2009 Volkswagen Rabbit User Reviews

Pros

Excellent power and handling, smooth quiet ride, and great features and extras as standard equipment

Cons

The fuel economy could be better.

Purchased As Used

I bought my car used on June 22, 2010. It is an 2008 VW Rabbit 4-door 6 speed automatic with the 2.5L in-line 5 cylinder engine, and it had 35,500 miles on it when I bought it. It was a rental car prior to it coming to the dealer I bought it from. The car looks brand new on the inside and out, which tells me that as a former rental car, it really stood up to the vigurous treatment of the rental customers. I love the power and handling, and each day I drive the car to and from work (about 25 miles each way), I fall in love with it a little more. I drive 75 mph on the interstate and get 27/28 mpg using regular unleaded gasoline. In the city I get 23/24 mpg, but I have a lead foot too, lol. I have only had the car a little over a month, so I haven't driven it in the winter yet. I am really anxious to find out how well the ASR works in snow and slush. I drove it the other day in heavy rain, and the steering and handling were phenominal. Even after only a month, this VW Rabbit has sold me on them, I already told my wife unless I have long term problems my next car will definitely be another VW. And the bells and whistles this car has on it as standard equipment, makes me looks like someone of a higher income bracket. My wife and I took it on a 400 mile round trip drive to Omaha, NE and back a couple of weeks ago and had an absolute ball in it. She got a little cold in the AC and desided to try the heated seats, and they felt so good to her she fell asleep on the way home. My wife has a 2006 Saturn Vue AWD with all the bells and whistles too, but the 2 things she is envious of, are the heated seats and the great cornering in my Rabbit. My wife absolutely loves her Saturn Vue, but after driving the VW Rabbit, she is talking about buying a VW for her next car as well. I just can't say enough good things about this small on the outside, big on the inside car. It has the zip to get on the interstate like a pro, and the comforts and features of a much more expensive car. In my short time as a VW owner, I am definitely recommending VW's to anyone tired of paying more for less....read morehide

Pros

gas milage, comfort, quality

Cons

excessive electronic issues

Purchased As New

I bought my rabbit in 07 when they first came back out, and loved it at first. the gas milage was great, the performance was also impressive, and it is an over all very comfortable car. after just a few months of having it i began having problems with the triptronic in the car (it didnt work at all) the RPMs would rev at a high rate when i was trying to accelerate on a hill or the highway, and the car just wouldn't go. the dealership has been great with trying to fix it, however theyve replaced essentially the entire electrical system of the car and it has been in for the same issue over 7 times. and its still broken!!! =( more recently i am having issues with the engine as well as sensors coming on (my tires are low/gas cap isnt closed) when there are none of these errors actually occuring. overall its a good car, but watch out for electrical issues!!!...read morehide

Pros

zippiness, smooth ride, handling, appearance, price, "no plastic"

Cons

driver discomfort, unimpressive fuel economy

Purchased As New

Been driving it for a few months, my 3rd VW. The power is impressive, which of course justifies the unimpressive fuel economy. Driver seat uncomfortable, but that's a matter of personal preference. Overall great standard VW handling. Two problems I've noticed: I agree with a previous reviewer that handling feels somewhat "swimmy" while highway driving, and not sure if anyone will agree with me on this one, but in order to be able to completely engage the clutch I have to sit so far forward that I'm too close to the gas and (more problematically) brake. Anyone else finding this?
Overall impressive as usual, esp. considering they've lowered the price. Try driving another Civic after this!...read morehide

Pros

Fun and loaded

Cons

not a GTI

Purchased As New

Had the rabbit since 07 and couldn't be happier. The car loves to zip around town. Engine has a lot of low end torque. Live out in Colorado and the car was made for canyon roads. We have the base 4door model (manual). For the base model you get everything . 6disc mp3 player can hold over 5000songs if you now how to burn using mp3. The 07 model was made in Germany off the same line as the audi and get laser welds on the body creating a car that solid with no creaks and response very well in the turns. Was happy when the stock tires wore out so we could put Eagle GT's on them.

