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Best Convertible for 2023

You won't regret buying a convertible, and these are the best ones available.

Emme Hall Former editor for CNET Cars
I love two-seater, RWD convertibles and own a 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata for pavement fun and a lifted 2001 Miata for pre-running. I race air-cooled Volkswagens in desert races like the Mint 400 and the Baja 1000. I have won the Rebelle Rally, seven-day navigational challenge, twice and I am the only driver to compete in an EV, the Rivian R1T.
Emme Hall
10 min read

Naysayers and haters be damned, I'll never stop loving convertibles. It's my long-held belief that convertibles make excellent cars, even if you can't have the top down all year. These top-down vehicles are stylish and irresistibly fun to drive. Honestly, it's a real shame they're not more popular. Of all the different convertibles out there, my personal favorite is my Mazda Miata, which might surprise you: this tiny package of car has a lot to offer, even past its nonfixed roof.

These drop-top machines are fun, often boast zippy powertrains and are just plain different compared to your average car. Yes, sometimes they leak when you go through the car wash and keeping a soft top clean is a major pain, but that's all a small price to pay for the eternal grin I have on my face whenever I get behind the wheel of a drop-top.

With all of that said, I've assembled a list of the best convertibles available today. Take a read and check out some of the tips I've got for dealing with owning a convertible daily driver afterward. 

Craig Cole/Roadshow

There is a reason why the answer is always Miata. The Mazda MX-5 Miata is the quintessential convertible: small, rear-wheel drive and room for two. The latest Miatas are available with a soft top or in the gorgeous RF trim with a targa top. To take down the soft top, simply undo one central latch and push the top back. To lower the RF, the car must be moving no faster than six miles per hour and takes 13 seconds.

The 2.0-liter I4 engine pushes out 181 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque and yes, you can get it with a six-speed manual transmission. It's not the quickest thing in a straight line but when the road turns twisty you can embarrass much more powerful cars with its brilliant handling.

The best part? They start at $28,665 including $1,015 for destination, while the most expensive RF can be had for right around $39,000.

Read our 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata review.

The Mazda MX-5 Miata is as joyful to drive as ever

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Andrew Krok/Roadshow

If you want to talk about value for money, it's all about the Chevrolet Corvette. This mid-engine bad boy starts at $69,595 including $1,295 for destination, but it gives six-figure supercars a run for their money. The power retractable hard top can be lowered in 13 seconds at speeds up to 30 miles-per-hour. 

A 6.2-liter V8 pushes out 490 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. You can add the $7,540 Z51 Performance Package to add 5 points on each of those numbers, a limited-slip differential, sport suspension, Brembo brakes and sticky summer tires, all of which work to compel the 'Vette from 0-60 mph in under three seconds. 

Take that, Ferrari.

2021 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible opens up some trunk space

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Nick Miotke/Roadshow

The BMW 8 Series Convertible can be had in 840i or M850i xDrive trims, or those who want to go bonkers can get the full-on M8 Competition convertible. I like the middle M850i for its blend of power and luxury and the addition of all-wheel drive. Here you get all the Merino leather you could ever want, plus the option of wood, piano black or carbon fiber interior trim. Heated seats, armrests and steering wheel are here, as are ventilated seats and the option of a neck warmer which you should 100% spring for. 

You can opt for a 1,375-watt Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System as well as plenty of super-techie driver's aids like a backup assistant that can trace the car's reverse path for getting out of tight parking situations. 

A 4.4-liter twin turbo V8 engine is good for 523 horsepower 553 pound-feet of torque in the M850i and the multilayer fabric soft top can lower in 15 seconds at speeds up to 30 mph. All this German goodness doesn't come cheap. Expect to pay $100,895 including $995 for destination just to get a bare-bones M850i. 

2019 BMW M850i Convertible: Grand tourer with huge curb appeal

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Emme Hall/Roadshow

When it comes to drop-down luxury it tough to beat a Bentley Continental. Add the Speed moniker and you have a coach-built convertible of your dreams.

The Conti GT Convertible Speed features a retuned version of the twin-turbocharged W12 engine, producing a frankly silly 650 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. That power is sent through a sophisticated all-wheel drive system to help the Continental reach 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds and travel on to a top speed of 208 mph.

The roof is still able to be opened or closed in just 19 seconds and is available in seven colors, including tweed. You'll get a wide range of exterior paint options, and 15 main hide and 11 secondary hide choices for the interior. Speaking of, you'll get embroidered headrests, Speed badging, heated and cooled everything and your choice of wood or piano black trim that is just downright gorgeous.

As for the price? Well, the answer is, "If you have to ask, you can't afford it," but I'll tell you anyways. Expect to pay $313,825 including $2,725 for destination.

