The 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit continues a long design tradition of two-box functionality in three- or five-door hatchback body styles characterized by a thick, windowless C-pillar. Add emerging VW cues like a bold chrome-accented grille, drooping eyelet headlamps, circular clear-lens tail lamps with red reflective trapezoidal surrounds, and creased body sides, and the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit gets an uncharacteristic dose of flair. Our spy illustrations show handsome multi-spoke brushed aluminum wheels with distinct Audi flavor, likely sized 16 inches on standard Rabbit 2.5 models and up to 19 inches on the sporty Rabbit GTI.

Since this is a refresh and not a complete redesign, we expect the current Rabbit’s engine lineup to carry over. For America, this means a standard 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder engine making 150 horsepower, an available TDI turbodiesel capable of getting about 45 mpg on the highway, and a fun turbocharged 2.0-liter good for 200 ponies and a fat wad of torque across a wide rev range. That engine goes into the performance-oriented GTI model, which is expected to continue in three- and five-door format.