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SAFETY | 9 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
'Good,' frontal impact; 'good,' side impact; 'good,' rear impact
IIHS
Not yet rated
NHTSA
The 2013 Volkswagen Eos has a relatively strong set of safety credentials, so even those who have a few qualms about convertibles should be happy here.
Anti-lock brakes, stability control, and airbags that protect the head and upper body on front passengers are all among the standard features on the Eos. So is a pop-up roll bar tucked behind the rear seats.
Crash-test results have been good, but they're hardly conclusive because only one of the agencies has tested the Eos, and even in that case it hasn't been run through the entire battery. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) says it's a "good" performer in frontal, side, and rear tests, but because it's a convertible, it doesn't get the roof-strength test and is kept from Top Safety Pick Status. It also hasn't been tested in the new small overlap frontal impact test. The federal government, which tests only a few dozen vehicles a year through its NCAP test program, hasn't tested the Eos.
The Eos does have a couple of especially important features that aren't included in most convertibles. A pop-up head protection system in the Eos, which automatically deploys when the car senses a rollover is imminent, is a standout in this more cost-conscious end of the convertible market—employing a host of sensors to deploy just before it's needed, when a rollover is anticipated. There's also an optional Park Distance Control and a Technology Package that includes upgrades to the lighting system--including an adaptive, swiveling function for the headlights.
Conclusion
With pop-up roll cars and parking sensors, there's more safety concern here than in the typical convertible.
