There is no way to overstate the appeal of the new Volkswagen Eos’ folding hardtop. I sat inside the car for ten minutes, opening and closing the lid, marveling at the mechanism’s precision and design. What kind of mind can develop something that folds and unfolds with such infinite grace? If you like to visit high speed factories spitting out hundreds of widgets per minute, filling them with liquids and shrink wrapping them in three swift motions, then you will never tire of lowering and raising the Eos’ five-piece hardtop. As for the rest of Vee Dub’s CSC (coupe-sunroof-convertible), it’s danger, boredom ahead.
All the time, effort and money VW’s engineers spent creating and manufacturing the Eos’ hardtop must have been scrimped from the company’s design department. Although there’s plenty of concave and convex “flame surfacing” in the usual places (wheel arches, door bottoms), there’s nothing even mildly warm about the Eos’ overall look. While the detailing takes German minimalism to the next level (dull and insipid), the proportions are the real passion killer. The overhangs are grossly mismatched, the ascending beltline says “tip-toeing bathtub” and the rearwards sloping rear deck is just plain wrong. At best (i.e. after you buy one), the Eos is “cute.” For those of us who remain on the sidelines, "homely and unlovable" is closer to the truth.
As befits a car that was shown as a concept just 18 months ago, the Eos’ interior is a parts bin special. Although the fascia is all new, all the bits slotted in are standard Golf fare— and none the worse for it. It’s a clean look with faultless ergonomics, from cosseting chairs to simple controls. Our tester’s Sport package (about $3500) adds some much needed spizzarkle– aluminum trim and wikkid dials– to the cabin’s otherwise dour demeanor. There aren’t a lot of high tech toys, but the [optional] satellite radio gets channeled through an [optional] mini Marshall stack and the [optional] corner steering xenon lighting makes drivers feel positively Lexian.
Pistonheads note: the folding hardtop VW Eos is no one trick pony. Provided you stump-up for VW’s dual shift gearbox (DSG), it’s a one-and-a-half trick pony. The superb paddle shift system, which has transformed ugly ducklings like the VW GTI and Audi A3 into F1 soaring Eagles, turns the Eos into a runt swan. Credit the extra weight of the hardtop top, its motor and the chassis strengthening needed to maintain torsional rigidity. It does nothing for the car’s dynamics, except spoil them.
VW’s press site pegs the Eos’ curb weight at 3503 lbs. That would make the Eos (which sits on a modified Passat platform) just 195 pounds heavier than a GTI. It feels three times that. Even under full throttle, the DSG labors to make anything happen. The razor-sharp small VW driving experience is decidedly dumbed down. Our tester had the base engine: a 2.0-liter, 200hp, turbocharged four. This mill, so willing and frisky in all the other VW/Audi executions, feels overwhelmed and peaky in this application. If you want to buy this top– I mean car, wait for September, when the factory starts building the Eos with a 250hp V6.
Of course, the Eos’ ponderousness steals more than the accelerative joy normally derived from this engine and transmission combination. The “I can’t believe this is a front driver” handling experience from the GTI is lost as well. Understeer is the party guest from Hell, arriving early and staying late. The props top also seems to unbalance the equation vertically; the Eos navigates curves like an ungainly and top heavy SUV. In addition to the nautical motions, you also get a maritime soundtrack: the top creaks and groans over rough patches like an old wooden schooner.
If the Jetta is all grown up, the Eos is an octogenarian. Its lethargic performance and high quality materials highlight the blue rinse effect. The pricing punctuates these observations. The 2.0-liter Eos starts under $30k, and quickly ascends in the high 30’s. The 3.2 will easily break $40k. Hardtop or no, the GTI is looking more and more like the pick of the litter.
Anyway, the Eos is clearly another “lifestyle” Volkswagen aimed at the empty nest/trustafarian market. While the Eos’ retractable hardtop is nothing new from the likes of the Mercedes (SL/SLK), we’re grateful that the new Vee Dub brings Germany's open and shut case to the masses. If Wolfsburg had attached their wundertop to a more attractive package, they would have had an instant classic. Instead, they’ve built a highly polished though dynamically dull machine whose appeal— and sales— will rely almost entirely on the novelty of its hood. Will that party trick be enough to move the metal? Absolutely.
Interesting…I’m due to drive one from SFO to Pebble tomorrow.
Wow, does anyone else reading this think that the EOS looks that bad?
And is it any surprise that a larger/heavier car with a retractable hard top does not perform like a GTI?
The pictures lie. It’s an automotive platypus in the flesh.
the wheels are too low on the frame. the car feels top heavy because it is. look at the ride height. it’s way too high (unless you’re fording a river). this car would actually be very attractive if they had put the wheels up in the body like a normal german.
Very rarely does a convertible actually look better with the top up.
Hard to believe given the usual rubbish they churn out, but GM has produced a much better folding hardtop than VW’s Eos – the Opel/Vauxhall Astra Twin-Top. Beats me why they don’t sell it in the US, perhaps using a Saturn, Chevy or Pontiac nameplate. Yes, it’s easier on the eye and kinder to the wallet than either the Eos or Volvo’s C70.
But then competition among folding hardtop is much more fierce in Europe than the US. Renault has the Megane CC, Peugeot has the dinky 206 CC and larger 306 CC, Ford is about to launch a folding hardtop Focus, Mazda’s new MX-5 will get the same treatment, and even Mitsubishu and Nissan have tried the same idea (albeit with an ugly result) with the CZC and Micra CC respectively. And we get the Eos and C70 too.
Glad we own a Boxster. Porsche resisted the Swiss Army Knife approach and made an excellent soft top that doesn’t take an iota of luggage space and doesn’t even need a “tonneau cover.” The top _is_ the tonneau cover when it’s down. Weatherproof? Durable? We live in the snowbelt in an old farmhouse that doesn’t even have a garage. Porsche sits out in the driveway all year round (on its snowtires in the winter).
