The 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit is a high-quality compact vehicle throughout, though it’s not particularly sporty or fuel-efficient.

2009 Volkswagen Rabbit Introduction
The Volkswagen Rabbit is a quick, fun to drive hatchback with typical high level German refinement.

The Rabbit is available in two-door and four-door versions. The four-door comes with more standard equipment such as satellite radio, 6-disc changer, heated seats and velour trim. All models are powered by a 2.5-liter, inline five-cylinder engine that generates 170 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque that can be mated to either a five-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic. Standard safety features on all models include anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control, tire pressure monitoring and six airbags.

For 2009, the 4-door is only available with the six-speed automatic transmission, and VW’s new Carefree Maintenance Program has been added.
Index of 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit Expert Reviews

• thecarconnection—STYLING:The 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit looks like a Volkswagen inside and out: clean and conservative; PERFORMANCE:The 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit offers performance that is acceptable but never stellar; if fuel economy is a priority, you’ll need to go elsewhere; QUALITY:The 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit is comfortable and has a surprising amount of space, though it can be a bit noisy by some accounts; SAFETY:The 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit gets great crash-test results and offers more safety hardware than some rivals; FEATURES:You won’t need to select too many options boxes; the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit has plenty of standard features to keep drivers happy.

• Edmunds—”If you’re willing to sacrifice some fuel economy and a few bucks, the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit is a wonderful little car that boasts a polished interior, comfortable ride, solid German engineering and strong power. It’s a hoot to drive, too.”
• CarGurus—”The 2009 Rabbit lives up to its namesake’s characteristic speed by delivering a tight and sporty ride just a notch below that of the GTI. A well thought out interior, full of high-end features and quality materials not normally seen in hatchbacks, keeps passengers surprisingly comfortable. The downsides come on the financial end, in terms of poor fuel economy and costly options.”

Buying Tips:
Wondering where the TDI diesel option is on the Rabbit? It’s gone this year, but it will be back next year on an all-new version that, perplexingly, VW is renaming the Golf.

Competitors Box:

• * Mazda3
• * Honda Civic
• * Toyota Corolla
• * Ford Focus