2008 Volkswagen Rabbit Review

Specifications

The 2008 Rabbit marks the second year of this Mark V body style in North America, sold under the Golf name in Europe. As with the previous year’s model, the ride, fit, and finish of the Rabbit creeps up to the caliber of a BMW 3-series. What does that mean? Literally, the Rabbit is premium-like car at a non-premium price. It’s also a driver’s car; an ideal blend of straight-line performance and firm, stable road-holding, fun through the corners but also comfortable enough for long cruises.

One common complaint with the previous 2007 Rabbit was the lack of grunt off the line, despite an increase of power over the even weaker previous generation Golf. The new car is a bit heavier at over 3,070 pounds, so the need for a little more under the hood is obvious. Volkswagen answered this concern by adding variable valve control to what is essentially the same 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine, adding 20 horsepower and 7 lb-ft of torque to the new Rabbit. Now producing 170 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, the Rabbit is truly a pleasure to drive. Although fuel economy ratings aren’t any worse for the upgraded engine, the actual consumption figures are a bit on the high side for a compact car. The Rabbit’s pep is due to its big displacement engine which also features one extra cylinder than your standard, run of the mill compact hatchback.

Cosmetically speaking, not much has changed from last year. Looking at the front, attractive egg shaped headlamp covers enclose the horizontal turn signals, circular high and low beam ballasts capped in a tiny VW logo. The large VW badge is centered on a three slotted grille and rests above the wide mouth air inlet on the bumper, giving the Rabbit an aggressive look. The body colored bumper strips and body side moldings complete the premium appearance. On 3-door models, the rub strips are black.

The Rabbit’s attractive profile has a lot to do with the stretched 101.5 inch wheelbase and short front and rear overhangs that gives the car a solid stance. The organic flow of curvy lines start from the hood before blending into the windshield and tapering towards the rear, where they wrap around the rear hatch and bumper. Our Sage Green Metallic test car came with optional 8-spoke, 16-inch alloys wrapped in Continental rubber. Premium standard touches include integrated side mirror turn signals, a roof-mounted antenna and a hatch lid spoiler.

From the rear, there’s an elegant simplicity in the clutter free hatch design. For instance, the center-mounted VW emblem doubles as a hatch release lever when depressed, minimizing the need for a handle, and the overall look is clean and well proportioned. The lower half of the bumper is unpainted black plastic, which will reduce the appearance of unsightly parking lot scrapes and bumps. The package is finished off with a dual tip exhaust system, giving it a sporty look. But really, the little “2.5” badge at the lower right, complete with its little galloping rabbit, does an even better job of summing up this car’s fun factor.

As mentioned earlier, the Rabbit is a real driver’s car. What I was referring to is the overall feel you get when behind the wheel. The 6-way manual driver’s seat is probably the best in the segment. Fully supporting the thighs and torso, it helps inspire driver confidence in corners. The small diameter steering wheel with indented thumb grips is just the right size for crisp response, and coupled with the oh so smooth clutch and gearbox it makes the Rabbit a delight to drive, even in the city. Less is best. Take the simple round shift knob for example, the shape allows the driver’s palm to fit comfortably without slipping during quick shifts.

Most importantly, the Rabbit is a driver’s car because of its suspension. Front independent struts with gas-pressurized shocks and an anti-roll bar combine with an independent multi-link setup in the rear, which is unusual for a vehicle in this segment. It allows the Rabbit the ability to corner flat and with control, especially stable in the wet thanks to optional Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) anti-skid technology. Many would argue that the Rabbit can be compared head to head with premium German rivals in the ride and handling department, and I have to agree.

Likewise it can be compared with such premium cars in interior fit and finish too, as it’s remarkably upscale for an entry level car. The dash materials are premium-grade soft touch plastics, and other than the monotone grey and black color scheme of the dash and console, attractive aluminum inserts are used to wrap the dash and door panels. To add life to the otherwise drab interior, just turn the key and start the engine. Occupants are treated to warm red ambient lighting for all of the console switches. The primary instruments are embossed with blue digits and red needles. Very nice.

The seating fabric is durable yet soft to the touch, with the same fabric used on the door panels. Front and rear seat legroom is ample, even for my 5 ft 10 inch frame, making long distance trips a pleasure for four adults. The rear 60/40 split seatbacks fold flat, adding additional cargo capacity when four or three’s a crowd. Rear seat passengers also get treated with adjustable heat and AC vents.

Amenities like the optional 10-speaker AM/FM audio system with its in-dash 6-disc CD changer and the Sirius Satellite radio make the Rabbit a sanctuary for the daily commuter. Another nice feature that comes with Cold Weather package is the ultra speedy heated front seats that kick in within 10 seconds. This really came in handy during the week that we had this test car, as temperatures dipped below freezing. Oddly enough, I found that setting the seat temperature to the halfway mark made for a rather toasty bottom, making me wonder who can actually withstand the heat when turned to max. The heated washer nozzles that come with the cold weather package also saved me the hassle of early morning windshield frost scrapings.

Safety features include four-wheel disc brakes equipped with ABS, dual front airbags, dual seat-mounted side-impact airbags, and side-curtain airbags for all outside occupants. Rear side-thorax airbags can be added as an option. The front headrests are adjustable to reduce whiplash.

The manual transmission Rabbit 2.5 4-door starts at $17,485, although our test car pushed the price to $19,185 thanks to the $1,000 sunroof, $450 Sirius Radio, $450 ESP, $450 16-inch 8-spoke alloys, and $350 rear side airbags. Not a bad deal considering you’re bound to pay thousands more for a similarly equipped BMW, or even a MINI Cooper S. Then again, you can load up the Rabbit with options and accessories so that it’s window sticker approaches $26,000.

The more powerful 2008 Rabbit is a relative bargain if options are kept to a minimum, and should be attractive to singles, couples, and small families. If you want a premium experience at a pauper’s price, this is your ride.