2009 Volkswagen Rabbit Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Write a review
For some reason the Volkswagen Rabbit (called the Golf in Europe) has never attained the popularity in America of, say, the MAZDA3, even though it packs a lot more power and its German engineering delivers a nimble and fun drive. Though not particularly inexpensive for its size (but comparable to most compacts in its segment), the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit does offer a long list of standard features and high-quality materials inside and out.
For 2009, both two-door and four-door versions now come equipped with standard stability control, and the 5-speed manual is no longer offered for four-doors. Hitting the road with 170 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque, the 2.5-liter inline-five engine provides plenty of acceleration performance, making it one of the most powerful compact hatchbacks on the market. The downside? Less than stellar fuel economy, at 22/29 mpg. The engine can be configured as a PZEV (partial zero emissions) for California. The two-door comes with either a 5-speed manual or optional 6-speed Tiptronic automatic with manual mode, while the four-door comes standard only with the 6-speed.
The 2009 Rabbit earns four and five stars in crash tests and a Good rating from the IIHS, thanks to standard traction and stability control, ABS brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, and dual front and front-side airbags with passenger cutoff and rollover sensors. Rear side curtain airbags are optional for the four-door only. Quality German engineering provides a stable yet agile ride, with responsive steering and acceleration.
The two-door trim comes well equipped, with power features, remote entry, cruise control, 15-inch wheels, and a 10-speaker sound system with CD/MP3 player. The four-door adds a 2-way power driver's seat, upgraded velour upholstery, larger 16-inch wheels, heated front seats, and a 6-CD changer with satellite radio. The heated seats are optional for the two-door, and other options include an iPod adapter, which one consumer complains does not work with all MP3 players. The four-door also offers front and rear fold-down armrests.
The Rabbit's roomy interior features quality materials that avoid the cheap plastic look of many compacts. Rear seats split-fold 60/40, expanding the spacious 15-cubic-foot cargo space to 46 cubic feet. Tiedowns and an organizer are included, with the four-door adding a cargo cover. With its significant power boost over other compacts, flexible cargo and seating arrangement, and agile handling, it's easy to see why the 2009 Rabbit (Golf) is the second most popular car in Europe. Why it has yet to make a mark in the U.S. remains a mystery, although a minor but important update for the 2009 European version will not reach the U.S. until 2010.
User reviews for 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit
Write a review2009 Volkswagen Rabbit Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
IPod auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 8
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.3 · Front brake width: 0.98 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.2 · Rear brake width: 0.47 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Door trim: simulated alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front and rear
Convenience Features
Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with armrest and 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
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Engine
Alternator: 140 amps
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low oil pressure
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Sunroof: power glass
Safety
Active head restraints: driver
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Heated: front seats · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Suspension
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
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Wheels
Wheel covers: full
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
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.3 · Front brake width: 0.98 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.2 · Rear brake width: 0.47 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage and pass-thru · Door trim: simulated alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front
Convenience Features
Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual adjustments: 8
Engine
Alternator: 140 amps
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: body-color · Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual Adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Sunroof: power glass
Safety
Active head restraints: driver
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat folding: folds flat · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Suspension
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
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Wheels
Wheel covers: full
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent
