Overview & Reviews

The Volkswagen Eos is a four-seat, two-door convertible. Its retractable hardtop design combines the open-air experience of a traditional ragtop with the security and all-season comfort of a coupe's fixed roof. According to Greek mythology, Eos was the goddess of the sunrise, and it's an appropriate name for this smart-looking convertible.

As a new car, the Eos' price can seem hard to justify, as it's typically higher than other mainstream convertibles. But the Eos does come with a lot of standard equipment, a hardtop design and a high-quality interior. Used models may be somewhat hard to find, and you'll want to pay extra attention to model years, as VW has altered content over the years in hopes of broadening the Eos' appeal.

Current Volkswagen Eos
There are three trim levels in the Eos family: Komfort, Sport and Executive. All have front-wheel drive and are powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. The sole transmission is VW's excellent six-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG), which offers the ease of an automatic along with most of the advantages of a manual transmission.

The highlight of the Volkswagen Eos is its retractable hardtop. VW calls it the CSC (coupe-sunroof-convertible) and it employs a unique five-panel roof that transforms the coupe's hardtop into an open-air convertible in just 25 seconds. If you don't want the full top-down experience but still want a little wind in your hair, you can leave it up and just power back the built-in sunroof.

Intended more as a boulevard cruiser than a sports car, the Volkswagen Eos excels when it comes to occupant comfort and amenities. Even the base Komfort comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, foglights, a sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, leatherette (vinyl) upholstery, a power driver seat, heated front seats, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, an eight-speaker sound system with an iPod interface and a CD changer, a navigation system and VW's Car-Net telematics service. Highlights of the Sport include 18-inch wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, bi-xenon headlights, a rear spoiler, keyless ignition and entry, and paddle shifters. The Executive model features automatic wipers, parking sensors, a power passenger seat, leather upholstery, an upgraded navigation system with larger display, a rearview camera and an upgraded sound system.

In road tests, our editors have cited the retractable roof, classy styling and high-quality cockpit furnishings as the Eos' key strengths. Downsides include mediocre handling and a tight backseat. As long as you don't expect the Eos to perform like a roadster, it should make for one of the most satisfying convertible experiences at this price point.

Used Volkswagen Eos Models
The Eos debuted for the 2007 model year, and it was initially available with either the turbocharged four or a narrow-angle 3.2-liter V6 engine good for 250 hp and 235 lb-ft of torque. Trim levels then included the base Eos, the 2.0T and 3.2L. The base Eos and more luxurious 2.0T had the turbocharged four, matched to either a six-speed manual or the DSG, while the 3.2L sported the V6 matched to the DSG as well as a full array of accoutrements.

For the following year, the trim levels were Turbo, Komfort, Lux and VR6. The Turbo and Komfort were roughly analogous to the previous year's base and 2.0T, respectively, with the Lux adding extra feature content while sticking with the turbocharged-4 under the hood. The VR6 mostly mirrored the previous 3.2L model but added 18-inch wheels and sport seats. On these 2007 and '08 models, a navigation system was optional, but unlike in newer models it was DVD-based. The Turbo and VR6 trims were discontinued for '09 and that year also brought an updated touchscreen navigation system with multimedia inputs.

Things in the Eos world stood pat for a few years until 2012, when the car adopted the Jetta's front-end styling, gained the DSG transmission as standard, received a few new features (such as keyless ignition/entry) and saw updated infotainment and climate controls. The Executive trim level also debuted this year. The following year brought the Sport trim level as well as a shuffling of equipment. These latter Eos models are similar to the current lineup apart from the discontinuation of the Lux trim and the unavailability of the telematics system.

User Reviews:

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  Car for the person who wants it all - 2007 Volkswagen EOS
  By austin_eos - October 17 - 5:00 pm

  This is a car for a person who wants a bit of everything in a car: sporty performance, practicality with 4-seat capacity, acceptable trunk space, comfort, interior and exterior style, and of course, a convertible. If you feel the urge to splurge on any particular feature, then you might want to get dedicated sports car or comfort sedan. But if you want a bit of everything, the Eos works well. Ive had my Eos for about 4 months in various weather, and it has held up great and has been fun to drive. So far no reliability problems.

