Europe's largest automaker introduced its humble, diminutive front-wheel-drive Golf back in the mid 1970's. It's proven fortuitous as this hatchback has not just survived but thrived, becoming one of the best-selling nameplates to date with more than 35 million units sold during the past 45 years.
All that time, a sly Rabbit's been lurking close by.
When the compact first arrived for sale in the U.S. in late 1974, Volkswagen sold the vehicle under the 'Rabbit' moniker (rather than Golf, the name the rest of the world enjoyed) until the second-generation intro in 1985 when Golf absorbed the naming rights in the U.S. More than once has the fluffy, Easter-centric critter name disappeared down the rabbit hole, only to spring up again. The name resurfaced in the U.S. briefly in 2006, but was short lived... until 2019 when it popped up again.
Golf circa 2019 enjoys a wide range of variants. In addition to the base Golf five-door hatchback, Volkswagen boasts an all-electric e-Golf version (not sold in Chicagoland, but available coastally), longer wheel based Golf Sportwagon, all-wheel-drive Golf Alltrack and two performance oriented versions; Golf GTI and Golf R. Five assembly plants worldwide build Golf. It's sold in 155 countries worldwide.
For 2019, Rabbit represents a special edition within the Golf GTI family. The GTI branch designates a higher horsepower choice. All 2019 GTI models, including Rabbit, add 8 more horsepower (now reaching 228 when utilizing premium petro) to the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Rabbits connect with a performance-leaning seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Fuel economy checks in at 25 mpg city and 31 mpg highway.
A conventional Golf hatchback enjoys a pertinent yet pedestrian 147 horsepower complements of a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine. The fuel tank accommodates 13.2 gallons of fuel in all versions.
From a driver's vantage, a dual clutch transmission operates as seamlessly as a conventional automatic tranny with no fancy footwork required. The mechanics and science surrounding DC transmissions have been known since the 1930s, but Golf was first to mass-market its convenience and fuel-friendly behavior during its fourth generation years (1999-2005). Other manufacturers soon followed.
Two separate clutches share duties with one handling odd-numbered gears and the other, even-numbered ones; synchronized together through split-second timing technology. Holding gears during tight cornering is one noticeable performance attribute. Other Golf GTI models come standard with a six-speed manual transmission necessitating more foot fodder.
The 2019 Golf GTI Rabbit edition builds from the ground up with VW's scalable MQB platform adorning newly launched or redesigned Volkswagens since 2014. Golf was one of the first VW's to inherit MQB during its seventh-generation 2015 redo. Translating MQB (Modularer Quer Baukasten) into English we get 'Modular Transverse Matrix.' This platform now adorns current Jetta sedans, three-row Atlas crossover and all-new 2019 Arteon flagship sedan.
Start-stop technology (SST) comes standard. At prolong stops, the four-cylinder turbo slips into a quiet mode to save fuel, resuming duties once the right foot lifts from the brake pedal. A push button left of the automatic transmission shifter disengages SST if desired.
For 2019 the four Golf GTI trims include S, the all-new Rabbit edition, SE and Autobahn. More standard performance equipment adds to bottom-line pricing as Golf GTIs now include a starting price of $28,490, a $1,180 upcharge from 2018. Our well-equipped dark grey Rabbit tester had a starting point of $29,995 and after factoring the $895 destination charge, the bottom line ended at $30,890.
Rabbits sport black gloss alloy trimming surrounded by all-season tires contrasting exquisitely with red brake rotor housing. Also expect black-trimmed outside mirror caps, black hatch spoiler and red-stitched floor mats front and back. Red stitching also adorns the three-spoke manually-adjusting, flat-bottomed steering wheel. Outside, the rear hatch sports a floppy-eared chrome rabbit scurrying along the lower right edge. The limited-run 2019 Rabbit edition offers four exterior colors: Cornflower Blue, Urano Grey, Pure White and Deep Black Pearl.
The 2019 Rabbit edition comes with user-friendly radar-enhanced safety nuances not standard in the base S model. This includes side blind-spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and low-speed automatic front braking.
Volkswagen's highly identifiable V over W circular logo centers the front, extra-narrow grille which includes a honeycomb pattern and red bottom trim in Rabbit editions. In back, the chrome orb serves double duty as a company logo and as a flip-up handle unlatching the hatch door. Dual chrome exhausts are also Rabbit cues. Side belt lines retain a straight-across horizontal format resting directly below body-colored strap-like door handles.
Unlike Rabbits of past eras, the 2019 varmint qualifies for Volkswagen's recently introduced 'People's First Warranty.' This new vehicle limited warranty covers the powertrain, transmission and mechanical parts and is fully transferable between owners; not always the case with other powertrain warranties. Prior VW coverage was three-years/36,000-miles. Another peace-of-mind perk; 24-hour roadside assistance covering towing, jump starts and lock-out situations for three years or 36,000 miles.
Inside, it's hard to miss Rabbit's LOUD (visually, not audibly) plaid, cloth-type seat inserts residing between side bolsters; a sight seemingly right out of the mid 1970's. Front buckets manually slide forward and aft via an inboard loop at the seat's lower front. Seats also offer mechanical vertical adjustments via an outboard lever. Rabbit, as with all GTI trims, includes a sport's suspension lowering the car by .06 inches. That's on top of conventional Golf hatchbacks, which generally, sit closer to the ground than conventional compact rossovers (such as VW's own Tiguan) delivering a sportier ride and feel.
The single-zone HVAC system remains simple and straight forward with eyes requiring minimal distraction from the road ahead. Three tactile dials below the Rabbit's in-dash multi-function 6.5-inch touch screen control fan speed, direction and temperature. Above, a row of small push buttons monitor A/C, rear defroster and where available, heated front seat functions.
Volkswagen's Standard Car-Net App-Connect, integrates with Smartphone applications through Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink and displays application icons within the flat in-dash multi-color screen.
Row two seats and backrests also include the mod plaid inserts along. Seatbacks fold virtually flat with a 60/40 split. Cargo room swells to 52.7 cubic feet, enough space to swallow a full-size bicycle. When prone, two adults fit with optimal comfort within the confines.
Another nostalgic name from VW's past is in the news as Volkswagen bids ado after seven decades of service. Back in 1949, Volkswagen introduced the Beetle to U.S. roads. The Beetle Final edition circa 2019 is available in two front-drive trims, a final edition SE and final edition SEL, both in hard-top and convertible soft-top.
At a Glance
Price as tested: $30,890
Engine: 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo
Horsepower: 228
Wheelbase: 103.6 inches
Overall Length: 168.0 inches
Overall Width: 70.8 inches
Overall Height: 70.8 inches
Fuel Economy: 25 mpg city, 31 mpg highway
Powertrain Warranty: Six years/72,000 miles
Assembly: Pueblo, Mexico
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