Autoblog

These are the 10 new cars with the highest percentage of female ownership

Chris Tutor — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo

If you hear the pejorative "chick car," what comes to mind? Mazda MX-5 Miata? Volvo C70? Would you believe neither made Inside Line's list of 2011 models with the highest percentage of female ownership? No. 1, with 57.9-percent female ownership was the Volvo S40. Considering the female dollar is sought-after, it's probably too bad that Volvo decided to axe the model for 2012.

That means No. 2, the Nissan Rogue with 56.9 percent, could take the top spot for 2012. Or maybe the VW Eos at No. 3 with 56.4 percent. We're also kind of wondering how the new Fiat 500 will fare this year.

No. 4 is another VW that shouldn't surprise. The cute New Beetle has been a perennial favorite among the ladies. It was No. 1 a year ago, but as we know, the newer, more aggressively styled Beetle is enjoying increased interest among the guys. No. 5? The Toyota Matrix, of all things.

Here's how the rest shake out according to Inside Line:

Top ten 2011 models with the highest proportion of female buyers

Volvo S40 - 57.9%
Nissan Rogue - 56.9%
Volkswagen Eos - 56.4%
Volkswagen New Beetle - 54.6
Toyota Matrix - 54.1%
Hyundai Tucson - 54%
Honda CR-V - 53.4%
Toyota RAV4 - 54%
Nissan Juke - 52.7% (tie)
Jeep Compass - 52.7% (tie)

These are the 10 new cars with the highest percentage of female ownership originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2010: Volkswagen "perfects" 2012 Eos convertible

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 01:20:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Convertible, Coupe, Volkswagen

2012 Volkswagen Eos - Click above for high-res image gallery

We knew this was coming. Just a few weeks ago, Volkswagen of Australia let loose a bunch of details and images of the next Eos hardtop convertible. At the time, we said we'd wait for confirmation from VW of America, but of course we knew the new model would eventually be announced for the States as it is the largest market for the German droptop, and it's getting its official debut right here in the U.S. at the LA Auto Show.

And so here we are with all the details and two full high-res image galleries of a U.S.-spec Volkswagen Eos, which VW claims has been "perfected." Sharp-eyed readers will notice refined front and rear fascias, which are a bit more in keeping with VW's most recent vehicular debuts. We think it's a pretty comprehensive improvement over the outgoing model, which always looked a bit too feminine to our eyes. We especially think the optional xenon headlamps with their 14 integrated LEDs help move the car a bit upscale.

Also as expected, VW will fit the next-gen Eos with the latest version of its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder powerplant, mated up to the well-known six-speed DSG transmission. Fuel mileage is estimated at 22 miles per gallon in the city and 31 on the highway. The interior sees a few updates as well, mostly with the addition of some new trim options and fabrics.

Expect the new Eos to hit a dealership near you sometime in March. In the meantime, feel free to click past the break for the official press release and be sure to check out the high-res image galleries below.

Gallery: LA 2010: 2012 Volkswagen Eos Live Photos

Gallery: LA 2010: 2012 Volkswagen Eos

Live photos copyright (C)2010 Jeff Glucker / AOL

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading LA 2010: Volkswagen "perfects" 2012 Eos convertible

LA 2010: Volkswagen "perfects" 2012 Eos convertible originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 01:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen launches Exclusive upgrades for redesigned Eos

Noah Joseph — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Europe, Volkswagen, Luxury

Volkswagen Eos Exclusive - Click above for high-res image gallery

Volkswagen's campaign to move upmarket has been unrelenting. Between the likes of the Phaeton and the CC, the German automaker is not shying away from taking on BMW and Mercedes-Benz, or even its sister-company Audi, for that matter. VW's new Exclusive line does its part, too, upgrading existing models with some extra lux touches for those interested in a touch of added refinement.

The Touareg - another fine example of the luxurification of the People's Car - was the most recent to get the Exclusive treatment, and now VW has turned its attention to the newly refreshed Eos. Not only has the hard-top cabrio received a facelift and an engine swap, but now the Exclusive department has upgraded it with two-tone Nappa leather offset by aluminum and piano black trim, a new steering wheel and restyled door sills. The optional sport suspension comes standard on the Exclusive model, and buyers can choose from two 18-inch wheel designs. Pricing in Europe, where the Eos has been rolled out prior to its debut in other markets, starts at €35,275 (around $50,000 based on current exchange rates, not that those figures are comparable).

Gallery: Volkswagen Eos Exclusive

[Source: CarScoop]

Volkswagen launches Exclusive upgrades for redesigned Eos originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen Eos updated with GTI engine, crisper looks

Noah Joseph — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Volkswagen

2012 Volkswagen Eos - Click above for high-res image gallery

The trouble with hard-top convertibles - four-seat cabrios especially - is the added weight penalty. German automakers in particular have proven adept at counteracting the dynamic drawbacks that open-air flexibility brings, but sooner or later you're just going to need more power. And that's exactly what Volkswagen is doing with the Eos.

