Whether you want to enjoy the wind in your hair or live out your wildest fantasies, a convertible is the way to go. Known as roadster, spyder, and cabriolet, affordable models like the Mazda Miata and Ford Mustang offer fun-to-drive performance.
The Lexus LC 500 defines grand touring opulence and offers a V-8 soundtrack to be relished. Even the venerable Corvette can be had in convertible form with its hand-removable targa roof.
BMW 4 Series
The mainstream drop-top convertible class features a number of vehicles that offer fun driving dynamics and ample cargo space. There’s also a range of luxury options that provide upscale features and high-speed performance. From Mini’s John Cooper Works hatch to Porsche’s 911 convertible to Ferrari’s SF90 hybrid hypercar, there’s a new open-top ride for every budget and lifestyle.
The BMW 4 Series is a convertible version of the popular 3-series coupe, which gives you a sleek roofline and a liftback trunk. The base model uses the same turbocharged four-cylinder that’s found in the coupe, but opt for the M40i and you’ll have a 382 horsepower sports car to call your own.
If you want a real powerhouse, check out the BMW M4. It’s powered by a twin-turbocharged inline-six engine that puts down 582 horsepower to make short work of any road or track. It’s a two-seater that can be ordered with either the convertible or hardtop.
If you prefer a more relaxing cruise, there’s also the Audi A5 Cabriolet and Mercedes-Benz C-Class Convertible. Both are capable and comfortable, but the A5 is a little more luxurious and offers a bit more cargo room. For something extra special, there’s the Bentley Continental GT Convertible. The newest model can be had with a hybrid drivetrain that makes for a smooth and luxurious grand tourer with a combined 771-horsepower output. You can even personalize your Bentley with bespoke options from the Mulliner division.
BMW M4
If the confines of a coupe aren’t for you, take to the road in an open-top car. Depending on the automaker, convertibles can be variants of fixed-roof coupes or purebred sports cars with retractable tops. The best convertibles offer a fun driving experience and a comfortable ride up front, and they come in a variety of price ranges. Affordable convertibles include the Mazda Miata and Ford Mustang, while premium options like the Chevrolet Corvette and Porsche 911 deliver jaw-dropping performance.
BMW’s four-cylinder M4 offers an engaging drive, and its xDrive all-wheel-drive system helps it maintain grip on a twisty backroad or a track day. If you’re looking for a bit more intensity, opt for the M4 Competition. This model replaces the manual transmission with an eight-speed automatic and pumps up output to 523 horsepower. You can also get the M4 GTS, a special version of this open-top car that lapped the Nurburgring in 7 minutes and 28 seconds.
Hyundai’s upcoming Elantra GT Convertible will be the cheapest convertible on this list, starting at just under $30,000. Its sleek styling and sporty driving dynamics make it a great choice for those looking to get the most bang for their buck.
Mazda Miata
Mazda has been perfecting the Miata formula for three decades, and the result is a pure sports car that remains as fun to drive today as it was when it debuted at the 1989 Chicago auto show. It’s a tiny, lightweight roadster that has rear-wheel drive, an inline-four engine and two seats, and a top that can go down to let the sun shine on your face and your hair fly in the breeze.
The Miata is also incredibly affordable, making it the best convertible value on this list. Its driving experience is a testament to the philosophy of Japanese car-maker Mazda’s Jinba Ittai (“horse and rider as one”) that translates to spirited, nimble, and beautiful vehicles.
For 2025, the Miata gets a special edition painted British Racing Green to celebrate its 30th birthday. Only 4000 of these special Miatas are made, and they look stunning with tan leather seats, a tan tonneau cover, a wood shift knob, and special badging.
If you’re willing to spend more, there are plenty of great new convertibles to choose from. The Ford Mustang and Mini Cooper remain popular convertible choices among value-oriented shoppers, while more premium buyers have a choice of BMWs, Corvettes, Mercedes-Benzes, Porsches, and one fantastic Lexus to pick from. If you really want to turn heads, though, consider a super-sleek Ferrari or Bentley droptop. Even Toyota has gotten in on the action with a couple of open-top SUV concepts.
