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Best convertible cars 2023

Explore the UK’s best range of convertible cars, including the best hard top convertible cars and four-seater convertible cars.

Catherine King

Words by: Catherine King

Published on 22 May 2023 | 0 min read

We love a convertible here in the UK. Available in all shapes and sizes, there’s something for everyone and despite our often inclement weather Britons apparently can’t get enough. Indeed, many will tell you nothing quite compares to being behind the wheel of a car without a roof. So, grab your sunglasses and pop the top down as we explore the best convertibles of 2023.

Mazda MX-5

Truly one-of-a-kind in its balance of sports car thrills with an attainable price tag, and so good that Mazda has sold over one million worldwide. The MX-5 is designed for the pure joy of driving. It may only have two seats but, unlike the Caterham, it is still a car that you can use every day. Whether you choose the peppy smaller engine or opt for a little more oomph with the larger alternative, smiles per mile are guaranteed.
Find a Mazda MX-5 on Auto Trader

Fiat 500 Electric Convertible

While Fiat still makes the previous petrol generation 500 it’s the all-new electric version of the iconic car that makes this list. While the hatchback electric 500 gets two battery size options, the convertible is only offered with the bigger 42kWh battery. This gives you more miles between charges to enjoy wind-in-your-hair motoring. When you do have to plug in, you can debate with passers-by whether this really is the cutest electric car of the bunch.
Read the review or explore the Fiat 500C range on Auto Trader

Porsche 718 Boxster

We couldn’t have a list of the top convertibles without the Boxster. Mid-engined and designed to be a purist’s sports car you can take your pick of the range depending on your budget and how quickly you want to get from 0-62mph. Whichever you go for, you will have fun behind the wheel. If the entry level 718 Boxster is too tame for you, then you’d best try the new 718 Spyder RS.
Read the review or explore the Porsche 718 Boxster range on Auto Trader

BMW 4 Series Convertible

BMW prides itself on producing what it believes to be ultimate driving machines and offers brilliant convertible options. Its Z4 is a very appealing sports car, but what if you regularly transport more than one passenger, or you are off on a grand tour and want some extra space? Enter the 4 Series. Elegant, refined, and great to drive. BMW has nailed the brief.
Read the review or explore the BMW 4 Series range on Auto Trader

Aston Martin DB11 Volante

Aston Martin knows how to make a beautiful car inside and out. The flowing curves of the DB11 make it look like it is in perpetual motion, while the interior detailing is sure to stop you in your tracks. Those purchasing a new DB11 even have the luxury of specifying the accent colour of the leather visible through the perforations of the seats. The DB11 Volante may have the smaller V8 engine compared to the DB11 Coupe’s V12, but that won’t matter when you are driving with the roof down enjoying the pitch-perfect purr coming from under the bonnet.
Read the review or explore the Aston Martin DB11 Volante range on Auto Trader

Jeep Wrangler

If building your own car is taking it a little too far, but you still want the option to get hands-on, how about a Jeep Wrangler? It’s a go-anywhere beast that allows you to take the doors, roof, and windscreen off. In addition to the standard hard top, Jeep now offers a powered roof which folds back with a push of a button, so you won’t need to break a sweat. You can have all this with an impressive hybrid version, capable of off-roading on electric power alone. Whilst the Wrangler may not be a traditional convertible, it is not the only SUV with a removable roof available. To that end Volkswagen makes a soft-top version of the T-Roc, which offers more creature comforts than the Wrangler.
Read the review or explore the Jeep Wrangler range on Auto Trader

Caterham Seven

Caterham has been making the Seven for 50 years. Most manufacturers keep making their cars bigger, but Caterham bucks the trend. The latest Seven 170 is the smallest and lightest production car it has ever made, and even padded seats are an optional extra. Whilst you can buy your Seven fully assembled, for the more practically minded, Caterham also offers a six-step self-build option. Whether you choose yours flat packed or ready-made, this is a convertible for the hardy motorist.
Read the review or explore the Caterham Seven range on Auto Trader
  • New price from: £28,990

