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2008 Volkswagen Rabbit Bottom Line

November 7, 2008

By Rex Roy's avatar Rex Roy, Detroit EditorRex Roy

The economy-car experts at TheCarConnection.com studied the latest road tests on the new 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit to write this definitive review. Experts from TheCarConnection.com also drove the Volkswagen Rabbit, Volkswagen GTI, and Volkswagen R32, and have added more information and driving impressions of those models. This review also compares the 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit with other vehicles in its class to give you the best advice even when other reviews present conflicting opinions.

Likes:

  • Solid build quality
  • Rich interior materials
  • Torquey acceleration
  • Great driving dynamics
  • Nice detailing

Dislikes:

  • Bland exterior
  • Not great economy
  • Modest passenger and cargo room
  • GTI and R32 aren’t performance kings
  • GTI and R32 are pricey

Buying Tips:


Just like bunnies in your garden, there are plenty of 2008 Volkswagen Rabbits around. You can haggle for these and for GTIs. However, with only 2,500 R32s allocated for the U.S. market for 2008, don't expect your local Volkswagen dealer to feel compelled to cut you the world's best deal. Consumer Reports recently named the Rabbit one of its favorite hatchbacks.

The 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit is the U.S. version of the fifth-generation Golf--what Rabbits are called in Europe. The Rabbit is available in two- and four-door hatchback body styles. As you might expect from something built in Wolfsburg, Germany, the Rabbit is Teutonic and all that--which explains the conservative, boxy shape that's well detailed but unexciting.

Inside, the Rabbit's front seats give great support, and the quality of the materials is high. The driver's seat helps you get comfortable with plenty of adjustability, but the controls are in three different locations: fore/aft at the right-front corner of the seat, a lever on the left side that raises and lowers the bottom cushion, and a big knob to change the backrest angle at the left rear of the seat. They're effective, but kind of convoluted. The view out is good, but the base of the windshield is rather high, a result of European pedestrian collision standards.

The engine in the 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit is likewise involving. Torque delivered by the 150-horsepower 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder surprises with its immediacy. It's not that its 170 pound-feet at 3,750 rpm is all that powerful, but the gearing of the five-speed manual and the electronic throttle's aggressive programming help the Rabbit jump off the line like a scared bunny.

The ride from the 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit is taut but never jarring. The front struts and independent rear suspension absorb big bumps with nary a crash or bang. Steering feels precise with a good on-center feel. Unlike so many budget-minded cars using numbing electric power-assisted steering, the Rabbit's steering is actually communicative and downright lively.

From Volkswagen, 2008 offerings based on the Rabbit include the GTI and R32 models. A 197-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo is fitted to the 2008 Volkswagen GTI. The limited-edition all-wheel-drive 2008 Volkswagen R32 delivers even more power from its V-6: a full 250 horsepower. More performance and luxury items are added to each model. While the GTI remains somewhat reasonably priced in the mid-$20,000 range, the R32 commands more than $32,000. Performance fans like the models, but other sportscars in that range will slice and dice the Rabbit on the track with their V-6 and V-8 power.

Other Choices:

If you’re interested in the 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit, also consider:

Reason Why:

In terms of real competition, the 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit faces off against the Saturn Astra, another German import. With 140 horsepower, the Astra isn't as powerful as the VW Rabbit, but the Saturn comes closest, as far as standard horsepower goes. Plus, it has that Germanic thing going for it. The Honda Civic offers more engine choices than the Rabbit, especially if you're leaning toward the green hybrid or natural gas powertrains. The 2009 Toyota Corolla is especially attractive in its top trim level, but the new Corolla looks less nice in the base trim. Domestically, the all-new 2008 Ford Focus matches the Rabbit with coupe and sedan body styles, but buyers tend to be attracted to its powerful SYNC entertainment system rather than its homely new look. The 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit also has to compete against the Mazda3, a perennial enthusiast favorite for its handling, but the Mazda can't match the VW's solid feel.

The Bottom Line:

The 2008 Volkswagen is a satisfying, high-quality compact that will suit many drivers as is. Those who need more zoot can step up to the GTI or R32.

