2011 Volkswagen Eos
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2011 models.

- Class
- Subcompact Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Convertible FWD
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 25 combined · 22 city / 31 hwy
- Length
- 173.6 in
- Curb weight
- 3,505 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 23 similar 2011 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2011 Volkswagen Eos is a subcompact car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 174 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 102-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,505 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 25 MPG combined (22 city / 31 highway), 13% better than the 2011 subcompact car average of 22.2 MPG, for an estimated $3,300 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2011
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2010 Eos — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2010; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2010 Eos →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Convertible FWD | 173.6 in | 70.5 in | 56.7 in | 101.6 in | 61 / 60.2 in | 3,505 lb | 58/42 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eos | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 31 / 25 | +13% | $3,300 | 355 |
| Eos | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 30 / 25 | +13% | $3,300 | 355 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2011 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2011 Volkswagen Eos.
Similar 2011 subcompact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Volkswagen Eos (this car) | 25 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2011 Toyota Corolla | 30 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
| 2011 Honda Civic | 41 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
| 2011 Nissan GT-R | 17 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2011 Toyota Prius | 48 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2011 Hyundai Elantra | 32 MPG | Not rated | 8 |
| 2011 Ford Focus | 29 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (2)
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Mar 6, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V148000 · 363,713 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2014 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan and Wagon, and 2012-2014 Passat vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q9. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
Air Bags › Frontal · Aug 4, 2015
NHTSA campaign 15V483000 · 415,825 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
- Risk
- A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.
Not every 2011 Volkswagen Eos is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2011 Volkswagen Eos buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 10 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Service Brakes — 2 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Structure › Body — 1 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 76,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2011 Volkswagen Eos. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Eos years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Eos | 25 | 174 in | Not rated | 2 | 4 |
| 2015 Eos | 25 | 173.6 in | Not rated | 2 | 3 |
| 2014 Eos | 25 | 173.6 in | Not rated | 3 | 40 |
| 2013 Eos | 25 | 173.6 in | Not rated | 4 | 26 |
| 2012 Eos | 25 | 173.6 in | Not rated | 4 | 91 |
| 2010 Eos | 25 | 173.6 in | Not rated | 2 | 64 |
| 2009 Eos | 25 | 173.6 in | Not rated | 1 | 67 |
| 2008 Eos | 24 | 173.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 15 |
| 2007 Eos | 24 | 173.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 23 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volkswagen. How we calculate this →