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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  Good choice - 2008 Volkswagen EOS
  By injuryexpert - November 17 - 5:30 am

  My 08 Eos has had almost no problems in the first month. No leaks, no big wind noise, no build problems. Great power and the DSG is awesome. Of course, this car is about the top - real showoff moves. Its also practical because of this top, even in the midwest. If youre looking for fun with enough room for some friends or a golf bag in the back seat, the Eos is the best choice out there.

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  I wouldnt buy an Eos again - 2007 Volkswagen EOS
  By ljs - November 4 - 9:13 am

  I have had all the common problems since new. Window gears, window sensors, top malfunctions, top leaks, fuel pressure unit, lumbar bladder, etc. I am done with this car, 36,500 miles and it is gone. Service is terrible at any VW dealer. I wish this car was built as well as my wifes Passat. We were loyal VW customers until the Eos. No more VW for us, at all.

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  Transmission problems right off the lot - 2008 Volkswagen EOS
  By Krista - September 6 - 10:00 am

  I am frustrated typing this because I really do love my car, aside from the fact that it very well may be a lemon. Soon after purchasing it started puttering and having trouble shifting gears. When releasing the brake it jumped. I took it in only to find out the computer chip to my transmission was faulty and it needed to be replaced. They replaced it and literally within a few hundered miles of driving it the transmission is acting up again. I tried to take it in to get it fixed and Volkwagen claims there is no issue. I dont know where else to go with this! I am very frustrated. The transmission should not be an inssue for a brand new car! Sensors were off for the hard top too.

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  Avoid It - Traded Mine In - 2009 Volkswagen EOS
  By LR - May 10 - 4:23 am

  53 days in the shop in the first year, finally had enough and traded it in for another brand. Every imaginable problem with the electrical system, sensors, gas cap, abs, braking, fuel pump, air bag, among other problems. Every little repair required shipping in parts so repairs took forever, and nothing fixed right the first time by dealer. I owned the car for a little over a year and just took a huge loss on the trade, but it had to go. Had trouble even getting near blue book on trade due to the cars reputation. Did lots of research prior to buying and 07/08 models were well reviewed. 09 seems to be a disaster. After 15 years driving VWs, this will be my last. Very disappointing.

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  Great value - 2008 Volkswagen EOS
  By gester - May 5 - 9:23 pm

  Traded in my TT roadster. Love the power plant. Love the transmission. Love the roof. Got 20K on it now; no regrets at all (well, I wish Id gotten the three years free maintenance but thats about it). Oh, and I guess I wish id gotten the ipod dock instead of the generic input jack.

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  Total Fun Car! - 2009 Volkswagen EOS
  By Steve - January 2 - 9:06 am

  Ive always wanted a hard-top convertible ever since I saw one two months ago. I generally assumed that it would be way out of my price range, but when I found out that Volkswagen made a hard-top convertible, I was totally hoodlumed. It turned out to be not only very reasonably priced but it drives and handles really well. People will also be very surprised by the roominess of the rear seats. The back is definitely big enough to hold two average sized dwarfs or a couple of medium sized farm animals. My automatic transmission shifts very smoothly and the engine definitely holds its own on the highway. Overall, this car is a pleasure to drive.

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  Classy and FUN - 2008 Volkswagen EOS
  By ILGrammy - July 21 - 2:56 am

  Ive had my 2008 Eos for about a month. The exterior design is classy and it s FUN to drive. The back seat is perfect for my 4 year old grand daughters car seat plus groceries/shopping purchases. Rear visibility is good. Seats are comfortable. With the turbo its impossible to know youre driving a 4c. I drive to work with the top down and put it up in the parking lot for the day. Then, put it down for my return drive home in the evening. It only takes about 25 seconds to put the top up/down. So far its the absolutely perfect "classy and FUN" car for me. One drawback. Its hard to get out of the car. At 56", I need to pull the seat forward to use the clutch.

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  Great functionality, poor driving - 2009 Volkswagen EOS
  By swissre - March 15 - 11:26 am

  After almost 3 months of owning a new EOS I am still happy with the functionality of the sunroof, it has good torque throughout the RPM range even compared with other turbo engines, it has very good speakers but lousy sound unit (premium) but the worst for me is how it drives. You have to be really delicate to avoid the car spinning like crazy when you start. I have the upgraded 17 wheels with Continental tires and that has helped little. So at the end it dissapoints because the engine is great and the DSG gearbox is amazingly smooth but the car is not sitting on the road as it should and can become dangerous because of the big torque it has for its size.

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  Annoyed - 2007 Volkswagen EOS
  By Kristin - September 11 - 1:10 pm

  I bought my Eos this June and its been in for service three times, twice for leaks. They still have it and have had it for 22 days straight claiming the part is being made in Germany. It’s the summertime and I cant even enjoy my top down. This is the first VW I have ever bought and will most likely be the last. The service department has no idea when my part will come in, I find this ridiculous! I also have a problem with the back drive side window, sometimes when youre closing it, it goes back down. This car has caused me so much problems.

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  Problems, Problems - 2008 Volkswagen EOS
  By Bonnie - August 17 - 10:40 am

  Shortly after buying the car it had accelleration problems, it would hesitate and the jump in causing you to be pushed forward in your seat. It was fixed by garage but after it was done the gas mileage was drastically reduced. This has not been fixed.I have leak in trunk which has not been fixed and dealership where I live is not cooperating to fix. With this water leak my vehicle is worthless. I have poblem with trunk release, condenastion or ice on inside windows and the top is rubbing on something becasue paint has been rubbed off. I have squeal in breaks and was told it is normal- really I have had many cars but none had this unless there was abreak problem.