Volkswagen Eos – Review: Guys buy towels because they’re marked two for $5, not because they’re soft. We have no tolerance for creams and lotions, and if there’s an unusual bump somewhere, it comes off with sandpaper. That’s just the way it is, until the day when we’re introduced to the other side of the coin, at which time we seriously consider the value of thread counts, and we contemplate the possibility that Lava soap may not be intended for shower use. Such thoughts are usually accompanied by the introduction of a wife or girlfriend, one who just might be driving a new Volkswagen Eos. The thing screams “chic car” and we’re sure it drives accordingly. Problem is, it doesn’t. With its eager turbocharged engine, slick six-speed manual transmission, responsive handling, and quality construction, the Eos is actually a car we, well, like. Maybe not enough to buy one ourselves, mind you – we’ll go to the GTI, GLI, or Passat if we’re jonesin’ for VW fun that much – but keeping it nearby definitely outranks Sex and the City DVD night as a reason to work on our current relationship.

What We Drove
A $36,110 Volkswagen? Such was the first question that came to mind when we saw the window sticker for our Paprika Red 2007 Eos tester. It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, given the going rates for Passats, GTIs, and Touaregs, not to mention competitors including the Chrysler Sebring Convertible and Volvo C70. The particular example supplied to us by VW was a 2.0T model with the standard six-speed manual transmission, a navigation system ($1,800), and a Sport Package ($3,690) including leather upholstery, aluminum trim, Sirius satellite radio and a six-disc CD changer, rain-sensing wipers, 12-way power adjustable front seats, and 17-inch alloy wheels. Add it all, along with the $630 destination charge, to the $29,990 base price, and you end up with one pricey Vee-Dub.