2009 Volkswagen Eos: Make the most of the summer!

The technology used to retract a hardtop into the trunk is far from new. In fact, in the 1930s, Peugeot introduced the Eclipse, a model that could do just that. Then, in the fifties, Ford brought this technology back, which Mercedes-Benz has done more recently. But these days, it takes more than a top that retracts into the trunk all by itself to impress people.

Germans tend to like challenges, and they’ve accepted a tough one with the Eos’ hardtop. Not satisfied with simply producing a device to allow the top to retract itself, they managed to add a part that opens as well, thereby creating a sun roof when the top is up! Furthermore, the device that helps the various roof panels move into (or out of) the trunk is one of the most complex on the market right now. Up to this point, the top doesn’t seem to have too many problems. The first Eos models tested proved to be more or less watertight, and our visit to a touchless car wash revealed no leaks, so Volkswagen seems to have improved in this area. When the top is down, you can talk without having to yell and it’s even better if you take the time to install the windblocker, but that will mean sacrificing the two rear seats.

Even more beautiful with her top off...

We can’t say there’s anything wrong with the Eos from a physical standpoint… Sure, it’s purely subjective, but its lines are very nice, and they’re even nicer when the top’s down.

Even the passenger compartment is beautiful. Black is the dominant colour, but the brushed aluminum accents on our test model gave it a nice cheerful touch. The typical VW instrumentation awaits the driver, including gauges that light up in a superb blue once night falls. The steering wheel is comfortable and finding a good driving position is easy since it’s telescopic. What’s more, its range is without a doubt one of the most significant in the industry. Bravo, VW! The seats are a little hard at first but they prove to be comfortable. Even after a trip of several hours, those with wonky backs shouldn’t complain too much. The only bad thing about the seats, the belt loops, whose only purpose in the world is to hold the seatbelts so that those seated in the front can get to them easily, are absolutely horrible. The two people seated in the back clearly get short changed, as space is very limited. Between these two seats, there’s a rear pass-through that lets you access the trunk.

Speaking of the trunk, note that when the top is not inside, you can move the support that it would rest on to create an impressive a 290-litre capacity. When the top is down and in the trunk, the volume is 180 litres, which is a lot better than the New Beetle convertible’s 100 litres, but the space is hard to access. However, and to our great surprise, there’s no mechanism to hold the top in place while it’s retracting, so damage to the top or to objects in the trunk is possible.

A pleasure to drive

It’s no accident that Volkswagen is so popular in Québec. One day behind the wheel is enough to understand people’s sometimes fanatical passion for the German brand. In fact, Volkswagen products are as pleasant to drive as products from brands as expensive as Audi and especially, BMW. The Volkswagen Eos offers a pleasant driving experience, in spite of a chassis that’s slightly less rigid than the manufacturer’s other vehicle’s chassis, especially when the top is down. The steering is precise and the suspensions, while a little hard at times, make great handling possible. The one negative is that on an Eos that we test drove in the winter, there was creaking coming from the top, possibly because of  a chassis that’s a little too flexible.

As for mechanics, it’s rather simple. It has the excellent four-cylinder, 2.0-litre turbo engine that’s always up to the task and there’s practically no response time for the turbo. It’s just too bad that the engine only runs on super. A very pleasant to use six-speed manual transmission and a six-speed automatic DSG – that’s a twin-clutch transmission – are offered.  On the Eos test-driven in the winter, shifting was often jerky, but on another tested during the summer, we didn’t have the same problem. In any case, the gearbox is a pleasure to use and its manual mode isn’t just for show.

Several years ago, the words “Volkswagen” and “tow truck” seemed to go hand in hand, but for three or four years now, VW has been much more reliable. Time will tell if Volkswagen has done a good job in this regard, but for now, if you’re looking for a combination of a fun ride, comfort and fresh air, the Eos is tough to beat.

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