2008 Volkswagen Rabbit

Among the best reviews we found for the 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit is a report from Consumer Reports magazine, where the results of comprehensive road tests are combined with other data to review each car and rank it within its class. Car and Driver magazine includes the 2008 VW Rabbit in head-to-head testing of eight fuel-efficient cars, while a six-way comparison by the same magazine pits the essentially identical 2007 VW Rabbit against class-leading economy cars like the Mazda3 and Honda Civic. Editors at Edmunds.com provide a well-balanced single-vehicle review of the 2008 Rabbit with informal comparisons to its rivals. Cars.com's expert reviewer puts the Volkswagen Rabbit on his list of 2008 Best Bets, and a brief overview from CarCritic.com examines less-publicized aspects of the Rabbit's performance.

The 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit compact hatchback receives praise for its handling, stability and generous list of standard features. Reviewers also say the VW Rabbit scores well on intangibles, noting that it's comfortable, well-designed and reasonably fun to drive. The Rabbit is available as a two- or four-door hatchback with a single ""S"" trim level. Its higher starting price and below-average fuel efficiency put the Rabbit at a disadvantage compared with the highly rated Honda Fit (*est. $13,950 to $16,070) and Mazda3 (*est. $13,995 to $20,295). Critics concede, however, that the Rabbit includes a number of less-common standard features and options, including some amenities that aren't available on the Fit. If you want a more-upscale hatchback, critics say, the 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit is worth a look.