The bunny's back.

Introduction

The Rabbit is hopping back into the Volkswagen lineup. The 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit is an all-new car that replaces the Golf. 

The Rabbit comes with the intention of providing a German designed, German engineered and German built alternative to the Asian-nameplate vehicles that dominate the entry level of the American automotive marketplace, namely the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra, and Hyundai Elantra. 

Unlike many of its competitors, whether Asian or domestic, the Rabbit is a hatchback and therefore offers the advantage of cargo-carrying utility not provided by the typical two- or four-door sedan design. Hatchbacks are becoming popular again. Dodge, for example, has abandoned its traditional Neon sedan in favor of a new entry-level five-door hatchback called the Caliber. 

The Rabbit offers only one engine, but it has been tuned for American-style driving. Volkswagen's 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder offers the sort of torque that Americans want for off-the-line acceleration and for merging into freeway traffic. Though no rocket, we found the Rabbit to be quick, responsive and fun to drive. Its four-wheel independent suspension and relatively long wheelbase give it a nice ride along with good stability and handling. 

This responsive engine is available with a six-speed automatic transmission that only adds to its flexibility and responsiveness, making the Rabbit a good choice for commuting in heavy traffic. The Rabbit also gets excellent fuel economy, whether equipped with the five-speed manual or six-speed automatic. The automatic has a Tiptronic manual-shifting feature, giving the driver the option of semi-manual shifting when desired. 

The Rabbit comes in what Volkswagen calls two- and four-door models, though some would call it them three-door and five-door hatchbacks. The full, roof-hinged rear hatch door provide good access to the cargo area, making the Rabbit a practical car. It's roomy and trimmed nicely, making it a comfortable, pleasant place to be. It also comes standard with safety features such as side-curtain airbags and anti-lock brakes that are optional on many cars in this class, making it a relatively car for this class. 

Lineup

The 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit is available in two-door ($14,990) and four-door ($16,990) versions. The four-door comes with more standard equipment. 

All models are powered by a 2.5-liter, inline five-cylinder engine that generates 150 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. They come with a five-speed manual transmission or optional six-speed automatic ($1,075). 

Safety features that come standard on all models include anti-lock brakes, traction control, side-impact airbags for front-seat passengers for thorax protection and side-curtain airbags for head protection in a rollover or side impact. These are in addition to the federally mandated front airbags. Rear-passenger side-impact (thorax) airbags are optional ($350). Also optional is an electronic stability program ($450) to help the driver avoid accidents. Both front seats have head rests designed to minimize whiplash. 

Standard features on all models include cloth upholstery, air conditioning, cruise control, rear-window defroster, an outside temperature display, a 10-speaker audio system with AM/FM, in-dash CD player and MP3 capability, split-folding rear seats, power windows/locks/mirrors, intermittent windshield wipers, electro-mechanical power steering, and 15-inch wheels. 

The four-door version is upgraded with velour seat fabric, eight-way adjustable and heated front seats, a fold-flat front passenger's seat, a rear-seat center armrest, an upgraded audio package with a six-CD changer, heated windshield washer nozzles, a cooled storage compartment in the front center armrest, and front and rear floor mats. 

Options include a power sunroof ($1,000), satellite radio ($375), and 16-inch alloy wheels ($400). Dealer-installed accessories include larger wheels and tires, bike and snowboard racks, body-side graphics, and an aero body kit. 

One additional note: The first 4000 new Rabbits arriving in the United States will be designated as 2006 models. However, they will be identical to the 2007 version except they will not have the standard auxiliary sound system jack or the optional tire pressure monitoring system. 

Walkaround

The all-new Volkswagen Rabbit represents the fifth generation of the Golf platform. It comes to the United States nearly two years after this new platform was launched as the Golf in Europe. 

This is the first time Volkswagen has used the Rabbit name since the mid-1980s. Back then, Rabbit was the name used in North America for what the rest of the world knew as the Golf, the squared-off hatchback that replaced the old Beetle as the entry-level Volkswagen. The original Rabbit sold so well that Volkswagen became the first import brand to establish an assembly plant in the United States, at Westmoreland, Pennsylvania. By the mid-1980s, however, the Rabbit was falling behind in the sales race against rapidly improving Asian competitors, and Volkswagen closed its Pennsylvania plant closed around the end of the decade. 

The Rabbit nameplate was resurrected by Volkswagen of America in an effort to re-establish and revitalize its share of the entry-level automotive market in North America. Americans bought nearly 175,000 Rabbits in 1981; in 2005, they took home fewer than 16,000 Golfs. 

While the original Rabbit was offered not only as a hatchback but also as a convertible and even a compact pickup truck, the 2007 model comes only as a hatchback. 

The new Rabbit looks a lot like the GTI that Volkswagen launched in the U.S. as an all-new model for 2006. It should, because both are built on the fifth-generation Golf platform. However, the Rabbit and GTI differ in some visual and many mechanical aspects. 

Perhaps the greatest visual distinction is in their grilles. The GTI shows the aggressive, deep and blacked-out grille that characterizes many newest-generation VWs while the Rabbit has a more traditional grille set above the bumper and between the headlamps rather than extending down into the lower front fascia. The Rabbit doesn't look old-fashioned, however, not with three big air intakes set into its lower front fascia. 

In profile, the new Rabbit isn't as squared off as earlier Golfs. It looks smoother, more well rounded, more muscular, more contemporary and even friendlier. Standard 15-inch and optional 16-inch wheels and tires lend a sure-footed aspect to the side view. A wide and dynamically sweeping C-pillar enhances the car's well-planted profile. 

