2009 VW Golf: The Next Rabbit

• Competes with: Nissan Versa, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Matrix
• Looks like: A more sophisticated economy car
• Drivetrain: 158-hp, 1.4-liter TSI four-cylinder engine with DSG transmission
• Hits dealerships: TBD

VW revealed the next-generation Golf or, as the company renamed it for the U.S., the Rabbit. The new design is a slight evolution of the current generation, which was recently reintroduced to the U.S. market in 2007. Sales haven’t been setting the world on fire, mainly due to the car’s mileage.

In a time of increased interest in fuel-efficient cars, the Rabbit’s 22/29 mpg city/highway doesn’t beat a lot of small entrants. The Nissan Versa gets better mileage at 26/32 mpg city/highway, for example. Plus, the Rabbit costs a few thousand more than most Japanese hatchbacks.

The main reason for the subpar mileage for the 2008 was its engine; it was the same inline-five-cylinder found in the Jetta, teamed to a five-speed manual or six-speed atomatic. The 2009 will not be produced with the inline-five. VW hasn’t announced which engine will make it to the U.S. from its array of thrifty diesel and gasoline power plants, but we’d guess it will be the top-of-the-range 1.4-liter four-cylinder — which uses both a turbocharger and a supercharger — good for 158 hp and roughly 37 mpg. A DSG — dual clutch transmission — replaces the standard six-speed automatic.

The interior also gets a really nice upgrade with a completely new gauge cluster and center stack of controls that look to be very high-quality, which VW is known for.

There is no word on when the new Rabbit will reach the states, but VW has confirmed it will go on sale in North America following its release in Europe later this year. Check out more photos below — including a few 2008s for comparison purposes — and let us know if you think this Rabbit will compete in today’s gas-sipping car market.

Comments

[Colin B.]

I have never ever heard of a production car having both a supercharger and a turbocharger. Didn't even know that could pass muster in their long term testing protocols? I guess since the turbo takes some time to kick in, the supercharger could make up the slack until there's enough air.

Though I thought superchargers hurt gas mileage? I've been in a GTI with a DSG...so sweet!

[JM]

its a new setup that has been engineered by VW and used in Europe quite a bit. most after market superchargers and turbochargers are used to up HP to crazy levels. VW's manufactured unit is tuned for HP and effieiency. since the engine has greater power, it does not have to work as hard. plus, since displacement does not go up with the power, so does gas milage. on the other hand, the setup can also be used to make a small displacement engine capable of powering bigger vehicles.

Ford's EcoBoost has a similar idea behind it, but it is usually just for the power benefits.

one last thought- i personally do not think the rabbit competes with the Versa. Sentra, yes (even though it is a sedan) but the versa is a sub-compact and the Rabbit is a compact. now if the Polo was over here...

[LK]

I'll take mine in 2 door please

[DonB]

If the reliability improves to competitive levels w/Honda, I'd jump at it!

[eagle2x]

Better late than never. It's always been a mystery as to why VW delayed offering the Gen VI Golfs to the USA market. The current 5-banger Golfs (er wabbits) were non-competitive from the git-go. Maybe VWoA will finally get the latest version of the Golf and hopefully abandon the Wabbit logo in favor of the Golf.

[maxwell]

JM: The Versa is not small. When you actually see one in person, you realize how unsmall it is, both hatch and sedan.

The sedan is actually 1 inch longer that the Focus and the hatch is about 2 inches shorter than the Matrix.

It's sort os strange that the sedan version is so close to the Sentra in length - just 3 inches less.

[Dave T.]

Jm,
The Versa is not a subcompact. it is actually quite big. 4 inches longer than a 4door rabbit actually.
http://www.cars.com/go/compare/trimCompare.jsp?acodes=USB80VWC122A0,USB80NIC102B0

[ziggy]

The Versa is more competitive pricewise than the ones mentioned here. I would imagine the Golf will be priced upwards with the Subaru and the Matrix.

[alex]

i agree with don b, if vw can improve its reability, i will consider looking at a vw, because the cars are generally very nice interiors are quite good.

