Best convertible cars to enjoy this summer
The best convertibles mix stylish looks with sporty handling. These ones might just leave you tempted to go topless this summer
Despite our beloved Britain being one of the rainiest countries in Europe, we’ve reported previously that Brits buy more convertibles than any other nation in the region.
It’s that eternal meteorological optimism that makes us who we are! At the slightest sniff of sunshine, we love nothing better than to lower our roofs and catch the rays while we drive.
If you’re looking to join the convertible crowd in 2025, here are the best used drop-tops for a British summer.
We’ve listed them in order of affordability from low to high, so you can find the perfect convertible no matter your budget. You’re welcome!
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10 best convertibles to enjoy this summer
Fiat 500c
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The Fiat 500c is a chic city car with a two-stage folding canvas roof.
Push a button and the top slides open like a giant sunroof, before gliding further back and down behind the rear seats.
Technically, that means it’s not a full convertible, as the car retains its fixed sides, but it still gives a delightful al fresco feeling, so we’ll let it off.
Read our Fiat 500 review
Mini Cooper Convertible
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If the city heat is getting too much then the Mini Cooper Convertible could be just the car for you.
Every bit as fun to drive as the tin-top Mini, its electric roof opens up to the elements in 18 seconds. And that’s important if you want to make the most of a warm British day.
The roof doesn’t completely disappear, leaving a pram-like bulge at the back. A price worth paying, we think.
Read our Mini Cooper review
Mazda MX-5
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The Mazda MX-5 is the world’s most popular roadster, with more than a million sold in 30 years, and it’s easy to understand why.
This lightweight sports car is brilliant fun to drive and it takes a small handful of seconds to open and close the roof by hand from the driver’s seat.
For more insulation from the elements, consider the RF version, which has an electric folding hard-top in place of a manual fabric one.
Read our Mazda MX-5 review
Audi TT Roadster
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The convertible version of the Audi TT coupé loses its rear seats to provide space for the folding soft-top roof. What you lose in passenger-carrying capacity you gain in luggage space, so swings and roundabouts, as they say.
The Audi TT makes a great-looking roadster, with the twin roll hoops behind the seats adding a lovely touch. Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive is also available for reassuring road holding, year-round.
Read our Audi TT review
BMW 4 Series Convertible
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The whole family can enjoy the open air in the four-seater BMW 4 Series Convertible.
It’s stylish, spacious and practical with a wide range of gutsy engines on offer.
The latest version comes with an electric soft-top to save weight, while earlier models have a folding metal roof for an added sense of security.
Read our BMW 4 Series review
Porsche 718 Boxster
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It may be one of the least expensive models in the Porsche line-up, but the 718 Boxster is still completely worthy of the badge. As the drop-top version of the 718 Cayman, the 718 Boxster is light, powerful and extremely agile thanks to its mid-mounted engine.
There’s plenty of room for a couple inside and a decent amount of luggage space, making this the ideal car for couples to take the long way to a wind-in-the-hair weekend holiday.
Read our Porsche Cayman review
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet
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The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet takes convertible cruising to the next level. With spacious seating for four, a big boot for everyone’s bags and a relaxing ride, it’s an ideal machine for a breezy drive along the coast.
It’s quiet, comfortable and beautifully built, plus you’ll arrive at your destination in style.
Read our Mercedes E-Class review
Jaguar F-Type
 "Jaguar F-Type driving")
The Jaguar F-Type is to the 2020s what the E-Type was to the 1960s. It’s arguably the best-looking, and most sporty, driver-focused Jaguar in the range.
Beyond its looks, performance and handling is the sensational sound of either a V6 or V8 engine. You’ll want to drop the top at every opportunity just to hear it.
Read our Jaguar F-Type review
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
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Our second Mercedes on the list feels like it’s built to cruise along the Côte d’Azur. The SL is powerful, refined, and beautifully effortless.
The folding hard-top can be raised in under 20 seconds should the mistral suddenly blow in, turning the SL into a coupe that will cocoon you in comfort.
Audi R8 Spyder
 "Audi R8 Spyder driving")
Audi’s supercar may well be at its best in Spyder form. With a glorious V10 engine (one of the greatest engines made, ever) and sensational styling, an Audi R8 Spyder is about as dramatic as cars come.
With the roof down, you’re treated to the engine’s 10-cylinder orchestra, which is scintillating at 20mph as it is at high speed.
Read our Audi R8 review
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Which convertible will you choose?
Hopefully, we’ve given you a good and varied choice of convertibles from the small to the large, as well as ones to fit in with most budgets.
Now it’s just a question of deciding which ones make the final cut for you – and to make matters more fun, we’ve plenty of other convertibles in stock, too. So what’s it going to be?