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Best convertibles and cabriolets in the UK of 2024

Sunny skies, a warm breeze and long stretches of Tarmac devoid of traffic are what drop-top driving dreams are made of. Unfortunately for Brits, this remains firmly in dreamland territory for much of the year. However, despite our distinctly non-convertible-friendly weather, we often top the convertible sales charts above most European countries, mainly because in really warm countries the sun is often too hot to regularly and properly enjoy a drop-top.

With that in mind, our team of road testers has been busy reviewing every convertible on sale to put together this list of the very best.

Oh, one thing to highlight: the words 'convertible' and 'cabriolet' are effectively synonymous, and used interchangeably by manufacturers. You’ll often see people refer to convertibles as open top, drop top and soft top, or even roadster too, but these all mean the same thing.

Porsche 718 Boxster
2024
Driving Pleasure Award
Highly Commended

1. Porsche 718 Boxster

9/10
Porsche 718 Boxster review
The Porsche Boxster offers a winning combination of style, performance and dynamic ability. You’ll have to dig deep for optional extras, though, and the base four-cylinder engines have lost some of the character of the old six-cylinder models. Best then to opt for the range-topping Spyder which still retains a naturally aspirated flat-six.

Whichever model you choose, though, you'll not only be getting a lovely two-seater drop-top, but also one of the finest handling cars money can buy - the 718 Boxster really is that good. Enjoy it while you can — it’ll be replaced by an all-new, all-electric version in a few years.
Mazda MX-5

2. Mazda MX-5

9/10
Mazda MX-5 review
The Mazda MX-5 offers great handling and peppy performance at a very wallet-friendly price. It may lack the turbocharged punch of some rivals, but if you’re after an undiluted driving experience for two, this is about as good as it gets. You also get the choice of a fabric or folding metal roof.

And while many sports cars these days produce 500hp or more, the MX-5's 132hp 1.5-litre and 184hp 2.0-litre engines mean you can enjoy the sublime handling at sensible speeds. The more powerful engine is in many ways more desirable, but the MX-5 does feel so perfectly balanced with the basic 1.5 that it shouldn’t be ignored.

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Audi R8 Spyder

3. Audi R8 Spyder

9/10
Audi R8 Spyder review
The Audi R8 is a fantastic daily driver supercar, its V10 engine is sublime, and you won’t trouble its prodigious handling limits on public roads. The Spyder version only enhances the experience, although you will have to pack light, and at this lofty price point there are some rather tempting rivals to consider.

Do also note that anyone over about six feet tall may struggle for legroom in the Spyder: with both a folding roof and engine having to be stowed behind the seats in the middle of the car, passenger space suffers a little compared to the R8 coupe.
Lexus LC Convertible

4. Lexus LC Convertible

9/10
Lexus LC Convertible review
Stunning to look at and captivating to hear, the LC 500 is the perfect partner for a weekend away. You won’t want for more equipment, but the handling and infotainment system are below par in this class. It may have four seats, but the back row is tiny, as is the boot.

You may consider, however, that these sacrifices are more than worth it given the fact that the LC is one of the most handsome cars on sale today - a subjective topic, naturally, but one that's easy to defend. We would heartily recommend the LC500 V8 petrol engine over the impressive, but nowhere near as thrilling, hybrid version but we don’t need to — the LC convertible comes only with the V8. All the better to hear the noise!
Mercedes-Benz SL

5. Mercedes SL

8/10
Mercedes-Benz SL review
Convertibles are sometimes considered cars for more relaxed driving, rather than proper sports cars. That’s not the case here, because there’s no regular ‘Mercedes-Benz’ SL. Instead, this is a Mercedes-AMG machine, and that means exhilarating performance and muscular styling to match. The interior is solidly put together with premium materials throughout, though the rear seats are so small that even kids might complain about legroom. Look past this, though, and there’s a genuinely enjoyable sports car, though with a price tag comfortably over six figures it doesn’t come cheap.
Audi TT Roadster (2014-2023)

6. Audi TT Roadster

8/10
Audi TT Roadster (2014-2023) review
The TT Roadster is stylish and fun to drive, with a typically top-class Audi interior. It’s strictly a two-seater (the hardtop seats four, just) and you will need to travel light. Some rivals also have newer tech but this little Audi is still a classy option in its segment.

The TT also integrates its infotainment system fantastically well into the car; there's no central screen to clutter things up, with the digital driver's display showing all functions. Oh, and the temperature displays reside on tiny screens in the centre of the air vents - one of the coolest design touches to adorn a modern car's cabin.
BMW 4 Series Convertible

7. BMW 4 Series Convertible

8/10
BMW 4 Series Convertible review
The 4 Series Convertible combines a smooth ride with sharp dynamics, and there isn’t a bad engine in the range. However, the boot is smaller than in the Coupe and some options are pricey, though this is one very accomplished luxury convertible.

It's also worth talking about the looks briefly: BMW came in for a little flack when the 4 Series was unveiled, with many bemoaning the large two radiator grilles. But while taste is a subjective thing, as time has gone on many have grudgingly conceded that the 4 Series is actually a bit of a looker. The 420i model, with its 190hp 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine, should be the default choice but it actually feels a little under-powered thanks to the 4 Series’ chunky weight, so go for the 430i instead.
Jaguar F-Type Convertible

8. Jaguar F-Type Convertible

8/10
Jaguar F-Type Convertible review
The head-turning F-Type Convertible is not for the retiring types, especially when fitted with the feral V8. It isn’t as sharp as sportier rivals, and not quite as pretty as the coupe version, but it counters with a comfortable ride and plenty of grip. The infotainment system isn’t class-leading and the boot is a bit cramped, if that matters.