Folding metal tops are a dumb, unnecessary fad.
the 09 mustang will be a folding hardtop i believe. i think they are good if they add to the frame rigidity when up. but i would rather have a boxster than just about any of the folding hardtops out there.
ugh! so heavy!!
i test drove an Eos this past weekend and don’t understand where the harsh words are coming from. its a not a sports car, it wasn’t meant to be. if you want a VWAG sports car check out the new TT. This car is positioned below the TT for obvious reasons and it does its job really well. Its a sporty car, with a nice ride and an interior with the added cool-factor of the drop-top. It would be a great weekend road trip for two car. The back seats actually fit my 6ft frame rather well though I don’t think i would want to be back there for a long ride. The only minus i had on this car was the small-ish trunk space…though i expected it. (there is enough room for two people for a few days). what you didn’t mention is the amazingly smooth and stiff ride with the top down. I have also drive the Pontiac and the interior and ride quality isn’t even worthy of being mentioned in the same sentence.
I don’t expect many ppl to cross shop the GTI and the EOS, they are two diff types of cars going after two diff demographics. Comparing them would be similar to a G6 V Cobalt SS…two totally diff types of cars.
I understand that TTAC is all about brutally honest truth, but i get this feeling that authors are trying to find something wrong with cars so they can write a witty review. What about the good truths? Reviewers need to put themselves into the mind set of a potential buyer of the car, not there own idea of what the car should/needs to be. As i am sure we are all enthusiasts here, no stock car out there is good enough. Suspension is to soft or engine not responsive enough, steering to numb. But for my mother (the potential buyer of the car) its the perfect car, she doesn’t want a rough ride, it has more then enough power, gets good gas mileage, the engine has so much low end torque that driving around town is easy. No its not razor sharp in the turns or blisteringly fast but its more then willing of doing its job. If you want a sports car then buy a sports car.
Also wanted to state that my local VW has taken 5 orders for them in less then a week.
I couldn’t agree more Stephan. The convertible hardtops look so uninspired, like the should just be a coupe to begin with. I do see the practical applications for it, but there is just something about a convertible with a contrasting color and texture top. The BMW Z4 and Porsche Boxster come to mind. All that is really needed is a defrosting glass rear window.
Looks like a Ford ZX-2 with the top up.
gearhead455:
August 16th, 2006 at 9:29 am
Wow, does anyone else reading this think that the EOS looks that bad?
It certainly doesn’t make me want to do a Snoopy dance. Among many other aesthetic aspects, the half-peanut eyes are ridiculous.
And the weight!!! 600 lbs more than a ‘Vette, a G more than an MX-5.
My first thought was bigger wheels, but what dolo54 said is spot on. It isn’t so much the size of the wheels, but that they are too low relative to the horizontal lines of the car. It just gives it an odd look.
And I can’t be the only one that thinks the chromed-out nose of the new V-dubs is hideous. I can’t stand ’em.
With the top up, I can’t help but reminded of a Saturn. A bit of Ion, maybe. Whatever, for that kind of money I want more than a cool folding top (and as a mechanical engineer I would no doubt appreciate it). I want something that looks good, too.
How can you compare a 2 seater (Corvette) to an EOS? Even a XLR comparison would be out of the question. The only vehicle that is comparable to this vehicle is a Pontiac G6 convertible. Both of those vehicles weigh about the same, similar price and power.
“I understand that TTAC is all about brutally honest truth, but i get this feeling that authors are trying to find something wrong with cars so they can write a witty review.”
I have been feeling this way also. The brutal bash-fest over the review of the mustang GT happened because it was a good review of a vehicle that most TTAC readers would turn there nose up at without giving it the proper chance.
Jay
Great review. I agree with all of it except one point. VW didn’t design the roof. OAYsys/Webasto did.
Translated info is here with probably the best headline I’ve read this month,
“Hat off for new VOLKSWAGEN the Cabrio!
OASYS lends to the Cabrio study a fifth-hasty, hinged Hardtop.”
A “fifth-hasty” job it certainly was…
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://www.webasto.de/press/de/press_product_4087.html&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3DOASys%2Bwebasto%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26safe%3Doff
Guys, we call it like we see it. And that’s the truth.
I review cars for a living, for a variety of magazines and a website (forbesautos.com). I try, at least, to limit my opinions–particularly the negative ones–to things that readers could conceivably need my advice on, for what it’s worth. Whether the wheels are too far from the beltline or the doorhandles are from the Taurus, whether the grille is [perceived by me to be] ugly or the trunklid is [again, perceived by me to be] too high is totally irrelevant, as far as I’m concerned. People can make up their minds about things like that on their own, and what I think should matter as much as whether or not I like the color of their refrigerator. It’s none of my business.
If the doorhandles don’t work, the wheels are too big to provide the desired ride, the grille sucks up loose manhole covers or the trunklid hits the bridge of your nose every time you close it, that’s useful information.
I think sometimes–and I’m not specifically talking about Jay’s VW review–TTAC sometimes forgets the difference between personal irrelevancy and useful information.
There’s another thing that affects a wide variety of car reviewers, though certainly not Shoemaker, who can afford any car he wants. Awhile ago, I was at a Mercedes intro, and some loudmouth car writer was holding forth at considerable length about how he’d “left the Boxster S at the airport,” and how the straight Boxster was a worthless PoS, and “his” S was far more desirable.
I bit my tongue, thinking, “Jeez, he’s doin’ well enough to afford a Boxster too, and he can even buy a more expensive one than mine.” Well, I finally realized he was talking about a press-fleet loaner Boxster S and probably drove a used Hyundai beater himself.
Until you stand in the car store and make the buying decision yourself, instead of making believe you’re Donald Trump (or Jay Shoemaker…), as a reviewer you sometimes need to work a little harder to put yourself in the buyer’s brogans.
Sounds like the EOS fails miserably at… Well… Everything.
It doesn’t even have the simple charm of the old Golf Cabrio.
The G6 looks better and will probably be available for far cheaper. The MX-5 has a power hardtop as well, it ain’t as fancy, but it makes no compromises.
Remember when VWs were cheap, reliable, and simple? Now they all seem to be overpriced, unreliable and overcomplicated.
if you going to pass absoulte judgement on a car you have never driven or lickly seen in the flesh then just go get inline with the rest of the sheep over at the Toyta Camry store.
why do your reviews always feature company press shots of the vehicle? having at least a couple of ‘real’ photos would add some credibility to the review, imo. if i don’t see a picture of the real car, i always question whether you really did lay your hands on it…
jay, won’t the v6 be even heavier?! sure, it ahs a little more power, but it’s not going to help the fwd handling having a couple of extra cylinders up front, is it?