Read our 2020 Bentley Continental GT Convertible preview.

2022 Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible offers huge speed and epic luxury

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Steven Ewing/Roadshow

To get the best performance out of a convertible, look no further than the Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet. A 3.8-liter twin-turbo six-cylinder engine is good for 640 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque with an eight-speed PDK transmission, motivating the 3,800-pound convertible. Top speed is 205 mph, it can scoot to 60 mph in just 2.7 seconds and cover the quarter-mile in 10.6 seconds. Oh, and the soft top is pretty quick, too. You can lower it in 12 seconds at speeds of up to 31 mph. 

All-wheel drive keeps this thing from oversteering too hard through the twisties while grip is provided by Pirelli NA 255/35 tires on 20-inch wheels in the front and massive 315/30 on 21s in the rear.

The Porsche is pricey, though. Look to pay $221,150 to start, including $1,350 for destination and a $1,000 gas guzzler tax.

2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S is even better as a Cabriolet

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Steven Ewing/Roadshow

If you want supercar convertible performance and looks, you'll have to step up significantly, and here I like the McLaren 720S Spider. First off, the convertible roof is available in carbon fiber or a cool electrochromic glass that can change from tinted to clear. Regardless of roof choice, it lowers in 11 seconds at speeds up to 31 mph.

The 720S Spider is powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 churning out 710 angry horses and 568 pound-feet of torque. Power goes to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. With a curb weight of 2,900 pounds, the McLaren can scoot to 62 mph in 2.9 seconds and hits the quarter-mile in 10.4 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 212 mph. Great googly moogly. 

Now since this is a supercar, you get supercar looks, including billionaire -- excuse me, dihedral -- doors and sculpted body panels that really make the McLaren stand out in a crowd. The cost? Just $318,000, including $2,500 for destination.

Read our 2021 McLaren 720S review.

2020 McLaren 720S Spider: Devilishly divine droptop

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Emme Hall/Roadshow

If American muscle is what you're looking for, check out the Chevrolet Camaro convertible. The top can be raised and lowered in 14 seconds at speeds up to 30 mph and while you can go bonkers with the ZL1, I like the naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 engine. This nets 455 horsepower and 455 pound-feet of torque going to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission or a 10-speed automatic. That's plenty of power, and you don't get hit with the ZL1's gas-guzzler fee.

A V8 Camaro starts at $41,395, including $1,195 for destination, which is a decent price for a classic American pony car.

2019 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1: Performance looks good in a drop-top

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Mini

I like the Mini Cooper S convertible for its dual function soft top. You can slide it back halfway for a bit of an open air feeling, or push a button and watch it fully open in 18 seconds at speeds up to 18 mph. Plus, you can get a Union Jack design woven right in. Bonus!

Aside from the unique top, the Mini is just a blast to drive. The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine pushes out 189 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch unit putting power to the front wheels. Minis are famous for their go-kart-like handling, and the convertible is no different. It's low-slung, diminutive proportions and power delivery just mean it's a blast when the road gets curvy.

Expect to pay a starting price of $32,750, including $850 destination for a Mini Cooper S convertible.

Drop the top in the 2021 Mini Cooper Sidewalk Edition

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Mercedes-Benz

It's tough to find a four-seat convertible that actually allows adults to sit in the rear seats, but the Mercedes-Benz E-Class does a decent job at it. Legroom in the rear is 34.1 inches. That may seem small, but compared to the paltry 29.5 inches of rear legroom in the BMW 8-Series convertible it's downright palatial.

The E-Class also has the Aircap wind deflector that reduces air turbulence for front and rear seat passengers, and the Airscarf system keeps all necks warm. The top can be lowered in 20 seconds at speeds of up to 31 mph.

The E 450 Cabriolet is powered by a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder turbocharged engine. The 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque gets an extra 21 ponies and 184 pound-feet of torque thanks to the mild-hybrid EQ Boost system. Expect to pay an even $74,300, including $1,050 for destination.

2021 Mercedes-Benz E450 convertible is a drop-top that'll make your heart stop

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Nick Miotke/Roadshow

Want to take the doors and top off your rig and go off-roading? The new Ford Bronco gets it right. When the doors come off, the mirrors remain and the frameless doors can be stored inside the vehicle. The rest of the top is easy to take off as well and the interior sport bar contains side curtain air bags.

Regardless of which trim you get, the Bronco is an off-road beast, but we like the Wildtrak with its Baja mode for high-speed whoops and the Sasquatch package with 35-inch tires. Engine options are a 2.3-liter I4 EcoBoost engine with 275 ponies and 315 pound-feet of torque or a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 with 315 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque.

