2010 Volkswagen EOS Car Review

The 2010 Volkswagen Eos is a folding hardtop convertible that seats four and is perfect for cruising the cafe strip. Like most convertibles, the Eos is more enjoyable with the top down, but it’s better than most when the weather turns cold and damp.

Styling is one of the low points for the 2010 Eos, which derives its name from the Greek goddess of the dawn. The model doesn’t strike out in any new directions for VW and can look a little ungainly from some angles, especially the way its proportions fit together with the top up. However, its interior feels a step above most other Volkswagen models, with a streamlined look and upgraded materials.

For 2010, Volkswagen reduces the Eos’ available trim levels to two options: Komfort and Lux. Also, all 2010 Volkswagen Eos convertibles come with the same engine: a 2.0-liter, 200-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder with plenty of torque across the rev-range, strong thrust, and a brisk 0-60 mph time of 6.4 seconds. This fuel-efficient mill can be matched with a choice of a six-speed manual or dual-clutch transmission, the latter having the ability to be shifted like a manual without the clutch pedal. One of the Eos’ best attributes is its handling, which is relaxed enough so that you can enjoy the convertible experience but still firm enough to power through tricky corners. Taking fuel economy into consideration, the Eos is impressive at 21 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

When compared to other hardtop convertibles such as the Volvo C70 and Chrysler Sebring, the cargo area is a larger 6.6 cubic feet with the top stowed, which is impressive though hardly outstanding. In less than 25 seconds, a total of eight electric motors work in conjunction to unlatch the roof from the windshield header and flip and fold it under the metal trunk lid. The convertible roof also has a setting that opens the front section only like a sunroof.

Safety is a strong card for the Eos, which boasts as standard traction control, head/thorax airbags for front seat passengers, and a pop-up roll bar located behind the rear seats. The 2010 Volkswagen Eos also gets a rating of "good" from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for front and for side impacts.

The 2010 Volkswagen Eos has been slightly updated for the latest model year, with new chrome accents for the Lux model, which also offers optional 18-inch wheels and a sport suspension. Standard on all models are Bluetooth connectivity and a touchscreen interface for the stereo, as well as a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel and instrument cluster. Also, iPod connectivity is a stand-alone option, and lastly, Volkswagen removes three color options and adds one: white gold.

• Excellent dual-clutch transmission
• No-fuss folding hardtop
• Premium interior with space for four adults
• Responsive handling

• Lack of trunk space
• Noisy wind deflector
• Exterior styling

As can be expected, reviewers are in awe of the complex motions of the Eos’ folding hardtop. Kelley Blue Book is stunned by the "25-second mechanical ballet" that the hardtop performs during its reconfiguration. When compared to other hardtop convertibles such as the Volvo C70 and Chrysler Sebring, the cargo area is a larger 6.6 cubic feet with the top stowed, which is impressive though hardly outstanding. In less than 25 seconds, a total of eight electric motors work in conjunction to unlatch the roof from the windshield header and flip and fold it under the metal trunk lid. The convertible roof also has a setting that opens the front section only like a sunroof.

Popular Mechanics finds that the 2010 Volkswagen Eos’s innovative roof causes the rear occupants to be "cramped, both in shoulder space and, with the top up, headroom."

The Eos has been the highest-rated convertible by Consumer Reports. And in a testament to the car’s undeniable quality, Kelley Blue Book notes that "the Eos’ interior is more attractively designed and better put together than those of some cars we’ve driven with sticker prices twice as much."

Across the board, reviewers cannot deny the quality and style of the 2010 Volkswagen Eos’ interior. Edmunds says that though several competing automakers offer hardtop convertibles, their "execution is nowhere near as polished as the VW’s."

It’s not all positive here, and the most finicky first-time convertible buyers might still be disappointed to find that there’s a bit more interior noise than in a coupe. ConsumerGuide finds that even with the top up, the Eos "[suffers] from noticeable wind noise," and "some testers complain of rear-tire roar on coarse pavement."

Generally, convertibles, performance-wise, are not in the same league as their fixed roof counterparts, but TheCarConnection.com finds that the 2010 Volkswagen Eos performs surprisingly well, especially in terms of pace and handling.

