The Rabbit continues on into '08, with the only major difference being its engine. America, sold under the Golf name in Europe. As with the previous year's model, the ride, fit, and finish of the Rabbit creeps up to the caliber of a BMW 3-series. What does that mean? Literally, the Rabbit is premium-like car at a non-premium price. It's also a driver's car; an ideal blend of straight-line performance and firm, stable road-holding, fun through the corners but also comfortable enough for long cruises. One common complaint with the previous 2007 Rabbit was the lack of grunt off the line, despite an increase of power over the even weaker previous generation Golf. The new car is a bit heavier at over 3,070 pounds, so the need for a little more under the hood is obvious. Volkswagen answered this concern by adding variable valve control to what is essentially the same 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine, adding 20 horsepower and 7 lb-ft of torque to the new Rabbit. Now producing 170 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, the Rabbit is truly a pleasure to drive.
Although fuel economy ratings aren't any worse for the upgraded engine, the actual consumption figures are a bit on the high side for a compact car. The Rabbit's pep is due to its big displacement engine which also features one extra cylinder than your standard, run of the mill compact hatchback. 2.5-liter I-5 goes from 150 to 170 hp. Torque is boosted by 7 lb-ft to 177. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)Cosmetically speaking, not much has changed from last year. Looking at the front, attractive egg shaped headlamp covers enclose the horizontal turn signals, circular high and low beam ballasts capped in a tiny VW logo. The large VW badge is centered on a three slotted grille and rests above the wide mouth air inlet on the bumper, giving the Rabbit an aggressive look. The body colored bumper strips and body side moldings complete the premium appearance. On 3-door models, the rub strips are black.The Rabbit's attractive profile has a lot to do with the stretched 101.5 inch wheelbase and short front and rear overhangs that gives the car a solid stance.
The organic flow of curvy lines start from the hood before blending into the windshield and tapering towards the rear, where they wrap around the rear hatch and bumper. Our Sage Green Metallic test car came with optional 8-spoke, 16-inch alloys wrapped in Continental rubber. 2.5-liter engine gives the Rabbit plenty of pep. From the rear, there's an elegant simplicity in the clutter free hatch design. For instance, the center-mounted VW emblem doubles as a hatch release lever when depressed, minimizing the need for a handle, and the overall look is clean and well proportioned. The lower half of the bumper is unpainted black plastic, which will reduce the appearance of unsightly parking lot scrapes and bumps. The package is finished off with a dual tip exhaust system, giving it a sporty look. But really, the little “2.5” badge at the lower right, complete with its little galloping rabbit, does an even better job of summing up this car's fun factor. As mentioned earlier, the Rabbit is a real driver's car.
What I was referring to is the overall feel you get when behind the wheel. The 6-way manual driver's seat is probably the best in the segment. Fully supporting the thighs and torso, it helps inspire driver confidence in corners. The small diameter steering wheel with indented thumb grips is just the right size for crisp response, and coupled with the oh so smooth clutch and gearbox it makes the Rabbit a delight to drive, even in the city. Solidly built, but comfortable. The Rabbit's interior is also fairly simple, but that's a good thing. Most importantly, the Rabbit is a driver's car because of its suspension. Front independent struts with gas-pressurized shocks and an anti-roll bar combine with an independent multi-link setup in the rear, which is unusual for a vehicle in this segment. It allows the Rabbit the ability to corner flat and with control, especially stable in the wet thanks to optional Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) anti-skid technology. Many would argue that the Rabbit can be compared head to head with premium German rivals in the ride and handling department, and I have to agree.
Likewise it can be compared with such premium cars in interior fit and finish too, as it's remarkably upscale for an entry level car. The dash materials are premium-grade soft touch plastics, and other than the monotone grey and black color scheme of the dash and console, attractive aluminum inserts are used to wrap the dash and door panels. A slightly more minor change is a new turn signal stalk with integrated cruise control. Occupants are treated to warm red ambient lighting for all of the console switches. The primary instruments are embossed with blue digits and red needles. Very nice. The seating fabric is durable yet soft to the touch, with the same fabric used on the door panels. Front and rear seat legroom is ample, even for my 5 ft 10 inch frame, making long distance trips a pleasure for four adults. The rear 60/40 split seatbacks fold flat, adding additional cargo capacity when four or three's a crowd. Rear seat passengers also get treated with adjustable heat and AC vents.