Stephan Wilkinson
Exactly! Yes! Thank You!
How about telling me about the seat comfort… or leg room… gauge visibility… hell even fit and finish!? So you think it’s ugly… yeah I can see that.
The only thing useful in this article to me was the part about creaking top. Did I really expect this vehicle to have GTI like qualities… no… That’s not what this car is marketed to.
It would be interesting to see the market research on this “folding hardtop” VW. I had no idea that it would be economically feasible to produce cars like these. To my mind, even if it’s flawless, people would not buy it for transportation. Maybe it would be bought as a big toy.
Then again, maybe the “folding hardtop” can replace the “rag-top” for average income drivers, who need to enter and remain in our crime/gang infested urban “oases”. At least you’ve got steel between your fragile skull and some wacked out hachet wielding “citizen”.
“At least you’ve got steel between your fragile skull and some wacked out hachet wielding ‘citizen’. ”
GREAT!
First we sell SUV’s by convincing people their efficient front-drive compact cars will slip into a ditch with the first raindrop – or that they need them to “compete” with other vehicles in the 3 crashes they’ll participate in each week.
Now, we’ll convince everyone that they need a bloated Skyliner instead of a ragtop to avoid being hacked by urban guerillas. (By the way, if they want in, they’ll get in.)
What in the hell exactly is our defect? Just how much does therapy for 300 million people cost, anyway?
I think the Eos will do fairly well for VW. Most convertibles of any kind are not meant as performance cars at least in this price bracket. They are GT cars at best. The Eos is a pure touring car that gives you better year round drivability than a rag top. Not everyone has a garage or one that isn’t filled with crap so no car can fit in it. Styling is subjective, it’s not a great looking car but it’s not bad either. The one complaint I’d have it the overall price is a bit high. Is it any worse than an A4 Cabrio in performance? A lot of people are not going to by a Pontiac and if they would like a hardtop convertible with more than two seats in this price range what else is there? The DSG is a big selling point IMO as well. I’d love to see that in more cars but then I like BMW’s SMG even though that gets slammed here too.
Stephan et al.:
TTAC writers' remit: describe the soul of a new machine. Although there is some minimum information we like to include, our reviews are all about describing a car's personality. All the practical stuff– fuel economy, price comparisons with the competition, suspension components– can be found on other sites.
Of course, this raises important questions about personal bias. While there are some people who believe the word "truth" should only apply to objective, demonstrable fact, TTAC operates according to a more generous definition. I believe truth is what an honest, informed person believes to be true, after direct experience and open-minded reflection.
Other than that, and perhaps ultimately, I insist that our reviews are well-written and entertaining. Our primary goal is to get you from the first word to the last sentence. Our secondary goal is to describe a car (or tackle an issue) with honesty, integrity and a sense of humor.
That, I'm afraid, is as good as it gets.
I think there is a flaw in that logic that has been showing itself in alot of the reviews lately. If the author is reviewing the Corvette, but has already driven a Z06 they might say the standard Corvette is underpowered, and the handling is not so good. But the review isnt about the Z06..its about what the Corvette is capable off. Im not saying you need to post numbers and statistics and whatnot cause i normally just skip over that stuff anyway. using the example of the Eos…its not a sports car, and this review is written as though it is suppose to be and doesn’t deliver the goods. But if you take the car for what it is its then this review would have had a totally diff tone to it. Write the review from the perspective of how ppl are actually going to use the vehicle…would you give a pickup truck pour marks because the brakes fade after some serious back road driving? Or say the Miata is garbage because you cant fit a 32in tv in the back. No…so why bash a comfort cruiser for not slicing through the corners like an Elise.
Though i find the writing on TTAC entertaining i dont take any of the road tests seriously because of the obvious pessimistic tone. While your looking for mistakes and flaws you may over look some really cool details
If you think the Eos is ugly (and it is no beauty), compare it to its predecessor, the VW Golf convertible – compared to that, it looks leaps and bounds better.
On a totally unrelated note, I agree with what’s been said before: GM should sell the European Opel Astra Twin-top in the US – why not let Saturn sell it, instead of the everybody-knows-it’s-a-rebadged-Solstice Sky?
I don’t always agree with TTAC reviews, but I think they’re generally honest attempts to convey the tester’s honest impressions. This review seems no different to me than any of the others in that respect. Furthermore, I think it’s probably worth remembering that at the end of the day it is just one man’s opinion.
Besides, if you really want to see brutal, read or watch the average Jeremy Clarkson review.
I was at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year, and was looking forward to see the EOS and to check whether this would be a good choice. 2-seaters are for fun, but not for real life.
However, I for myself was disappointed with the styling. Walking around the car left me with the feeling that I did not really want it.
It seems that most of the 4-seat convertibles do not have the charme as the Roadsters. However, the Audi A4 convertible looks more interesting to me than the EOS, although from technology it may not be so advanced, at least regarding the top.
I only review cars that personally intrigue me. I fell in love with the roof mechanism at the Frankfurt show and the idea of combining the DSG transmission with a top this cool had me looking forward to the Eos.
I suppose my issues mainly come from the vastly superior driving experience I get from the GTI. The Eos disappoints in virtually every way.
However, what I find encouraging is that lately, I have found lesser cars to be more appealing. I have submitted a piece to RF reviewing the Mercedes CLK 63, another hotly anticipated ride, and as with the Eos vs. GTI, the lesser CLK 550 is the better choice.
With the top up, and from the C Pillar back, that is the ugliest car on the road, period.
Yournamehere and Stephan W, I absolutely agree with you guys on this one! The vehicle should be evaluated in the eyes of the target market.
I felt like this review has a lot of negative unneccessary and contradicting comments. For example, the review stated that interior fittings were `parts bin special` , which is usually regarded as extremely negative (like when GM uses regular GM switchgear in there $50K dollar Corvettes or $75K Cadillac XLR). And then the reviewer next sentence praises the cleanliness and erogonomics of the interior. Using a`parts bin` made up of high quality parts is a great thing. The review never mentions anything negative out the quality of the interior materials.
Robert Farago – In your last comment, I feel your goals are backward. If TTAC focuses on providing the best in describing cars (or tackle an issue) with honesty, integrity and a sense of humor and your first goal will be acheived. All great companies focus on the product first and then you will get your continued readership.