The only engine offered on the Eos is a 200-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo. Performance on this engine has been gaining strong support from reviewers, with Cars.com finding that it "responds quickly, and its power just keeps on coming." Fuel economy is pretty good at 21 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

The 2010 Volkswagen Eos comes with a six-speed manual transmission or six-speed dual-clutch automated manual gearbox, termed DSG. The latter is TheCarConnection.com’s preference. Kelley Blue Book likes it, too, hailing it as one of its favorite features in the 2010 Eos and calling it "quick- and smooth-shifting."

One of the Eos’ best attributes is its handling, which is relaxed enough so that you can enjoy the convertible experience but still firm enough to power through tricky corners. Edmunds reports that the 2010 Volkswagen Eos’ “steering is fairly quick and its handling is capable."

Styling is one of the low points for the 2010 Eos, which derives its name from the Greek goddess of the dawn. The model doesn’t strike out in any new directions for VW and can look a little ungainly from some angles, especially the way its proportions fit together with the top up. Here, more reviewers disagree with TheCarConnection.com. Cars.com is a fan of the "clean, sporty look" of the Eos, and Volkswagen gains more praise from Kelley Blue Book for its "attractive but understated styling."

The neat, straightforward exterior styling in both top-up or top-down configurations is a testament to the designers at Volkswagen, something that can’t be said of most convertibles. Such cars, historically, can go either way when it comes to styling, with their character changing dramatically depending on whether the top is up or down. The 2010 Volkswagen Eos’ use of a hardtop convertible as opposed to a soft top is a way of overcoming the problem.

There are no complaints when it comes to the 2010 Volkswagen Eos’ well-designed interior, though. Volkswagen seems to stick with its impressive interior controls, bringing forward designs that other makes aspire to. ConsumerGuide is a fan of the "clear gauges [that] complement mostly handy, intuitive controls."

Safety is a strong card for the Eos, which boasts as standard traction control, head/thorax airbags for front seat passengers, and a pop-up roll bar located behind the rear seats.

The stylish convertible also has good test scores. In crash tests conducted by the IIHS, the 2010 Volkswagen Eos performs better than expected. The one area in which the IIHS calls for improvement is overall rear impact performance, where the Eos earns a rating of "marginal." However, the Eos garners the IIHS’ highest possible rating in both side and front impact tests. Although these ratings wouldn’t place the Eos in the uppermost echelon if it were a mid-size sedan, they’re among the best overall scores for a convertible, thus our high score.

To assist drivers with parking lot mobility and safety, upper-end versions of the 2010 Volkswagen Eos are fitted with a reverse warning system that alerts drivers if they’re about to strike an object when backing up. Cars.com notes that the 2010 Volkswagen Eos comes standard with an "active roll bar, an electronic stability system and side head-thorax airbags." These special airbags take the place of typical side curtain airbags.

The danger of a rollover is the prime concern when it comes to convertibles. The safety features that are included in case one should occur are worth noting. Occupants of the 2010 Volkswagen Eos will find themselves protected by a pop-up head protection system that automatically deploys when the car senses a rollover is imminent. Additional safety-minded goodies include an optional Park Distance Control and a Technology Package that includes upgrades to the lighting system (an adaptive swiveling function).

Experts at TheCarConnection.com are impressed that the 2010 Volkswagen Eos comes filled with more than enough features to keep most buyers happy.

The 2010 Volkswagen Eos has been slightly updated for the latest model year, with new chrome accents for the Lux model, which also offers optional 18-inch wheels and a sport suspension. Standard on all models are Bluetooth connectivity and a touchscreen interface for the stereo, plus a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel and instrument cluster. Also, iPod connectivity is a stand-alone option, and lastly, Volkswagen removes three color options and adds one: white gold.

Kelley Blue Book finds that the "cooled glove box" in the 2010 Volkswagen Eos, which helps protect valuables like phones, PDAs, and chocolate from the sun on warm days. The most widely recognized feature on the vehicle, however, is definitely the retractable hardtop, which Popular Mechanics finds "a marvel of metallic origami." On those sunny days when it’s a bit too cold to take the top down, there is also a sunroof function, wherein one panel retracts, leaving the rest of the hardtop intact.

There are some features that are usually standard on cars in the $30,000-and-up category that you won’t find on the Eos, like steering-wheel controls for the radio and automatic headlamps. However, the headlamps on the Eos serve as a great safety feature at night on twisting roads, as they swivel in the direction of a turn to provide additional illumination where you need it most. For 2010, the adaptive front headlamps are available as part of a Technology Package. Other popular options include heated front seats in the top-level trims and leather upholstery. A navigation system is also offered on the Eos, and Volkswagen offers satellite radio as well.