Best convertible cars – the ultimate alfresco motoring thrillers
There's nothing quite like an open-top performance car – these are the best of the current crop
The market for soft-top cars is shrinking, or at least, the manufacturers offering convertibles and cabriolets are becoming few and far between. That’s bad news for us UK motorists who, despite the awful reputation the weather has over here, absolutely love a convertible car. The good news is that there are still enough companies who are willing to cut the roof off their cars to create something magical for those days when only a soft-top will do.
Convertible sports cars can suffer from shimmying mirrors and scuttle shake, but when engineered well they offer an even more thrilling experience, bringing you even closer to the sights and sounds of a great drive. These are our favourite ways of enjoying the British sun (when you can at least), roof up or down.
Best convertible cars 2026
- Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet
- Aston Martin Vanquish Volante
- Bentley Continental GTC Speed
- BMW 4-series Convertible
- Mercedes-AMG CLE Cabriolet
- Mazda MX-5
- Morgan Supersport
- Maserati GranCabrio
Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet
- Pros – Staggering speed; more rounded than a GTS; marginal compromises as a drop-top
- Cons – Effective rather than truly involving
- evo rating: 4 stars
The Cabriolet has been a staple of the Porsche 911 range for 40-odd years and the nature of the broad model range means that 911s can be quite serious performance cars, even with a retractable roof. So yes, in the current range, you have the option of ordering your 700bhp, 200mph 911 Turbo with a deployable soft top.
On our first drive, we found it to be a well-rounded pseudo supercar better suited to the job of boulevard cruising than, say, a 911 GTS Cabriolet. That’s thanks to the 911 Turbo's new ehPDCC active anti-roll system that can slacken off to a much greater extent than most 911s when not driving dynamically.
When you are, there’s not much that’s quicker across ground. The 0-62mph sprint takes 2.6sec – almost Veyron quick – while 200mph is the top end. In between, the Turbo firms up and focuses, more so than many cabriolets, including the Maserati GranCabrio or Bentley Continental GTC, but lacks the edge you might expect of other 911s. All the same, it’s an astonishing machine and definitely, one of the very best (certainly very fastest) open-tops there is.
Alternatives to the Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet
The 911 Turbo Cabriolet is the better pick if you’re considering a Maserati GranCabrio or a Bentley Continental GTC. Though we’d think twice before selecting it over an Aston Martin DB12 S Volante, or Ferrari Roma Spider (soon to be Amalfi Spider).
> Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet review
Aston Martin Vanquish Volante
- Pros – All the dynamic capabilities of the coupe
- Cons – You’ll need to pack light and invest in Apple Carplay
- evo rating: 5 stars
Lawrence Stroll's new era of Aston Martins is in full swing – we've already spent plenty of time in the excellent new Vanquish coupe, and now a Volante version has joined the range to deliver that glorious V12 in a drop-top package.
True, some of the Vanquish's stunning beauty has been sacrificed in the slightly less cohesive Volante, but all the important bits remain. The 5.2-litre V12 engine generates a Ferrari 12 Cilindri-beating 824bhp, and while noise and emissions regulations have muffled its voice, the Vanquish has volcanic, effortless acceleration.
> Aston Martin Vanquish Volante review
Aston has tried to minimise the loss of torsional rigidity in the transformation. As a result the Vanquish Volante is very nearly as scintillating at the limit as its coupe counterpart, with very few compromises. It’s as indulgent and enjoyable as you'd hope a £350k grand tourer would be.
Alternatives to the Aston Martin Vanquish Volante
The Ferrari 12 Cilindri Spider is this car’s direct rival but definitely has more of a ‘roadster’ vibe with its flying buttresses. The Vanquish, on the other hand, is a proper cabriolet, with nothing but air and a wind deflector behind the headrests. Is it worth over £80k more than a very well-specified DB12 S Volante? Possibly not. You get the same sense of Aston opulence and exoticism, but the Vanquish is more exotic, its V12 more charismatic.
Bentley Continental GTC Speed
- Pros – Stylish, exquisite inside, impossibly capable
- Cons – Heavier, more expensive and less engaging than rivals
- evo rating: 4 stars
This is the first foray into the hybrid era for the Bentley Continental GT with the 4-litre V8 being paired with an electric motor. It’s a mighty potent combination with 771bhp and 738lb ft of torque in the Speed model, but then again, with 2636kg to haul around the Continental GT Convertible needs all the help it can get.
