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2009 Volkswagen Rabbit Bottom Line

July 17, 2009

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

Experts at TheCarConnection.com searched far and wide to bring you highlights from some of the most reputable reviews in this conclusive assessment of the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit. Editors also furnish their driving opinions to this Bottom Line; combined, you'll have all the information you need to make a savvy buying decision.

Likes:

  • Solid build quality
  • Rich interior materials
  • Good ride

Dislikes:

  • Bland exterior
  • Unimpressive fuel economy
  • Road noise
  • Modest passenger and cargo room

Buying Tips:


Wondering where the TDI diesel option is on the Rabbit? It's gone this year, but it will be back next year on an all-new version that, perplexingly, VW is renaming the Golf.

The 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit is the U.S. equivalent of the Golf (its name in Europe). It comes in a two-door style, as well as a four-door hatchback. Outside, it is conservative and boxy—but not unappealing in its own little German way.

Performance enthusiasts will instead want to check out the 2009 Volkswagen GTI, which pairs the Rabbit's hatchback body style with more satisfying hardware and extroverted cues.

The engine in the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit is responsive and powerful for its size. Gearing of the five-speed manual and the electronic throttle's aggressive programming help the Rabbit jump off the line like a scared, well, rabbit, and the 150-horsepower 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder engine delivers 170 pound-feet of torque. Yet the Rabbit's fuel economy—often what counts for small-car buyers—is near the back of the pack, with automatic cars rated at 20 mpg city, 29 highway and the manual gearbox adding just 1 mpg.

Unlike so many budget-minded cars using numbing electric power-assisted steering, the Rabbit's steering is actually communicative and downright lively. The ride from the 2009 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.

Inside, the Rabbit's front seats give great support. 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. The quality of the materials is high. The view out is good, but the base of the windshield is rather high, a result of European pedestrian collision standards.

The Rabbit four-door has achieved four-star ratings for frontal impact and five-star ratings for side impact from the federal government, but it's a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, with all "good" scores.

Other Choices:

If you're interested in the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit, also consider:

Reason Why:

In looking at rivals, it depends on your shopping priorities. If fuel economy is a concern, the Rabbit is trumped by nearly every other subcompact or compact on the list. However, for safety features, standard features, or refinement, the Rabbit does well. The 2009 Toyota Corolla is especially attractive in its top trim level but feels stark in its base trim. Domestically, the all-new 2009 Ford Focus matches the Rabbit with coupe and sedan body styles, and buyers tend to be attracted to its powerful SYNC entertainment system. The Mazda3 is the perennial favorite for handling, but it can't match the VW's solid feel, even after a full redesign this year that thoroughly upgrades the interior. The Honda Civic offers more engine choices than the Rabbit, especially if you're leaning toward the green hybrid or natural gas powertrains, and it has a light, nimble driving demeanor that the Rabbit lacks.

The Bottom Line:

The 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit is a high-quality compact vehicle throughout, though it's not particularly sporty or fuel-efficient.

Experts at TheCarConnection.com searched far and wide to bring you highlights from some of the most reputable reviews in this conclusive assessment of the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit. Editors also furnish their driving opinions to this Bottom Line; combined, you'll have all the information you need to make a savvy buying decision. Likes:Solid build qualityRich interior materialsGood rideDislikes:Bland exteriorUnimpressive fuel economyRoad noiseModest passenger and cargo roomBuying Tips: Wondering where the TDI diesel option is on the Rabbit? It's gone this year, but it will be back next year on an all-new version that, perplexingly, VW is renaming the Golf. The 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit is the U.S. equivalent of the Golf (its name in Europe). It comes in a two-door style, as well as a four-door hatchback. Outside, it is conservative and boxy—but not unappealing in its own little German way. Performance enthusiasts will instead want to check out the 2009 Volkswagen GTI, which pairs the Rabbit's hatchback body style with more satisfying hardware and extroverted cues. The engine in the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit is responsive and powerful for its size. Gearing of the five-speed manual and the electronic throttle's aggressive programming help the Rabbit jump off the line like a scared, well, rabbit, and the 150-horsepower 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder engine delivers 170 pound-feet of torque. Yet the Rabbit's fuel economy—often what counts for small-car buyers—is near the back of the pack, with automatic cars rated at 20 mpg city, 29 highway and the manual gearbox adding just 1 mpg. Unlike so many budget-minded cars using numbing electric power-assisted steering, the Rabbit's steering is actually communicative and downright lively. The ride from the 2009 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. Inside, the Rabbit's front seats give great support. 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. The quality of the materials is high. The view out is good, but the base of the windshield is rather high, a result of European pedestrian collision standards. The Rabbit four-door has achieved four-star ratings for frontal impact and five-star ratings for side impact from the federal government, but it's a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, with all "good" scores. Other Choices:If you're interested in the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit, also consider:Mazda3Honda CivicToyota CorollaFord FocusReason Why:In looking at rivals, it depends on your shopping priorities. If fuel economy is a concern, the Rabbit is trumped by nearly every other subcompact or compact on the list. However, for safety features, standard features, or refinement, the Rabbit does well. The 2009 Toyota Corolla is especially attractive in its top trim level but feels stark in its base trim. Domestically, the all-new 2009 Ford Focus matches the Rabbit with coupe and sedan body styles, and buyers tend to be attracted to its powerful SYNC entertainment system. The Mazda3 is the perennial favorite for handling, but it can't match the VW's solid feel, even after a full redesign this year that thoroughly upgrades the interior. The Honda Civic offers more engine choices than the Rabbit, especially if you're leaning toward the green hybrid or natural gas powertrains, and it has a light, nimble driving demeanor that the Rabbit lacks. The Bottom Line:The 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit is a high-quality compact vehicle throughout, though it's not particularly sporty or fuel-efficient. Experts at TheCarConnection.com searched far and wide to bring you highlights from some of the most reputable reviews in this conclusive assessment of the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit. Editors also furnish their driving opinions to this Bottom Line; combined, you'll have all the information you ...

Other Choices:

In looking at rivals, it depends on your shopping priorities. If fuel economy is a concern, the Rabbit is trumped by nearly every other subcompact or compact on the list. However, for safety features, standard features, or refinement, the Rabbit does well. The 2009 Toyota Corolla is especially attractive in its top trim level but feels stark in its base trim. Domestically, the all-new 2009 Ford Focus matches the Rabbit with coupe and sedan body styles, and buyers tend to be attracted to its powerful SYNC entertainment system. The Mazda3 is the perennial favorite for handling, but it can't match the VW's solid feel, even after a full redesign this year that thoroughly upgrades the interior. The Honda Civic offers more engine choices than the Rabbit, especially if you're leaning toward the green hybrid or natural gas powertrains, and it has a light, nimble driving demeanor that the Rabbit lacks.

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See the Volkswagen Rabbit in Other Years:

2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006

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