Convertible Reviews

Top Gear’s guide to: Convertibles

Like the open air? Don’t wear a loose wig? Then a convertible or roadster just might be for you

What you need to know

Roadster

A Roadster was designed from the outset as a convertible, rather than re-designed

Targa

A ‘targa top’ consists of list out roof panels, not the convertible action

CC roof

The coupe convertible (CC) has a folding metal roof, not fabric. Safer, but heavier

Move along

Many convertibles can now raise/lower roofs while moving. It’s very hand in real life

Fat factor

A convertible usually has extra stiffening over a coupe, so tends to be heavier

Boot space

Beware roofs that eat into boot space when stowed – you can lose your entire luggage allowance
Found 18 results
9/10
McLaren

650S Spider

£215,275

Drives every bit as crisply as the Coupe, but with added volume and drama

9/10
Audi

R8 Spyder

£119,085 – £147,765

One of the most joyous cars on sale gains extra character without a roof. Lovely.

9/10
Ferrari

488 Spider

£217,219

A deeply desirable drop-top that also advances the sports car arms race.

9/10
Mazda

MX-5

£19,000 – £25,510

A great examplar for keeping a car's mechanicals simple. The MX-5 provides fun at entirely legal speeds

9/10
Porsche

911 Cabriolet

£81,852 – £112,552

The soft-top 911 is just as brilliant as the coupe, just a pity about those new turbocharged engines.

8/10
Porsche

718 Boxster

£41,739 – £50,695

Character has suffered, but the rest of the 718 Boxster package is spot on.

8/10
Fiat

124 Spider

£26,645

Spoilt for choice between this and an MX-5? You can't actually go wrong. Choose on looks and engine character

8/10
Mercedes-Benz

C-Class Cabriolet

£38,844 – £81,221

Mercedes nails it. The C-Class cabrio is pleasant to drive but majors on open-top relaxation

8/10
Bentley

Continental GTC

£163,700 – £212,640

Top class. The GT in the Conti's name is there for a reason.

8/10
Jaguar

F-Type Convertible

£56,880 – £117,120

The F-Type is an exceptional sports car: sharp, invigorating and charismatic

8/10
BMW

4 Series Convertible

£41,230 – £53,210

The default four-seat cabrio. Excellent engines and quality, impressive metal roof too.

8/10
Mercedes-Benz

E-Class Cabriolet

£45,295 – £69,135

Mercedes almost undermines its own flagship with new E-Class Cabrio. Close one

8/10
Volkswagen

Golf Cabriolet

£18,325 – £33,785

After a classy cabrio but don't have Audi-like cash? Try this. GTI expensive but worth it; R perhaps not

7/10
Audi

A5 Cabriolet

£37,330 – £58,725

It’s a seductive car, the new A5 Cabriolet, and while more dynamically accomplished than its predecessor, still more of a grand touring boulevardier rather than a B-road hustler. But what an ownership proposition.

7/10
Audi

TT Roadster

£44,760

Facelifted Audi Roadster features revised engines, tweaked visuals – and very little amusement

6/10
Mercedes-Benz

SLC

£32,509 – £47,515

Ultimately uninspiring to drive, but works well as an easy-going 24/7 roadster.

6/10
Mercedes-Benz

SL-Class

£77,050 – £116,920

Another brilliant iteration of the classic Mercedes - but the appeal of the looks will take time...

6/10
Mini

Convertible

£19,860 – £31,130

A cute, fine little convertible. Although the emphasis is on the little: the boot is tiny and the interior packaging is odd.