2008 Volkswagen Rabbit Consumer Reviews

Great Buy

Written by: Matt on 10/28/2009

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen Rabbit S 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 5cyl 5M)

Review

I get my rabbit as soon as I could order one. I drive through DC traffic on a daily basis and average 25mpg w/ a 5spd. It options that would be seen on cars over 25k.

Favorite Features

Nearly everything

Suggested Improvements

The rear cup holder needs to be stronger, does not meet 5 y/o child specs. TDI is finally here for 2010!! A 6th gear or overdrive for highway to boost mpg.

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New Owner

Written by: Rabbit Driver on 10/15/2009

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen Rabbit S PZEV 2dr Hatchback (2.5L 5cyl 6A)

Review

This is my 5th VW, and I have to say I'm quite impressed with this generation, especially the 2008-2009 with the 170hp engine. The Rabbit offers a GREAT value when compared to it's competitors. Where else do you get 170hp, a slick interior, climate control, power everything, alarm, etc, starting at $16K!? The answer is nowhere. It's no wonder the Rabbit, and it's high performance brother the GTI win nearly every compact car comparison. People who complain about the gas mileage are comparing it to 4 cyl cars making 100-130hp and very little torque. This is a 5 cyl making 170 hp and 177 ft/lbs. The MPG is really on par with it's power output and price range.

Favorite Features

170hp 5cyl, growl, stereo, climatic climate control, fold down seats, cargo space, cornering, power everything, drivers seat that moves up and down, best tiptronic trans I've ever driven with auto, sport, and manumatic modes.

Suggested Improvements

Locking center console, rear seat armrest, 1" lower ride height (like the euro market gets), sportier steering wheel, slightly better brakes.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Still in love 2 Years Later

Written by: BunyLuvr on 10/09/2009

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen Rabbit S 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 5cyl 6A)

Review

My 2008 Rabbit just turned 2 last week, and I love this car as much as I did the day I got it. Superb handling, fun to drive, comfortable, reliable - it has everything I wanted in a small hatchback. My neighbors have two 8-year0old Jettas that have been totally reliable, so I expect my Rabbit will be the same.

Favorite Features

Safety features. Fun to drive.

Suggested Improvements

The only thing I don't care for is that the front seats are a tad bothersome to adjust. Needs more power adjustment features like other newer cars.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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I hate my rabbit

Written by: NMW on 10/06/2009

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen Rabbit S 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 5cyl 6A)

Review

I have a 2008 rabbit and it only has 11000 miles, in one year i have taken my car to the dealer 5 times and each time for a different cause. This has been the most disappointing buying experience in my life, I have tried to lemon my car and the dealer has been very unhelpfull, I also had a factory person come to see my car and they just keep on making excuses.

Favorite Features

the car is pretty and it looks nice. the material inside makes a cracking noise when it's hot and you turn the ac on or when it gets cold. I also have had engine problems.

Suggested Improvements

change the material in the dash.

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Iam in love

Written by: adam on 09/10/2009

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen Rabbit S 2dr Hatchback (2.5L 5cyl 5M)

Review

What can I say this rabbit has been a great car I've owned mine for 1 1/2 years and NO problem. People complain about mileage I average 24 city and 30 hwy . Maybe there are some really lead footed people out there to be getting less then 17 city . And the power is great for this type of car NO its not like a V8 camaro nor a V8 mustang but peppy enough ,if I wanted power I would have bought a V8 car. As far as price goes you cant get a better car for it. A friend just bought a 09 civic EXL great car but cost over $21,000 and mine has more room . My friends are impressed with the room this car has. The car I had before was a volvo960 wagon and the rabbit has more leg room.I will buy another one

Favorite Features

love the red and blue dashlights ,roomy , peppy , style , love the hatchback. I really like the smart front wipers and rear wipers. ASR works great never lost traction in the heavy snow Ohio had last year.

