What are the best convertibles?

Convertibles are more than just cars – they’re a way to embrace the joy of driving. The wind in your hair. The smells of the road (for good and for bad). The sounds of life around you. Whether it’s a sunny commute or a leisurely weekend outing, convertibles offer a driving experience that you won’t get from any other kind of car.

However, choosing the right one isn’t always straightforward, because convertibles come in all shapes and sizes. But don’t fear: Carmoola’s here to help guide you through the best drop-top cars you can buy, from stylish runabouts to luxurious cruisers and everything in between.

Best affordable convertible: Fiat 500C

Top down motoring doesn’t need to cost a packet. Fiat’s 500C has proved extremely popular, chiefly because of its quirky, retro looks and its vast choice of personalisation options when new. And a brand new one could be yours for less than £20,000. Its fabric roof slides back to open you up to the city (for that’s where it’s most at home), but it can tackle motorway drives when needed, too. With a mild-hybrid engine that’s big on fuel economy, it won’t cost a fortune to run, either.

Best small convertible: MINI Cooper Convertible

Continuing the retro theme – the top-down version of the MINI hatchback has been another smash hit over the years, and there’s an all-new model in showrooms that promises to keep that trend alive. Prices start at just over £27,000 for a new one, although older used examples are far more affordable. It’s a proper convertible with a folding fabric roof, and it’s at home nipping around town on errands as it is zipping through country roads, where you can enjoy its trademark go-kart-like handling.

Best sporty convertible: Mazda MX-5

There are lots of convertible sports cars, but it’s hard to get more yeehah for your moolah than with the Mazda MX-5. Inspired by the classic British sports cars of the 1960s, the MX-5 has been the petrolhead’s fun car of choice for decades thanks to its tactile steering and gear shifter, a low-slung driving position and very agile and entertaining handling through the corners. If this doesn’t put a smile on your face as the wind whistles through your hair, then nothing will. New MX-5s start at £28,000 but older models can be found from around £1000.

Best hardtop convertible: BMW 4 Series Convertible

While many convertibles have a fabric roof to save weight, some go for a folding hard top to improve insulation when the roof is up. They’re harder to find today, because in the chase for better fuel economy, heavier hardtops have been given the heave-ho. But turn to the used market and you’ll find the likes of the pre-2020 BMW 4 Series Convertible, a sporty but luxurious car that’s happy to cruise or blast down an open road. Its metal roof folds theatrically away at the touch of a button, and when it’s in place it’s almost indistinguishable from a regular coupe. Prices start as low as £7000. Newer 4 Series Convertibles are also available, but from 2020 they use fabric roofs.

Best family convertible: Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Most convertibles tend to be designed for two, with rear seats an afterthought or jettisoned altogether. But the big Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet has two proper rear seats, meaning you can take the whole family out for some top-down adventures (assuming there are no more than four people in your family). It’s a very fine car, too, with excellent performance, a wonderful interior and a choice of powerful engines. All the occupants will be impressed. You can’t buy a new one anymore: check out its replacement, the CLE Cabriolet, if you’re set on a new car, or find a used E-Class from around £3500 for an older model to £45,000 for a nearly new, low-mileage model.

Best electric convertible: Fiat 500E C

Remember the Fiat 500C we mentioned earlier? Well, there’s an electric version. Despite the name, it’s actually a completely different car, and much more modern than its more affordable namesake but still based on that retro, cutesy look. It’s perfect for zero-emission missions around town, and features a similar sliding fabric roof to let in the sounds of the city. A battery range of nearly 200 miles should give you plenty of urban runabouting between charges. New prices start at £30,995.

Best luxury convertible: BMW 8 Series Convertible

Sure, you could spend mega money on a drop-top Ferrari or Lamborghini, but if you want to spend less than a reasonable semi-detached house, you could drench yourself in luxury by buying a BMW 8 Series Convertible. Tech-filled and fun to drive, the 8 Series has top-notch, plus materials inside, and some models get a solid crystal controller for the infotainment system. If that’s not luxurious, then what is? And with the top down, everyone will see, which is surely half the point. A new 8 Series Convertible will cost you from £91,000.

Convertible features to consider

When choosing the best convertible for you, here are some things you’ll need to think about:

Roof options

Fabric roofs are lighter, but hard tops can offer better insulation when not stowed away. If you do go for a fabric roof, check how easy it is to raise and lower it – some fold automatically at the touch of a button, often while moving, while others require you to stop, get out and raise and lower it by hand.

Seating and space

Convertibles don’t usually prioritise space, so think carefully about how many people you’ll be carrying. Consider the boot space, too – some convertibles lose a large chunk of their cargo carrying capacity when the roof is folded away.

Tech and comfort

Some convertibles have extra features to extend the time you can spend with the roof down. Look out for cars with heated seats, wind deflector and even dedicated neck heaters that blast warm air onto you for low-temperature, top-down driving adventures.