Often derided as a "hairdresser's car", the 2012 Eos has been treated to one of our favorite engines: the 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder from the Golf GTI. This 208-horspower engine - available with either a six-speed manual or dual-clutch transmission - can now take the Eos from a full stop to highway pace in 7.8 seconds. Overseas buyers can also specify the 138-hp 2.0-liter diesel (with the same transmission choices). Volkswagen has also included Hill Start Assist standard on the 2012 Eos, along with Vienna leather upholstery, heated seats, 17-inch wheels and some sheetmetal enhancements that brings its look in line with the rest of the brand's small car lineup.

Details have only been announced for foreign markets, and we've included the Australian press release after the jump while we wait for confirmation from Volkswagen of America. In the meantime you can check out the high-res images in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2012 Volkswagen Eos

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Volkswagen Eos updated with GTI engine, crisper looks

Volkswagen Eos updated with GTI engine, crisper looks originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen New Beetle still number one with the ladies

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:31:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Etc., Hatchback, Volkswagen

Volkswagen New Beetle - Click above for high-res image gallery

Men, take note: According to a new survey from research firm TrueCar, the Volkswagen New Beetle is (still) the ultimate car for women. Apparently, its combination of cute-as-a-button looks and affordable pricing make the reborn Bug a total hit with the fairer sex.

This data was determined not by some silly woman-on-the-street clipboard survey, but rather by looking at the registrations of more than 13 million vehicles over the past two years. We could have saved them quite a bit of work if they wanted to know that the New Beetle was a chick car, but whatever. There was some other interesting info gleaned from the research, including the revelation that 64% of all cars are registered by men despite the fact that there are more women (at 51% of the population, just a tad) than men in America.

Rounding out the top five vehicles that scored well with the mono-chromosomed gender were the Nissan Rogue, Hyundai Tucson, (saw this one coming) Volkswagen Eos and Volvo S40.

Gallery: 2009 Volkswagen New Beetle

[Source: The Wall Street Journal]

Volkswagen New Beetle still number one with the ladies originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: Volkswagen Eos a chick car

Siddharth Raja — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Volkswagen

There are some cars on the market that you can tell just by looking at them were designed for one particular sex over the other. Prime examples include Volvo's station wagon lineup or any of the Peugeot cabrios, but until now there's been no definitive answer as to which car is best suited for females. Thanks to EveCars, a website on motoring skewed towards women, we now have one car that was picked over all others as the ladies' choice for Car of the Year.

Readers of the site were able to nominate their favorite cars for this year's voting, which were then reduced to a list of 27 finalists. The cars were then picked by an eight-member jury comprising editors and industry experts (one male was included) who ultimately chose Volkswagen's Eos convertible as the clear winner.

Things the judges looked for included how popular the cars were in their respective categories, as well as how much overall appeal they had. The VW was picked because of its metal folding roof, space for four occupants and a sporty chassis. We're sure there are a lot of Autoblog regulars out there who could name a few 'ladies' choice' cars of their own, but we think EveCars got this one right.

[Source: Eve Cars via VW Vortex]

Officially Official: Volkswagen Eos a chick car originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Sep 2007 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 Volkswagen EOS

Chris Shunk — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:02:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, In the Autoblog Garage, Convertible, Coupe, Volkswagen, First Drives

click above image to view gallery of 2007 Volkswagen EOS

Even though Volkswagen has one of the fullest lineups in its history of selling cars in the U.S., these aren't the best of times in North America for the German automaker. Since 2005, VW has lost somewhere around $2 billion in the U.S. and the company has decided to lay off 30% of its workforce by moving its U.S. headquarters from Detroit to Virginia. Horrendous Euro to Dollar exchange rates are certainly part of the problem, but VW is having much more trouble offering Americans vehicles that fit our tastes.

The Volkswagen EOS hit the scene with surprisingly little fanfare, even though it combines the sporty 2.0T engine and athletic driving dynamics of a Rabbit with a killer hard-top convertible. The EOS appears to have everything it takes to be a summer classic, a claim we put to the test by inviting the car into our Autoblog Garage for a week.

Gallery: 2007 Volkswagen EOS

Continue reading In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 Volkswagen EOS

In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 Volkswagen EOS originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW Eos flubbs USA Today review by not starting

Chris Tutor — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 14:27:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Convertible, Volkswagen

USA Today's James Healey really liked the new VW Eos. "... boy, was the car nice when it wasn't broken." Uh oh. Broken? In technical terms, giving a non-working car to the nation's highest-circulation newspaper is offically called a "whoopsie." Healey loved how the Eos looked, drove and operated until he stopped for gas. After filling up, the gorgeous hardtop convertible showed signs of electrical problems by refusing to start. Not Good.

After waiting a few minutes for VW's mechanics to show up, Healey nervously played with the key fob, inadvertently opening the car's locks, thereby accidentally discovering the Goddess of the Dawn had awakened. After returning the car to its makers, Healey is told the car's battery cable had been disconnected for a recent car show and not properly replaced. Forgivable, we suppose. But then he's also told the mechanic found a missing seal in the car's air-intake system. A bit more difficult to explain.

Probably just an honest mistake that will never happen again and is not indicative of Eos's reliability. But then, not exactly the kind of thing you want printed in more than 2.2 million newspapers nationwide, or on Autoblog for that matter.

[Source: USA Today]

VW Eos flubbs USA Today review by not starting originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Jan 2007 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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