Camp6ell – I agree with you that it would be nice to see some actual photos from when TTAC reviews a vehicle that coincide with specific thoughts in the review. It would definitely add value and brings a stronger legitimacy to TTAC.
Finally, I miss the simple 5 stars rating guide from the old TTAC website. It provides the reader with a quick overview of the reviewers feelings about the car.
I really enjoy reading TTAC!!
I don’t currently own a hardtop/convertible. But I had soft tops over the years. I can think of a couple of scenarios where a hardtop/convertible would make lots of sense:
1) City Use/Traffic – There are times when “cruising” down the Interstate at 5-10 mph is no fun in a convertible, whether you have the top down or not … air conditioning doesn’t work as well, the loud rattling noise from that refrigeration truck idling in the next lane (not to mention the fumes) … make the seal and quiet of a hardtop really appealing.
2) Security/Vandalism – Both of my last two convertibles got multiple tops, with periodic tape patches between replacements. Any moron with a screwdriver or a switchblade sees your canvas top as an opportunity — if not for petty larceny, simply for senseless vandalism. A soft top is no security and is expensive to replace. Painting a hardtop is a lot easier than replacing a soft one …
I just passed on a cool old VW Cabrio with a brand new top because I park on the street and I knew the canvas wouldn’t last a month.
Given my druthers, I’d like to have a 911 Cabrio too. But for a pop-top urban cruiser/beater, I can see how a hardtop convertible would make a lot of sense.
With all due respect for the efforts and obvious writing talents at TTAC, I must say that reading about ANOTHER horrible, rotten, mis-step of a car is starting to become rather depressing.
Surely there ARE some awesome, fun, and “inspiring†cars out there somewhere?
Can you write one of THOSE rare-birds up soon? Please?
Thanks!
P.S. I do agree with your take on the Eos…
I am at a diadvantage because we the people can’t drive or see the eos in the flesh. But bob, why not compare it to something like the solstice. Could it beat the standard edition solstice? Could it corner with it etc.? When someone writes they would rather keep their boxter, I say at nearly twice the price shouldn’t it be better. The question is, if you want a moderate priced hard top convert, does this thing measure up? Does it measure up to the softops like the solstice with their not so wonderful top mechanism? Finally, engineering is wonderful, but you can’t put a car width roof in a trunk and make it a boat tail speedster. (the roof only folds on one plane) Look at the Lexus Sc430, beautfiul no, practical and all around good yes. So Bob how does it stack up in it’s price range?
I loved the Mercedes CLS 550 in my previous review.
The problem with those sort of cars is, that a foldable hard top always leads to a somewhat unproportional look.
In that regard, the EOS is still way better looking than any of its competition…have a look at the Peugeot 206cc, the Nissan Micra C+C or the Opel Tigra TwinTop. To be honest, the Renault Megane CC isn’t that bad either and the Peugeot 307cc at least looks nice on pictures.
But all those cars are great for what they are. Sure, the roof make’s them pretty bad to handle (at least compared to sporty cars), but that’s not what they are built for. Cars like the EOS are for those people who want an open car on a sunny day, but at the same time have the practicability of their Jetta when it’s raining.
If performance was so important for them, they would just buy a BMW convertible in addition to their regular car.
In addition to my last comment, I want to add, that I really like the funny but honest reviews you guys have. But that shouldn’t become an end in itself.
You shouldn’t review every car with a Boxter in your mind. Of course cars like the EON will lose against that. You should review those cars for what they are meant to be. The EON isn’t meant to be a Boxter and not even a SLK or SC430.
I’m aware that it actually is your DUTY to report that the car is handling bad. But in an 800 word review, there should be more than “the mechanical roof is great” and “the performance is horrible” with a little “sterile design” thrown in. There is more to cars than pure performance.
I may sound like a big EOS fan, but I’m not and I certainly think you guys are the best out there. I just think you could be even better.
So only a 50-year-old woman should review this car? I have no problem with the design and performance review.
Seems to me a guy would want a Solstice over this and a woman wanting a cute convertible would like this.
It is too heavy and, if the price is in the $30Ks, that’s silly.
Hmmm… overpriced and underpowered, must be a VW. This will probably be very popular on my campus, Jettas and New Beatles easily account for half of the new cars. Not to be sexist, but it’s a chick car.
Jay, are you going to review the MX-5 hardtop? I think it has a very ingenious top that actually looks good when up.
Also: Is there a link to see this thing in action?
I guess I should have googled before asking:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5349353044394284705
I saw one of these on the 101 in Southern California a couple of times for testing. Even muled up (hiding all the chrome) the thing was ugly. It’s too bad, too, because a hard top convertible with dsg could have been a very fun car. VW added on too much weight and too much ugly, so I’ll gladly pass.
Not to be sexist, but it’s a chick car? Is that like, “Not to be homophobic, but it’s a fag car.” Or maybe, “Not to be Mel Gibson, but it’s a Jew car.”
Maybe someday we’ll stop categorizing cars by whomever we last saw driving them.
One thing readers need to keep in mind, is that often there ISN’T a definitive review of a vehicle – everyone’s needs and likes, hence their opinions, are different.
I often take members of my car club (with a diverse background ranging from lapping and autocross, to rally and stock car racing) along with me for test drives. Their opinions of a vehicle sometimes swing from one extreme to the other, yet all are knowledgeable car guys and excellent drivers.
A lot of them hate the small econoboxes that I sometimes drive – but those vehicles wouldn’t suit them at all. Yet when I had the Hyundai Accent recently a female acquaintance purchased one afterwards – it perfectly suited her needs.
I always try to ask myself “Does this vehicle do what it claims it can… and how well does it do that?”
an accent? you are disqualified. I wouldn’t sell that to my worst enemy. a terrible terrible dangerously awful car. AND it gets dusted by geriatric geezers at stop lights! sheesh!
i dunno what everybody’s complaining about. the car looks pathetic, probably drives as awful as claimed, and so it gets a bad review. who wants an ugly, over-heavy fwd with a hardtop convertible that creaks even brand new??? what is he supposed to say? “I hated it, but hey if you’re just driving to your dorm you’ll love it.” if you disagree with a review that’s one thing, but you can’t critisize this site’s mission. their mission is what they choose. if you want something different go to another site. at least you are getting ‘one man’s honest opinion’ which is truth of a sort. not the lie of a corporate sponsored ‘review’. i do miss the stars and summary though.
