2007 VW Rabbit
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Yes…
In a surprise, weird and stupid move, VW decided to rename the Golf “Rabbit” for the north American market.
Just like in the old days…
The good news is the $14 995 base price. You get a nice looking hatchback with a 150hp engine.
But you also get a very depressing looking interior, a 3 year old design and pretty bad gas mileage for a small car.
It seems like VW didn’t understand why people stop buying their cars n the US:
Quality and service. Or lack of it.
People got tired of having their dealer service department on speed dial.
I am not sure the word Rabbit is what VWy really needs. They are again avoiding the real problem…
VWs are basically just for chicks, and for people who know nothing about cars but feel like they’re too “cool” to be seen in a japanese car.
I think the comments of most people can be summed up in three letters….
WTF!?!
Either name its still the same car…interior doesnt matter to me, I think everyone should go back to basics again…do we really need a navigation system?
Anonymous said…
Either name its still the same car…interior doesnt matter to me, I think everyone should go back to basics again…do we really need a navigation system?
Are you kidding? Do you know how many marriages have been saved because husbands haven’t had to stop to ask directions?
Seriously, I’ve lived in DFW for 5 years and I still don’t know all of the streets around here. NAV has been a realy handy tool on several occasions.
Vince and anonymous 1, I agree completely. VW is a terrible company, I really wish they would die off, just stop pretending to be a MB or BMW, and go back to building ‘peoples cars’ like the beetle, cheap crappy cars for Germans and hippies.
Well I love the new rabbit logo… especially in chrome. Very tastefully done.
But yeah I think it’s stupid to rename the car from Golf to Rabbit. I think it’s one of the few cars I would not buy just because of the embarassing name.
Other cars on my list of Stupid Name Hall of Fame:
– Acura Vigor
– Licoln Zephyr
They should’ve hired koreans to come up with names.(except Daewoo) They have a knack for coming up with nice english/engrish names. Elantra, Spectra, Excel, Sportage, and etc.
I thought the GOLF name was stupid for a car sold in the U.S. I think Golf means “gulf” in German, so has nothing to do with the game of golf, but that’s what I though of–golf, a way to ruin a good walk!
Rabbit was always a better name IMO and I’m glad it’s back–a new bunny in time for Easter!
Too bad the Rabbit is built by a POS company–bunnies deserve better.
Vince, I posted about this one as well. It seems an unnecessary decision: VW Rabbit sales peaked in 1979 in the US, but that was because the product was right for the time. Selling previous-generation Golfs to Americans when the rest of the world has moved on, lack of innovation, and stories of shitty service, mean that renaming a car will do squat.
That little SpaceFox you showed not long ago—VW should bring that in to fight the growing amount of compact crossovers in your country. It would be the smart thing to do, which means it won’t happen …
it would kinda be emabbarassing to drive a car called a rabbit…..im sure the name may stop some people from buying it. i wonder why they got rid of the name in the first place
I have no problem with this. The US finally gets the current generation priced at $15K and actually built at Wolfsburg instead of Central/South America. That makes it the least expensive true Euro import and the only VW even approaching econo status (only $500 more than a Scion xB).
I just hope they offer it in the same green as the promotional graphic.
I think the “Rabbit” surprise is a pathetic attempt to invoke nostalgia from former Rabbit owners for a boring and old design which is 3 years late coming here.
Sad, very sad.
” VWs are basically just for chicks, and for people who know nothing about cars but feel like they’re too “cool” to be seen in a japanese car.”
i think that the egocentric, insecure, insolent, and immature poster above is very wrong. i bought a Golf GLS two years ago over a Toyota Corolla LE for the following reasons:
-Better resale value
-More weight (therefore safer)
-Better warranty
-More standard features
-More practical design
-Better quality
-Better looking
Sure, the sticker price was more than four grand over a Corolla, but my dealer was able to offer me an almost $3000 discount on it. I will admit that VW clientele aren’t your usual customers, and that VW has an awful street reputation, but my car hasn’t broken down once and still looks great.
After living in Germany for eight years of my life, it seems very strange to see the same Golf I know as a Rabbit. People should recognize the name however and that might be a plus. The starting price though is remarkable. It mkaes you wonder why VW is asking so much for a Jetta.
If you don’t know VWs, then you have no right to criticize them.
I thought it was a “wtf” moment at first too, but when I heard about the sub-15K price, it started sounding better. I like the chrome logo. If they leave the Rabbit name off the hatch (and the car) I can live with it just showing up on my registration.
Let’s hope they gear their torquey 5 cylinder, 2.5 liter engine so it isn’t running 4,000 rpm at 80 mph like my 2001 and 2004 Golfs used to do.
I can live with crank windows and manual mirrors on the sub 15k version. But they’d better keep aircon, remote entry with alarm, a CD player – basically equip it like a Golf GL used to be equipped in 2001….
people who buy japanease cars are people with no taste and no class…they are all just everyday generic cars with really cheap interiors, when you say vw’s interiors are depressing it’s probably because your jealous that no car maker in this planet can make such a high quality interior at a price people can afford, vw’s are much more durable, heavier and safer than most cars on the road, unlike those toyota and honda tin cans you guys like…with fisher price quality interiors
look at all the uneducated people making comments. Its a wonder you are ON a computer. “VW is garbage” , “pretending to be BMW or MB”
maybe you people should stop pretending to be intelligent.
amazing. ignorance IS bliss.
