Used 2015 Volkswagen Eos

As both coupe and convertible, the 2015 Volkswagen Eos is essentially two cars in one. This compact VW’s dual personality comes thanks to a retractable hardtop. With roof in place, the Eos looks like a 2-door coupe. Press a button, and the roof retracts to transform the car into a sun-seeking convertible. The Eos isn’t the only 4-passenger hardtop convertible, but it is the least expensive. Starting under $37,000, the VW Eos isn’t exactly cheap but is still thousands less than the Lexus IS C and Infiniti Q60 Convertible. In addition to more premium amenities, those luxury rivals pack a V6, but the Eos’ turbocharged 4-cylinder offers plenty of zip. If all this sounds appealing, act soon: 2015 is the final year for the VW Eos.

Whether driven as a coupe or convertible, the VW Eos doesn’t suffer from the compromised, jittery ride quality that can be the case in such 2-in-1 vehicles. With the roof up, the Eos’ ride and handling are on par with those of a traditional coupe. With top down, the wind and road noise that can dampen the appeal of soft-top convertibles are nowhere to be found in this hardtop convertible VW. The Eos’ 200-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine enables zippy acceleration and passing, and its 6-speed automatic transmission is smooth and quick. In the handling department, the Eos isn’t the most flingable convertible, nor does it have the carving potential of a Golf GTI. But this convertible VW is competent enough when the road twists and turns. Thanks in part to the tall front deflector that can be manually deployed from the windshield’s edge, wind buffeting in the cabin is minimal.

The 2015 VW Eos’ 4-passenger cabin is nicely appointed in either imitation leather (base models) or the real thing. Audio and climate controls are simple to see and use. The 12-way adjustable driver’s seat conforms to a variety of body shapes and sizes. Legroom for the two rear seats is on the tight side but not totally insufferable for adults. The rear seats do not fold, but there is a lockable storage compartment between them. Top up, the trunk offers a good 10.5 cubic feet of storage space. Top down, there is an adequate 6.6 cubic feet, enough for a few shopping bags.

True to the Eos’ ethos, it looks like two different cars depending on the roof’s position. With it up, the VW appears to be a coupe, though one marked by lines intertwining its roof and body, allowing the complex folding of its metal and glass roof. Top down, the Eos is a nicely proportioned open-air pleaser. Base Eos models ride on 17-inch alloy wheels, while the other two wear 18-inch versions. As mentioned in Favorite Features, the roof houses a large, 44-by-22-inch sunroof. The roof itself lowers and rises in 25 seconds.

PANORAMIC GLASS SUNROOF
If you’re shopping for a convertible, odds are you like to let the outdoors in when driving. With this feature, you can bring sunlight and/or fresh air into the cabin even when the roof is up.

DYNAUDIO SOUND SYSTEM
Good tunes and top-down driving are automotive peanut butter and jelly. That combination tastes all the better in the 2015 Eos with this optional 10-speaker, 600-watt audio system.

The base 2015 Volkswagen Eos model, dubbed Komfort by the German automaker, includes dual-zone climate control, 12-way power adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats and V-Tex imitation leather upholstery. Navigation is standard and is displayed on a 5-inch touch screen. Entertainment is provided by an 8-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with auxiliary-in jack, Bluetooth streaming and an iPod cable. As with other new VWs, the 2015 Eos includes one year/10,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance and three years/36,000 miles of roadside assistance.

Major extras for VW’s hardtop convertible are gained by climbing trims. The mid-level Final Edition adds leather seating, 18-inch wheels, sport suspension, bright bi-xenon headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers and power-adjustable front passenger seat. Other appreciable features include a rearview camera and push-button start. The top-line Eos Executive model includes a larger 6.5-inch infotainment display, the Dynaudio 10-speaker/600-watt sound system with HD and satellite radio tuner and 30-gig hard drive for music storage, and power-folding side mirrors. For a more premium feel, wood interior trim is optional on the Executive trim.

All versions of the 2015 Eos are powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine connected to a 6-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission with Sport mode for enhanced responsiveness. As is often the case with turbocharged engines, premium fuel is recommended. All versions of the Eos are front-wheel drive.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
200 horsepower @ 5,100 rpm
207 lb-ft of torque @ 1,700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/30 mpg