From the logbook: Volkswagen Rabbit

Question: When is a Golf not a Golf?
Answer: When it's a Rabbit

Question: Why do car companies spend time and money creating a model name and then kill it? Or, why does it seem like they can't make up their minds?
Answer: In the 1970s, Volkswagen renamed the European Golf the Rabbit here in the United States to replace an icon (the original Beetle). The company also went so far as to make several versions of it: two- and four-door models, a convertible, and the memorable GTI. But then VW decided to scrap it all and rename its mainstream model the Golf. Lo and behold, Golf sales didn't shoot through the roof. The name game has come full circle, and the latest hatchback model is called the Rabbit. I suppose this keeps the marketing people busy, but for the rest of us it just seems baffling.

Regardless of what you call it, we now have a four-door S model. For $19,725, our test car includes an automatic transmission, stability control and 16-inch alloy wheels. Interestingly, the word "Rabbit" doesn't appear on the car's exterior - makes you wonder how much confidence the company has in its name...

Here are the raw, first impressions written in the new Rabbit's logbook by the test team so far:

"Engine sounds a bit coarse, but it's torquey."

"Runs out of oomph at higher revs."

"Automatic transmission is a bit slow to downshift, but the 'Sport' mode works well."

"Handling is good but steering feel is vague."

"Great chassis—quiet, nimble, and rides very well."

"Quick, easy and fun to drive."

"Wide C-pillar makes rear viewing a chore."

"Seats are comfortable and supportive."
(But others said):
"Seat is too small, particularly the seatback where the pocket is very narrow and my back bridges the wing bolsters."

"Rear seat room is marginal."

"Surprisingly quiet inside, especially on the highway."

"Controls are simple - why is it easier to set the clock on a $19,000 Rabbit than a $50,000 BMW?"

"Great seat heaters. Good thing because the heat sucks—takes about 20-30 minutes to warm the cabin at 24-degrees."

"Heater is slow, slow, slow."

"Great fit and finish and high content level for the money—including heated seats and power-seat recline."

So, what do you call this car? One tester went so far as to write that the 'Rabbit' name is "unfortunate." Whatever the final nomenclature, we're fairly impressed with VW's entry-level model. Look for a complete test later in '08.

—Mike Quincy

Comments

[David]

Rabbit log is pretty cool. I like to get my hands on one of them. I think I might just start a car log collection.

[Charles Pinkham]

VW is a company that has lost its way. Except for the GTI, the cars have no appeal to me. More excitement over at GM, Dieter.

[Nathaniel]

I agree with the comments regarding the heat, but the seat heaters are nice. Overall a well built German car.

[Barry]

The first year of the original Rabbit it got a best buy rating from Consumer Reports. I went to buy one and had to pay a premium for it because it was so highly desired. The premiium was labeled as "dealer prep." When I went to pick up the car from the dealer it had a very noticeable problem. It was missing a shock mount, so it had a ditinctive "limp." I said that it was ridiculous to spend an extra $500 for dealer prep and find that they hadn't even driven the car two feet! I canceled the deal. It turned out that I was very lucky. The first year Rabbit, and subsequesnt years as well, turned out to have a horrible frequency of repair record. The next year's CR auto issue still gave the car top ratings for performance and design, but added a cautionary note that repair records had so far been disappointing. Pretty soon CR changed its opinion that this poorly manufactured car was a desireable purchase. I assume the horrible repair reputation of the Rabbit was the reason VW changed the name to Golf.