2006 Volkswagen Rabbit Consumer Reviews

overall, good car

Written by: srihari on 05/16/2008

Vehicle

2006 Volkswagen Rabbit PZEV 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 5cyl 6A)

Review

First of all, I am six feet six inches, most of that legs! Given the fact that I prefer small and efficient cars, nothing that I tested came close to this VW in terms of leg room (lots!). When I first drove it, I was very impressed with the car's power and handling. Interior fit and finish is baby BMW style, gorgeous combination of black and beige. Not so good: the car is heavy! Feels almost like a an older American car: heavy, with a large displacement but uninteresting engine. Lots of torque but no fun to rev up. Nothing like a Mazda or Honda in terms of tossability. Getting about 24-25 mpg, mostly highway. If I floor it just a couple times per full tank, mileage drops to 21 mpg!

Favorite Features

Stunning shadow blue paint. Beautiful beige interior. Tons of standard features. Climate control system. Grip in the corners. Leg room! Decent standard sound system. Versatility of hatchback. Wonderful ergonomics except for placement of cruise control stalk one inch from turn signal stalk.

Suggested Improvements

factory ipod adapter is absurd and expensive option (i can only play the first six play lists preprogrammed on my ipod--no choosing an album or artist on the fly and listening to it?!!!). more sophisticated, higher revving, more fuel efficient engine.

Report inappropriate post

Shoddy CD Player Paint Blisters and Flak

Written by: sprint350ss on 05/07/2008

Vehicle

2006 Volkswagen Rabbit 2dr Hatchback (2.5L 5cyl 6A)

Review

This vehicle comes equipped with a shoddy cd player radio. The paint has blistered off the buttons and the face of the device. Still under warrant however, VW USA does not want to remedy the situation for hundreds of VW owners. The device is considered wear and tear item. how do you wear the face of the radio. Shoddy materials is really what it is.

Favorite Features

none

Suggested Improvements

How about putting in a CD Player Radio where the paint doesn't blister and flake off the buttons and the face of the radio.

1 out 3 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Great First Car

Written by: morgoone on 04/19/2008

Vehicle

2006 Volkswagen Rabbit 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 5cyl 6A)

Review

My parents bought this car for me as my first car and I have never had any problems. It is fun to drive and has enough room to comfortably seat me and 4 friends for whatever excursion comes to mind. I always feel safe in this car because i am surrounded by airbags. The sound system is amazing and makes my friends jealous. This is a great first car.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

Report inappropriate post

Rabbit '06

Written by: Chris Gorham on 02/17/2008

Vehicle

2006 Volkswagen Rabbit PZEV 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 5cyl 5M)

Review

Excellent performance and economy at super price vs. Audi or BMW.

Favorite Features

Acceleration, steering and ease of parking.

Suggested Improvements

Door posts impede easy view of left and right exterior objects.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Best Car I've Ever Owned

Written by: mattia76 on 10/06/2007

Vehicle

2006 Volkswagen Rabbit 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 5cyl 5M)

Review

It was love at first drive for the Rabbit and me. Love that it was one of the first ones off the boat. Love that it was made in Germany. Love the way it looks. I've been agonizing for months now at the prospect of selling it since we have a baby on the way. Test drove a lot of used cars that would have cheaper payments, and nothing even comes close. But we've decided to sell the wife's Versa instead. Woo-hoo! I'll drive this thing till I die or until I can trade it in for a diesel version.

Favorite Features

Handling, German-build, interior design, roominess, full-size spare tire, iPod adapter.

Suggested Improvements

Bring back the diesel!

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

People wake up!

Written by: Melon on 09/26/2007

Vehicle

2006 Volkswagen Rabbit 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 5cyl 6A)

Review

Where do I start? Well,I've owned plenty of vehicles in my life, GMs, Dodges, etc. Didn't like any of the American built vehicles. I was a lucky owner of a 1981 VW Rabbit diesel (250,000+ on it) and 1988 Cabriolet from the Karman factory (195,000). Best cars I've ever owned absolutely were V-dubs. Only thing I can say is that the new Rabbit is awesome. Handles great. Fun to drive Fuel econ went up a bit but big deal the car handles/drives like a fairly powerful German sports car. No sissy engine here. Besides I couldn't afford the Audi A6 that I'd wanted and the car is the closest my pocket would allow for me to have a completely enjoyable ride. Love it!!

Favorite Features

Love the neon blue night dash lighting very sharp. One touch windows. All the extra features the 4 door comes with are exceptional... sunroof, cool 6 disc stereo, etc.

Suggested Improvements

None in my book. VW seemed to cover it all for under 18 grand. How can you go wrong.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

VW fun car

Written by: bill on 08/02/2007

Vehicle

2006 Volkswagen Rabbit 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 5cyl 6A)

Review

Car handles and rides with the european style that I can only afford with the rabbit. Some day hope to purchase a diesel version, but with my current low 10000 miles a year, it is hard to justify the cost.

Favorite Features

The styling.

Suggested Improvements

Diesel 4 cyl.

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Great car, a step backward for fuel econ

Written by: bluebunny on 06/27/2007

Vehicle

2006 Volkswagen Rabbit 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 5cyl 6A)

Review

Great car, fun car, very solid and yet very nimble on all kinds of roads. The only problem is the fuel economy. We are averaging 17-18 mpg for 100% city driving, which is atrocious for VW historically. Though I really like the feel and the energy the engine gives the car, I think it was a mistake to put the larger engine in this car instead of keeping the old 4-cyl 1.8L standard from the Golf.

Favorite Features

The solid feel, the handling, the zip in the city, and parallel parking. You forget how small it is on the outside while you are riding on the inside.

Suggested Improvements

Improvements to fuel economy, perhaps bringing back the engine that did so well for the Golf for 10+ years, and bringing the TDI back.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Good Value for the Price

Written by: Matt on 02/21/2007

Vehicle

2006 Volkswagen Rabbit 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 5cyl 6A)

Review

I've owned this car for about five months and since then I've put on 8,000 trouble-free miles. It's a solid car with enough power for daily driving and its interior build quality is far nicer than many cars in its price class. The rear hatch is somewhat smaller than my previous generation Golf, but VW made up for it by providing a roomier backseat. For the price, the standard safety features, power/heated seats, sunroof, and electronic stabilization are hard to beat.

Favorite Features

I like the high quality interior plastics and lots of soft-touch plastics. It has a great peppy (though not fast) engine. The 6-speed automatic is smooth and relaxed under most driving conditions.

Suggested Improvements

The 6-disc "premium" sound system is sorely lacking. Both the head unit and speaker placement result in poor sound imaging. I ended up spending an extra $900 to install an aftermarket sound system in the car. The gas mileage is mediocre at best, and I get about 100 miles less per tank than in my old Golf.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Love my Rabbit

Written by: alicia on 12/26/2006

Vehicle

2006 Volkswagen Rabbit 2dr Hatchback (2.5L 5cyl 5M)

Review

I've owned VWs for years and I love my Rabbit.

Favorite Features

The low price!

Suggested Improvements

I understand the performance goes with the price, so I have no suggested improvements.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post