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2008 Volkswagen Rabbit Safety Review

November 3, 2008

SAFETY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

A comprehensive safety system
MyRide.com

Plenty of standard safety and convenience equipment
Cars.com

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the Rabbit a top score of 'Good
Edmunds

The 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit (and GTI and R32 versions) scores well in crash tests and has a good amount of standard safety gear, though stability control remains an option.

When it comes to crash-test ratings, the 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit fares well. In the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash tests, the VW Rabbit scores "four-star frontal and five-star side-impact," according to MyRide.com. In the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests, the vehicle snags the best available rating of "good."

MyRide observes the Rabbit lineup sports "dual front airbags, front side-impact airbags, and side curtain airbags" as standard equipment. "Four-wheel antilock disc brakes" are also standard on the VW Rabbit, according to Edmunds. MyRide.com adds, "Active front seat head restraints help to properly position passengers during an impact" and the "tilt/telescopic steering wheel maintains the proper distance between the driver and the steering wheel's airbag," which is a vital safety feature. There is also "a brake pad wear indicator" that keeps you in the know.

Cars.com notes other available safety features: "Stability control with electronic differential lock is optional, as are rear seat side-impact airbags on four-doors," not to mention a tire pressure monitoring system.

All in all, the Volkswagen Rabbit 2008 provides "good visibility throughout and decent outside mirrors," says MyRide.com.

Conclusion

The 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit is a star crash performer, but stability control remains an option.

SAFETY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:A comprehensive safety systemMyRide.comPlenty of standard safety and convenience equipmentCars.comThe Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the Rabbit a top score of 'GoodEdmunds The 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit (and GTI and R32 versions) scores well in crash tests and has a good amount of standard safety gear, though stability control remains an option. When it comes to crash-test ratings, the 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit fares well. In the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash tests, the VW Rabbit scores "four-star frontal and five-star side-impact," according to MyRide.com. In the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests, the vehicle snags the best available rating of "good." MyRide observes the Rabbit lineup sports "dual front airbags, front side-impact airbags, and side curtain airbags" as standard equipment. "Four-wheel antilock disc brakes" are also standard on the VW Rabbit, according to Edmunds. MyRide.com adds, "Active front seat head restraints help to properly position passengers during an impact" and the "tilt/telescopic steering wheel maintains the proper distance between the driver and the steering wheel's airbag," which is a vital safety feature. There is also "a brake pad wear indicator" that keeps you in the know. Cars.com notes other available safety features: "Stability control with electronic differential lock is optional, as are rear seat side-impact airbags on four-doors," not to mention a tire pressure monitoring system. All in all, the Volkswagen Rabbit 2008 provides "good visibility throughout and decent outside mirrors," says MyRide.com. ConclusionThe 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit is a star crash performer, but stability control remains an option. 2008 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT STYLING | [7 out of 10] MyRide.com: "Small on the outside and big on the inside" Cars.com: "The Rabbit's simple lines and uncluttered face make it look very similar to its Golf predecessor" Edmunds: "A bit too vanilla when compared to sleeker rivals" The 2008 ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

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.

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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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