor has plenty of torque
and that either a 6th gear or taller gear ratios
would help to improve at least the highway fuel
economy. VW's warranty requires you to run full
synthetic oil, making the cost of an oil change
around $65 (the cheapest price I found at a VW
dealer).
The car has roughly 32,000 miles and with the
exception of a light-bulb mounting bracket recall,
has only been in the shop for routine maintenance
(oil changes and tire rotation).
I would easily recommend this car to a friend,
especially a friend that is looking for more than just
a plain car to get around in. Also, VW's have
recently had great resale value. For just over $15k,
it's hard to beat.Dec 30, 2008
by Cooper D
Dec 14, 2008
The car is very well put together, and drives better
than cars more than twice its price. It accelerates
fairly quickly, especially for entrance ramps onto
highways. The turning is precise, and its turn radius
is small enough that I can turn around in some
streets without doing a Y turn. Braking is good.
The build quality and materials are second to none.
Nothing feels cheap, unlike in its competition. For
weeks after I got it, I kept finding little details. For
example, there are slots for coins for tolls, a shelf
for the owner's manual in the glove compartment,
the seat belts are stitched in such a way that if you
let go after unbuckling it doesn't thwack against the
B pillar, it automatically locks at 8 mph (and while
in park it only locks from the outside so if you
press lock you can still get out from the inside), and
many more. It's thoroughly engineered.
Appearance is decent. I just have the basic 2-door
with black trim and steel wheels. The design looks
like it's a few years old, and, well, it is. However, if
you add the body kit bumpers, tint the windows,
upgrade the rims, and add Veleo LED tail lights, the
Rabbit can look really awesome. It depends on what
you're willing to spend.
Gas mileage is decent. I get 27-31 mpg usually,
and with gas at $1.40 now the fillups are under $20
and give me a range of around 380 miles.
Maintenance is fairly simple, and I got a standard
4-year warranty (now 3-year for 2009 models) so
maintenance at the dealer is free. Washing the car
is very simple, and one thing that's great about the
car is that the doors are sealed so that dirt doesn't
spray onto the metal between the outside and the
inside seal. The rims are kind of a hassle to clean
since there are so many holes, but if you get
different ones it's easier.
The one reason that held me back from just buying
the VW without cross-shopping was reliability. My
one problem with the car is that the iPod adapter
dock broke at 2500 miles, and the dealer's
response was to order a new stereo system for the
dash. It's not a big problem, but I drive through
areas with no good radio reception so it's annoying
to not have an iPod to play. What convinced me to
buy it was an article that claimed the Rabbit/Golf is
the 2nd most reliable car in Europe, and Consumer
Reports' high rating. Everything else has been
great; no squeaks or rattles. Complaints about the
car include no range estimation, no dimming side
mirrors, and a subpar stereo system (reliability and
sound-quality wise).
One more thing: In a couple years, Audi is going to
be putting the same engine in its S3, only
turbocharged. That means that there will be a
plethora of upgrades for the Rabbit's 2.5 5-cylinder
engine in the near future.
It may be more expensive than the competition, but
you get so many more amenities of more expensive
cars. It's almost unfair to put this in the econobox
comparison; it just has a small size (which is
perfect; I've moved all my belongings to college in
it, and it's really easy to park). All in all, I would
HIGHLY recommend the car.Dec 14, 2008
by Raphael G
Oct 17, 2008
Best compact. Way better build quality the the Civic, Mazda3, etc.
Good performance for its class (170h, 177lbs torque).
1st gear is a bit short but provides very quick accelerations and 5th could have been less rev-hungry.
The 4 wheel disc brakes provide more than enough stopping power even though the pedal feels a little bit spongy.
All around its a very fun car to drive.
The interior has no frills all around, its efficient and not overdone like some cars. Ahem civic.
The quality of the materials is amazing for a car and this price. After 13 000 km with it i have not witnessed any trim rattle.
