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2009 Volkswagen Eos Full Review
Date Published: 9/16/08
Also in the 2009 Volkswagen Eos Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Volkswagen Eos Full Review
7.
8.
9.
2009 Volkswagen Eos
Sneak Peek
The 2009 Volkswagen Eos should see no major changes. This four-passenger convertible has a power retractable hardtop that includes an integrated sunroof. The 2009 Eos should reprise Turbo, Komfort, Lux, and VR6 versions. The former three have a turbocharged 200-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. The VR6 has a 250-hp 3.2-liter V6. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard on Turbo and Komfort. Optional on those and standard on Lux and VR6 is a 6-speed automatic. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, and front side airbags. Also standard are automatic rollover bars designed to deploy from behind the rear seats in the event of a tip or collision. A navigation system and rear-obstacle detection are also offered. This report is based on evaluations of the 2008 Volkswagen Eos.
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2009 Volkswagen Eos Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Acceleration | Cargo room |
| Steering/handling | Wind noise |
| Interior materials | |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
Turbocharged Eos models are satisfyingly quick, particularly in the 45-65-mph range. The engine runs out of steam at high rpm, so judicious shifting with the manual transmission is required during passing. VR6 versions have ample passing power but are plagued by low-speed throttle lag. With either engine, the automatic can be slow to downshift in standard drive mode but is alert in its sport setting.
| Turbo, manual | Lux | VR6 | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 8.2 |
Turbocharged Eos models are satisfyingly quick, particularly in the 45-65-mph range. The engine runs out of steam at high rpm, so judicious shifting with the manual transmission is required during passing. VR6 versions have ample passing power but are plagued by low-speed throttle lag. With either engine, the automatic can be slow to downshift in standard drive mode but is alert in its sport setting.
Fuel Economy
In Consumer Guide testing, a manual-transmission Turbo averaged 21.0 mpg in mostly city driving. A test Lux averaged 21.2 mpg in city and highway driving. A VR6 averaged 15.3 mpg in mostly city driving. VW recommends premium-grade gas for both engines.
| Turbo, manual | Lux | VR6 | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 4 | 4.3 |
In Consumer Guide testing, a manual-transmission Turbo averaged 21.0 mpg in mostly city driving. A test Lux averaged 21.2 mpg in city and highway driving. A VR6 averaged 15.3 mpg in mostly city driving. VW recommends premium-grade gas for both engines.
Ride Quality
Stable and composed with no float or wallow. The suspension is generally compliant, even on rough pavement. Sharp bumps can pound through, particularly on the VR6 with its 18-inch wheels.
| Turbo, manual | Lux | VR6 | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 6 | 4.5 |
Stable and composed with no float or wallow. The suspension is generally compliant, even on rough pavement. Sharp bumps can pound through, particularly on the VR6 with its 18-inch wheels.
Steering/Handling/Braking
Communicative steering. Eos corners with grippy assurance and little body lean. Cowl shake is minimal with the top up and only slightly worse with the top down, indicating solid structure. VR6 is slightly sharper all around.
| Turbo, manual | Lux | VR6 | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 7 | 8.6 |
Communicative steering. Eos corners with grippy assurance and little body lean. Cowl shake is minimal with the top up and only slightly worse with the top down, indicating solid structure. VR6 is slightly sharper all around.
Quietness
Both engines are smooth and subdued. Some testers complain of rear-tire roar on coarse pavement. Top up, test cars suffered from noticeable wind noise. Top down, wind rush is the usual convertible fare, though the windshield header screen helps direct air over front occupants.
| Turbo, manual | Lux | VR6 | Class Average |
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 4.1 |
Both engines are smooth and subdued. Some testers complain of rear-tire roar on coarse pavement. Top up, test cars suffered from noticeable wind noise. Top down, wind rush is the usual convertible fare, though the windshield header screen helps direct air over front occupants.
Controls
Clear gauges complement mostly handy, intuitive controls. Navigation system absorbs some audio controls, complicating their use, but climate controls are separate. Easy-to-use top raises, lowers in about 20 seconds at the push of a button; it includes a heated glass rear window. The large integrated power-opening sunroof is a unique touch.
| Turbo, manual | Lux | VR6 | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 5.8 |
Clear gauges complement mostly handy, intuitive controls. Navigation system absorbs some audio controls, complicating their use, but climate controls are separate. Easy-to-use top raises, lowers in about 20 seconds at the push of a button; it includes a heated glass rear window. The large integrated power-opening sunroof is a unique touch.
