2019 VW GTI Flies Like A Rabbit
A rabbit is a rascally creature, able to accelerate, turn, jump, and cuddle its bunnies virtually simultaneously. It can park its tail almost anywhere, bulks up for winter, and really enjoys summers when it can run free with abandon. Back in the 1970s, Volkswagen had a hopped up Rabbit that it showed getting air in a famous ad with the line, 鈥淔ly GTI.鈥?The spirit of the creature, and the car, shine in the 2019 VW GTI Rabbit edition. Exterior styling of the GTI channels the original Giugiaro-designed Rabbit鈥檚 two-box shape that makes it roomy in the front and roomy under the hatch. It鈥檚 obviously been streamlined over the decades, but looks especially fetching with the Rabbit Edition鈥檚 18-inch gloss black wheels, rear spoiler, black mirror caps, and gray paint. It looks swell in blue too. GTI badges and red striping in the grille connect to the original. GTI-specific bumpers, ground effects, red brake calipers, and dual chrome tipped exhaust outlets add sizzle; LED adaptive headlamps, running lights, taillights, and fog lights shine the way.
Like a mommy bunny, the GTI cuddles its 鈥渒ids鈥?in warmth and love. It also keeps them well entertained. I鈥檓 a big fan of the deeply bolstered plaid cloth seats, especially when heated. Red-stitched floormats add to Rabbit flair. Manual climate control is easy to adjust. A thick leather-wrapped flat bottom steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers, and large analog gauges add to driving enjoyment - as does Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth compatibility. Infotainment is easily controlled via swipe-screen, voice, or volume and tuning knobs. Keeping the litter safe is a suite of safety tech. Forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot monitor, and rear cross traffic alert are part of the deal. Watch the rearview camera to keep fenders fully painted. Putting the sprint into this Rabbit is a 2.0-liter 16-valve turbocharged four-cylinder engine that conjures up 228 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. 7-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic control.
Auto stop/start, which pauses the engine at rest to conserve fuel, is annoying, but one button makes it stop. Drive without heavy sneakers to see 25/31-MPG city/highway. When this agile hare is not trying to fend off WRXs, Civic Sis, and Focus STs, it drives like it was born to own the Autobahn. The four-wheel independent suspension glides over rough pavement, and is never harsh, but steps through two-lane backroads if it was bred for the leap. The Mode select button allows drivers to configure the throttle and chassis from Eco to Normal and Sport. There鈥檚 even a custom screen to select your own preferences. Want the sensitive throttle with a comfortable ride? No problem. After a few hours on the Interstate, the throaty exhaust tone and stiff suspension were starting to wear, so I clicked from Sport to Comfort and it transformed into an entirely calmer experience. During its stay, the GTI endured 10-degree temps and four inches of early morning snow while it hibernated in my driveway. Apparently, nobody alerted the snowplow drivers because the roads were a mess. All-season tires were acceptable on the front-drive car, but even with traction and stability control, changing them out for winter tread would have been the wiser move. Fortunately, the pilot was kept warm by a scorching heater and ultra-hot bun warmers. Volkswagen is killing the Beetle, and the Micro Bus has yet to be re-born as an autonomous electric vehicle, so all we have is the GTI - especially in Rabbit Edition trim. It鈥檚 a car that loves morning commutes as well as weekend adventure, made very cool with black wheels, tartan seats, and little rabbit logos all around. 30,890 all-in. That sounds like a hoppin鈥?good time!
Seating for five and cloth upholstery come standard, though leatherette and leather upholsteries are available in upper trims. Some used models feature power-adjustable front seats and heated seats in both rows. The Passat offers great seating comfort and plenty of room in the front and back. How Many Car Seats Fit in the 2016 Volkswagen Passat? The Passat has two complete sets of LATCH child-seat connectors on the rear outboard seats and a tether-only connection on the middle seat. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Passat's LATCH system a Good rating for its ease of use. Standard features include dual-zone automatic climate control and a 5-inch touch-screen infotainment system that works in tandem with a six-speaker audio system, Bluetooth, and a USB port. The available 6.3-inch touch-screen infotainment system with navigation isn鈥檛 as dazzling or quick to respond as rivals' systems. However, it uses Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and VW鈥檚 Car-Net App-Connect, giving you multiple ways to sync your smartphone to access music, messages, apps, and navigation.
