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Volkswagen Rabbit MPG - real world numbers

103 messages,  Last post on Oct 16, 2008 at 9:33 AM

You are in the Volkswagen Rabbit Forum.

What is this discussion about? Volkswagen Rabbit, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Hatchback

Messages Page 1 of 11

#1 of 103 Volkswagen Rabbit MPG - real world numbers by Sylvia

Jul 20, 2006 (6:59 pm)

Volkswagen Rabbit owners - what's your MPG?

#2 of 103 2nd Tank Gas Mileage Results by parkerjon

Jun 30, 2006 (7:30 am)

Mixed spirited driving: peaks of 160 KM/h - median highway 120 KM/h
 
Numbers: 9.6 L/100KM = 24.5 MPG
 
Gasoline: Petrocan 89 Octane Regular Gas
 
This equals a range of about 560 KM on a tank of gas.
The max I ever got from our Jetta 2.0T was about 580 KM.
 
Factoring in the fun factor: I am happy with the gas mileage. I was very unimpressed with the first tank: but I think it was Esso and a source involved in the oil/gas industry indicated to me that I should avoid Esso as it is an inferior product (the dealership filled the tank).

#3 of 103 Rabbit mileage by gogirlgo

Jun 30, 2006 (1:59 pm)

Just reporting mileage on my first tank of gas on my 4 door. Got 28.36 MPG mixed driving city, freeway and country roads. I was not pushing the car. The salesman told me the mileage would improve after 2000 or so miles. I really like this car. It has lots of pep and is fun to drive, quiet inside, safety features, enough room for my stuff and comfortable seats. One of the things I really like is the good visibility which is lacking in some of the cars I test drove. All of the above are more important to me than getting a few extra MPG.

#4 of 103 Re: Rabbit mileage [gogirlgo] by jpmccormac

Jun 30, 2006 (4:34 pm)

Replying to: gogirlgo (Jun 30, 2006 1:59 pm)
Re: "Got 28.36 MPG mixed driving city, freeway and country roads."
 
Thanks for posting those numbers. Very reasonable MPG - and I've heard the mileage improves after 3,000 miles or so.

#5 of 103 3rd Tank = 25 MPG (Manual/4 Door) by parkerjon

Jul 06, 2006 (11:01 am)

It's a treat to drive at highway speeds.
 
It is way more fun that the 2001 Passat Wagon (V6/Manual) it replaces - which I got about 22 MPG from premium grade fuel.
 
I am getting used to revving it a little higher than our Jetta 2.0T - to get into the better torque range.
 
Jonathan

#6 of 103 Rabbit mileage and Civic comparison by rgarner

Jul 06, 2006 (1:55 pm)

Yes, the fuel efficiency (or lack thereof on the sticker) is a bit amazing to me. My first tank averaged 25 mpg. My 03 Civic averaged 34 (city/hwy combined). However, you have to realize that the new Rabbit is like a rabbit on steriods compared to the original.
 
Fuel efficiency is important, granted. Especially given the current instability of oil and my feeling that we need to do more to conserve our resources. In my mind the Rabbit would be an instant KO if the fuel efficiency could match the Civic/Coralla/etc.
 
I'm not rich (after all, I did buy the cheapo 2 door model ), but I didn't buy the Rabbit based on the MPG. The MPG is not the end of the world. There are lots of questions about the Rabbit's reliability, how well it will sell, etc., but let me throw out a few positives from my new experience with VW and the Rabbit:
 
1. I had no problem finding the cheapo 14,990 + destination model. Not only that, but the dealer was willing to search high and low to find the car I wanted. I've never had another dealership go out of its way to find me a car.
2. The design/materials/usability/cool factor/ingenuity of the Rabbit is WORLDS better than my 03 Civic. No comparison. The Honda is a tin can compared to the Rabbit. The difference in the way the cars drive/feel/sound on the road, especially the interstate, is amazing. I feel like I'm driving a different class of car.
3. It is an amazingly fun car for 17k (once I added the VW Vision wheels)
4. I had a Civic LX, so the extra HP in the Rabbit makes a world of difference. No more turning off the A/C to merge into traffic. The Rabbit will move when I need it to.
 
My .02 cents. I can say this. The Civic was the uber utilitarian, does nothing great but everything well, steady, reliable K-car. But I have loved every mile in my Rabbit, and I could never say that about my Civic.

#7 of 103 2nd tank: 19.1 mpg. by takapuna

Aug 07, 2006 (11:09 pm)

I use the car mainly for commuting. About 2/3 city busy freeway, 1/3 local city streets. I am not impressed. It is less fuel efficient than my wife's CRV!
 
Car dash rattles too.
 
VW sales/service are almost useless.
 
I think I have made a mistake.

#8 of 103 27.5 MPG by rlawrence

Aug 12, 2006 (10:59 pm)

My earlier message didn't post for some reason, but Takapuna, you may also want to reevaluate your driving habits - which could significantly impact MPG. I recall a story about Larry David (SEINFELD, CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM), and how he was positive his Prius was junk because it was getting horrendous gas mileage (relatively speaking of course), while his wife's car was doing wonderfully. That is until he drove her car and experienced the same subpar MPG numbers. Could it be that your experience is similar?
 
I picked up my Rabbit on Thursday night and I averaged 27.5 MPG. I filled up with a little less than a half tank remaining. We will see if there's an improvement. Also this is my first time filling it up. It is possible that the tank was not at full capacity.

#9 of 103 Re: Volkswagen Rabbit MPG - real world numbers [Sylvia] by abqhudson

Aug 13, 2006 (1:06 pm)

Replying to: Sylvia (Jul 20, 2006 6:59 pm)
Second tank - 22 mpg
Third tank - 22.5 mpg
"Spirited" driving in-city with some in-city freeway miles.
2006 Rabbit - manual transmission.
  
YMMV
 
Jim

#10 of 103 Re: 27.5 MPG [rlawrence] by jeffyscott

Aug 13, 2006 (3:28 pm)

Replying to: rlawrence (Aug 12, 2006 10:59 pm)
Also this is my first time filling it up. It is possible that the tank was not at full capacity.
 
 
 
Pretty sure your gas tank is not getting any bigger...

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