Car overview
Rumours of its demise were exaggerated, but only for one year. Production ended in November, making the 2016 Volkswagen Eos the swan song of this German compact convertible. While the Eos isn't hugely popular, it occupies a niche as one of the few affordable open convertibles on the market and the only four-seater. What's more, the attractive and beautifully upholstered interior gives an almost luxurious feel, but at a low price.
For the right buyer, Eos offers an attractive package. The retractable hardtop insulates and protects the cabin better than a conventional soft top. Plus, the Eos comes with a sunroof so you can enjoy the outdoors before climbing inside. On the other hand, the hardtop is heavier than the soft top, which puts a bit of a damper on the 200 horsepower turbo four-cylinder engine. Still, the transmission remains enjoyable, thanks in part to the quick-shifting automated manual gearbox.
When the Eos sells out, those looking for a similar convertible at this price won't find much. The closest equivalent is the new Buick Cascada, which is similar in many respects but has a traditional soft-top. The popular Mazda Miata will offer more driving fun but fewer seats, while the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro convertibles have bolder styling and a wider choice of engines. "The interiors of the Mini Cooper and the Volkswagen Beetle convertible are almost top-of-the-range and have a large dose of personality. But if you really need a solid body, the Volkswagen Eos is the way to go.
Performance and fuel consumption
The 2016 VW Eos is powered by a front-wheel-drive 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that develops 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automated manual gearbox (DSG in VW parlance) provides the convenience of a conventional automatic transmission, but gives drivers the option of manual gear shifting if they so wish.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, fuel economy is estimated at 25 mpg (22 city/30 highway). According to VW, the Eos accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds.
Safety.
The 2016 Volkswagen Eos comes standard with anti-lock brakes, traction control, stability control, rollover curtains and front side airbags that extend upward to protect the head. VW's Car-Net telematics system, which is standard on all Eos models, includes automatic crash notification, roadside assistance, remote access to the car, stolen car location and geo-fencing (allowing parents to set limits for underage drivers). "The Car-Net smartphone app allows owners to control many of these features on the move.
In the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's crash tests, the VW Eos received the highest rating of 'good' in both the medium overlap frontal and side impact tests. In addition, the design of the seats and head restraints was rated 'good' in the rear impact test.
Driving.
While the 2016 VW Eos' 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine is smooth and powerful enough to give the convertible a satisfactory speed, the removable hardtop and associated mechanisms are not lightweight, so acceleration feels more like a relaxation than a hurry. The handling and braking characteristics of the car leave the same impression. Nevertheless, the Eos remains a good-sized convertible with enough performance to make it easy and fun to drive.
Interior.
Inside, the 2016 Volkswagen Eos is most remarkable for its transformative abilities: functionally, it can be a coupe with a hardtop and four seats, and the next moment, at the push of a button, become a full-fledged convertible. The top can be retracted in 25 seconds and the sun can be fully shielded from the sun (this requires 16 inches of space behind the rear bumper; if there is not enough space, the rear sensors are activated). With the windows up, the Eos is virtually windless, even at high speeds, making it easy to listen to the sound system or talk at normal volume.
