The 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit has recently been discovered in the US, although it has been wildly popular in Europe for many years as the Golf. It derives its popularity from the fact that it is great fun to drive as well as compact, well-built and still fairly cheap. It is by no means the cheapest compact car on the market or the most fuel economical, but it does offer a quality alternative to small cars like the Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa and Honda Fit.
2009 Volkswagen Rabbit Performance
There is just one engine on offer for the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit and that is the 2.5-liter 5-cylinder that generates 170hp and 177lb-ft of torque. This blows out of the water the 1.5-liter and 106hp of the Toyota Yaris and 1.5-liter 117hp of the Honda Fit and makes it one of the most powerful sub-compacts shows what a genuine performance the Rabbit really is. Five-speed manual is optional on the two-door Rabbit with a six-speed automatic standard and the only option on the four-door Rabbit. Even the automatic however adds a manual shift, making it one of the only models in the class to offer this. The automatic transmission shifts smoothly and adds to the overall surprisingly refined ride of the Volkswagen Rabbit.
The Rabbit has gained its popularity by being one of the most fun compact economy cars on the road, thanks partly to its power and also its rock-solid road feel that translates into brilliantly nimble handling. The suspension is firm enough to be able to throw it around corners but not so firm that it is harsh over bumps. Brakes are responsive and with anti-skid standard, setting it apart from the other cars in the class who mostly offer it as an option if at all.
The pay-off to all this performance is naturally the fuel economy which stands at 21/29mpg city/highway for the automatic, however it still manages to be classified as a partial-zero-emission vehicle (PZEV) and the higher fuel consumption does not seem to have turned off too many customers.
2009 Volkswagen Rabbit Interior and Features
When you step inside the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit it is immediately clear that this is no ordinary compact car. The interior is stylish and decked out in high quality materials including metallic trim and blue backlighting for the instrument panel. There is a long list of standard features that no doubt adds to the price, but gives every Rabbit owner the advantage of full power accessories, air conditioning, six-way manually adjustable drivers’ seat, 10-speaker CD player (yes 10!), a digital media connection, outside temperature indicator and rear split-folding seats. In the four-door Rabbit this is increased to heated front seats, satellite radio, a 6-disc CD/MP3 player and heated washer nozzles as well as a passenger seat that folds flat and trunk pass-through for longer items. That is a pretty impressive list really. There are all sorts of other options that can add a sunroof, iPod adapter, 16 or 17-inch wheels and mudflaps.
Seating is comfortable and well-bolstered and space is much as you would expect from a compact car – plenty of room in the front, but somewhat cramped in the back seat for adults. The center hump in the back is large enough to make it difficult to fit a third passenger in unless they are a small child. Cargo space is ample at more than 15 cubic feet and 46 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down flat. The two-door Rabbit has front seats that tilt and slide forward, and although for kids it may be OK, the twisting required for adults may induce grunts and groans and complaints of back problems.
2009 Volkswagen Rabbit Safety
The Volkswagen Rabbit received four out of five stars in government crash tests for front impact situations and five out of five for side impact, which is saying a lot for a compact car which usually have lower scores than sedans. There are a range of standard safety features that go above and beyond the other vehicles in the class like 4-wheel antilock brakes, brake assist and anti-skid system, daytime running lights and tire pressure monitor. Dual front airbags, front side airbags and curtain side airbags are also standard, with additional rear airbags optional.
Safety features:
- Anti-skid, 4-wheel ABS, brake assist
- Daytime running lights
- Dual front, front side and side curtain airbags
- Tire pressure monitor
Overall the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit is a high quality and high performance member of the compact cars team that has cashed in on the move towards smaller and more economical cars since the fuel price rise. It offers tons of features and much better than average driving experience at a price that remains affordable for many, although by no means the cheapest on the market.