Vehicle(s): 2007 VW Rabbit 2.5 5-doors with heated seats, 16″ alloy wheel package, sunroof package and ESP
2007 VW Jetta GLI with DSG
Price as tested: CDN$23600 (Rabbit) Est. $34500 (GLI)

Performance: The Rabbit is powered by the DOHC 2.5L straight-5 that’s good for 150hp and 170 lb/ft of torque. This is an engine that replaced the aging 2.0L 8-valver 115hp previously standard in base Golf. With 170 lb/ft of torque available as low as 3750 rpm, there are lots to go in the bottom end. However, it starts to run out of breath above 5000 rpm. While most daily drivers will love the strong bottom end of this straight-5, not many will love its noise generated while pushing above the rev range. Its engine note also sound weird due to its odd cylinder configuration. Matched with this 2.5L is either a 5-speed stick or a 6-speed Tiptronic. The stick shift’s gates are well-defined although a bit rubbery. The clutch take-up remains VW’s typical high engagement point which is a pain-in-the-ass during trafffic jam or going up slope.

The GLI, just like pocket rocket GTI, shares the same wonderfully sound DOHC 2.0L FSI turbocharged engine with 200 ponies and 207 lb/ft of torque. With over 200 lb/ft of torque available as down low as 1800 rpm. This little turbocharged engine has the heart of a 6-cylinder without the front heaviness of one. The turbo spools up quickly and swiftly without any turbo lag at all. All the power delivery is smooth, linear and elegant. Its just lack 6-cylinder’s aggressive top-end performance if you are really picky. GLI has both 6-speed stick or wonderful DSG, or Direct Shift Gearbox available. Just like GTI, the high engagement point of VW’s clutch is really annoying but at least its light and progressive. However, you can’t beat DSG’s quick shifting thanks to its nifty dual clutch set-up. Its not only this automanual is able to heel-and-toe, its also able to match rev as one down or upshifts. The exhaust note matches exactly of those shifting points. According to VW, DSG shifts quicker than any stick shift even if its driven by race drivers. That is really the best sequential tranmission I have ever driven. Better than anything else like BMW’s SMG-2.

Handling: Both Rabbit and GLI share the same ultra solid foundation, which are completely free of any rattles when we pushed on the track. The Rabbit performs surprisingly well considered its tune for daily driver rather than a track car. Electric steering is precise and feedback decent. There are safe understeer and some body rolls, as one expects from a family hatchback. The overall feel is sporty for Rabbit’s status in life as a daily commuter. Standard suspension absorbs all those bumps and roughness with ease. Right rebound damping and suspension setting have transformed a family transporter into a surprisingly capable little track machine.

Speaking of a capable track machine, GLI performs as impressively as GTI on track day. Just like GTI, it has to be one of the most balanced, delicated and thoroughtly communicative driving machines I have ever driven. The surgically precise yet communcative steering that offers point-and-shoot precision, firm sports suspension with comfortable ride quality. As well as an ESP that only kicks in until you are at the edge of the corner with a little threshold for oversteer all make GLI a great driver’s car. While there remain a minimal body rolls and slight understeer when first entering corners, all come out with beautifully body move during corrections all make GLI a truly spectacular sports sedan.

Interior: Both the Rabbit and GLI have the typically high-quality ambience one expects from VW. There are plenty of soft-touched plastic on the dashboard and door panels. In the Rabbit, its velour upholstery is of wonderful quality with great support. The semi automatic climate control: Climatic, works awesome in Rabbit even if its not a full auto variety. In the future, we will see more and more economy and family cars come standard with semi automatic climate control rather than manual control due to their efficiency.

As for GLI, everything is similar to GTI. However, what makes GLI different from GTI is the available automatic climate control. The rest of the interior is identical with same Recaro-made sports seats and tasteful aluminum trim.

Conclusion: With the admission price of just above 20k for Rabbit 2.5, there is really nothing as attractively priced and solidly made in its price range. It also got that special Teutonic feel that lack in its competitors. Consider its 5 grand less expensive than its Jetta silibing, you have to wonder why would anyone going to buy a less versatile sedan with a trunk instead of a hatchback?

As for the GLI, its a hard-to-flawed package that is as astounsing as GTI. If GTI redefined the definition of hot hatch, GLI will redefined the definition of an affordable sports sedan.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2007 VW RABBIT 2.5 AND JETTA GLI
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Performance: 4/5 (Rabbit) 5/5 (GLI)
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 4.75/5 (Rabbit) 5/5 (GLI)
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 5/5 (Rabbit) 5/5 (GLI)
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 5/5 (Rabbit) 5/5 (GLI)
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4/5 (Rabbit) 4/5 (GLI)
Value-for-money: 5/5 (Rabbit) 4/5 (GLI)

Overall rating: 4.5/5 (Rabbit) 5/5 (GLI)