Volkswagen Rabbit Stands Above All Others In Comparison Test

In a comparison test of six entry-level sedans, the editors of Car and Driver ranked the 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit first. Other vehicles included entries from Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Nissan and Toyota. The results appear in the December 2006 issue of the magazine.

The Rabbit swept top rankings in several vehicle attribute categories, including driver comfort, ergonomics, features and amenities and exterior styling. More importantly, editors scored the Rabbit highest in the subjective experience categories of “Gotta Have It” and “Fun to Drive.”

“This acknowledgement reflects upon the Rabbit’s distinctly German-engineered ‘driver’s car’ image, as well as its exterior and interior design qualities,” said Adrian Hallmark, executive vice president, Volkswagen of America, Inc.

The Rabbit made its return to the U.S. market this June, having been previously marketed from 1975 through 1984. It has posted year-to-date sales of 8,245 units through October, more than doubling the monthly average posted by its Golf predecessor.



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EL34 - 11/16/2006 2:25:15 PM

+2 Boost

And which Toyota are you speaking of?

ATrip - 11/16/2006 2:49:30 PM

+3 Boost

Lexus Dude - you are ridiculous!
I hope your posts are just indented to get a rise out of people. Like your stupid post about how Lexus should have won best race engine. I mean come on buddy, get a clue. No real car enthusiast can be that narrow minded.
Not to mention I haven’t read a single good thing about that Yaris.

mstangpny07 - 11/16/2006 4:44:58 PM

-1 Boost

agreed.

2JZSoarer - 11/18/2006 12:49:36 AM

+1 Boost

Really!! That must make me boring because I drive a Corolla GTS (AE86)!!I only drift the hell out of it every now and then,and dirfting must also be boring because it involves my Corolla GTS!!!

Oh and Toyota Supras must also be boring,all they do is kill Ferraris,Lambos and Vipers on the highways!!

IamEvilHomer - 11/19/2006 12:06:13 PM

0 Boost

finley you have a true statement

Agent009 - 11/16/2006 3:57:36 PM

0 Boost

Will, is it a conspiracy? Toyota spends far more money advertising in C&D than VW does. So what would the angle be?

Rupert - 11/16/2006 4:27:11 PM

-1 Boost

that corolla is ridiculously dull.
rabbit is far better, as is the mazda3.

dsch_iter - 11/16/2006 5:16:09 PM

-1 Boost

Reliablity & value are not enough to stand above all others. Car magazines tend to choose the most balanced car that is also FUN to drive.

delan - 11/16/2006 4:30:31 PM

+2 Boost

Plus this Corolla is long in the tooth. I'm certain the next model will be class leading. I read the article and was more aghast that the Sentra came last! I was so happy that Nissan finally got their baby car right, as far as design goes. However reviews so far have been lukewarm. Waah!

chewy - 11/16/2006 8:11:27 PM

-1 Boost

The best car won. That is it.

chewy - 11/16/2006 9:54:17 PM

-1 Boost

Easy

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/11873/2007-toyota-corolla-le-vs-2006-honda-civic-lx-vs-2007-hyundai-elantra-se-vs-2007-mazda-3s-touring-vs-2007-volkswagen-rabbit-vs-2007-nissan-sentra-20s.html

SixxFive - 11/16/2006 10:14:18 PM

+3 Boost

Read the article yesterday...congrats VW.

audirevolution - 11/17/2006 1:24:05 AM

+3 Boost

The Rabbits not bad, for its price.
Most fun to drive in its class.
Decent interior.
And not overpriced like the phaeton.

audirevolution - 11/17/2006 1:24:36 AM

-1 Boost

VW should keep its cars in the 10k-29k range.

chewy - 11/17/2006 1:34:23 AM

+1 Boost

People running away from facts once again.

XYZZ - 11/17/2006 5:23:11 AM

0 Boost

so they pulled the rabbit name back from 1984.

and the roofline too! CD giving it points for exterior styling proves how biased they are.

anyone in the market for a brand new OLD car?

chewy - 11/17/2006 11:23:52 PM

+1 Boost

What, the Rabbit definately looks good compared to the other econoboxes.

XYZZ - 11/18/2006 6:25:35 AM

0 Boost

still looks like an '80s chrysler K-car econobox

IamEvilHomer - 11/19/2006 12:12:29 PM

0 Boost

yes the k car rocks

if you car is nicer then this then you can talk
http://youtube.com/watch?v=K8ngdnAbx0s

markusck - 11/17/2006 2:04:14 PM

+1 Boost

You see, this is why people have problems with Lexus and Toyota, there is this perception that you need to win by the numbers alone, not on passion, soul, fun-to-drive, design, image, etc...none of the subjective things, only by the numbers, that my friends is why people think of them as just appliances..

markusck - 11/17/2006 2:34:43 PM

+2 Boost

I think you are exactly right. It sounds like you want vanilla to win over chocolate, there is no right answer based on facts alone...the subjective qualities are always going to make a huge difference in ratings..and that is why people buy one brand over the other, you can't just scream RELIABLE and expect the enthusiasts to come running...

markusck - 11/17/2006 2:27:59 PM

+3 Boost

I think you are exactly right. It sounds like you want vanilla to win over chocolate, there is no right answer based on facts alone...the subjective qualities are always going to make a huge difference in ratings..and that is why people buy one brand over the other, you can't just scream RELIABLE and expect the enthusiasts to come running...

markusck - 11/17/2006 3:24:46 PM

+2 Boost

Yes but you can still measure the popularity/success of different demographics even if the ratings are subjective (ie more Americans like vanilla than chocolate)...the majority of reviewers and enthusiasts just don't see the 'magic' from the Lexus/Toyota that is seen in the European brands...the mass market (non enthusiasts) majority want that reliability more than the 'magic'. The two demographics are very different and demand very different things from their cars. Mind you, Lexus is getting there but still has some work to do..

Rupert - 11/17/2006 3:48:20 PM

+2 Boost

You can't just scream "magic feel" and expect those who seek quality automobiles to come running either...


i could equally say you can't just scream reliability and expect those who like to drive to come running

its the same argument.

BBCarFan - 11/17/2006 4:45:32 PM

+2 Boost

WOW...a real intelligent discussion of differing views without a bunch of trolling. I like it.

dealer - 11/17/2006 4:12:37 PM

+1 Boost

One thing they didn't seem to mind is that the VW is WAY HEAVIER and GETS TERRIBLE GAS MILEAGE.

***Note to GM, leave these characteristics out when you do your next GAMMA and DELTA platforms!***

2JZSoarer - 11/18/2006 12:53:27 AM

+1 Boost

The Corolla is already due for a redesign in 2007,you'll see that next Corolla on top of the list!

markusck - 11/18/2006 8:11:16 AM

+1 Boost

Please, thats the argument you have for disagreeing with the article?...racism! racism! Come on, add to the discussion..

XYZZ - 11/20/2006 4:24:20 AM

0 Boost

the absolute best 1.8 liter car is the lotus elise.

which just happens to have a toyota COROLLA engine.

the Corolla S (not tested), is a poor man's ELISE. anyone claiming all toyotas have 'no soul' is half brain dead.