As for the Rabbit name, I’d rather they stick with Golf, but they already rename the Bora (Jetta to us in NA) so why not?
The good news here is VW is finally getting it through their thick heads that they can not be BMW. With their current price structure and lineup, it doesn’t give most buyers any choice but to go Japanese. 15k sounds like a good start. Now if they just don’t make the sunroof a part of a 3k option package like the Jetta, they may have something.
My 2 cents on the interiors (and I design automotive interiors) is VW makes some of the best – from an execution standpoint, but they fall way behind in storage space and don’t offer the cool electronics their target market really wants. Remember, in Germany the Bora is an old mans car. Just slapping Jetta on it doesn’t make it fun.
MarkWeb said…
I thought it was a “wtf” moment at first too, but when I heard about the sub-15K price, it started sounding better. I like the chrome logo. If they leave the Rabbit name off the hatch (and the car) I can live with it just showing up on my registration.
Let’s hope they gear their torquey 5 cylinder, 2.5 liter engine so it isn’t running 4,000 rpm at 80 mph like my 2001 and 2004 Golfs used to do.
I can live with crank windows and manual mirrors on the sub 15k version. But they’d better keep aircon, remote entry with alarm, a CD player – basically equip it like a Golf GL used to be equipped in 2001….
Interesting statement there, I was a bit surprised at the name change as well, but I like it. VW is reverting back to the day, reestablishing the one-on-one customer relationships from the late 70’s and through the 80’s. I’ve read everyone’s comments about the name change and personally, I couldn’t care less, but at the same token, I like it for the reasons I mentioned above.
And, surprisingly enough, the car comes with more than what you think. Power windows, locks, steering, remote, keyless entry, alarm, and amazing safety systems: driver, front passanger airbags, front side and rear curtian airbags, stability control systems, ABS, etc etc are all STANDARD! So what if the trim isn’t wood, brushed metal or carbon-fibre, at under $15,000 it’s a hell’va deal!
Either name its still the same car…interior doesnt matter to me, I think everyone should go back to basics again…do we really need a navigation system?
I agree completely. Basic, stylish, reliable transporation. Who needs wood-grain or carbon-fibre trim? Or a 20 Disc CD Changer? I sure don’t, and I’m a huge fan of computers and technology. DVD or hard drive based Nav systems can be handy at times, but for day-to-day driving? Highly unlikely unless you’re stupid enough to forget how to get to the store or to the bank.
The simplicity of the Rabbit is marketed towards a specific group. Young drivers looking for a reliable, new car under $15,000; Parents looking for a car for their teenage driver that’s safe, reliable and at the same price tag; people who just want a car; and VW enthusists.
Of course, the name change is strickly marketing saying, “Remember the ol’ Rabbit you had back in college? Well, it’s back and better than ever.”
Now, I don’t remember the 70’s or the 80’s, it’s hard to remember a time before you were born (I was born in ’84), but I still think the name of the car is a good marketing move. As a VW enthusist, I also think the new GTI’s iconic lettering, red pin strip around the grill, and the plaid interior are great marketing moves for VW to establish that relationship from the same time period.
For my final statement, I’ll go back to the name: Rabbit. There’s a lot to it. Do your research before critizing it, know what you’re talking about. I might be 22 years old, but I know what the meaning behind the name is. I’m going to buy this car not for it’s name, or it’s iconic relationship to the 70’s and 80’s but for it’s value.
looks nice and glad its back because it’s better than the golf in many ways
WOW so many people who know it all, and yet dont understand what a concept is. Depending or where you from Germany, Canada, USA…it’s a matter of choice, of course VW canot be BMW you moron that’s not the idea. Japanese car are Japanese car, German car are German, if you dont like it dont buy the damn thing. Drive what ou want but if youdid not try that car do me a favor SHUT THE HELL UP…
Ive had 5 cars in my lifetime, the first 3 were VWS, but, they went out of my price range. Of those 3 cars, my fave by FAR was a 1980 Rabbit, what a wonderful little car it was…the name “Golf” makes me think of old men puttering around hitting a little white ball and laughingly calling themselves athletes! ( yeah they WISH! ) I love the Rabbit name and i’m glad its back, now if only they can bring the car back to the nearly carefree/service-free auto it was in 1980, then ill be saving up to get a 2 door automatic with a sunroof, as soon as i can afford it!
i dont understand how you all can say that the name gold is a stupid move. I saw the comercial for it just recently and about pissed my self with anticipation. i think its great. Good move VW.
Fantastic car for 15K, if you can find one. Typical dealers only have the 4-door model for 18-19K.
i was wondering if 4000rpm at 80mph in 5th gear is normal for a 2001 2.0 jetta