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. Next Page