2009 Volkswagen Eos

No significant changes for the third year of the 2009 Volkswagen Eos. This two-door convertible coupe offers the nimble handling and precise steering associated with the Volkswagen name, with confident highway horsepower and performance, all at a price lower than the comparably equipped Volvo C70 or Pontiac G6.

The 2009 Eos comes in four trims. The Turbo, Komfort, and Lux feature a 200-hp, 16-valve, 2.0-liter turbo inline-four engine, delivering 21/31 mpg. The turbo provides good acceleration, but does exhibit some turbo lag at higher RPMs. The VR6 gets the more powerful 3.2-liter V6, putting out 250 hp and 20/29 mpg. Turbo and Komfort trims come with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, while the Lux and VR6 only offer the Tiptronic, with both standard and sport modes. All trims feature heated leather seats, tilt and telescopic steering, cruise control, a 6-CD/MP3 changer, and power accessories. A power driver's seat gets more settings as you move up the trims, and the standard 16-inch wheels move up to 18-inch ones on the VR6

Not yet tested for 2009, the Volkswagen Eos comes standard with ABS brakes, traction and stability control, a tire monitor, and dual front-side airbags. Rollover bars mounted behind the rear seats automatically deploy when sensing a collision. Options add a navigation system and rear obstacle sensors. The convertible's hard-top power-retracts in 20 seconds into the trunk, cutting down the already small 10.5 cubic feet of storage space. Front passenger legroom maxes out at 41.7 inches, but rear passengers suffer from only 32 inches of room, and with the hardtop up, rear headroom can feel claustrophobic. A fold-down armrest doubles as a trunk pass-through.

Even with the top up, the 2009 Eos feels open to the elements, thanks to a dual-pane fixed sunroof and a heated glass rear window. An automatic wind deflector helps cut down on both noise and turbulence with the top down. Early reviews commend the expert handling of the Eos, pointing out its minimal body lean, quality interior materials, intuitive instrument panel, and surprisingly comfortable ride. Negatives include lack of rear visibility, due to a small rear window, noticeable wind noise with the top up, and the cramped back seat, which can require some Cirque de Soleil type moves in order to enter and exit.

By Ann Jackman