Ad-free. Influence-free. Powered by consumers.

Your membership has expired

The payment for your account couldn't be processed or you've canceled your account with us.

Re-activate
Favorites
Donate

Save products you love, products you own and much more!

Save products icon
Become a Member Upgrade

Other Membership Benefits:

Savings icon Exclusive Deals for Members Best time to buy icon Best Time to Buy Products Recall tracker icon Recall & Safety Alerts TV screen optimizer icon TV Screen Optimizer and more
Become a Member Upgrade

Suggested Searches

All Products A-Z
Cars Home Appliances Electronics Babies Digital Security Holiday Deals Money Travel Health & Wellness Kids News Bill Negotiator All Products A-Z
 
Sign In
Become a Member
Explore categories
Cars

Cars

Car Ratings & Reviews

Car Ratings & Reviews

Ratings & Reviews
SUVs Hybrids/EVs Luxury Cars & SUVs Sedans & Hatchbacks Minivans & 3-Row SUVs Pickup Trucks Used Cars Electric Bikes Bike Racks
All Car Ratings & Reviews
All Car Ratings & Reviews
Buying Advice & Tools
10 Most Satisfying Cars 10 Most Reliable Cars Best Cars for Short or Tall Drivers Best Cars for Teen Drivers Best Used Cars Interactive Car Finder
2024 Top Picks

CARS

2024 Top Picks

Car Buying & Pricing

Car Buying & Pricing

Best Car Deals Now
Best SUVs Under $30K Best Deals on SUVs Best Deals on Fuel-Efficient Cars Leasing vs. Buying Car Loan Advice How to Buy a New Car Now
All Car Buying & Pricing
All Car Buying & Pricing
Member Savings & Tools
Car Buying Guide Build & Buy Car Buying Service Trade-in Estimator Used Car Marketplace
Which Car Brands Make the Best Vehicles?

Which Car Brands Make the Best Vehicles?

Tires, Maintenance & Repair

Tires, Maintenance & Repair

Ratings & Reviews
Tires Tire Retailers Car Batteries Car Repair Shops Car Seats
All Tires, Maintenance & Repair
All Tires, Maintenance & Repair
Ownership Advice
Find Car Recalls Make Your Car Run Longer Inspect Belts and Hoses Car Repair Assistant Find the Best Car Insurance
Car Reliability Guide

Car Reliability Guide

Key Topics & News

Key Topics & News

Car Safety
Car Recalls Car Seats Car Safety Guide Safety System Glossary
All Key Topics & News
All Key Topics & News
Fuel Efficiency
Should You Go Hybrid/EV? Save Money at the Pump Most Fuel-Efficient Cars EV Incentives Fuel Efficiency Guide
Listen to the Talking Cars Podcast

CAR NEWS

Listen to the Talking Cars Podcast

All Cars
All Cars
Home

Home

Bed & Bath

Bed & Bath

Ratings & Reviews
Mattresses Sheets Pillows Toilets Bidet Seats Curling Irons Hair Dryers
All Bed & Bath
All Bed & Bath
Ownership Advice
Cleaning Your Mattress Organize Your Linen Closet Under-the-Bed Storage
Top Picks From CR

Top Picks From CR

Best Mattresses

Lawn & Garden

Lawn & Garden

Ratings & Reviews
Lawn Mowers & Tractors Charcoal & Gas Grills Leaf Blowers Pressure Washers String Trimmers Floodlight Cameras Chainsaws Snow Blowers
All Lawn & Garden
All Lawn & Garden
Ownership Advice
Best Charcoal Grills Fix Hidden Dangers in Your Home 5 Expert Tips for Staining a Deck
Best Snow Blowers

TOP PICKS FROM CR

Best Snow Blowers

Home Improvement

Home Improvement

Ratings & Reviews
Decking Door Locks Flooring Generators Paints Security Cameras Security Systems Wood Stains Windows
All Home Improvement
All Home Improvement
Ownership Advice
Protect Your Biggest Investment Best Smart Lightbulbs How to Improve Indoor Air Quality
Best Wood Stains

