2013 Volkswagen EOS 2.0 TSI Highline
	Price: $39,075 base $49,765 as tested, including freight
	Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four cylinder, 200 hp, 207 lb.-ft. of torque, premium fuel Transmission:six-speed automatic direct-shift
	Fuel economy: litres/100 km city/highway: 9.5 / 6.7
	Competitors: Chrysler 200 Convertible, MINI Cooper Convertible, Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder
	Length: 4,410 mm Width: 1,791-mm Wheelbase: 2,578 mm Weight: 1,595 kg

Named after the Greek goddess of the dawn, the Volkswagen EOS was introduced as a 2007 model.

A replacement for the Golf convertible, it features the unique combination of a folding hardtop and a sliding glass sunroof, giving it true all-season, all-condition versatility.

Now that is something Canadians can get their head around — at least those who can afford to. And while it wears a prominent VW logo on the grill, it carries a price tag associated with more upscale brands.

The base price, at more than $40,000 including freight, is the first sign this is a VW with a difference. My tester topped that with a bottom line that rounded off to a nice, even $50,000.

Now that I’ve wiped out any mistaken impressions of an affordable VW convertible, let’s look at the EOS in the proper light — as a four-passenger, compact entry-luxury convertible with few peers.

The first thing that allows a move upscale is the folding hardtop. You’ve got to get into luxury brands like BMW, Lexus, Mercedes and others before you run into this dual purpose feature.

With our harsh winters and short summers, they are especially worthwhile. This five-piece, electrically-operated one was developed by a subsidiary of Webasto in Germany.

Not only does it fold intricately into the trunk in 25 seconds, it has a large, fully-integrated sliding glass sunroof so you can enjoy partial sun when the elements or other conditions preclude lowering the entire thing.

Kudos to the development team for coming up with top that folds completely out of the way with nary a gap or flapping piece of canvas to be seen.

Top up or down, the lines remain sleek and attractive. A far cry from the Golf convertibles the EOS replaced!

What I like most about the retracted roof is how well it's integrated into the body. Everything is sealed away and contained, there are no open gaps or lingering bits and pieces hanging around, as is the case with some convertibles. Everything is neatly tucked away

Some of those elements might include the need to carry anything larger than a large purse or several small packages because there is not a lot of room left in the trunk with the top in there.

Not enough for a roll-aboard bag, for example. Trunk space drops from 290 litres with the top in place to 180 with it down.

The other drawback, at least in the test vehicle, is a noticeable loss of structural integrity. I’ve come to expect industry-leading rigidity from Volkswagen products I’ve tested or owned over the years.

The test vehicle displayed more cowl shake and small rattles than expected over rough surfaces with the top down. With the top securely in place, the situation improves greatly. Some of the problem may be attributed to the low-profile (40-series) tires of the top-trim-level model and their lack of impact absorbing sidewalls.

Another factor may be a suspension set up to allow the EOS to be treated like a sports car, which it most definitely is not.

It is a fun-in-the-sun four-seater that loses nothing in the dark depths of winter. It comes with a full array of luxury and technology features in base trim and is assembled with care and precision.

Whether you look at it as a coupe or a convertible the appearance is one of understated elegance.

The interior follows that theme with a combination of dark and light colours, different textures and an almost complete lack of hard plastic surfaces.

All the controls, major or minor, operate with a smoothness and precision worthy of the price tag – and all will be very familiar to Golf and Jetta owners.

The front seats are comfy and infinitely adjustable and there is actually room for a pair of adults in the back if they don’t mind a lack of legroom.

Any gripes in this department can probably be thwarted by lowering the roof. If there is nobody back there, you can install the wind blocker which all but eliminates bluster in the front seats, even at highway speeds.

The drivetrain is pure Volkswagen or Audi. The fact the same engine and transmission can be found in an Audi is further allowance for the hefty EOS price tag.

The turbocharged, intercooled and directly-injected 2.0-litre four cylinder engine is quite simply one of the best in the industry regardless of displacement or number of cylinders.

It has gobs of power readily available at the mere touch of the throttle — 207 lb.-ft. of torque from only 1,700 rpm. The only transmission available is the excellent six-speed DSG (Dual Shaft Gearbox) automatic.

The EOS recently underwent a mid-cycle makeover that included a new grill, new bumpers front and rear, and new head and tail lights outside.

The changes inside include a new multi-function steering wheel, new audio system and a keyless access system that also allows the top to be open or closed through the remote.

The EOS is available in Comfortline and Highline trim levels.

Standard equipment includes: power heated mirrors, park distance control system, folding hardtop with integrated panoramic sunroof, alloy wheels, air conditioning, cruise control, power windows and locks, heated front seats and a tilt and telescope steering wheel.

The dual-character, folding hardtop EOS is expensive but exclusive.