The economy-car experts at TheCarConnection.com studied the latest road tests on the new 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit to write this definitive review. Experts from TheCarConnection.com also drove the Volkswagen Rabbit, Volkswagen GTI, and Volkswagen R32, and have added more information and driving impressions of those models. This review also compares the 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit with other vehicles in its class to give you the best advice even when other reviews present conflicting opinions. Likes:Solid build qualityRich interior materialsTorquey accelerationGreat driving dynamicsNice detailingDislikes:Bland exteriorNot great economyModest passenger and cargo roomGTI and R32 aren’t performance kingsGTI and R32 are priceyBuying Tips: Just like bunnies in your garden, there are plenty of 2008 Volkswagen Rabbits around. You can haggle for these and for GTIs. However, with only 2,500 R32s allocated for the U.S. market for 2008, don't expect your local Volkswagen dealer to feel compelled to cut you the world's best deal. Consumer Reports recently named the Rabbit one of its favorite hatchbacks. The 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit is the U.S. version of the fifth-generation Golf--what Rabbits are called in Europe. The Rabbit is available in two- and four-door hatchback body styles. As you might expect from something built in Wolfsburg, Germany, the Rabbit is Teutonic and all that--which explains the conservative, boxy shape that's well detailed but unexciting. Inside, the Rabbit's front seats give great support, and the quality of the materials is high. The driver's seat helps you get comfortable with plenty of adjustability, but the controls are in three different locations: fore/aft at the right-front corner of the seat, a lever on the left side that raises and lowers the bottom cushion, and a big knob to change the backrest angle at the left rear of the seat. They're effective, but kind of convoluted. The view out is good, but the base of the windshield is rather high, a result of European pedestrian collision standards. The engine in the 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit is likewise involving. Torque delivered by the 150-horsepower 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder surprises with its immediacy. It's not that its 170 pound-feet at 3,750 rpm is all that powerful, but the gearing of the five-speed manual and the electronic throttle's aggressive programming help the Rabbit jump off the line like a scared bunny. The ride from the 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit is taut but never jarring. The front struts and independent rear suspension absorb big bumps with nary a crash or bang. Steering feels precise with a good on-center feel. Unlike so many budget-minded cars using numbing electric power-assisted steering, the Rabbit's steering is actually communicative and downright lively. From Volkswagen, 2008 offerings based on the Rabbit include the GTI and R32 models. A 197-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo is fitted to the 2008 Volkswagen GTI. The limited-edition all-wheel-drive 2008 Volkswagen R32 delivers even more power from its V-6: a full 250 horsepower. More performance and luxury items are added to each model. While the GTI remains somewhat reasonably priced in the mid-$20,000 range, the R32 commands more than $32,000. Performance fans like the models, but other sportscars in that range will slice and dice the Rabbit on the track with their V-6 and V-8 power. Other Choices:If you’re interested in the 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit, also consider:Saturn AstraHonda CivicToyota CorollaMazda 3Ford FocusReason Why:In terms of real competition, the 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit faces off against the Saturn Astra, another German import. With 140 horsepower, the Astra isn't as powerful as the VW Rabbit, but the Saturn comes closest, as far as standard horsepower goes. Plus, it has that Germanic thing going for it. The Honda Civic offers more engine choices than the Rabbit, especially if you're leaning toward the green hybrid or natural gas powertrains. The 2009 Toyota Corolla is especially attractive in its top trim level, but the new Corolla looks less nice in the base trim. Domestically, the all-new 2008 Ford Focus matches the Rabbit with coupe and sedan body styles, but buyers tend to be attracted to its powerful SYNC entertainment system rather than its homely new look. The 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit also has to compete against the Mazda3, a perennial enthusiast favorite for its handling, but the Mazda can't match the VW's solid feel. The Bottom Line:The 2008 Volkswagen is a satisfying, high-quality compact that will suit many drivers as is. Those who need more zoot can step up to the GTI or R32. The economy-car experts at TheCarConnection.com studied the latest road tests on the new 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit to write this definitive review. Experts from TheCarConnection.com also drove the Volkswagen Rabbit, Volkswagen GTI , and Volkswagen R32 , and have added more information and ...

Other Choices:

In terms of real competition, the 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit faces off against the Saturn Astra, another German import. With 140 horsepower, the Astra isn't as powerful as the VW Rabbit, but the Saturn comes closest, as far as standard horsepower goes. Plus, it has that Germanic thing going for it. The Honda Civic offers more engine choices than the Rabbit, especially if you're leaning toward the green hybrid or natural gas powertrains. The 2009 Toyota Corolla is especially attractive in its top trim level, but the new Corolla looks less nice in the base trim. Domestically, the all-new 2008 Ford Focus matches the Rabbit with coupe and sedan body styles, but buyers tend to be attracted to its powerful SYNC entertainment system rather than its homely new look. The 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit also has to compete against the Mazda3, a perennial enthusiast favorite for its handling, but the Mazda can't match the VW's solid feel.

Next Steps:

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit

Check Financing Rates

for the 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit near you

See the Volkswagen Rabbit in Other Years:

2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006

Comments (1 total)

  1. By Parsa #1, Posted: 9/1/2008

    Enginer

    Hello
    Please send to me some 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit Photos
    Thank parsa

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