The fun and power of the car comes at a certain price, the 2.5L engine is very thirsty.
with very good interest rates from VW Finance, i highly recommend this car for anyone in the market for a dependable compact car. Oct 17, 2008
by Brandon W
Oct 05, 2008
Love this little car! good gas mileage, good handling for it class. Solidly built, almost too solid as its a wee bit on the heavy side. Not too Expensive to own. premium sound isn;t bad, though it can;t go very loud. Love the sound when it gets into the higher revs.Oct 05, 2008
by Aline Rachel A
Sep 11, 2008
The car is beautiful, acceleration is incredible and it handles the road very well. The interior could of been designed differently like a solid armrest. The price quality factor is average. This car is sooooo much fun to drive. It is a great buy overall . i think im just really demandingSep 11, 2008
by Jordie K
Aug 11, 2008
I like the 5-cyl. It has good pickup for a new car. Drove civics, lancers, basically every entry level car and this was the best of the best! Every option on the other cars is standard issue on the rabbit. Fun to drive and doesn't look too bad either.Aug 11, 2008
by Anonymous
Jul 06, 2008
Well i took a bit of a twist here buying this car. Not exactly what anyone i knew would have expected me to purchase. All that being said I love it, it handles well with the ESP prgram and goes like a bat out of hell now that i have a GIAC power programmer installed in it four months old and on my second set of tires. This thing pulls high G's on the G-pad and on the road. The ESP has performed flawlessly and actually has shaved some off my course lap times. To all of you out there driving North American vehicles... HAHAHAHA LOL Muahhhh.... Why would you watse your hard earned dollars on crap like lets say a Pontiac G5, or G6, Dodge SX 2.0, Chevy Cobalt, and so on and so on. Especially when this little rocket will make most Grand Prix GTP drivers feel like an ass for having been out performed.... Trust me i know this from experience, my Rabbit ate and spit out a Pontiac Grand Prix GTP. I nearly died laughing when the guy pulled in to talk..... He had to leave because i couldn't contain myself. Many North American "MUSCLE" cars have had their grins wiped off with this little monster. It definitely is a Wolf(sburg) in sheeps clothing. Jul 06, 2008
by Tracy P
Jun 27, 2008
With a manual trans, it's nice to have the control over the speed in each gear. This car definitely has a good pick up and go! When I first sat in the car, it seemed to fit me perfectly. As a tall woman, 6', it's nice to be in a smaller car and still feel comfortable. Even with my seat back, there's still plenty of room for back seat passengers, which is also a definite plus!Jun 27, 2008
by Brian B
Jun 22, 2008
i opted for the "southern night package" that includes gunmetal 17 inch wheels darkened tail lamps and 11 speaker stereo. great build quality, solid acceleration, smooth transmission, and clean styling. Jun 22, 2008
by Domenico T
May 23, 2008
I have found that the 2008 Rabbit is absolutely incapable of leaving someone wanting after a long drive. The seats are incredibly supportive, and are among the few designed with tall people in mind. All of the control surfaces are well apointed and seem to be ergonomicly correct.
While the four door varient is probably the more practical one, I don't really think the two door suffers too much from it's lack of doors. And the utility of a hatchback is absolutely amazing. Theres nothing that won't fit in the car.
The color is perfect as well, a perfect shade of Citation Please Red. I've always been in love with the idea of a relatively compact hatchback, but nobody has been able to build one that is as uncompromising as this VW. It's spacious, very frugal on gas, german, well designed, and it looks fantastic.May 23, 2008
by Lauren M
May 15, 2008
I love my baby! The interior is very (surprisingly) spacious. The design is sleek and modern. The car comes all inclusive-no nonsense upgrade packages. The acceleration is fantastic. The car is a great all-purpose student car. Very reliable.May 15, 2008
by Patrick L
Jan 07, 2008
this car i thought would be like the golf when i went to drive it. to my suprise it had no where near the power and was almost worthless for fun driving. this would be a good car for someone in the city thoughJan 07, 2008
2008 vw 2.5 rabbitt held throttle to the floor for a couple blocks,came to stop and noticed car eas a littlr slugish,next day lights running bad ni power so by just trying anything I shut car off when U was rolling and car started running good againn ,put scanner and code for maf came up first and map sensor replaced maf but car is still the same every time I turn it off it goes back to running bad again untill I am rolling and turn off then on again.
I am currently changing the computer and speedometer on my 2008 rabbit. When getting the replacement parts must the parts come from the same vehicle or can the parts come from two separate vehicles ?l
Hello. Like an idiot I forgot to turn my lights off last night and lost the battery. Someone came gave me a jumpstart but now the light for power steering won't turn off. The light is solid yellow. Will it go away if I drive?
Door trim: simulated alloy · Floor Mat Material: vinyl/rubber · Floor Mats: front and rear
Convenience Features
Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Vanity mirrors: dual
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Wheels
Wheel covers: full · Width: 6.5
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Rear side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
IPod auxiliary audio input · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 10
Armrests: rear center folding with storage and pass-thru · Door trim: simulated alloy · Floor Mat Material: vinyl/rubber · Floor Mats: front and rear
Convenience Features
Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Vanity mirrors: dual
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
