Test drive: 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
Monday October 8, 2007
The Rabbit isn't new for 2008, but it is improved. Horsepower is up (by 20, to 170), but fuel economy has improved slightly. (The EPA fuel economy estimates are actually about the same as last year's car, but the test has changed. Convert the '07 Rabbit's numbers to the '08 figures and you'll find an improvement of 3 MPG in town and 1 MPG on the highway -- not too shabby.) Even so, About.com Cars test driver Philip Powell says forget the fuel economy -- he thinks the Rabbit is the perfect family car. Read his review to find out why. -- Aaron Gold
Photo © Philip Powell
Too bad the TDI diesel motor isn’t offered. The larger and heavier Jetta TDI has EPA rated mileage figures 40-50% better yet offers greater torque and is very driveable. Swap the heavy and expensive sunroof for a TDI powerplant option and I’d buy 2 for the kids.
Averaging 25mpg on a car this small is not what I call decent, but just acceptable. Having owned two Golfs and loved them, it’s so easy to fall for their cute style, roominess, great handling and fun to drive. But as dvb said, the diesel would’ve been a perfect engine option for me, espescially considering the latest diesel advancements. As it stands, it is worth consideration, but those Civic EPA numbers are awefully hard to ignore at the same price and with Honda’s reliability, resale and 5 safety star rating.
I agree (dvb, don)… the TDI would be a perfect engine option for this car. I currently own a Jetta TDI, and you really cannot beat it for fuel economy (35 MPG city – and I only buy shoes that are made of 100% lead). If I had to make a decision between a VW Rabbit and a Honda Civic, (and having driven both), I am actually leaning more towards the Honda.
PLUS:
I think that VW may need to work on their car names. Rabbit? Come on. My brother-in-law has a rabbit… We tease him and call it ‘the fluffy white bunny’. How about something that is not towards the bottom of the food-chain? (and in the case of their other models, let’s name them something pronouceable and meaningful) I cannot wait until they release the ‘Plankton’ or ‘Amoeba’.
just my $0.02
-Andy
How about the cheetah? Lean,quick,agile and attractive…good description of the animal, the car and a few babes I knew in college…
A new Golf, err I mean Rabbit. I have been waiting to hear about this. I am echoing the comments above. VW execs, if you’re listening, GIVE US TDI. And not in the jetta either. In the Rabbit/Golf. Just like you did in 2004. Please. Pretty please. I’ll give you a security deposit. Oh and in case you’re not listening, give us TDI in the Audis too. I mean, come on, American’s aren’t stupid. We have the internet and can see what you’re offering to Europeans buyers
The next car I buy will have to be bio-diesel ready AND safe AND fun. And my guess is that VW can deliver.
I have been waiting for the 2008 TDI Jetta or Rabbit to come out now for a year. As I wait, I drive by the local gas station and see diesel at 2.99 a gallon and unleaded at 2.63 gallon.
As I see it, any savings in MPG will be wiped out with the price of diesel. Please remind me again why I want a diesel?
Following some simple mathematic we can calculate that at 23 mi/g of gas at $2.69/g it will cost you ~12 cent a mile. while at 35 mi/g of diesel at $2.99/g it will cost me ~9 cents a mile. Meaninig for every 1000 miles we drive I will save $30. Hey, that a good bottle rum I can buy with what I saved.
GO TDI!!!!
TDI is very great.
UNLESS you work in NORTH Canada where -10F is a fairly normal winter day.
Most the job sites having limited or lacking places to plug in. Thus making in rather hard on your TDI when starting it
Living in the south must be nice.
I agree with the name. I’m a 23 year old consumer banker in missouri. When people comment or ask about my car in the parking lot, it makes me feel like crap. I have a 60 year old lady with her Audi A8 cracking jokes about the name. We shall see who’s laughing 20 years from now…. have fun in the nursing home lady!
Brett, you need to get over it. I hate that you would say something like that. My aunt is in a nursing home and she drives a VW rabbit. I think that it is horrible that you would say that…. You have problems man.
I get the whole save your dough stuff, but if you want a TDI, don’t buy the Rabbit. Oh, problem solved! My wife Rabbit is a blast to drive and maybe since we don’t drink $9 rum, the 2008 Rabbit is quite alright for her.