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Volkswagen Eos - What the Auto Press Says

The 2010 Volkswagen Eos ranks 9 out of 17 Upscale Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 52 published reviews and test drives of the Volkswagen Eos, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The Volkswagen Eos is both a fun convertible and a practical daily driver for those who don't have to haul much in the way of cargo or passengers. Featuring the only retractable hardtop with a built-in sunroof on the market, the Eos is a versatile small car - but it's as expensive as a midsize car.

The 2010 Volkwagen Eos isn't built to perform like a sport sedan, but is fun to drive and features an upscale cabin that reviewers love - as long as you're not really going to try to use all four seats.  Automobile Magazine says, "The Eos is the model of what every convertible should be. It's a useful, well-engineered automobile, so it makes fashion practical as well as fun." The Eos, however, can intrude on luxury car prices in higher trim levels.

That's the biggest hurdle Eos buyers will face.  The Eos costs as much as several larger, more practical hardtop convertibles like the BMW 3-Series and Lexus IS convertible.  Only buy the Eos, reviewers urge, if you truly need a two-seater most of the time. 

For those who don't need much space, though, the Eos is an excellent choice.

For 2010, the Eos is available in two trim levels, Komfort and Lux. The high-performance VR6 edition, with its V6 engine, is no longer available.

• "In the end, you'll have to decide how much you want to pay for top-down motoring and how important it is for top-up motoring to include a roof made of metal and glass. If your budget is fixed somewhere in the low $30K range, the 2009 Volkswagen Eos is an excellent choice. However, when fully optioned, the Eos makes less sense as its price nears that of BMW's superb 3 Series convertible, a vehicle that combines a hardtop, driving fun and prestige."-- Edmunds
• "The Eos represents a good compromise between a sports car and a sedan. It's sporty and practical, and yet offers opportunities for top-down worship of the sun, the moon and the stars." -- New Car Test Drive
• "Eos' strengths are a comfortable ride, fine handling, and the choice of open-air driving or hardtop security. Its weaknesses include a tight rear seat and minimal cargo room." -- Consumer Guide
• "The Eos is probably one of the smartest choices for any prospective retractable-hardtop buyer." --  Road and Track
• "If you're looking for a speedy, versatile sporty car that won't break the bank, the new Eos should be at the top of your shopping list." -- BusinessWeek
• "There are plenty of...trade-offs in the Eos. As with most convertibles, there's a premium on space, both in the 'back seat,' which is really suitable only for kids, and in the trunk, which is largely given over to stowing the roof. While its performance is perky, don't be fooled -- the Eos is a lamb compared with the ferocious GTI, and even the economical Rabbit feels tighter on curves." -- U.S. News
• "Most buyers will have no performance complaints," but, "As a runabout for the passionate driver, we'll give the Eos only a 'fair.'" -- Car and Driver
• Volkswagen has a "dodgy reputation for quality and reliability in recent years, particularly for its new models." -- New York Times

Eos Performance - 8.1 (Very Good)

The 2010 Volkswagen Eos is not built to be a sporty convertible. It operates on the principle that top-down driving is fun even without an abundance of horsepower. Car and Driver says, "Most buyers will have no performance complaints," but "the passionate driver will be less satisfied." Reviewers say the Eos suffers from very little cowl shake at high speeds - a rarity for a convertible. Read More

Eos Exterior - 7.7 (Good)

Most convertibles are modified versions of sedans or coupes, but not the Eos. This car was designed from the wheels up as a convertible, giving it a coherent and clear look. The unique hardtop roof, with its built-in sunroof, is a signature feature. CNET writes, "The Eos' retractable hardtop is, of course, its showcase feature. Dubbed ‘Coupe-Sunroof-Convertible' (CSC), it works flawlessly and feels as if it will continue for the car's lifetime." Read More

Eos Interior - 7.6 (Good)

From the perspective of the driver and front-seat passenger, the passenger cabin of the Eos approaches what you might expect to see in a luxury car. From the perspective of rear-seat passengers, it's just small. "The Eos is billed as a two-plus-two but the 'two' in back had better be children or very small adults (and not claustrophobic)," explains Newsday before concluding, "Mostly, the upscale interior is as functional as it is beautiful." Read More

Eos Safety - NA

The 2010 Volkswagen Eos has not yet been crash-tested by the federal government. The mechanically-similar 2009 Eos was an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety "Top Safety Pick" among convertibles because of its excellent crash test scores and standard stability control. The car comes with a full list of standard safety equipment, none of it optional. Read More

Eos Reliability - NA

The Eos is covered by a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty. Volkswagen provides the first 36,000 miles of scheduled maintenance free of charge. Read More