Volkswagen Rabbit

In May 1974, Volkswagen presented the first-generation Golf as a modern front-wheel-drive, long-range replacement for the Volkswagen Beetle. The Mk1 Golf was sold as the Volkswagen Rabbit in the United States and Canada. Later Golf variations included the Golf GTI, a diesel-powered version, and the Jetta notchback saloon version. The Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet was produced from 1980 through 1994. A facelifted version of the Golf Mk1 was produced in South Africa as the Citi Golf from 1984 to 2009.

In North America, Volkswagen brought back the Rabbit nameplate when it introduced the Mk5 vehicle in 2006. In Canada, the Golf is still the prevalent nameplate of the fifth generation, though both Rabbit and Golf have been used historically. The North American base model is powered by a 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine. A GTI version is powered by a turbocharged version of the 2.0-litre FSI engine. An R32 version features the 3.2-litre VR6 engine. Volkswagen also introduced the "Fast" marketing campaign for the US, "dedicated to the 'fast' that lives inside every driver," with a spirit totem character illustrating the concept and purchasers of the GTI Mk5 receiving a plastic figurine of the Fast. The GTI version is the only version on sale in Mexico. The saloon/sedan version, again widely marketed by Volkswagen as the Jetta, is assembled in Germany, South Africa, as well as Mexico. It is marketed in certain markets, including European markets and Mexico as Bora. It was followed in 2007 by a new Golf Variant. The front ends of the car are the same, with the only difference being that the GLI is a sedan, while the GTI is a hatchback. Later models of the Mk5 introduced the 1.4-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine with front-wheel drive. In a comparison test conducted by Car and Driver Magazine, the Rabbit won vs eight small cars. It was praised for its driving position, instruments, and engine; and was criticized for road noise, seating, and poor fuel economy. The Rabbit also placed first in their final comparison in December 2006.

In North America, the Mk5 version was originally sold as the Rabbit from 2006 to 2009. In 2010, Volkswagen brought back the Golf nameplate with the mid-cycle refresh. With it came a 130 kW (177 PS; 174 hp), 2.5-litre inline five-cylinder with 240 N⋅m (177 lb⋅ft) of torque and a 2.0-litre, 100 kW (136 PS; 134 hp) turbocharged inline four-cylinder diesel engine that generates 320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft) of torque. The GTI version is equipped with a 157 kW (213 PS; 211 hp) turbocharged inline four-cylinder TSI gasoline engine while the Golf R has a 191 kW (260 PS; 256 hp) turbocharged TFSI inline-four engine. All three engines can be paired with a DSG dual-clutch 6-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission in either a 3- or 5-door configuration. The car was introduced for sale in the UK in January 2009, and in North America in October 2009 as the 2010 Golf, rather than Rabbit. The Mk6 also reintroduced a diesel engine option to the North American market.

Volkswagen produced a "Rabbit Edition" GTI for the 2019 model year. Only 3,000 were produced for the US market: 1000 in Cornflower Blue, 1000 in Urano Gray, 500 in Black, and 500 in White, all split evenly between DSG automatic and 6-speed manual transmissions. The Rabbit Edition featured a LED lighting package, a "Vmax" spoiler, 18-inch "Pretoria" alloy wheels painted in gloss black, no sunroof, and Clark plaid seats with red tags embroidered with the VW Rabbit logo. Canada also received a Rabbit Edition in 2019. Only 900 were produced: 272 in Cornflower Blue, 272 in Urano Grey, 178 in Pure White and 178 in Pure Black Pearl. The Canadian variant came with all the Rabbit specific cosmetic upgrades, but also included all the same features as the top level Autobahn package with the exception of the sunroof, satnav and leather seats.

Volkswagen Golfs are among the models included in the September 2015 Volkswagen emissions scandal in which Volkswagen manufactured and installed in their diesel vehicles a software program that manipulated the cars' vehicle emissions control during testing, thereby violating numerous countries' regulations. The program caused the vehicles' nitrogen oxide (NOx) output to meet US standards during regulatory testing but emit up to 40 times more NOx in real-world driving.