I didn’t sell it. She made up her own mind about the car after riding in it.
For me – the car wouldn’t do. But, for $15,000 base price – the hatchback was a good deal for a clerk who will never give 0-60 times or handling and suspension a second thought.
Oh yeah – from the side that Eos is pretty ugly. The wheel wells look like they are protruding.
I’ve got no problem whatsoever with the TTAC “mission†or this particular review, nor the TTAC review style in general. It’s great, and I look forward to their new posts.
I was just wondering when we’ll be getting to the “good carsâ€. Is the automotive landscape that bereft of decent new cars these days? I’m beginning to believe we’ve slipped into the Dark Ages as far as new cars are concerned. Can this be true?
n2f: there are good cars in the market. Ya know, cars that surprise, delight and impress with every turn. I raved about the Grand Marquis (underappreciated) and the Corvette Z06 (believe the hype) and I got a couple more in the works.
That said, if the Eos’ beltine wasn’t retirement home high, and wasn’t named after a camera, I’d probably like it for what it is.
I loved the AWD 300C… felt like Big Daddy driving that thing. Took it for a couple of hot laps around an ice-racing track. Woohooo!!
P.S. Don’t tell Chrysler. :)))
Drove the new Legacy 2.5 spec.B (with STi guts) on Tuesday, it was a damn nice car, a real sleeper.
The Honda Ridgeline, despite its inherent fugliness, really grew on me.
Too many nice ones to list here… none of them are perfect though.
Oh not another bitch basket. I find the lot that drive those things to be preoccupied by everything OTHER than driving dynamics. A flower on the dashboard will mean more to the buyers of that car than how quickly it gets up and goes. Previous VW bitch baskets have been karmann bodied electrical gremlin farms which my VW tech friends despise. This car spews forth girly-cuteness ferimones to the point that it could get you laid in a traffic jam.
The eos badly needs some APR software…. another 100 lb ft of torque and 52 more ponies might fix that lethargy. As for the onset of understeer a nice thick rear sway bar and some sticky tires. Lets be realistic tho… does anybody buy a bitch basket to drive it like they can fix it?
If we do a car of the year, as of right now, I’m voting Honda Fit.
That’s a fantastic car.
Thanks Sajeev. I’ll pipe-down now ;-) Carry on… You guys rock (“…if the Eos’ beltine wasn’t retirement home high“….)!
As far as a “Car of the Year” on TTAC… not a bad idea really… How ’bout it?
WTF… is a bitch basket??
Oh, and you spelled pheromones wrong.
Car of the year wouldn’t work because all of the reviewers haven’t driven the same cars, correct? Was the Fit better than the new Civic?
Big mistake, Lesley. Don’t encourage the, uh, person.
I gotta say, I think you’re being a bit unfair to the Eos. But your opinion is yours, and I totally respect that.
And by the way, great blog. Keep it up! But is it really neccessary to login to comment? I know you may be keeping some rif raf out, but I think you’re also discouraging some folks from commenting. I’ve personally put off creating an account for months now.
Yes, it’s necessary to log in to comment.
This system gives me the chance to monitor each and every comment, and ban people who go beyond the boundaries of reasonable discourse.
I have been amazed and awed by the quality of the commentary provided by our readers. I will do everything in my power to protect that quality.
Well, that is true – you do have great folks commenting. More power to ya!
of course it’s heavier than a GTI. It’s based on a mixture of Golf and Passat chassis. It’s a larger car.
What a pointless review. “this softly sprung, relaxing convertible is less fun to drive and less responsive than a GTI.”
imagine that!
High 20s for a stripper and high 30s for a decent one?
Nooooooooooo thanks. There’s far better metal out there for that kind of money.
This is my first post here, although I’ve been reading TTAC for a few months now. I have to say I’m really impressed by the discourse in the replies. My hat is off to Farago and the writers — where else can people who know cars have a discussion about the appropriate perspective for a car review?
My takeaway from this review, as well as others I’ve read of the G6 and Volvo hardtop convertibles is that they just don’t work that well. Given the technical success of the SLK and SL hardtops, you can understand why a lot of car companies would attempt the 4 seater hardtop convertible — a combination of fun roadster and practical everyday commuter that you can still take the kids/friends for a ride in.
But they don’t seem to work in practice, as they get too expensive and too heavy. My take is that anyone with the parking space is better off with a new Jetta for everyday commuting, and a 7 year old Miata for weekend fun in the sun. If you live in the city and can’t get 2 parking spots, maybe you just rent a fun car for the odd weekend roadtrip. Hertz GT-H maybe?
An interesting topic would be the viability of new market niches. I thought the “sports tourer” niche — the stylish AWD minivan would be a winner, but so far, the Pacifica, Freestyle and R-class seem to have fallen on their faces.
Since the Passat and Golf are now based on the same platform, I did a little digging to see what makes the Eos more closely related to the larger car. Especially since the IP is clearly from the Golf. Seems that the body structure is more Golf/Jetta, but that the suspension is derived from that of the Passat, with a wider track.
I drove a C70 and G6 convertible late last week. If you don’t like how the Eos handles, then steer clear of the C70. Even the G6 felt much more lively. Unfortunately, while the G6 wins in terms of punch off the line and handling (where it’s still no star), the interior is cheap and the trunk is useless with the top down.
One aesthetic victory for the Eos: they avoid the unsightly extra cutline in the roof that hurts the looks of the C70 by keeping the side rails one piece, as on the G6, but retracting them into a U-shaped top well that extends along each side of the rear passenger compartment. The trick: a retractable sunroof built into the top. On the Pontiac the single-piece roof requires all of a very long trunk for storage.
Karesh,
Curious to find you mention the C70 here. I keyed up a comment on the C70 but had trouble posting yesterday.
To my eye, I find the C70 to be the prettiest girl at this hard top convertible dance. Sadly, I agree that its an underachieving, unmotivated cul de sac princess. The video of the Eos roof is pretty trick though.
This is pushing the envelope but I sure would like to see the upcoming passat coupe offered with a retractable hardtop. That would have my attention.