[J]

Does the Rabbit really competes with the Versa at all?
Not only because the fuel economy is not in the same league, but there are other things that the Rabbit is not even comparable.

For example, even at $18,650, the Rabbit doesn't come with alloy wheels. Weighs 380 pounds more.
Then, on the other hand, the Versa only offer rear drum brakes, semi independent rear suspension, etc.

[TDI Nick]

Americans would like the '09 TDI Rabbit please! And it should come with VWs blessing to use certified B20 biodiesel.

[SouthTx]

I loved when I was living in Europe, but it was always overpriced: European friends, get a Seat Ibiza, it is the same car, but you are going to save a lot of money.

I agree, it is pity that in America, we don't have the TDI's. They make more than 40 mpg.

[Amuro Ray]

Sweet car, but like most said here, this car's competitor is definitely not the Versa. Volvo C30, Mini, Bimmer 1, Subaru Impreza, etc, yes, but not Versa. It's because of what J has said. A fully loaded Versa has a MSRP of 18K (approx). This car...well, u gotta pay a price for its super charger + turbo, plus the DSG. My "guess" is, with the US $ so low nowadays, this setup will be around 25K - 30K(with nice equipment pkg).

Versa is essentially an econo car with good gas mileage; this V-dub is exotic with good gas mileage.

[AUD]

well said amuro ray, it is more of a premium compact then a budget compact like the versa.

[Dave T]

You guys argue more over a brief mention of competitor than anything else mentioned in the story. I listed a low cost alternative to the rabbit, sheesh, sue me.

[J]

Dave,
Because I am not interested in any VW due to its reliability history.

[AUD]

we dont mean to argue dave, but you can't 'seriously' compare this car to the versa, because there is too much price and refinement difference to put them in the same compact class

[Liger]

I doubt this car is $25-30k. I looked at GTI's this weekend (they have 0% for 72 months on them now), and they were about $25,500 with a stick. Seemed like they got about 28 or 29 mpg on the highway too.

[rob]

VW doesn't have such a great track record when it comes to complicated systems. If they can't even build a reliable normally aspirated engine, I'm guessing the turbo and supercharged versions will cost more than they save in mpg's on repairs.

[Dave T.]

The Versa is pretty much the same size, has four doors and a hatch for a thousand or two less and gets slightly better mileage. I think people shopping four door hatches would probably cross shop it. Or maybe Scion xB or Mazda3 hatch. I could have listed a few others. Just because you personally wouldn't compare the two, or a VW owner wouldn't, doesn't mean shoppers in general wouldn't.

The Versa hatch -- not the sedan -- is actually a pretty good value with lots of room and content for the money. But no the interior is not as nice as the Rabbits.

[JM]

rob- VW engines are just as reliable as any other engines, but you have to take care of them. that means not missing oil changes.

just because a car can run on super old and rity oil does not make it reliable in the least.

[Amuro Ray]

Come on, D.T. When you see so many responses - good or bad - to your post, it only means 1 thg:

YOU HAVE A VERY SUCCESSFUL BLOG.

(I just wish mine's like urs...)

I like this V-dub. In fact, I like most generation of Golf, despite the fact that I got a Versa for my daily commute. I'm just trying to say that, based on my guess for such nice equipment, the final price of this car will probably not be a thousand or 2 more than the V, but more like 8K - 10K more (again, with the top engine, DSG, and then comparably equipped pkgs as the Versa). I wonder if VW will provide any sub 20K Rabbit - and if that will have the same engine/DSG in it.

Dave you are incorrect in that shoppers will cross shop the Versa and Rabbit as we did just that. We ultimatley settled on a Fit but were impressed with the Versa. We were not impressed with the Rabbit as when you figure in price the quality does not match-up. The Rabbit reminds me of the Maxima. Both fine cars that have priced themselves out of their respective catagories. Even if the Rabbit was closer in price we would not have gone for one as both my wife and I had been previous VW owners. That's two VW experiences that we would not wish on anyone. As my wife said, "They should just call it the VW Mexico".

[San Diego]

If they put a diesel in it, I'd definitely buy one.