A base Ford Bronco runs $32,395 including $1,495 for destination. A Wildtrak is significantly more, coming in at $51,375.

Read our 2022 Ford Bronco review.

2022 Ford Bronco is at home both on- and off-road

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Emme Hall/Roadshow

While fully electric convertibles haven't hit the market yet, the plug-in hybrid Jeep Wrangler 4xe is a great electrified choice. Just be prepared to use some muscle to lose the roof. The three-piece hard top has two "freedom panels" that you can take off on the fly, sort of. It still requires tools and time, but you can store them in your Jeep if you haven't overloaded yourself with recovery and camping gear. The larger third of the hard top needs tools and a pal to remove -- and you need a place to store it in your garage. 

There are two soft tops available, but they don't lower at the touch of a button. There are windows to remove, zippers to be pulled and Velcro straps to be fastened. It's usually easiest to just keep the top down from March through November. If it rains? Oh well.

You can go 22 miles on battery power alone and you can also save all the electrons for when you get to the trail. Expect to pay $55,390 including $1,595 for destination to start.

2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe: The desert-running PHEV

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Comparison of the best convertibles for 2023

CategoryNameConvertible top speedBase price
Best convertible overall 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata3 seconds soft top; 13 seconds hard top$28,665
Best convertible for the money 2022 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible13 seconds$69,595
Best luxury convertible 2022 BMW 8 Series convertible15 seconds$100,895
Best ultraluxury convertible 2022 Bentley Continental GT Speed19 seconds$313,825
Best performance convertible 2022 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet12 seconds$221,150
Best ultraperformance convertible 2022 McLaren 720S Spider11 seconds$318,000
Best muscle car convertible 2022 Chevrolet Camaro V8 Convertible14 seconds$41,395
Best small convertible 2022 Mini Cooper S Convertible18 seconds$32,750
Best 4-seater convertible 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet20 seconds$74,300
Best convertible SUV  2022 Ford Broncoest. 5 minutes soft and hard top$32,395
Best electrified convertible 2022 Jeep Wrangler 4xe18 seconds Sky One-Touch; est. 5 minutes soft top; est. 10 minutes hard top$55,390
2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata 30th Anniversary
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2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata 30th Anniversary

The Mazda MX-5 Miata will always be found on any best convertible list.

Steven Ewing/Roadshow

What's the best convertible to buy?

The best convertible to buy is the one that you can afford, fits your lifestyle and makes you smile. Seriously, I could tell you all about how the Mazda Miata is the greatest convertible of all time, but if you have a family of six or regularly roll with three friends, it's not going to be the best convertible for you.

The good news is that there is a convertible for everyone. If you like to go off-roading, get a Jeep Wrangler. If you're into straight-line power, the Chevrolet Camaro has got you covered. And hey, if money is no object, you could do much worse than the McLaren 720S Spider.

Is a hard top or soft top convertible better?

This all comes down to personal preference. A hard top is usually electronically operated and with moving parts comes the chance of failure. However, a hard top is often better sealed against leaks and can withstand the weight of winter snow better. They also are better insulated and more secure if you have to park on the street.

Soft tops are often quicker to take down, although the Jeep Wrangler's soft top is a bit complicated. They can be a less expensive option than a hard top, too. However, they require extra care to keep the fabric clean and contribute to a lot of cabin noise. If your soft top of choice comes with the option of a glass rear window instead of a plastic one, pay the extra money for the glass. The plastic ones scratch easily and within a year you won't be able to see too well out the back.

You may also find that a soft top is a magnet for thieves. I have adopted the habit of keeping nothing of value in my car and keeping it unlocked. A knife through your soft top can be really expensive. Let the jerk open the door to rifle through your crappy CD collection. 

2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet
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2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet

With the right tires, a convertible can easily be driven year-round.

Steven Ewing/Roadshow

Are convertibles good in rain?

Yes, convertibles are good in the rain. Older soft tops may leak a bit in a deluge, but new convertibles shouldn't have any problems. One thing you should look out for, however, are your tires. Hear me out: Convertibles often come from the factory with summer tires, which are made to perform best at higher temperatures. Once the rain comes and temps dip, your tires may not offer as much grip in the wet. Those who live in colder climes are well sorted to grab a set of dedicated winter tires.

Can you drive a soft top convertible in the winter?

Absolutely you can drive a soft top convertible in the winter. Be sure to clean off all the snow before you head out and heed my previous warning about tires. The soft top won't insulate you as well as a hard top, so you may want to bring a sweater and crank that heat all the way up. 

Bundling up and dropping the soft top on a clear day with snow all around is one of life's few pleasures, but remember that many soft tops shrink a bit when it gets cold. They may be easy to take down, but putting it back up may take a bit of muscle.

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