Teresa’s View
The rascally rabbit is back. Once beloved as an economical, value-laden, fun-to-drive gad- about-town, the all-new Rabbit is an economical, value-laden, fun-to-drive, um, gad-about-town.
Actually, the return of the Rabbit is a bit of a shell game. The compact was discontinued in 1984, only to be replaced by the Golf, which is what the Rabbit was called in every country except the U.S. and Canada. In reality, even the 2006 Rabbit is still a Golf.
VW decided to change the name of the fifth-generation Golf for the American market because, they say, the Rabbit name induces fond flashbacks in baby boomer types and we all know how lucrative it is to appeal to that generation’s Glory Days.
Of course, the new Rabbit is bigger and more powerful than the Golf it replaces. The former 115-horsepower 4-cylinder engine has been exchanged for a 150-horsepower, 2.5-liter power plant. The standard setup is a five-speed manual transmission. A new six-speed Tiptronic automatic is optional.
It’s not enough power to thrill the racer boys and girls — not with a reputed 0-60 mph time of nearly 9 seconds — but improved body strength and German engineering provide some satisfyingly spirited driving.
Adjustable seats and a telescoping and tilt steering wheel help customize a comfortable driving position with the exception of my favorite, “the Right-arm Lean.” It seems the armrest/center console is too short — in order to accommodate our adored cupholders, no doubt — to get a satisfactory lean going. On the plus side, in the 4-door Rabbit, the front console doubles as a cooled storage unit.
What Is It?: The Rabbit is a subcompact hatchback that easily seats four adults. Prices begin at $15K for the two-door version and $17K for the four-door.
Gadget Rating: 7 out of 10. Standard features are generous. They include air conditioning, an AM/FM/CD with MP3 capability, remote keyless entry, cruise control and power windows, mirrors and door locks.
Safety: VW is making a huge safety statement with its cars and the Rabbit is no different. Both the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recognized it for exceptional safety design. Much of the active and passive safety equipment is standard, such as the front and side seat airbags for front seat occupants, side curtain airbags, rear-crash optimized head restraints, traction control and anti-lock brakes. Volkswagen also offers rear passenger side thorax airbags as an option on the four-door Rabbit.
Safety II: The Rabbit comes with 24-hour Roadside Assistance for four years with unlimited mileage.
Grocery Sack Test: There’s a surprising amount of cargo space and, with the wide-opening hatchback, loading groceries or gear is a snap.
Recommended Fuel: The Rabbit takes regular-grade fuel. Estimated fuel economy is 22 mpg in the city and 30 on the highway with both manual and automatic. VW decided against bringing the diesel version here.
So, Where Are Ya From?: Final assembly for the Rabbit is Wolfsburg, Germany.