But with electric cars soon becoming the only type of vehicle that can be bought new, and two-seater, rear-wheel roadsters a rare breed these days, the F-Type is the last of a dying breed, and should be savoured.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet

9. Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet

8/10
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet review
For a sublime and decadently luxurious drop top driving experience, the Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet punches well above its price tag. The luxurious and high-quality interior is matched by an equally striking exterior design.

Sure, other cars are more exciting to drive and dynamically poised, but those characteristics were never the point of the E-Class Cabriolet, and if you like the idea of wafting around in luxurious comfort in a convertible Mercedes, it's very, very, very good at delivering that enviable experience.

In fact, it’s more like a classic SL than the new SL (listed above). It will be shortly replaced by the all-new CLE Convertible, which is more C-Class than E-Class, so snap up one of these while you can.
BMW 8 Series Convertible

10. BMW 8 Series Convertible

8/10
BMW 8 Series Convertible review
The BMW 8 Series Convertible may be a large and luxurious grand tourer, but it’s equally capable of putting a smile on your face down a mountain pass. It’s also quiet and cosseting and has a superb infotainment system, but the rear is pretty cramped, as is the boot.

And while the 8 Series is more expensive than the E-Class Cabriolet, it's interesting that it’s not all that different in its characteristics, being luxurious, but with more of a focus on handling and dynamism.

Browse all open top cars

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Advice about convertible cars

Convertibles and cabriolets FAQs

According to the dictionary of Google… there’s not much difference between a convertible and a cabriolet. A convertible is "a car with a folding or detachable roof". A cabriolet means a "car with a roof that folds down". Then there are roadsters, which are two-seater convertibles and are also sometimes called spiders – or spyders. Sounds confusing but essentially they all mean the same thing – a car that can drop its roof.

Interestingly, originally a cabriolet was a type of horse drawn carriage. It was a two-wheeled carriage with a soft hood and was pulled by a single horse. Cabriolet is from the French word cabriole which means 'goats leap', so called from the motion of the carriage.

Hybrid convertibles seem like the perfect combination, offering silent EV progress while cruising along your favourite high street (or beach drive), then bursting into a V8 crescendo as you head out on the open road. Yet they are few and far between, and none come with anything quite as exotic as a V8, in fact the now discontinued BMW i8 was the only true hybrid convertible on sale and it matched its EV powertrain with a turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine. Some cars have a mild-hybrid setup which incorporates a small electric motor to aid the internal combustion engine, but these cannot drive on electric power alone.

A pure electric convertible seems like a great idea, yet this is an area where there are precious few entrants. In fact, currently there are just three; the miniscule Smart EQ ForTwo Cabrio, and the Fiat 500C and its similar sibling, the Abarth 500e Convertible, which aren't much bigger.

The tiny little Smart is perfect for tight city streets but not great pretty much everywhere else. The Fiat and Abarth are a bit more practical, thanks to its bigger cabin and boot, as well as a considerably longer range of almost 200 miles. We hope to see some more entrants in this segment soon, such as the VW ID3 convertible which was teased back in 2021, as well as the forthcoming production version of the MG Cyberster. A new Tesla Roadster is due at some point in the future, too.

There is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to tow a caravan or trailer with a convertible, however, as with any tow car it will need to be officially approved for towing by the manufacturer. This can usually be confirmed on the manufacturer’s website.

Another rule to follow is that the total weight of the caravan should not exceed 85% of the tow car’s kerb weight. This applies to any vehicle, regardless of whether it has a convertible roof or not.

A convertible vehicle tends to weigh and cost more than its hard-top equivalent. Most also lose a bit of handling sharpness and will be a bit slower against a stopwatch thanks to that extra weight. 

Unless you are planning to take your car regularly to track days, the dynamic differences are hard to notice in daily driving conditions. Interior space tends to be compromised but if that isn’t a concern then the feel-good factor of drop top motoring more than makes up for any potential shortcomings.  In summary, if you want one, get one!

For more buying advice, check out Used convertible cars: what are their downsides and what to avoid.

Folding metal hard tops were fashionable in the 2000s and early 2010s, but have now largely fallen out of favour due to the weight and complexity they add to a car, and the fact a metal roof tends to take up more space than a fabric one when stowed, leading to less luggage space. Sound and heat insulation materials for fabric roofs have also improved markedly over time, although the extra security of a metal roof can be appealing for people living in town who have to street park their car. The Mazda MX-5 RF has a metal section of roof that electronically folds away but, other than that, you'll need to turn to the second-hand market if you're after a car with a folding hardtop, and whatever you do, listen out for strange noises or slow operation when opening and closing the roof on a test drive, as these things can be tricky and expensive to put right if they go wrong.

The cheapest convertible drop top is the Fiat 500C with the classic styling and petrol engines. If you want the new-look electric 500C, you’ll have to pay a considerable chunk more. The Smart EQ ForTwo is the cheapest electric convertible, but its two-seat layout and low range mean it’s only really suited to city life.

Other more affordable convertibles include the excellent Mazda MX-5, which is available with both soft-top and hard-top versions, as well as the small but posh MINI Convertible.

The Bugatti Mistral can travel at 261mph, though it's unattainably expensive for most of us...

Yes, and studies have shown modern convertibles to be as safe as conventional cars thanks to features like rollover hoops that pop out to protect occupants' heads if the car flips.