2007 Volkswagen Eos

Best of Both Worlds

The Volkswagen Eos is both a hardtop coupe with a panoramic sunroof and an open-air convertible for four-season fun.

Hardtop convertibles like the Volkswagen Eos are all the rage. And for now, there are no other hardtop convertibles quite like the Eos, because its folding hardtop also incorporates a glass sunroof.

Mercedes-Benz pioneered the modern folding hardtop in 1990 in its exclusive SL Roadster. The fleet of open-air coupes has grown substantially since then, especially in the last couple of years, to include more ordinary brands. The Volvo C70 and even the Pontiac G6 have adopted power-retractable hardtops, and the Mazda Miata offers its own version as an alternative to its manually operated cloth roof.

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Folding hardtops are more mechanically complex than conventional fabric convertible tops, and they’re potentially prone to more mechanical problems down the road. However, retractable hardtops offer better sound insulation and protection from the elements, and added vehicle security in the bargain.

The Volkswagen Eos, which was all new for the 2007 model year, takes the notion of a folding hardtop another step. Pardon the expression, the topper is that it incorporates a panoramic glass sunroof.

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The three-section, power-retractable top also has a curvier, more coupe-like profile than most convertibles. It also comes with a less-intrusive windshield pillar design that makes front-seat entry and exiting easier than in the typical ragtop. Power-operated, the top opens in around 25 seconds.

The Volkswagen Eos shares its platform and components with the Jetta and Rabbit, but it carries distinctive body panels and a unique interior.

Volkswagen Eos Vehicle Summary

The base version, the Eos 2.0T, has a 2.0-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine that delivers a lively 200 hp, with good fuel economy. A six-speed manual transmission is standard. The Eos 3.2L version packs a 3.2-liter V6 engine, which it shares with the Audi TT sport coupe. It generates 25 percent more power than the smaller turbo. An automatic transmission that can be shifted manually is optional on the base model and standard on the six-cylinder model.

The Volkswagen Eos delivers fairly decent handling characteristics. A sport suspension is also available. Electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist provide secure stopping power.

Standard safety features include front side airbags, whiplash-preventing front head restraints and the automaker’s Anti-Slip Regulation and Electronic Stability Program systems. The latter uses brake and throttle intervention to minimize wheel slippage. When the top is down, if the vehicle begins to roll over in an accident, there is a pop-up head protection system located behind the rear headrests.

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Options include a premium sound system, DVD navigation and an iPod input adaptor. Options packages include items like heated seats, Park Distance Control proximity warnings and adaptive headlamps, which redirect the beam of light to help illuminate curves at night.