2008 Volkswagen Rabbit

Most Volkswagens are well-built, agile, fun-to-drive cars that feel slightly more premium than their competitors. Its lineup is focused on SUVs, most of which have spacious, comfortable interiors and unexpectedly responsive driving dynamics. Its Golf hatchback, especially in performance trims, is a rare balance of practicality and driving thrills. Most models, including its EVs, have excellent fit and finish. Brand-wide downsides include unintuitive controls and infotainment systems, and below-average reliability for new cars. Reliability for used VWs is average.

This hatchback version of the Jetta has long been solid, practical, and fun-to-drive. Versions with the diesel engine get great fuel economy, and they have among the lowest depreciation of any cars, making them very cheap to own. For 2007, a redesigned Golf was renamed the Rabbit, after the same car from the 1970s, and supplied with a responsive but gruff and inefficient 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine. We found its handling agile and secure and the ride fairly comfortable.

The 2010 hatchback version was renamed the Golf.