YONKERS, New York — The Volkswagen Rabbit earned top honors in the new Consumer Reports test of affordable hatchbacks. The German hatchback was singled out as the sole vehicle to earn an "excellent" overall score in the competition.
The Rabbit beat out Consumer Reports' previously top-rated hatchback, the Mazda 3. "Other than the powertrain, it [the Rabbit] doesn't feel much different from the sporty [Volkswagen] GTI, which costs much more," noted Consumer Reports.
The Rabbit also came out ahead of the Mini Cooper Clubman, Saturn Astra, Scion xD, Subaru Impreza Outback Sport and the Toyota Matrix. "The Rabbit has commendable fit and finish, a versatile interior and agile handling," said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' Auto Test Center.
Consumer Reports noted that its engineers separately tested the Toyota Prius with the Touring Package trim line and ranked it second overall in the ranking of affordable hatchbacks, behind the Rabbit and one point ahead of the Mazda 3. The Impreza and Matrix were rated "very good" overall. The Astra and Mini Cooper scored lower, but still in the "very good" range. The xD was the lowest-rated vehicle in the group, earning a "good" overall score.
The fussy consumer watchdog said it is recommending only the Rabbit and Impreza Outback Sport. "CR has no reliability data yet on the new Matrix, Astra, Mini Cooper Clubman and xD because they are new or redesigned models for 2008," it noted in a statement on Monday.
What this means to you: If soaring gas prices are making you think about switching to a hatchback, the Rabbit should be high on your shopping list, says Consumer Reports. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
The Rabbit beat out Consumer Reports' previously top-rated hatchback, the Mazda 3. "Other than the powertrain, it [the Rabbit] doesn't feel much different from the sporty [Volkswagen] GTI, which costs much more," noted Consumer Reports.
The Rabbit also came out ahead of the Mini Cooper Clubman, Saturn Astra, Scion xD, Subaru Impreza Outback Sport and the Toyota Matrix. "The Rabbit has commendable fit and finish, a versatile interior and agile handling," said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' Auto Test Center.
Consumer Reports noted that its engineers separately tested the Toyota Prius with the Touring Package trim line and ranked it second overall in the ranking of affordable hatchbacks, behind the Rabbit and one point ahead of the Mazda 3. The Impreza and Matrix were rated "very good" overall. The Astra and Mini Cooper scored lower, but still in the "very good" range. The xD was the lowest-rated vehicle in the group, earning a "good" overall score.
The fussy consumer watchdog said it is recommending only the Rabbit and Impreza Outback Sport. "CR has no reliability data yet on the new Matrix, Astra, Mini Cooper Clubman and xD because they are new or redesigned models for 2008," it noted in a statement on Monday.
What this means to you: If soaring gas prices are making you think about switching to a hatchback, the Rabbit should be high on your shopping list, says Consumer Reports. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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