It’s a heavily revised model rather than being completely new, but the new hybrid drivetrain suits the GTC’s character well. It starts off in electric mode and wafts you around serenely but awake the engine and you’re treated to a melodious V8 soundtrack and some serious performance. The advantage of the convertible over the coupe is that with the hood down you have more of an opportunity to hear the V8 strut its stuff.
> Bentley Continental GT Speed review
Despite its weight it stops well thanks to 10-piston front callipers and while the steering isn’t the last word in feel the GTC’s four-wheel steering does add to its feeling of agility which is impressive for what is essentially a luxury GT. It retains its continent-crushing abilities but do bear in mind that the hybrid system does steal some of its boot space.
Alternatives to the Bentley Continental GTC Speed
The most convincing alternative to the GTC Speed comes from within Crewe’s own gates, with the release of the standard Continental GTC. Its technical constitution is very similar to that of the Speed (same dual-chamber suspension, rear diff and rear steering), only with less power. But 671bhp is far from middling and for a decent discount, it’s the common-sense move. There’s also Ferraris upcoming Amalfi Spider, or Aston Martin’s DB12 S Volante, or Maserati’s GranCabrio, if you fancy your grand touring cabriolet in a more sporting, exotic flavour.
BMW M440i xDrive Convertible
- Pros – Engine, gearbox and chassis best in class
- Cons – Not as sharp or direct as its saloon, coupe or Touring siblings
- evo rating: 4 stars
What’s this then, an M Performance model muscling into a best convertibles listing ahead of the full-fat M4? We’ll whisper it, but in soft-top form the M440i xDrive is a better machine than the M car. And you’ll save in the region of £23,000, too. The junior M might lack some of the visual drama of the M4, but it’s still quick (0-62mph in less than five seconds) and its less frenetic nature suits open air motoring far more than the more focused M.
The 4-series drop top can be had with a four-cylinder motor in the 420i and 430i, but the B58 straight-six in the M440i is worth paying the extra for as it sounds sublime and allows for very swift progress when required. However, as with the vast majority of convertibles it’s at its best when the pace is notched back a peg or two. Enjoy the sights and the sounds and the relatively supple ride quality.
> BMW 4-series Convertible review
Being based on a coupe the M440i xDrive is a pretty practical proposition, although those in the back will get somewhat blown about with the hood down. The four-wheel drive offers security when the conditions take a turn for the worse and the fabric hood offers decent refinement when it’s raised. All in all, the M440i Convertible is a great allrounder.
Alternatives to the BMW M440i xDrive Convertible
You’re about to read about it – the Mercedes-AMG CLE53. Except maybe not, because its pricing is kind of strange, being positioned between the 4-series and the full-fat M4. So maybe a lesser CLE? But then it loses some dynamic satisfaction compared to the M440i Cabriolet. It’s probably also worth looking at how much used 8-series Cabriolets cost, or better yet, how much used 911 Cabriolet you could get for brand new 4-series cabriolet money.
Mercedes-AMG CLE53
- Pros – Looks butch, surprisingly agile
- Cons – Dull engine, brittle ride
- evo rating: 3.5 stars
Gone are the days when there was a plethora of coupe and saloon-based cabriolets to choose from and these days your choice is more or less restricted to the BMW 4-series and the Mercedes CLE. Sitting at the top of Stuttgart’s range is the AMG CLE53 and it offers a rapid but not frenetic take on the genre.
We’ve still got six-cylinders here and they develop a reasonably healthy 443bhp and 443lb ft of torque, enough for a 4.4sec 0-62mph time. As part of the package you also get four-wheel drive, rear-wheel steering and AMG’s Ride Control adaptive dampers. What you don’t get is a fire breathing AMG that we remember from the V8 days, the CLE incarnation being a somewhat more sophisticated machine.
> Mercedes-AMG CLE Cabriolet review
It's certainly quick and will dispatch any given stretch of road at speed, but it’s not quite as rewarding to drive as we’d hope. It feels heavy and its controls aren’t hugely communicative, but back off a notch or two and it makes more sense. The chassis delivers decent ride quality and refinement and the stiff structure doesn’t suffer from scuttle shake when in cruise mode. View it more as a rapid GT than a sports car and it makes for a great convertible choice.
