Best convertible cars 2025
Take a look at some of our top picks for the best used convertibles money can buy
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By Tia Harrison-North
Last updated: 11 April 2025
Scouting for the best convertible cars on the market? You’re probably finding that there’s more choice than expected...
In the noughties, the convertible market exploded. You could get anything from a supermini like the Nissan Micra, to a big boulevard mile-muncher like the Bentley Continental GTC.
You can still choose from a decent range of convertibles and cabriolets today, with both two-seaters and four-seaters available – especially if you’re shopping pre-owned.
Take a look at some of the best convertibles money can buy in our guide below.
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Which convertible should I buy?
If you decide that it's time for you to buy that convertible you’ve always coveted, think about how you’ll use it. Will it be your daily driver or a second, fun car for weekends? Will you just need two seats or will four be more practical?
If you do opt for a four-seater, make sure that the rear two seats are genuinely usable, with enough legroom (and headroom, when the roof is up) for the passengers you’ll carry.
What’s the difference between a soft-top or hard-top convertible?
One of the reasons for the increase in the number of different convertible models was that car companies had developed some very nifty folding hard tops that made the cars using them essentially coupés with a convertible option.
Hard-tops offer a number of advantages. Security is the one obvious one. Fabric roofs have traditionally been easy to cut into by thieves (modern soft-tops are less vulnerable), making them more of a target. A folding metal hard-top, however, is as safe as any regular car roof.
Hard-tops also offer more structural rigidity to the car, making them less susceptible to body movement on uneven road surfaces (known as ‘scuttle shake’).
However, a metal roof is heavier and has a complex folding mechanism that can be expensive to fix if it goes wrong, plus it takes up a lot of boot space when folded.
Modern fabric roofs are multi-layered, so block out a lot more noise and are more watertight than the convertibles from years ago.
They’re also much lighter than a metal roof – and lightness is always good, with benefits such as lower fuel consumption.
It’s also worth noting that in the event of a collision that involves the car rolling over, both hard-top and soft-top cars benefit from modern safety technology, with rollover bars being deployed in milliseconds, thanks to a series of sensors.
Can I use a convertible in the winter?
The assumption about convertibles is that they’re only really suitable to drive in the summer. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
Driving a convertible with the roof down on a crisp winter’s day is one of the real joys of driving.
Okay, so you have to wrap up warm, and have the heated seats and blowers on, but if it's not raining, a convertible should be driven with the roof down as much as possible.
Better still, modern technology now means that many convertibles come with features such as a heated steering wheel and vents in the seat that blow hot air around your neck, known as ‘Airscarf’ by Mercedes.
If you’re in the market for a convertible, look for cars with these features, as they will make your car more usable for more of the year.
The best convertibles
Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet
Mazda MX-5
Porsche Boxster
Mini Cooper S Convertible
BMW Z4
Audi TT Roadster
BMW 4 Series Convertble
Jaguar F-Type
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet
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If you want a drop-top car that can carry four adults and comes with many of the more advanced comfort features, the E-Class Convertible is definitely worth a look.
It has all the upsides of Mercedes-Benz’s large saloon, but with the added advantage of having a roof that can be lowered when you want it.
Our motoring editor, Sam Sheehan, said: “If you want a slice of the executive lifestyle, the sharp-looking, high-technology, luxury Mercedes-Benz E-Class fits the bill perfectly.”
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Mazda MX-5
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The MX-5 has been around for 30 years, in a series of generations that have firmly established it as the affordable sports car to own.
If you want a car that’s joyous to drive, especially on a country road, for not a lot of money, then it's nearly impossible to do better than an MX-5.
If you also factor in the rock-solid reliability, it’s easy to see why this car has many long-standing and devoted fans.
It’s a compact, two-seater, so best-suited for a cool couple or solo driver.
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Porsche Boxster
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If you have a little more money to splash out on a convertible sports car, you can’t go wrong with a two-seater Porsche Boxster.
Used examples are relatively affordable, so for not too much cash you can buy into Porsche’s top-notch engineering, while also being able to look incredibly cool while behind the wheel of a great-looking car.
It’s what’s inside that matters though – and the engines don’t disappoint. There’s an entry-level 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 300hp, or the 718 Boxster GTS with a 4.0-litre flat-six with 394hp.
MINI Cooper S Convertible
 "MINI Cooper S Convertible driving")
For something on the smaller side that feels more suitable for daily driving, the MINI Cooper S Convertible adds some wind-in-hair action to a classic.
Ben Welham, our motoring journalist, tested the Cooper S Convertible for himself and gave it a four out of five-star rating.
He said: “If it’s proper roofless hot hatch fun you’re looking for, we can’t recommend a MINI Cooper S Convertible enough.
The main focus of the MINI Cooper Convertible is, of course, its retractable roof. It opens in 18 seconds and closes in 15 seconds (while driving up to 19mph) at the push of a roof-mounted switch.
What makes it pretty unique is that you can open the roof halfway to feel more like a sunroof, which sounds like a gimmick but is actually very useful.”
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BMW Z4
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Another suave two-seater, the BMW Z4 is the Bimmer you want if you love the brand but don’t want something as chunky as a 3 Series convertible.
The interior sets it apart from other convertibles on this list, as it’s something that BMW just always seem to get right.
There’s a pair of screens making up the infotainment and the digital instrument displays, plus you get to use the iDrive infotainment system that many motorists love.
It’s an all-petrol engine line up, comprising a 2.0-litre 197hp and 3.0-litre 340hp.
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Audi TT Roadster
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The Audi TT Roadster is a modern classic and finds itself a favourite among flashy mums and your local barber – two people we know have good taste.
It’s undeniably good-looking and actually has back seats, though they’re only large enough to be used occasionally or for passengers with little legs.
The interior is a right treat, looking every bit the stylish Audi it is. Newer models get a full digital instrument cluster, but even older options look modern and premium inside.
You can find used models at a low price point as well, making it one of the best convertibles for the money.
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BMW 4 Series Convertible
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We mentioned the BMW Z4 earlier as the slender BMW convertible option, so now we’ve got the 4 Series Convertible for those that like a bit of chunk.
It’s swapped between soft- and hard-top roofs over the years, so you’ve got some choice there. We like the soft-top for creating a bit more space.
One of the really exciting bits about the BMW 4 Series Convertible is the addition of some mild-hybrid engine tech.
The 3.0-litre six-cylinder and 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines on the 2025 M440i xDrive models get 48V mild-hybrid tech – ramping up fuel efficiency.
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Jaguar F-Type
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You’re always going to get a refined and luxurious car from this brand, so it makes sense that the Jaguar F-Type is one of the best convertible cars out there.
It’s solely a two-seater, but both people in the car will be comfortable with plenty of space. Fuel economy is also a bit dire, with the V8 model getting about 27mpg – but what did you expect from a convertible with 488hp?
Sam took an F-Type for a spin and said: “If you’ve ever wanted to drive a legend then the Jaguar F-Type could well be the car for you.
“If its looks don’t get you plenty of attention then the throaty rumble of its exhaust will.”
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Buying the best convertible
While these are some of our top picks for the best convertible, it’s not a complete line-up.
Honorary mentions go to the Nissan 370Z for something a bit older, while the Range Rover Evoque Convertible SUV will definitely turn heads.
Take a look at our full range of used convertibles to see other options at low prices.
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