Mercedes-Benz CLE
In a market where the term “coupe” has been diluted by four-door coupes and SUV-coupes, the Mercedes-Benz CLE offers a reminder of what the form used to stand for. Introduced last year to replace the C-Class coupe and the soon-to-depart E-Class Cabriolet, this two-door sports luxury car competes with BMW 4 Series and Audi A5 convertibles in terms of price, performance, and looks. This year, the CLE adds a feisty AMG version that carries the celebrated legacy of Mercedes coupes into a bold new era.
Whether you opt for the base 300 4Matic Coupe ($58,000) or the more powerful 450 and 53 models, the CLE delivers a competitive mix of standard features. Look for MB-Tex synthetic leather upholstery, a 11.9-inch central touchscreen, and 17-speaker Burmester audio, as well as the latest iteration of Mercedes’ MBUX infotainment system. Drivers can use voice commands or tap on the screen and steering wheel buttons to operate this system, but it may take some time to get familiar with the various menu options.
Visibility is excellent to the front, but rear headroom and trunk space are limited by the sweeping roofline. Cargo capacity is also a little less than the segment average at 11.2 cubic feet, but it should be adequate for most everyday needs. Options include a panoramic roof and an array of active safety tech like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera.
Ford Mustang
The Mustang is the only attainable American front-engine V8 sports car left, and it continues to do what no other sportscar can: offer stylish, sporty transportation for two (or three or four, if they don’t mind folding themselves into the vestigial rear seats). Whether you pick the more affordable EcoBoost with its 310-horsepower turbo-four or the racy GT or GT Premium models with their 480-horsepower 5.0-liter V-8, the Mustang is a riot to drive.
The convertible version of the Mustang is a bit less practical than its coupe sibling, as it has no backseat and only a small trunk. However, it can still accommodate two golf bags with the top down, and Ford says that a folded roof leaves enough headroom to comfortably seat adults. The Mustang’s trunk is also larger than those of the BMW 8 Series and Mercedes-Benz CLE convertibles, and it offers easier access to its cargo area thanks to a power-adjustable rear seatback.
Ford has made few changes to the Mustang for 2026, including a new FX package that adds white wheels and trim. Its biggest change is that the Mustang now comes standard with a 10-speed automatic transmission in all but the base EcoBoost model. That’s a welcome upgrade, as the previous five-speed auto was sometimes slow and confused. The Mustang didn’t score highly in our 2024 What Car? Reliability Survey, but it came in 14th overall and had a three-year warranty.
Ford Bronco
Until recently, if you wanted a modern four-seat convertible SUV that could have its roof panels doffed for al fresco driving fun, you had to buy a Jeep Wrangler. But Ford is trying to crash the party with its revived Bronco. With a few different models including the Badlands, Wildtrak, Everglades and Heritage Edition, each of which has its own retro-inspired trim level, there’s more than enough variation to suit a variety of buyers. The newest version of the Bronco is also available in an off-road-oriented Stroppe Special Edition model that starts at $75,635. It packs a more potent twin-turbo V-6 that makes 270 horsepower and is equipped with Fox internal bypass shocks, a front stabilizer bar disconnect, enhanced off-road suspension and 35-inch off-road tires.
A 12.0-inch touchscreen runs Ford’s in-dash software, and it supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto programs via wireless connectivity. Many versions of the Bronco come with built-in navigation and a premium B&O stereo system. Ford doesn’t offer a lot of driver-assistance features, but all Broncos get automated emergency braking and auto high-beams.
Aside from the spirited and nimble Mazda Miata convertible, there aren’t a whole lot of other options on the market for 2025. However, there’s the BMW CLE, which offers a surprisingly spacious interior and sporty performance thanks to a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four or, in M440i guise, a 523-horsepower twin-turbo six-cylinder. The CLE also includes fuel-saving hybrid tech and is one of the more affordable new droptops on this list.