The rear view is dominated by large and wide-set tail lamps that, with twin tailpipes and a broad bumper, underscore a well-planted appearance. 

The Rabbit is slightly larger than the previous-generation Golf, about an inch longer, an inch wider and 1.5 inches taller. Its wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear axles) is more than two and a half inches longer. Such a change usually means a smoother ride. 

Interior

Inside, the new Rabbit resembles the GTI, which means that it features a lot of room and some nice materials that look like they'll wear well. 

VW says 'Raumwunder' is the German word for small on the outside but big on the inside and the Rabbit provides 94.2 cubic feet of room under its roof, which makes it nearly as roomy as the interior of the mid-sized VW Passat sedan. 

Even with the rear seat in its upright and locked position, the Rabbit provides 15.1 cubic feet of cargo capacity, nearly a cubic foot more than the Passat's trunk. Four tie-down hooks are provided to secure cargo. 

The back seat is comfortable for two but has room for three when needed. Legroom is more than adequate and there are cup holders and storage cubbies for those sitting back there. Access to the rear seat is aided in the two-door Rabbit by VW's Easy Entry System. Just tip the front seatback forward until it snaps into place, and then the entire front seat slides forward to make a path to the rear. Slide the front seat back and it returns to its original position with the seatback at its original angle. 

Obviously, this feature isn't needed in the four-door Rabbit, which provides rear doors for access to the back seat. Fold the back seats down and the large cargo area is accessible from the rear doors as well. 

Front seats are very comfortable and supportive. Volkswagen is promoting the Rabbit as an urban vehicle, but we found it comfortable for long stretches of highway travel. One reason is the improvement in noise, vibration and harshness levels, a benefit of its improved structure. The Rabbit isn't noisy inside, even at freeway speeds, and quiet equals comfort. 

Driver comfort is aided by the presence of a steering column that both tilts and telescopes for more personalized fit. The driver's seat in the two-door model features six-way adjustment while the 4-door version gets an eight-way adjustable driver's seat with adjustable lumbar support. The front seats are heated in the four-door version as well. 

Drivers in the four-door model can flip the front passenger's seatback forward into a flat position, allowing long objects, such as a ladder, to be carried or to provide a flat surface for a laptop or lunch. 

The instrument panel features Volkswagen's gauges illuminated in red and blue. Audio indicators and easy-to-use knobs to adjust the climate controls add convenience. 

Driving Impression

The engine in the 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit has been tuned to the tastes of American drivers. VW's 2.5-liter, inline five-cylinder engine pumps out 150 horsepower, which certainly is adequate for a car that weighs around 3000 pounds. 

More important, it delivers 170 pound-feet of torque, which is the power that gets a car moving from a standing start. Significant is the fact that 90 percent of maximum torque is available from 1750 to 5125 rpm. This not only makes the Rabbit feel quick and nimble, but means that it has good drivability across a wide power band. Stab the throttle when cruising along at any speed and the Rabbit takes off, making it a good car for commuting in heavy traffic. The Rabbit can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in about 9 seconds, not quick by today's standards but adequate for daily driving. 

The Rabbit is most responsive when equipped with the five-speed manual transmission. However, the optional automatic transmission features six gears so it kicks down quickly when needed for passing or freeway on-ramp merging maneuvers. 

The optional six-speed Tiptronic automatic adds to the Rabbit's price, but features the manual-shifting technology developed by Porsche. The automatic matches the manual transmission in fuel economy, with an EPA-rated 22 mpg City/30 mpg Highway, a benefit of having six speeds. 

The body structure of the new Rabbit is about 80 percent stiffer than the previous-generation Golf, according to Volkswagen. A stiffer structure is good because it means the various mechanical components are better able to do the jobs for which they were engineered. 

Ride and handling are enhanced by revisions to the suspension system and a new electro-mechanical power steering system is responsive and precise. The relatively long wheelbase helps smooth the ride. 

The brakes also are responsive. The four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes allow the driver to brake and steer at the same time in a panic stopping situation. Traction control is standard for more stable handling when accelerating on slippery roads. The optional Electronic Stability Program is a computer-controlled aid designed to help keep the car on its intended path rather than spinning out of control in emergency maneuvers, and we strongly recommend getting it. 

The all-new Volkswagen Rabbit is a quick and perky vehicle with enough power to make it fun to drive. Its steering and suspension give it a nice balance of smooth ride and responsive handling and help the driver maneuver safely in emergency situations. The hatchback design provides practicality and flexibility that make the Rabbit an attractive option in its price class. 

New Car Test Drive correspondent Larry Edsall filed this report from Phoenix, Arizona. 

Summary

The all-new Volkswagen Rabbit is a quick and perky vehicle with enough power to make it fun to drive. Its steering and suspension give it a nice balance of smooth ride and responsive handling and help the driver maneuver safely in emergency situations. The hatchback design provides practicality and flexibility that make the Rabbit an attractive option in its price class. 

New Car Test Drive correspondent Larry Edsall filed this report from Phoenix, Arizona. 

Volkswagen Rabbit 2-door manual ($14,990); 2-door automatic ($16,065); 4-door manual ($16,990); 4-door automatic ($18,065). 

Model Lineup

Volkswagen Rabbit 2-door manual ($14,990); 2-door automatic ($16,065); 4-door manual ($16,990); 4-door automatic ($18,065). 

Assembled In

Wolfsburg, Germany. 

Options As Tested

power sunroof ($1,000); ESP ($450); 16-inch wheels with all-season tires and full-size spare ($400); XM Satellite Radio ($375).