Mercedes-AMG SL

Some cars are so good that songs are written about them. From Don Henley’s Boys of Summer to Maren Morris in her ‘80s Mercedes, endless songs describe the joys of open top motoring. So, failing a 1980s Mercedes-Benz SL, how about a brand new one? With a history dating back to 1950s race cars it’s fitting that the SL models of today are now all developed by Mercedes-AMG. The mixture of performance and luxury is a winner and definitely worthy of a song or two.
Explore the Mercedes-AMG SL range on Auto Trader

MINI Electric Convertible

The electric MINI Convertible is a special edition car for 2023. Just 999 will be sold globally with only 150 of them staying in the UK. With a starting price of £52,500 you are paying for exclusivity. It comes in just two colours, White Silver or Enigmatic Black, and the black soft top is detailed with a classic union flag pattern. If that all sounds a bit too much, then you could opt for the petrol version, which starts at less than half the price.
Read the review or explore the Jeep Wrangler range on Auto Trader

Ferrari 296 GTS

This plug-in hybrid Ferrari combines a V6 petrol engine with an electric motor. Don’t let the size of the petrol engine fool you, this is still very much a supercar, combining power, poise, and passion. Unusually for a supercar there’s even a nod to practicality. Ferrari made battery optimisations so that you can fold the roof down without losing space to stow luggage on the rear bench. Some may consider an open top Ferrari to be a predictable choice at this price point, so if you are after a less obvious suggestion, check out the Maserati MC20 Cielo.
Explore the Ferrari 296 GTS on Auto Trader

What is the difference between a convertible and a cabriolet?

Cabriolet is a French term for the word convertible. The word 'cabriolet' originates from 1800s France. It was originally used to refer to light, two-wheeled horse-drawn carriages. Like a convertible, the top could be pulled over if needed.
There’s no real difference between a cabriolet and a convertible. They are different names for the type of car and are often used interchangeably. Both convertible and cabriolet refer to a car that can ‘convert’ from a car with a roof to one without and be driven in both scenarios. Some manufacturers prefer to call their cars cabriolets (or cabrios) because it is an older, more traditional term. American manufacturers, however, are more likely to refer to their cars as convertibles. Shop electric and diesel convertibles

Types of convertible car

There’s a wide range of convertible cars on the market including two, four and five-seaters.
Beyond the standard soft and hard-top convertible cars, there are other varieties like:

Semi convertibles

Semi-convertibles, sometimes called cabrio coach or targas, are cars that have all the bodywork up to the top of the door – it’s just the roof that retracts. These cars retain most of the original car’s structure and can look almost identical to their hardtop equivalents when the roof is up.

Roadsters

Roadsters, also called spiders or spyders, are sporty two-seaters, like the Mazda MX-5.

Four-door convertibles

Four-door convertibles are relatively rare because they are expensive for manufacturers to build. One example of a four-door is the Jeep Wrangler.

Convertible car roof types

Soft-top convertibles

Many convertible cars have roofs made of fabric, which is usually multi-layered to keep the cabin as quiet as possible when the roof is up. These are called soft-top convertibles.

Hard-top convertibles

Hard-top convertibles have roof panels made of rigid material like metal, plastic, carbon fibre, glass or combinations thereof. Hard-top convertibles can have a roof of two types:

Retractable hard-tops

Convertibles with retractable roofs tend to be much quieter than those with fabric roofs when it comes to road and wind noise. In some cases, they can be as quiet and secure as a regular hard-top car. But folding hardtops tend to be heavier, which can affect fuel economy, and the mechanisms used to retract the roof can take up a lot of boot space when compared to convertibles with fabric roofs.

Detachable hard-tops

Some convertibles also offer a detachable hardtop. While some of these can be stored in the car’s boot, many can’t and so have to be left in a garage or storage. With so many improvements in retractable roofs, detachable hardtop is much less common nowadays but can be a useful semi-permanent fixture over the winter months.

Expert reviews

Here's what our team had to say about the convertible cars available in the UK:

What is the best hardtop convertible car?

Take a look at... Mazda MX-5 RF BMW 4 Series Convertible Mercedes-Benz SL

What is the best four-seater convertible car?

Take a look at... Audi A3 Cabriolet Bentley Continental GT Convertible Mercedes-Benz E-Class Convertible Mini Convertible

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