Alternatives to the Mercedes-AMG CLE53 Cabriolet
As you might have detected, our preference among these sorts of cars lands with the cheaper, as dynamically satisfying BMW M440i Cabriolet. But then, if you’ve CLE money then you could have a used 991 Carrera GTS Cabriolet…
Mazda MX-5
- Pros – Lightweight and balanced; fab transmission; great fun at road speeds
- Cons – Engine a little dull; not for those wanting ultimate speed and grip
- evo rating: 5 stars
There aren’t many sports cars that have been at the top of their game for 35 years but the MX-5 has done just that. Yes, some incarnations have been better than others, but for those wanting an affordable, lightweight and entertaining convertible it’s always been in contention. And that’s especially true of the latest machine, especially after its 2024 facelift. It’s so good that its targa-roofed RF sibling came very close to winning eCoty 2024.
At the little Mazda's heart is an incredibly simple formula – a naturally aspirated four-cylinder (now good for 181bhp and a 0-62mph time of 6.5sec in 2-litre form), a snappy manual gearchange, a limited slip diff and a suspension set up with plenty of compliance. It works wonderfully well, involving the driver like few other machines, no matter their price point.
Put simply, it’s hugely involving and virtually guaranteed to make you smile whether on the morning commute or on your favourite backroad. The icing on the cake is a relatively affordable price tag and the fact that it won’t break the bank to run it either.
Alternatives to the Mazda MX-5
The MX-5 has never felt more novel, in spite of hardly changing over its 35 years on sale. As such, alternatives are difficult to establish unless you venture into the used market. Here you’ll find… slightly older MX-5s – let’s say, a nice 30th Anniversary Edition – for a price that leaves plenty of money spare for some choice modifications.
Morgan Supersport
- Pros – Show-stopping design; polished ride and handling
- Cons – Slightly awkward driving position; six-figure price
- evo rating: 4.5 stars
Traditionally, the appeal of Morgans has primarily been in their design, craftsmanship and the novelty of driving something that you know is brand new but feels like it’s from another time. Now with the new Supersport, those elements have been enhanced further, but crucially for us, the Morgan recipe has been blended with genuine dynamic ability and driving fun, plus more usability than ever. Morgan has never been on the radar of Porsche buyers, but it might just be now.
Built around a bonded aluminium structure and featuring double wishbone suspension, with the option of Nitron dampers and a limited-slip differential, the Supersport is a car that enjoys being driven hard and rewards you handsomely in the process.
It’s quick too, being powered by a 335bhp BMW 3-litre straight-six and weighing less than 1200kg. It’s also able to deliver roof-down (and windows-off) thrills, or the snug feel of a coupe with its removable hard-top. As an all-round package, it’s the best Morgan to date.
Alternatives to the Morgan Supersport
It’s hard to think of anything with the Supersport’s combination of novelty factor, usability and fun. At the more extreme end of things there’s the evergreen Caterham Seven, which is undoubtedly more raw, tactile and exciting but about as far from usable as you can get. At the other end of the spectrum there’s the next car on this list – the Porsche 911 Cabriolet. It’s more expensive than the Morgan at £114k, and though it’s leaps and bounds more capable and high-tech, it doesn't have the Supersport's sense of occasion and outright fun factor.
Maserati GranCabrio
No, it no longer has one of the most sonorous and addictive V8s in existence, and its design hasn’t evolved much from the original, but the latest Maserati GranCabrio is a soothing, usable, and accomplished drop-top grand tourer. Quick, too, with the Trofeo version packing a 542bhp twin-turbo V6 and a top speed not far shy of 200mph.
There are issues. The infotainment system, for instance, looks like it’s been lifted out of a Fiat 500 (because it has), and if you’re looking for something as lithe and responsive as the Ferrari Roma Spider further down this list, the GranCabrio isn’t it. But it is a genuinely comfortable GT that can settle into an effortless cross-country stride, or safely tackle changeable conditions thanks to four-wheel drive.
It’s also available as an all-electric Folgore model, and while the EV offers the same style and crushing performance in a silent package, it’s severely lacking in personality next to the V6 model.
Alternatives to the Maserati GranCabrio
Want a more dynamic and engaging experience? A 911 Cabriolet can’t be ruled out. Want a more exotic and expensive but less practical convertible? A DB12 Cabriolet could be a good shout. The Mercedes-AMG SL55 could be worth a look too, as could the latest Bentley Continental GTC, now available in ‘standard’ 671bhp trim as well in 771bhp Speed spec.
