Question: When is a Golf not a Golf?
Answer: When it's a Rabbit

Question: Why do car companies spend time and money creating a model name and then kill it? Or, why does it seem like they can't make up their minds?
Answer: In the 1970s, Volkswagen renamed the European Golf the Rabbit here in the United States to replace an icon (the original Beetle). The company also went so far as to make several versions of it: two- and four-door models, a convertible, and the memorable GTI. But then VW decided to scrap it all and rename its mainstream model the Golf. Lo and behold, Golf sales didn't shoot through the roof. The name game has come full circle, and the latest hatchback model is called the Rabbit. I suppose this keeps the marketing people busy, but for the rest of us it just seems baffling.

Regardless of what you call it, we now have a four-door S model. For $19,725, our test car includes an automatic transmission, stability control and 16-inch alloy wheels. Interestingly, the word "Rabbit" doesn't appear on the car's exterior - makes you wonder how much confidence the company has in its name...

Here are the raw, first impressions written in the new Rabbit's logbook by the test team so far:

"Engine sounds a bit coarse, but it's torquey."

"Runs out of oomph at higher revs."

"Automatic transmission is a bit slow to downshift, but the 'Sport' mode works well."

"Handling is good but steering feel is vague."

"Great chassis—quiet, nimble, and rides very well."

"Quick, easy and fun to drive."

"Wide C-pillar makes rear viewing a chore."

"Seats are comfortable and supportive."
(But others said):
"Seat is too small, particularly the seatback where the pocket is very narrow and my back bridges the wing bolsters."

"Rear seat room is marginal."

"Surprisingly quiet inside, especially on the highway."

"Controls are simple - why is it easier to set the clock on a $19,000 Rabbit than a $50,000 BMW?"

"Great seat heaters. Good thing because the heat sucks—takes about 20-30 minutes to warm the cabin at 24-degrees."

"Heater is slow, slow, slow."

"Great fit and finish and high content level for the money—including heated seats and power-seat recline."

So, what do you call this car? One tester went so far as to write that the 'Rabbit' name is "unfortunate." Whatever the final nomenclature, we're fairly impressed with VW's entry-level model. Look for a complete test later in '08.

—Mike Quincy