Details
High-quality interior has many soft-touch surfaces. Some test examples suffered from a few squeaks near where the top connects to the windshield.
| Turbo, manual | Lux | VR6 | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 6.9 |
High-quality interior has many soft-touch surfaces. Some test examples suffered from a few squeaks near where the top connects to the windshield.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
Good headroom and legroom, but some testers say high door sills, low seat position contribute to a tub-like feel. The seats are supportive with firm side bolstering for lateral stability. The standard tilt and telescopic steering wheel aids driver comfort. Aft visibility is hindered by the headrests and a small rear window with the top up.
| Turbo, manual | Lux | VR6 | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 5.8 |
Good headroom and legroom, but some testers say high door sills, low seat position contribute to a tub-like feel. The seats are supportive with firm side bolstering for lateral stability. The standard tilt and telescopic steering wheel aids driver comfort. Aft visibility is hindered by the headrests and a small rear window with the top up.
Room/Comfort (rear)
Decent legroom with the front seats well forward, but headroom is very cramped even for shorter adults with top up. Seats slide quickly forward to ease entry and exit, but getting in or out with the top up requires the usual coupe contortions.
| Turbo, manual | Lux | VR6 | Class Average |
| 2 | 2 | 2 | .8 |
Decent legroom with the front seats well forward, but headroom is very cramped even for shorter adults with top up. Seats slide quickly forward to ease entry and exit, but getting in or out with the top up requires the usual coupe contortions.
Cargo Room
Trunk volume is small to begin with, and the hardtop folds into the trunk, cutting space even more. There's enough room with the top down for a couple of duffel bags, but thicker suitcases and golf bags won't fit. Eos's cabin would benefit from more small-item storage.
| Turbo, manual | Lux | VR6 | Class Average |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 2.8 |
Trunk volume is small to begin with, and the hardtop folds into the trunk, cutting space even more. There's enough room with the top down for a couple of duffel bags, but thicker suitcases and golf bags won't fit. Eos's cabin would benefit from more small-item storage.
Value within Class
Eos's strengths are a comfortable ride, fine handling, and the choice of open-air driving or hardtop security. Its weaknesses include a tight rear seat and minimal cargo room. Overall, Eos bests its two main retractable-hardtop convertible competitors. It starts at around $8000 less than the Volvo C70 but delivers comparable performance, and it's more solid and fun to drive than the similarly priced Pontiac G6 convertible.
| Turbo, manual | Lux | VR6 | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 5 | 5.6 |
Eos's strengths are a comfortable ride, fine handling, and the choice of open-air driving or hardtop security. Its weaknesses include a tight rear seat and minimal cargo room. Overall, Eos bests its two main retractable-hardtop convertible competitors. It starts at around $8000 less than the Volvo C70 but delivers comparable performance, and it's more solid and fun to drive than the similarly priced Pontiac G6 convertible.
Total Score
| Turbo, manual | Lux | VR6 | Class Average |
| 61 | 61 | 58 | 57.4 |
Scores for all Premium Sporty/performance Cars
| Low Score | 40 | |
| Average Score | 57 | |
| High Score | 66 |
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2009 Volkswagen Eos Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 03/14/2008
Coming soon.
Please check back for more information and Consumer Guide's full review.
Rebates and Incentives
| Model | Rebate & Incentives | Type | Expires |
|
|
|||
| Eos | 3.9%-5.9% financing. | Customer | 10/31/08 |
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national
manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings
may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
Optional Equipment
No factory options.
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2009 Volkswagen Eos Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | Volkswagen Eos 2-door convertible |
| Wheelbase, in. | 101.5 |
| Overall Length, in. | 173.5 |
| Overall Width, in. | 70.5 |
| Overall Height, in. | 56.8 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3505 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 10.5 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 14.5 |
| Seating Capacity | 4 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 37.5 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.7 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 35.8 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 32.5 |
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
| Turbocharged dohc I4 | dohc V6 | |
| Size, liters/cu. in. | 2.0 /121 | 3.2 /195 |
| Horsepower @ rpm. | 200 @ 5100 | 250 @ 6300 |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. | 207 @ 1800 | 235 @ 2500 |
| Availability | Standard | Standard |
|
EPA City / highway mpg
|
||
| 6-speed manual | 21/29 | --/-- |
| 6-speed automatic | 21/30 | 19/26 |
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft;
dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders;
V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions
per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--"
= measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
 Antilock Brakes Traction Control Antiskid System |
Front Side Airbags Curtain Side Airbags Rear Side Airbags |
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | Volkswagen Eos 2-door convertible |
Coming soon.
Please check back for more information and Consumer Guide's full review.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's
worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to
rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury:
5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact
crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%;
1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover
when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%;
2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
| Class | Years/Miles | Comments |
| Powertrain | 5/60,000 | -- |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 3/36,000 | -- |
| Corrosion | 12/unlimited | -- |
| Free roadside assistance | 4/unlimited | -- |
| Free scheduled maintenance | 3/36,000 | -- |
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive.
There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two
other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for
2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any
on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts
and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in:
Portugal
Drivewheels:
front-wheel drive
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Also in the 2009 Volkswagen Eos Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Volkswagen Eos Full Review
7.
8.
9.
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Vehicle History Report
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