I find the G6 easily the best looking in this price bracket. Especially with the top up. But the Volvo has a far nicer interior. The VW probably does as well.
I drove the new C70 with a friend who has the old one. I find his car much better looking. He’s okay with the new styling, but was very disappointed with how boring the car was to drive. He was shocked to find he preferred how the Pontiac drove as well. But he’d never buy one because of the interior, and probably also because the trunk is useless with the top down. With the Volvo you can push a button in the trunk to partially raise the top, enabling you to get at the cargo space beneath it.
Here we go again. The volvo C70 starts at $39k I just looked to see if they are running a fire sale, their not. The pontiac G6 and the miata new hard top are comparable to the EOS, ie less than $30K start price. If you really want to put the eos in a bad lights try the pebble beach edition of the lexus sc430 for about 70k lexus addresses all of the points talked about (except it’s still square in the back where the roof has to reside when down). But these comparisons are not fair or relevant. Back to earth: for about 30 equiped we can buy three hard top converts: eos, pontiac, and mazda, now which do you like and why?
Stephan Wilkinson-
You may be right to object to the term ‘chick car’ as derogatory, but the truth (about cars?) is that there are cars which are designed with women in mind and marketed towards them. Also, there are cars that just end up finding a predominately female audience.
Working in design, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked to make something pink or powder blue to appeal to the ‘female audience’. The only thing more politically incorrect than that is the simple fact that it works, and quantifiably so.
Bearing that in mind, I submit that there are cars that are, for lack of a better term, ‘chick cars’… and I suspect that the a peek at the Eos marketing plan would confirm that it’s maker intended it as such.
The Mazda isn’t comparable–totally different sort of car.
I haven’t entered pricing data on the C70 and Eos into my price comparison database yet, so I’m not sure how far apart they actually are. Probably less than $10,000, but still a substantial amount. Still, some people will cross-shop them.
I also drove an SL a few days ago. That’s a totally different segment, in many ways.
Jerry Weber,
The only reasons I brought up the C70 were due to the design topic (ridicule)of the convertible hardtop designs and the earlier comment that they were an unnecessary fad (they are a nice option up here where it snows seasonally…on earth as you say).
well at least ‘chick car’ isn’t as revolting a term as ‘bitch basket’. gross! the he-man woman haters society needs to go back under its rock.
LOL!
Oh… hadn’t seen that comment… that’s just wrong.
And I laughed at it… and that’s wrong.
OK, I’ll go sit in the corner now.
I don’t see why there are so many objections to this review.
I feel that a reasonable expectation of sportiness in this car is NOT out of the question seeing that it is the same size as a GTI and has the 2.0 turbo 4 with DSG. I feel that the review verbalised the disappointment (that I know I felt) that the car didn’t quite measure up and that it was nothing more than the other four seat convertibles out there.
Some cars bring out certain expectations. Maybe those expectations are unreasonable, but I’m sure that there are some enthusiasts out there that see these new hardtop/convertible 4 seaters as the perfect answer to their needs IF only, these cars had the handling and performance that is implied on the spec sheet.
Having driven the EOS myself and after reading your article about it, I realize that you guys do not mean to make a subjective review about the car. At best, you only highlighted the bad things about it, which you can find many when comparing with the all the wrong cars, and cited any good things with a sarcastic tone.
Your view is obviously that any car should handle like, cost no more than and measure up to the GTI in order to be worthy of even considering to purchase. With this logic, it is obvious why you omitted crucial information that any potential buyer may need to make a decision.
You mentioned that the top “creaks and groans like a wooden schooner” (by the way the one I drove didn’t) while you forgot to mention if it is any good with the top down (believe me it is one of the best cabrios around with minimum shake and turbulence for the front 2 seats).
Even though I did not push the car that hard, you are obviously overstating the understeer effect. It is not necessary to drive without the ESP though.
You also failed to mention that the EOS is for the time the only CC with a sunroof, bringing actually something pretty new to the category.
And to top it up, the comparison with the GTI makes me wonder if you are in the right trade.
Would you actually ever say that the GTI is pretty claustrophobic compared to an EOS top down?
You conduct is totally biased and unprofessional.
It will be interesting to see how the, to my eyes, very pretty Ford Focus convertible fares with the TTAC reviewers…
Oh! Sorry you won’t be getting it in the US will you. Shame.
I have been thinking about this whole issue. It would appear that these cars eos, miata, G6. Volvo, mercedes, maybe mustang and sebring, really are ushering in a sea change in open motoring. They are all the first wave of replacements for rag tops. In another 5 years, the rag top may be a thing of the past with some exceptions. Security, wind noise, and bad climates for half of the year would seem to be the reason that this will occur. It is already quite amazing to me that all of these companies are building these things at just a hair more money than the present rags. I think these builders should be given some credit for moving the paradign on open cars to a level not seen in 100 years of car building. (we will of course have to forgive the fat rear ends of these cars for now, in another generation that may be solved)
As the author of this article I am pleased by the diversity of opinions expressed here. I think the point of TTAC is to have a place where honesty is valued over commerce. My livelihood is not dependent upon my writing so I don’t have to fear reprisals for writing what I really think.
Perceptions of automobiles are just that, individualistic reactions in that moment. My expectations for the Eos came from my appreciation for the novelty of the retractable hardtop as well as my extensive experience driving a GTI. I wanted the Eos to capture the innocent and inexpensive joy I get when driving the GTI coupled with a slick top. I was seriously thinking of purchasing an Eos and was eagerly anticipating the test drive.
Perhaps many of you weren’t expecting what I was and won’t be disappointed. I am going to do exactly what I recommended, wait for the six cylinder version and try again. I think that VW is making interesting cars again and want to reward their efforts, but the Eos 2.0 won’t get my business.
I’ve driven the Eos (automatic) and it is a sporty car – but not a sports car – for about $10 grand less than the slightly larger Volvo C70. The latter is a bit of a dog as well, although more roomy.
If you are considering a folding hardtop because of security or safety reasons, there is no free lunch. Both these cars look better wth the top down.
Trivia: The Honda Del Sol had a folding hardtop originally, but as far as I know, it was only sold in Japan.
TTAC writers’ remit: describe the soul of a new machine. Although there is some minimum information we like to include, our reviews are all about describing a car’s personality. All the practical stuff– fuel economy, price comparisons with the competition, suspension components– can be found on other sites.
