The Eos is the practical convertible lover’s dream. With a hard top and four seats, this car breaks tradition by offering luxurious touches at a less-than-luxury price. For those who want an affordable, sporty convertible with a bit more space, the Eos is just the ticket.
Key Features
The dual-clutch automated manual transmission offers smooth shifting and a supple ride. Standard features include dual climate control and a cooled glovebox. Bluetooth connectivity, iPod integration, and electronic stability control round out the experience.
Changes for 2012
The 2012 Eos got a fairly major makeover with the addition of restyled grille, headlights, and taillights, as well as the new DSG transmission and keyless entry and start.
What We Like
The intuitive touchscreen, 12-way power front seats with lumbar control, and sturdy ride make for a pleasant journey even on curvy roads. The cat’s eye headlamps and side mirror turn signals offer an expensive, sporty look at an affordable price point.
What Concerns Us
With its larger size, this convertible isn’t quite as sleek and petite as its counterparts like the Miata, and when opened, the hard top takes up a considerable amount of room in both the back seat and the trunk, cutting the cargo space from an already modest 10.5 cubic feet to just 6.6 cubic feet.
Available Models
Komfort SULEV (super ultra-low emissions vehicle):
- 2.0L inline 4-cylinder turbocharged with 207 lb.-ft. torque, 200 HP, and 22/30 mpg
The Lux and Executive trims add features like power folding heated mirrors, leather seats, and sport suspension and audio system upgrade (Executive).
Major Recalls
In August of 2015 Volkswagen issued a recall on the Eos due to potential contamination of an air bag spring by debris getting into the mechanism. If this spring is compromised, it could cut off electrical connection with the air bag, preventing the safety device from deploying in a crash, which could increase the risk of injury. VW issued notices as well as an offer to repair the problem by installing a cover, at no charge to the consumer.
Common Issues
There have been some reported incidents of coil failure, in which the vehicle lost power and would not travel at normal speeds. In addition, several users have reported transmission disengagement in the middle of driving. The problem seems to be intermittent, and difficult to reproduce in order to obtain service.
