Despite being a convertible with a retractable hardtop, the 2008 Volkswagen Eos is not a sports car. It is a cute, compact four-seat car, and it competes in the same market as Audi's A4, and the Mini Cooper convertible, though it's more expensive than the latter.

Originally released just last year, the Volkswagen EOS comes in four different trim levels, sporting new names: Turbo, Lux, Komfort and VR6. The first three come with a 2.0 liter 200 horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while the VR6 has a kickier 2.5 liter, 250 horsepower V6. There are two transmission options: a 6-speed auto-shift manual with overdrive and auto-manual capabilities, and a more conventional 6-speed manual with overdrive alone.

An electronic stability system is also present on the 2008 Volkswagen Eos, with the safety features rounded out by an active roll bar, and head- and thorax-protecting airbags that take the place of the more usual side-curtain airbags (which are generally roof-mounted and therefore cannot be installed in convertibles). Optional upgrades include bi-xenon head lights that turn in the same direction of the car, and the Lux and VR6 models also come with a garbage-truck-esque reverse warning beep.

The Volkswagen Eos looks like a coupe when the top is up, at least from the outside. Inside the car, the interior has been upgraded for the new model year, with leather on the steering wheel, shift knob, and parking brake handle now standard instead of optional. Also standard are the wind-blocker screen for passenger comfort, and a sliding center armrest. As well, the driver's seat has power adjustments for 12 different settings. As well, there is a pass through trunk to off-set the reduced storage when the top is retracted.

The 2008 Volkswagen Eos has a starting MSRP of $28,915 and estimated fuel efficiency of 19-21 mpg in the city and 26-30 on open highway, depending on the engine/transmission combination.