Yes! That is the reason I keep coming back here. If I wanted specs and pricing information, I’d go look them up via google. No other source I have seen comes close to capturing the “soul” of a car. Thank you!
The Del Sol was a targa, not a convertible. In Japan they had a gizmo that removed the roof panel, took it over the rear part of the roof, and stowed it in the trunk. In the U.S. you had to do this manually.
I finally went down to the local VW and drove the eos (4 cyl turbo auto was the only one they had) It went for $32K and I have to agree with tokyo taxi it is a sporty car not a sports car. First you sit high not on the floor. Second their is a real back seat not a package shelf. You trade off boat tail speedster looks and road hugging high G force cornerning for comfort. I’m sure you could say the same of the new volvo 70 convert. Yhr eod is not slow and can chirp the tires around town. It rides good and has at any price the only electric sunroof built into the retractable roof. To see it go up and down is a work of art that will get attention wherever you do your transformer act. It also has a real trunk when the roof is up, and a decent overnight trunk with it down. Come on guys for 30K it offers a lot, but a 65K lexus 430, or 90Ksl Benz it aint. you want speed and cornering at 30K it will be hard to find both. Miata,will give cornering, Mustang will give speed. At these prices you make your choice, but don’t call the EOS a bad rig. It will do what many less than performance gear heads ask of it. Finally as a four banger it rates at 23 and 30mpg I think.
I spent five days and about 400 miles driving several Eoses last week/weekend around Monterey, and I think it’s an excellent car. I’m not in favor of folding metal tops, and even the VW people agreed that it was more a matter of perception than reality that made them go with the steel top. People perceive them to be safer, stronger, quieter, more weathertight, more year-round…all of which may or may not necessarily be true.
As far as I’m concerned, folding metal tops are less attractive than a good padded and lined fabric top, operate slowly, take up way more trunk room, potentially are more maintenance-intensive, are heavier and raise the CG, cost more to build, and require the high trunk and therefore beltline that many people on this site, at least, seem to find offensive.
Having said that, the Eos is a splendid car for what it is–a true four-seat convertible. Not a roadster, not a rat-racer, not a sports car, an excellent, comfortable, high-quality top-down cruiser for two and occasionally four adults. Its only competition price-wise is the Pontiac G6–can’t imagine many people cross-shopping the two, though–and I don’t know why people are complaining that the Eos is “so expensive.” I drove two, and one was just over $31K and the other one, quite well-equipped, about $34K. (Both had the DSG.) the car is extremely well-equipped without a single option–all of the major electronics, such as the stability platform, are standard.
I had no problem quite quickly getting it up to 110 or spinning the tires in first, if that’s your wont, so I think it has plenty of motor for its market.
Whether or not you like the way it looks is your own business, not that of a car reviewer, but I found that everywhere I went–and it was Pebble Beach weekend, so there were car guys eveywhere–it was universally liked. I didn’t get a single “Boy, that is one butt-ugly car” comment. Nobody even called it a rolling platypus…
Wilkinson, You spent a lot more time than I did with the eos. I find it comforting that I am not totally senile and my observations on a 10 minute drive mirror yours lasting several days. I guess the auto press’s job is to put these cars against perfection and then list the faults. This is not a fallacy, but when I am paying 20-30K as I normally do for my vehicles, I realize that perfection is not what I’ll be driving. I’m driving compromises and that’s what the eos is. A better question is, for 32-36K is the eos the best car of it’s caliber? Another question is are all of these new metal converts worth the weight and style compromises over a good insulated fabric convert?
There’s not much really direct competition to the $30K (base) four-seat Eos: Audi A4 Cab ($8K more), BMW 325 (+$10K), Chrysler Sebring (-$4K), not-really-four-seats Mustang (-$6K), Mini Cooper (-$8K), Pontiac G6 (-$5K), Saab 9-3 (+$7K), Camry Solara (-$2.5K), New Beetle (-$8K) and Volvo C70 (+$9K).
Of those cars, I would say the only ones that will be seriously cross-shopped, on the basis of price, quality, space and performance, are the Saab, the Camry and maybe the Pontiac. And only the Pontiac has a steel top.
Reading through these has been instructive in more ways than one. At first it seemed like an EOS might be the most palatable eventual replacement for my 85 Cabriolet. Not the light, spare, admittedly Luddite ride that I love (manual everything, power nothing, plus wing vents), but they don’t seem to build them like that anymore. I’m not in love with either the new Beetle droptop or the Mini, although the partial rollback of the latter’s roof is appealing. But the idea of a convertible with a sunroof sounded ideal for Chicago driving, where top-down weather for the most resolute ragger is March through October, unless it’s snowing hard. And I’ve read some absolutely gushing reviews of the car. If I had to go into technoshock with a 21st century car, this sounded like the one. But top-heavy? (Yeah, that does make sense.) I had enough high center of gravity with my old Beetles. And 3500 pounds? And all that horsepower to move it? I don’t recall reading about gas mileage, but that’s important to me, too. What’s the mpg? Anybody tried the diesel? And would it run on biodiesel? Anyway, thanks for the detailed comments. They’ve given me a lot to think about. So has the price. I suppose the next step is to actually drive one myself, and at least entertain myself with that amazing roof. But I suspect I’ll go running back to the Rabbit and hope it lasts until something more comparable comes along.
Gas mileage is 23 city, 31 highway. This is an excellent car. I’m currently reviewing it for forbesautos.com and will say so. (And no, I don’t depend on car-reviewing for my income either.)
I don’t understand all the tsuris about its weight. Admittedly it does raise the CG somewhat, but that’s what all the people fascinated by dumb, heavy, balky, ugly, trunk-eating, potentially maintenance-intensive folding metal tops get if they think it’s so cute to watch them do their Swiss Army knife act. (I prefer the look and simplicity of fabric, myself. I drive a Boxster year-round, in the Northeast, and don’t even garage it.)
The power-to-weight ratio of the Eos is hardly Miata- or Boxster-worthy, but it’s right in the ballpark of the competition: at 17.5 lb./hp it’s substantially better than the Audi A4 Cab (21.7), almost identical to the Volvo C70 (17.4), just a hair more than the V6 Mustang (17.2) and not too far away from the Mini S and Saab 9-3 convertibles (both 16.9).
