2009 Volkswagen Rabbit

Elmer Fudd was always one step behind Bugs Bunny. It seemed that no matter what he did, he could never catch that “wascally wabbit”.

From the late 70's to the mid 80's, car companies scrambled like Elmer Fudd to catch Volkswagen's elusive Rabbit. This small, sleek hatchback won the hearts of American customers. Even though it never approached the lofty sales figures of the Beetle, it made an indelible mark on the motoring psyche of millions.

For whatever reason, VW decided to drop the Rabbit name in 1985 in favor of “Golf”. Though the Golf was a fine car, it was quickly forgotten by all but true VW loyalists. It did have a following, but it wasn't very competitive in its market segment.

For 2006, Volkswagen redesigned the Golf and decided to go retro renaming it the Rabbit. It features a modern, clean look with loads of equipment. A/C, cruise control, CD/MP3 player, power windows and keyless entry are just some of the standard features. 4 door Rabbits go even further and add heated front seats and a cooled drink compartment in the back.

Power for the Volkswagen Rabbit is supplied by a 150 horse 5-cyl, but it offers only marginal power. Passing maneuvers should be done with caution, but around town, it feels lively, even with the automatic. Adding to this lively feeling is an excellent suspension. It soaks up bumps nicely and the whole car feels securely planted to the pavement.

This is a very appealing little car and it has a much more upscale feel and image than its competitors. So if you're looking for a versatile city car, or a first car for your teen driver, then hop on over to your local Volkswagen dealer and test drive a Rabbit today. . COMMON PROBLEMS FOR THE VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT: If the airbag warning light comes on, it's likely due to a faulty connector under one of the front seats (2006-2007). The side windows may come off their track, requiring the glass to be glued to the track (2006). A bad odor from the A/C will require the evaporator coils to be cleaned (2006-2007).