Reedman Toll Subaru

 

Subaru Impreza vs Volkswagen Rabbit - Comparative Review

The 2009 Subaru Impreza

The Subaru Impreza lineup was redesigned in 2008, and the vehicle has gotten bigger and more refined in the process. There is still a four-door sedan body style, but a four-door hatchback replaces the previous generation's wagon body style. The Base Impreza and Outback Sport models return for the 2009 year, as do the high-performance WRX and even higher performance WRX STI. The Impreza sedan has a great trunk, but buyers looking for even more space will want to choose the hatchback. The hatchback's rear seats are split 60/40 and fold flat to open up a useful cargo area with a flat load floor. The sedan and hatchback come well equipped, with automatic climate control, an 80-watt stereo and more power than all but a couple cars in this size/price class. Options for the 2.5i a Premium package with antilock four-wheel disc brakes with Brake Assist, traction control, electronic stability control, Incline Start Assist, automatic climate control, tilt/telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, leather-wrapped shift knob, six-disc CD changer, 10 speakers, auxiliary audio input jack, fog lights, and alloy wheels. A Satellite and Navigation package adds a navigation system and Sirius satellite radio plus the Premium package equipment but with a single-CD player. The Outback Sport offers similar options.

Safety features include dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, front disc and rear drum brakes, antilock brakes with Electronic Brake force Distribution, front-seat active head restraints, and a tire-pressure monitor. The 2009 Subaru Impreza is offered in four models: 2.5i, Outback Sport, WRX, and WRX STI. Standard equipment on the 2.5i sedan and hatchback includes cloth upholstery, air conditioning, interior air filter, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, height-adjustable driver's seat, 60/40 split folding rear seat, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, 80-watt AM/FM/CD/MP3 player with four speakers, outside-temperature indicator, theft-deterrent system, and P205/55R16 tires on steel wheels with wheel covers. Hatchbacks also have a rear cargo cover and a rear spoiler.

The 2009 Subaru Impreza includes their latest evolution of what Subaru calls its Ring Frame Reinforced body design. For the interior, rear head room is excellent, and the overall interior is impressive. Standard all-wheel drive adds all-weather security. The Impreza 2.5i hatchback and Outback Sport models offer a lot of utility with their big cargo capacities. The Subaru Impreza WRX and WRX STi are appealing small cars that have a market of their very own.

The 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit

The Rabbit is a hatchback that is available in two-door and four-door versions. All models are powered by a 2.5-liter, inline five-cylinder engine that generates 170 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque that can be mated to either a five-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic. Standard safety features on all models include anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control, tire pressure monitoring and six airbags.  For 2009, the 4-door is only available with the six-speed automatic transmission, and VW's new Carefree Maintenance Program has been added. The Rabbit has recently returned to the Volkswagen lineup. Starting in 2007, Volkswagen Rabbit replaced the Golf.

The Rabbit offers only one engine, but it has been designed for American-style driving. The Rabbit gets excellent fuel economy, whether equipped with the five-speed manual or six-speed automatic. The automatic has a Tiptronic manual-shifting feature, giving the driver the option of semi-manual shifting when desired.  Rabbit comes in what Volkswagen calls two- and four-door models, though some would call it them three-door and five-door hatchbacks. The full, roof-hinged rear hatch door provide good access to the cargo area, making the Rabbit a practical car.

Safety features that come standard on all models include anti-lock brakes, traction control, side-impact airbags for front-seat passengers for thorax protection and side-curtain airbags for head protection in a rollover or side impact. Rear-passenger side-impact airbags are optional. Both front seats have head rests designed to minimize whiplash. Standard features on all models include cloth upholstery, air conditioning, cruise control, rear-window defroster, an outside temperature display, a 10-speaker audio system with AM/FM, in-dash CD player and MP3 capability, split-folding rear seats, power windows/locks/mirrors, intermittent windshield wipers, electro-mechanical power steering, and 15-inch wheels. Access to the rear seat is aided in the two-door Rabbit by VW's Easy Entry System.  The instrument panel is simple and features Volkswagen's gauges illuminated in red and blue. The Rabbit is most responsive when equipped with the five-speed manual transmission. The hatchback design provides practicality and flexibility that make the Rabbit an attractive option in its price class.

Conclusions

The Impreza has a handling advantage versus several competitors. Advanced suspension geometry, a platform built to host the high-performance WRX models, and a low center of gravity thanks to the boxer engine all create crisp handling with little body lean in corners.  The Subaru Impreza WRX and WRX STi offer a version that is all about fast and fun. They are well built, with standard all-wheel drive and overall offer a performance that's rare in their class. The WRX has achieved some of the best ratings in its class in National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash tests, with five stars for front impacts, five stars for front passengers in side impacts, and four stars in rollover tests. The Impreza has an MSRP of $17,495 to $27,495. There is a basic warranty of 36 months/36,000 miles. Impreza is a fine ride and great handling make it a worthy choice for anyone looking for a small, well-built car.  The Volkswagen Rabbit is a quick, fun to drive hatchback with typical high level German refinement. The Rabbit comes with the intention of providing a German designed, German engineered and German built alternative to the Asian-nameplate vehicles that dominate the entry level of the American automotive marketplace.  It is a great value to get a European vehicle at this price. The all-new Volkswagen Rabbit is a quick and perky vehicle with enough power to make it fun to drive. This car has an MSRP of $15,890 - $18,990.  Its fuel economy range is 29 mpg Hwy and 21 mpg City. There is a basic warranty of 36 months/36,000 miles.