I highly recommend just sitting in this car before buying something else. Look at all models in this class then went to look at VW and boy was it a shocker. Unless they are doing things different, the build quality of this car can be matched for it's price. After showing friends one of them actually sold their bmw and got a Rabbit....read morehide

Purchased As New

For the money, this is really an awesome little car. I had to downgrade in this economy and i had a Lexus IS... if you are comparing value for the money, this car beats the IS!

Even the stripped model has all you need - auto windows, ac, ipod connection etc. Just can't beat the price!

Pros

fast and cool looking

Cons

gas hog

Purchased As New

This is a peppy little beast. The only problem is the gas milage just keeps getting worse and worse. I started out at about 26 miles to the gallon. 59,000 miles later and It barely gets 20 to the gallon.
All maintenence has been done religously to no avail. The performance is still the same as when new, but now I'm embarrased when people say: that thing must get good gas milage, and I have to say no it don't at all.
The inside is nice with cool lights but the seats are not good for long rides,and the adjustments are ridiculus for decline( you have to manualy crank a knob).
No glove box light, and the mp3 jack is useless.
The paint looks good but chips off easily.
The front window defroster is weak and the the a/c is hard to aim at your face .
Over all this is a nice car if you don't drive much, but after two years I would say that I'm not satisfied with this car as far as gas milage.
The competition is going to own this car if they don't change the gas milage.
I could have owned a full size car with better gas milage....read morehide

Pros

fun to drive, advanced features, good looks, great motor

Cons

water runs off roof into open wondows, hard to reach seatbelt, not a GTI

Purchased As New

The Rabbit is filled with smart electronic features. Windshield wipers that slow when you stop, dynamic stability+traction control, 10 airbags, electronic assist power steering, etc.

The radio is wimpy (I'm a commercial audio engineer), but it does play mp3 CDs', and it has an auxiliary input. The heat and air conditioning are top notch as usual for VW. Tilt/Telescoping wheel is an added bonus. No arm rest in the 09 two door.

It won't break any fuel mileage records. In fact I put Super in mine. Did a 2,400 mile road trip this summer and was very happy though.

Basically I couldn't bring myself to buy a civic. 0 fun. If I have to pay for a car, It better deliver something in return. Safety, reliability, Dealer networks, plus it better be fun to drive. thats all I'll ever do with darn thing.

PS change the $56.00 synthetic oil every 5,000 miles, not 10,000....read morehide

Pros

Great value, more features than competition, strong engine, high quality

Cons

Mileage could be better but still good, Continental tires noisy

Purchased As New

I bought a 2007 Rabbit (after owning a 2003 BMW Z4) and after almost 3 years of driving it I have to say it's a great little car and actually has a few features the Z4 didn't. I looked at many smaller cars and there were none that equalled the Rabbit in quality, form, fit and function, plus a lot of torque and more horsepower than most in its class. All in all, an outstanding car for the price and not a single problem so far. Take one for a drive and you'll see....read morehide

Pros

Build Quality, Ride, Handling, Engine, Auto Trans, Interior Space and Utility

Cons

Some controls on steering stalk, Rear Wiper, No auto lights , snow handling, fuel economy

Purchased As New

Bought his '07 new, and after 2.5 years and 40K miles, it still brings a smile... Great controlled ride, zippy handling (w/ 16 inch wheels), auto trans with sports mode, sunroof. The ride reminds me of my old BMW. The car is not tiring even on long trips. Annoyances include the stalk control for rear wiper which "slips" on all by itself during a turn, lights that are not "auto on." Fuel econ are just okay. Also love the 5yr/50K warrantee, but that is no longer offered....read morehide

Pros

all the extras that come standard

Cons

no center armrest

Purchased As New

have had car three weeks now, LOVE IT. can not wate till I can go on long road trip. it was the last two door on the lot, and was a demo car with 8000 milles on it, but I was the first person on the title.