Suggested Improvements

not a fan of the tail lights . Improve road noise . I also scuff up the drivers door storage pocket getting out of the car .

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Great

Written by: gtv6 on 08/30/2009

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen Rabbit S 2dr Hatchback (2.5L 5cyl 6A)

Review

This car has been perfect through 36000 miles following up on the near perfection of our previous 04 jetta wagon over 93000 miles. It is a surprisingly competent, long-legged tourer.

Favorite Features

Roominess, torque, mileage, build quality, reliability, tiptronic much better than expected

Suggested Improvements

Road noise, center arm rest availability

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Great 'dub

Written by: petesgarden on 08/22/2009

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen Rabbit S 2dr Hatchback (2.5L 5cyl 6A)

Review

I upgraded from a 1999.5 MKIV Golf GLS to this 2008 2.5 2dr Rabbit. Awesome car. 16000 trouble free miles over my 1st year of ownership, great get up and go, great ride. Not as much storage space as before and the interior is not as refined as previous models, but still way nicer than the same priced JDM or US cars.

Favorite Features

The 170HP engine, Tiptronic tranny, so-much-fun-to-drive factor. All the bells and whistles that are standard on a base model VW (that are all extra options on JDM + US cars). The great growl when revving the 5 cylinder engine.

Suggested Improvements

Gas mileage could be better (avg about 22mpg in 90% city driving), seat bolsters are uncomfortable for larger sized passengers. Rear seats no longer fold flat. Side mirrors don't fold in as far as in older models. Stock tires are not that good.

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Great Car

Written by: Simon on 06/18/2009

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen Rabbit S 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 5cyl 6A)

Review

I've had this car for 9 month and I am very impressed. I used to have a Mazda 3 and it was nothing but trouble... I wasn't expecting much from VW after all their reliability problems but the car has been starting every morning without complaining; even in -20 temperatures... The car is fun to drive, plenty of power and very well built.

Favorite Features

Power, fun to drive, the standard equipment...

Suggested Improvements

Fuel economy

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Good little car

Written by: Mike on 06/05/2009

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen Rabbit S 2dr Hatchback (2.5L 5cyl 6A)

Review

After about a year with my Rabbit, I can finally write a review. The Rabbit is a fun little car to drive, with a lot of pep. The 6 speed tiptronic transmission is a lot of fun and very unexpected in such a low price car. The interior and build quality constantly amaze me after having Fords, Pontiacs, Chevys. The 2.5 engine doesn't mind being revved, and sounds pretty good when doing it. Although, it is a fairly thirsty little car, as I average 17 in city driving. It replaced a Crown Vic which was getting 12, so I can't complain that much. Not a bad car in winter either, never got stuck once with a good set of snow tires.

Favorite Features

6-speed tiptronic transmission, 2.5 liter engine, seat heaters

Suggested Improvements

Fuel Economy, OEM tires, wished the 2 door allowed for a sunroof

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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vw convert

Written by: remingtone on 03/15/2009

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen Rabbit S 2dr Hatchback (2.5L 5cyl 5M)

Review

I have owned a lot of cars. I used to love rwd cars and trucks and hated fwd. I love my rabbit. The interior is way better than what my friends have. It looks great, especially with my optional 5 spoke Gray wheels which sets off the look of the car. The drivers door came off set and scratched the paint, warenty fixed that in 2 days. I don't understand the brakes, every car I have owned gets brake dust all over the front wheels but on this car it gets dust on the rear wheels. I was really hard on them a couple times to see what they are capable of and the rear brakes got so hot I could light a cigarette off it. I don't understand it but I haven't had a problem with them yet.

Favorite Features

Single tap auto windows. All my friends love my car and ask me if they can drive it. Dashboard is awesome.

Suggested Improvements

No center arm rest? Give the VR6 back to the fwd even if you have to give up a little bit of handling. V-dub for life. *throws up v-dub gang sign*

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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