Home Improvement Essential

Best Wood Stains

Home Safety & Security

Home Safety & Security

Ratings & Reviews
Door Locks & Smart Locks Home Security Cameras Home Security Systems Smoke & CO Detectors
All Home Safety & Security
All Home Safety & Security
Safety Advice
Storm & Emergency Guide Generator Safety Tips Protect Against Indoor Air Pollution
Best DIY Home Security Systems

HOME SAFETY

Best DIY Home Security Systems

All Home
All Home
Appliances

Appliances

Kitchen

Kitchen

Ratings & Reviews
Cooktops Countertops Dishwashers Freezers Microwave Ovens Wall Ovens Ranges Refrigerators
All Kitchen
All Kitchen
Ownership Advice
Tips for Doing Laundry Organizing Your Kitchen Make Your Dishwasher Last
Most and Least Reliable Refrigerators

SURVEY RESULTS

Most and Least Reliable Refrigerators

Small Appliances

Small Appliances

Ratings & Reviews
Air Fryers Blenders Breadmakers Coffee Makers Electric Kettles Food Steamers Food Processors Rice Cookers Knives
All Small Appliances
All Small Appliances
Cooking Advice
Small Kitchen Essentials Cleaning Cast Iron Kitchen Appliances for $100 or Less
Best Small Kitchen Appliances

TOP PICKS FROM CR

Best Small Kitchen Appliances

Laundry & Cleaning

Laundry & Cleaning

Ratings & Reviews
Air Purifiers Vacuums Robotic Vacuums Washing Machines Clothes Dryers Washer/Dryer Pairs Pressure Washers Steam Mops Laundry Detergents
All Laundry & Cleaning
All Laundry & Cleaning
Laundry & Cleaning Advice
Don't Use Vinegar Here Cleaning a Dirty Oven How to Reduce Indoor Allergens Repair or Replace: Washer
Best Washing Machines

Top Picks From CR

Best Washing Machines

Heating, Cooling & Air

Heating, Cooling & Air

Ratings & Reviews
Air Conditioners Air Filters Air Purifiers Central Air Conditioners Dehumidifiers Thermostats Water Heaters Space Heaters
All Heating, Cooling & Air
All Heating, Cooling & Air
Ownership Advice
Are Smart Thermostats Worth It? 4 Reasons to Consider a Heat Pump Protect Against Indoor Air Pollution
Best Space Heaters

TOP PICKS FROM CR

Best Space Heaters

All Appliances
All Appliances
Electronics

Electronics

Home Entertainment

Home Entertainment

Ratings & Reviews
TVs Wireless & Bluetooth Speakers Soundbars Streaming Media Players Headphones
All Home Entertainment
All Home Entertainment
Media Advice
Streaming Services Guide Best Streaming Music How to Clean Your Flat-Screen TV
Best TVs

FIND YOUR NEW TV

Best TVs

Home Office

Home Office

Ratings & Reviews
Laptops Desktop Computers Printers Computer Monitors Tablets Wireless Routers
All Home Office
All Home Office
Set Up Advice
Organize Your Home Office Choosing a Standing Desk Best Office Chairs
Cheapest Printers for Ink Costs

Save Money

Cheapest Printers for Ink Costs

Smartphones & Wearables

Smartphones & Wearables

Ratings & Reviews
Smartphones Smartwatches Headphones Cameras
All Smartphones & Wearables
All Smartphones & Wearables
Tech Advice
Choosing a Cell Phone Mount Filter Social Media Apps Pre-Owned Tech: Yes or No?
Find the Right Phone for You

BEST SMARTPHONES

Find the Right Phone for You

All Electronics
All Electronics
Babies
Digital Security

Digital Security

Digital Security & Privacy

Digital Security & Privacy

Ratings & Reviews
Antivirus Software Crypto Wallets Password Managers Wireless Routers Home Security Cameras Home Security Systems
All Digital Security & Privacy
All Digital Security & Privacy
Safety Advice
Google Privacy Settings 30-Second Privacy Fixes What Is Smishing? Identity Theft Advice Permission Slip App Security Planner
One app to take back control of your data