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  You get what you want - 2009 Volkswagen EOS
  By Jeff - September 28 - 2:06 am

  The car is very fun to drive. I have never had a convertible in my life so I was not to happy when she brought it home. I figured it is her car and she will be the one driving it so get what you want. She loves it. The handling is good and speed is fine. Does it have wind noise. What can you expect when the top comes off. Great car overall

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  Love it - 2010 Volkswagen EOS
  By Hammock246 - September 24 - 4:36 pm

  Just returned from a trip to my homeland, Chicago, from Daytona Beach, I was truly surprised what a great road car this EOS is. Bought it for a second car and love that aspec too but highway manners and excellent fuel mileage along with not a squeak with 12 thousand miles on it is great. Got 33.7 mpg for just over 3 thousand miles of mixed but mostly highway driving. Nothing like the top down through the Smokey Mts. early morning. Other than appearance, a much better car in every way from the 04 Thunderbird I traded on it.

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  About the roof seals - 2008 Volkswagen EOS
  By eoslover - September 22 - 4:50 pm

  I hate to see all the bad reviews about the roof leaks. Since Edmunds doesnt allow posting links in reviews if you google "solve eos roof seal leaks" you will find an excellent article on keeping this car from leaking. I did a lot of research on this car before I purchased it and bought it once I read this article and knew the roof would likely not be a problem. Unfortunately, most VW dealers dont seem to stock the Krytox or know anything about this process. That said, overall this car has been great and fun for 12,000 miles. I get a solid 27 mpg with 50/50 highway/city driving. Highway yields over 30 mpg. Drove 2 hours through wicked slippery icy snow as well as can be expected for 2WD.

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  The best fun I ever had - 2007 Volkswagen EOS
  By dukeofyork - September 11 - 7:29 pm

  Was weary reading reviews of complaints . Understanding that this is a very technical design challenge to create a functioning hardtop convertible. When you first see the top go down and my friends are astonished still, and anyone that has ever seen it do it is impressed. With the engagement of the lever The windows drop the sunroof goes back the trunk opens up the opposite way, rear window goes and the top into the truck it closes up then the rear deck has a beautiful fit and finish. My autistic 27 year old son said cool transformer, This is a very impressive car 200 hp turbo this car jumps the transmission is art in movement. Will pass a car lnstantly faster then my V8 4bl. carb chevy.

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  Summer Fun - 2007 Volkswagen EOS
  By bnw514 - September 9 - 1:43 pm

  I just got my eos 3 days ago and have been driving top down the whole time. I like when I stop at the store people stare because theyve never seen it before. Then I put the top up, just to give them a show and make them gawk. Then I zip off with the sound of the turbo. Although, 1/2 a mile down the road I have to pull over and let the top back down, just because its a nice spring day. Plus all the guys dig it because it has the turbo. Hope that doesnt get me in trouble because it has more power than any other VW iIhave owned. Trust me, so far, the best car I have ever bought. And this makes #6. It reminds me of a less boxy Mercedes SLK.

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  I love my 2009 - 2008 Volkswagen EOS
  By Cindy - September 7 - 4:36 am

  I purchased a 2009 EOS. Have only had it for 5 days. I love it already. It gets lots of stares. The sunroof makes all the difference in the world. I have a new 2009 color, not sure what it is call but it sometimes looks gold sometimes silver-just beautiful. I have owned 5 vans and an SUV. I am truly in heaven. Test drive one, you wont be sorry. (I lie and tell people I bought if for fuel economy...)

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  The new Mellinium - 2007 Volkswagen EOS
  By Sonia Simms-Sanchez - August 13 - 7:26 am

  I just purchased this car and I will tell you it is a nice car, I like the fact that it has the 3 in one vehicle. The performance is good, it has a smooth ride. I would recommend you purchase this car.

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  Bought used, Design is the BEST - 2007 Volkswagen EOS
  By ILoveSax - August 1 - 1:40 pm

  Unfortunately, the reliability has been poor. Its such a shame because it has the best 200 hp turbo 4 cy engine. It has the best 6 speed auto/manual transmission. It has a top body design. It has a great convertible roof AND sunroof too. It has had roof leak problems since day one. It took 1 year to get the problem fixed the first time, then after a few months, the roof started leaking again. Then, the engine was leaking oil internally. They had to change out the engine. There have been a number of minor problems too. Tony Honda has been great, but it has just been a frustration with all the continual problems. Otherwise, I love the car.

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  Fun in the sun with a taste of class! - 2007 Volkswagen EOS
  By JAY - July 28 - 9:26 pm

  I have owned the Eos for a month, and it has made my 5 hr a day drive to work in comfort as well as smooth driving through the LA traffic. I enjoy the choices of a sunroof or top down. The engine is smooth driving as well as noise free. It is an attention getter that makes me feel like I am driving a Mercedes, Audi or a BMW. Wherever I go, it just fits in. This is my 3rd VW from a Cabriolet VW to a New Beetle. This Eos is what a great VW is all about. I am in the fashion field, and I basically feel like a rock star! Its worth the money for me.