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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  The Eos Stands Alone - 2007 Volkswagen EOS
  By Phil - September 24 - 3:06 pm

  I just picked up my new black on black Eos two days ago, so these are just my initial impressions. I consider the exterior to be stately and not flashy. The versatility of the roof is unique and fun! The interior is impeccable and well thought out, although it could use a few more cubbyholes for sunglasses, phones, etc. The interior storage becomes limited, when you opt for the navigation system, which moves the 6 CD player from the dash to the center console between the front seats. The Eos is very quick and responsive once the turbo kicks in. There is a slight hesitation from a dead stop, but once the turbo kicks in, youre in for a great driving experience.

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  Great Car - 2008 Volkswagen EOS
  By timinwi - September 1 - 6:04 pm

  I traded my Buick LaCrosse for this car because I wanted a convertible; so it was quite the change for me but Ive really enjoyed driving my EOS. It is not really a sporty car in the sense that it can take tight curves at high speed like say, a Mazda Miata, but more like a sporty cruiser. No mechanical issues to speak of yet, so maybe I have lucked out compared to some of the other reviews written here. I chose a mechanic who is independent and focuses totally on foreign cars and the car checked out well. I think this car is a great value for what you get especially the moving hardtop which are typically on higher priced vehicles.

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  Funin the Sun - 2008 Volkswagen EOS
  By newca11 - August 13 - 4:30 am

  This is my fourth VW, but my First Convertible. Have had three Jettas before this and the last was A GLI with all the toys. But I have never had as much fun driving as I do now. The roof is great and their is very little to no wind noise. I love having the security of a hard top on a convertible. Foe the Base model with auto I really think it has a lot of options. Like I was told when i bought my first VW. The only problem is you have to replace it with another.

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  Hope to keep mine for a long time - 2008 Volkswagen EOS
  By EOS for MEOS - August 6 - 3:06 pm

  I agree with the positive reviews seen below, so Ill just add my 2 cents to their comments :-) Like others, Id never even heard of this car until I started shopping around. Before, I was going to own either a Sky/Solstice. I drove the Solstice and it was quick and throaty but in the bang for your buck category, the EOS has no peer, IMHO. Im getting 26-27 mpg around town, but be warned, heavy footed drivers (like my WIFE!) will get 4-5 less mpg. The shifting in this automatic 6 speed is so smooth that you dont notice unless you watch the tach. There are so many features on the "trip computer" that you may not use half (and Im a geek!). Save yourself some time and test drive this first!

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  Poor electrics - 2007 Volkswagen EOS
  By Donny4 - July 24 - 1:20 pm

  The latest news on our EOS is that if we do not lock the car the NEW battery will go flat?? My wife forgot to LOCK the car which sits in the garage on Friday at 6:00 pm and tried to start the car on Monday morning at 7: am and the battery was dead. The dealership told her they cannot find any problem with the car. So for all of you out there with an EOS do not forget to lock this car as it is very hungry and loves to eat the power from the battery. PS My Mercedes is parked out in the snow and the cold is 4 years older than the EOS and has the original battery from new but starts every time plus I leave it unlocked. Go Figure

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  Agree with poster JLM from 10/01/2008 - 2009 Volkswagen EOS
  By MG - June 1 - 1:46 pm

  Same problem as poster JLM.Totally dissatisfied and would not buy it again. Car in dealer for at least 10 biz days for a problem that I believe VW know about all along. The DSG transmission is the culprit and appears in all VWs-not onlyt he EOS. Check the VWVortex website for similar stories. I wish that I had before I bought this mistake.

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  Do not buy this car! - 2009 Volkswagen EOS
  By JLM - May 22 - 11:43 am

  I purchased a 2009 VW EOS 8/30/08. On 9/29/2008 a valve that measures the clutch temperature malfunctioned. If the clutch is too hot "safety measure" the car can’t change gears. This malfunction occurred while I was on the freeway; I was almost hit by a semi trying to pull to the side of the road. It was like I put it in neutral and revved the engine, every light in the car flashed indicating a problem. I was initially told that my problem was a faulty engine switch. This diagnosis didn’t make sense. I had to demand to speak with the head mechanic for my concerns to be taken seriously. This value malfunction also causes a pressure problem in the transmission. I have contacted a lawyer.

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  I LOVE this car!! - 2007 Volkswagen EOS
  By David - May 16 - 12:23 pm

  I have never been a car guy. That is over! I have never enjoyed or looked forward to driving like I do now. The feel of the car in my hands is like nothing I have ever experienced. Power is always there and the car absolutely hugs the road. The convertible operation is like a ballet and I never tire of watching it. Nor does anyone else, I stop traffic each time.

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  VW Eos Executive........comfortable in its own skin - 2014 Volkswagen EOS
  By jbeloff - May 15 - 10:02 pm

  It is a beautiful understated car that gets it all done. Some say it lacks character and does not hold up to the competition. Havent really figured out what those folks are talking about. It has top shelf quality, modern tech and is a blast to drive. All convertibles lack something. The criticism I read is it not one of the cool kids in its class. Funny though, us owners are having a great time without drawing attention. We enjoy a ride that caters to our needs and not those on the outside. I will own for a very long time. Its a great car.

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  Review after 3 years of ownership - 2007 Volkswagen EOS
  By PowerTop - May 11 - 11:10 am

  So I thought Id share my driving experience after three years of ownership. First of all, I still love this car. The build quality is excellent and the German engineering has not disappointed. I went from a BMW Z4 and the EOS is sooo much more practical and fun to drive. The passing ability at highway speeds still amazes me. Had it in the shop twice, once for a fuel sensor and software code update that controls the transmission shifts. I have not experienced any excessive engine oil usage oil or leaks. The roof leaked water in the cabin once but found that it was due to the drainpipe getting plugged up from debris.