CR PERMISSION SLIP APP

One app to take back control of your data

All Digital Security
All Digital Security
Holiday Deals
More +

More

Money Travel Health & Wellness Kids News Bill Negotiator All Products A-Z
All Products A-Z
About Us
Our Mission

Take Action

Get involved
Volunteer With Us Add Your Voice Join a Research Project Attend an Event
Issues we work on
Food Safety Car Safety & Efficiency Data Privacy Financial Fairness
Donate
    2008
    Used 2009 2008 2007

    Volkswagen Rabbit

    EPA MPG: 24 mpg
    RECALL ALERT:
    There are 2 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.
    Slide #1 Thumbnail Slide #2 Thumbnail
    Slide #1 Thumbnail Slide #2 Thumbnail
    Overall Reliability
    Reliability Details
    Owner Satisfaction Details
    See All Ratings & Specs
    Road Test

    VW resurrected the Rabbit name for this generation of the Golf. Well equipped and competitively priced, we found it practical and enjoyable to drive. Commendable fit and finish, a versatile interior and agile handling are among its other attributes. Aside from the powertrain, it feels very similar to the sporty GTI, which cost much more. Crash-test results are good too. For these reasons, the Rabbit ranked as our top-rated affordable hatchback during its time. VW changed its name back to Golf for 2010.

    2008 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

    This Car
    NA
    vs. Similar Cars
    See All Models Reliability

    Crash and Rollover Tests

    IIHS Front Moderate Overlap
    NA
    IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver
    NA
    IIHS Side Crash
    NA
    NHTSA Overall Crash
    NA
    NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash
    NA
    NHTSA Overall Side-Crash
    NA
    See All Ratings & Specs

    Crash and Rollover Tests

    IIHS Front Moderate Overlap
    NA
    IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver
    NA
    IIHS Side Crash
    NA
    NHTSA Overall Crash
    NA
    NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash
    NA
    NHTSA Overall Side-Crash
    NA
    See All Ratings & Specs

    Volkswagen vs. Other New Car Brands

    See How All Brands Stack up

    Owner Reports

    Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction To learn about satisfaction, CR has collected survey data from our annual survey on more than half a million vehicles. Our subscribers provide great insights into their satisfaction by answering one simple question: If they had it to do all over again, would they definitely buy or lease the same model? In addition, respondents also rate their cars in six categories: driving experience, comfort, value, styling, audio, and climate systems. NA indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
    2000
    2001
    2002
    2003
    2004
    2005
    2006
    2007
    NA
    2008
    NA
    2009
    NA
    2010
    2011
    2012
    2013
    2014
    2015
    2016
    2017
    2018
    2019
    2020
    2021
    2022
    2023
    2024
    Driving Experience Driving Experience Includes acceleration and handling
    NA
    Comfort Comfort Includes seats, climate control, noise, and ride
    NA
    Value Value Did you get what you wanted relative to the price you paid?
    NA

    Volkswagen vs. Other New Car Brands

    See How All Brands Stack up

    Volkswagen vs. Other New Car Brands

    See How All Brands Stack up

    Crash and Rollover Tests

    IIHS Front Moderate Overlap
    NA
    IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver
    NA
    IIHS Side Crash
    NA
    NHTSA Overall Crash
    NA
    NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash
    NA
    NHTSA Overall Side-Crash
    NA
    See All Ratings & Specs

    2008 Small sedans/hatchbacks Ratings

    See All Small sedans/hatchbacks Ratings
    Features & Specs
    Body Style
      2-door hatchback
      4-door hatchback
    Seating
    2 front, 3 rear
    Drive Wheels
    Front
    Engines Available
    • 2.5-liter 5 (170 hp)
    Transmissions Available
    • 6-speed automatic
    • 5-speed manual
    Warranty
    Coverage varies among versions of this vehicle

    In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

    Read more about extended warranties
    See All Ratings & Specs