- Newest year: 2008
- Gas
- Small cars
2006-2008 Volkswagen Rabbit MPG & Fuel Cost
3 model years · 22–24 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 8 of 10 small car configurations, MY2008. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2006-2008 Volkswagen Rabbit at a glance
The 2006-2008 Volkswagen Rabbit covers 3 model years in the EPA database (6 configurations in all), rated 22–24 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2008, costs about $2,720 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Rabbit 2.5L 5-cyl FWD (24 MPG), at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2008; 2007 repeat the values of the year before. The best combined rating in the generation, 24 MPG, was reached in 2008.
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
2006-2008 Volkswagen Rabbit by model year
What the 2008 Rabbit 2.5L 5-cyl FWD costs to drive
Per month
$227
$2,720 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$4.53
Per 100 miles
$18.13
Five years
$13,600
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the small car median
$1,110less a year
Class median $3,830 a year, MY2008
Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2008 Volkswagen Rabbit MPG
Versus 2007: The most efficient configuration moves from 22 to 24 MPG, up 2. Its annual cost goes from $2,970 to $2,720, $250 less.
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rabbit 2.5L 5-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 2.5L 5-cyl | FWD | 22 | 29 | 24 | $2,720 |
| Rabbit 2.5L 5-cyl FWD Automatic (S6) | 2.5L 5-cyl | FWD | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,720 |
2007 Volkswagen Rabbit MPG
Same EPA ratings as 2006
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
EPA lists the same ratings for the 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit as for the 2006 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2006 section above.See 2006
2006 Volkswagen Rabbit MPG
22 MPG · $2,970/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rabbit 2.5L 5-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 2.5L 5-cyl | FWD | 19 | 28 | 22 | $2,970 |
| Rabbit 2.5L 5-cyl FWD Automatic (S6) | 2.5L 5-cyl | FWD | 19 | 28 | 22 | $2,970 |
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the Rabbit 2.5L 5-cyl FWD: $3,700 in California and $2,370 in Texas, a $1,330 difference.
- California $3,700
- Washington $3,430
- New York $2,720
- Florida $2,570
- Texas $2,370
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2008 small car models.
Generations
- 2006-2008
- 2009 (Mk6)
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2006-2008 Volkswagen Rabbit get?
EPA rates the 2006-2008 Volkswagen Rabbit at 22–24 MPG combined across 6 configurations and 3 model years. The most efficient version, the 2008 Rabbit 2.5L 5-cyl FWD, is rated 24 MPG (22 city, 29 highway).
Which years had the best MPG in the 2006-2008 Volkswagen Rabbit?
The Rabbit 2.5L 5-cyl FWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 24 MPG, in 2008. The lowest top rating, 22 MPG, was in 2006 and 2007.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2006-2008 Volkswagen Rabbit?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2008. In 2007 the values repeat the year before.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the Rabbit 2.5L 5-cyl FWD costs about $2,720 a year. Across all 2 configurations the cost runs $2,720 a year.
How much does it cost to drive a 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit 100 miles?
About $18.13 per 100 miles for the Rabbit 2.5L 5-cyl FWD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The Rabbit 2.5L 5-cyl FWD is rated 22 city and 29 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 7 MPG.
How does the 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit compare with other small car configurations?
The Rabbit 2.5L 5-cyl FWD costs about $2,720 a year to fuel, $1,110 less than the class median of $3,830, and less than 8 of 10 small car configurations. The comparison covers all 307 rated small car configurations for MY2008, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit different from the 2007 model?
The most efficient configuration moves from 22 to 24 MPG, up 2. Its annual cost goes from $2,970 to $2,720, $250 less. EPA lists 2 configurations for 2008 against 2 configurations for 2007. See the 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit for that year.