Don’t just read these silly reviews–mine or anybody else’s. Go drive one. With heated front seats standard, crank up them and the blower and you’ll have a nine-month convertible even in Chicago.
Wilkinson, Motor Trend is calling the eos the best ride of the summer. They sense the innovation and appeal in this car. Motor Trend also gives a lot of credit for doing spectacular things at a low price point. Anyone could build a more perfect eos at 60K or better. To build a good one at 30K is a feat that cannot be underestimated. The lexus sc430 is a yawn car at 65K, but at 40K, i’ll bet they couldn’t build enough. So appealing to the masses is critical when you are doing innovation. VW has to be admired for that.
Wilkinson — why not the Volvo? Price difference too large?
Entered pricing for the Eos into my database last night. Adjusted for features it comes in about $1,400 below the Pontiac.
http://www.truedelta.com/models/Eos.php
All close competitors except the Volvo are in there. If I knew the Volvo was selling over 1,500 units per month, I’d go ahead and enter it as well. Unfortunately, Automotive news posts sales figures for the “70 Series,” such that sales of the C70 and V70 are combined. Hopefully they’ll realize this makes no sense and change it.
Jerry, that’s what I’ve been saying all along, as I assume you realize.
I had the base price wrong in an earlier post, by the way. the two I drove were Monroneyed at $29,990 base, but I didn’t realize that included a “luxury” trim and options package. Real MSRP is $27,990, which I believe–without looking it up–puts it more than $10,000 under the C70.
VW is only planning to sell 12,000 Eoses a year in the U. S., incidentally.
Wilkinson,
Real-world MSRP will rarely be $27,900. That’s the price for the base model, which is available with absolutely no options, not even the DSG. I suspect very, very few of these will be produced. It’s all about getting a low price for marketing purposes. Judging by your comment, it worked.
The $29,900 model adds power driver’s seat, heated front seats, dual zone auto climate control, trip computer, and a leather wheel for $2,000. The Luxury Package is an option on that car.
Fit the car with Sport Package, 18-inch wheels, and DSG, and MSRP jumps to $35,785. With Luxury Package, necessary to get leather, and DSG it lists for $35,185.
I created my site to enable people to quickly generate valid price comparisons. I don’t have data on the Volvo in there, but how about the Saab 9-3? Base to base, before incentives, the difference comes to $8,000.
Only 12,000 a year? Well, time will tell if entering the info on the Eos was worth the effort.
I drove one car which I assume was reasonably representative, since that’s what they usually provide to the press (indeed most of the cars we get are loaded) and I have the Monroney for it. It totaled $31,695 plus D&D, and the options were what VW refers to as a “package upgrade” and the DSG. Also drove a $36,535 Luxury Package version which hardly seemed to have anything important that the relatively base one lacked.
I’m not crazy about the looks of the car. Then I found a photo of the concept:
http://eur.news1.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/xp/boms/20051205/11/1817870807.jpg
Any significant difference other than the wheels and ride height? If not, the right wheels and springs could make the car.
$31,695 is the lowest MSRP possible for an Eos with DSG.
Items therefore not on this car:
Wheels of a decent size; you need to spend more for 17s or 18s
Leather; your car had vinyl (good vinyl no doubt, but many people insist on leather)
Wood or aluminum trim (matter of taste)
Power passenger seat (depends on how much you care about the SO)
Obstacle detection (why in a car of this size?)
Auto lights, auto-dimming mirror, Homelink, Dynaudio, sport suspension, Xenons, etc.
Key bits are the wheels and leather.
Any difference in handling from the 17s on the Lux Pkg car? Probably not.
One thing I hope you can help me with: any idea if the non-Lux car had audio controls on the steering wheel? The info I’ve found suggests these are part of the luxury package, but it’s unclear.
Here’s what goes into the “upgrade package,” which raises the base price from $27,990 to $29,990, according to VW PR Director Steve Keyes:
Trunklid “diversity antenna,” whatever that is
Automatic headlights with “coming home” feature (i.e. they stay on a bit)
Premium AM/FM with 6-disc in-dash, MP3 format readable, 8 speakers
Aux-in multimedia socket
Sirius Satellite w/three months trial service
3-spoke leather-wrapped multifunction wheel
rain-sensing auto wipers
self-dimming interior mirror
17-inch wheels (yes, wheels included)
burled walnut trim
12-way power front seats
leather
easy-rear-entry power buttons on front seats.
So for $2,000, you apparently get a lot of what you say isn’t included.
One of you isn’t reading correctly. Those are the contents of the Luxury Package, which adds $3,490 to the $29,900 car. Lux Package also requires DSG, bringing the total for a car with this equipment to $35,185.
The manual 2.0T is available with the Sport Package, which adds sports suspension, aluminum trim (instead of wood), and sport buckets to the above list.
The $2,000 includes the features I listed earlier, power driver seat, heated seats, auto climate, etc.
Also be aware that neither the $27,990 nor the $29,990 includes the $630 destination charge.
There has already been enough misinformation about this excellent car bandied about. Send your e-mail address to me at stephwilkinson@earthlink.net and I will forward you Steve Keyes’ e-mail. I’ll be surprised if the PR Director of VW was providing inaccurate imformation for publication by Forbes, but who knows?
And yes, I believe I was clear about understanding that the D&D was extra in a previous post.
I was cruising the back lot of my local VW dealer this morning and discovered that VW had introduced a 4 door GTI for 2007 without much fanfare. The grey example I saw with DSG stickered for $22,000 and may render the Audi A3 obsolete.
I’d been planning to drive one of these. But when I went to the dealer a few weeks ago, I had to choose between a manual GTI and DSG GLI. I’d already driven a manual GLI, so I went with the DSG car.
Has anyone driven both the GLI and GTI? Do they feel any different?
I checked this site in the hopes of useful reviews in search of a new car. What I feel I found is a site organized by a group of testosterone driven teens. The language is trite with pre-packaged phrases, competition for sarcasm the rule. “My dog is better than your dog” disguised as a review. Those who can dig through the “review?” searching for some insight best not question it lest they be driven back by insults. I thought I was on CNet where juveniles argue over who’s cell phones or mp3 players “rule”. Nothing I found useful.