One of the best ways to enjoy the summer months is a long road trip in a convertible. While there are fewer of them on the market now, due to the rise of SUVs and trucks, there are still convertibles to be found on dealer lots, including drop-top muscle cars, luxury cars, supercars, and even some oddities like convertible SUVs and pickups. Understand the best convertibles for enjoying the summer sun.
2022 Mazda MX-5
The 2022 Mazda Miata is the cheapest new convertible on sale today. The sport trim buys you not only a convertible but also a pretty capable roadster. The MX-5 is powered by a four-cylinder engine making 181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque.
Those figures aren’t mind-blowing, but the MX-5’s curb weight is just 2,345 pounds. In addition to being light, the MX-5 is also known for having sublime handling. If a soft top isn’t your thing, you’ll be happy to hear that a Targa top model is available. The hardtop MX-5 RF costs more, but it’s still quite a steal based on its looks alone.
2022 Ford Bronco
Yes, the 2022 Ford Bronco is first and foremost an SUV designed to conquer the great outdoors. However, it’s also a convertible, one that comes with a soft top on both its two- and four-door trims. What’s better is that even the Bronco’s hard top can be removed. In fact, MotorTrend notes that the process takes just four steps.
The ability to remove the Bronco’s roof enables drivers and passengers to really become one with the elements while off-road. Those who want the full outdoor experience can take the SUV’s doors off, too. Few cars on the market require drivers and passengers to wear so much sunscreen.
2022 Jeep Gladiator
There is only one convertible pickup on the market today, and that’s the Jeep Gladiator. The base model Gladiator Sport comes with a removable soft top. As you might have guessed, hard top Gladiators can pop their tops, too.
The Gladiator can also lose its doors as well, just like the Wrangler and Bronco. This makes it one of the most fun pickups on the market, in addition to being quite capable. The Gladiator can tow up to 7,650 pounds and has a max payload capacity of 1,600 pounds. It also comes standard with four-wheel drive and manual transmission. Simply put: There is no other truck on the market like it.
2022 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
The Chevrolet Corvette is one of the most unique convertibles on the market today. That’s because it’s mid-engined, a design typically reserved for exotic supercars. The Corvette certainly looks the part, but it’s priced reasonably given its capabilities.
The Corvette Stingray MSRP buys you a 6.2-liter V8 engine making 490 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Note: While the hard top’s roof can be removed, there is also a true convertible available.
2022 Lexus LC Convertible
The Lexus LC Convertible has been one of the best-looking convertibles on the market for years now. While it looks sporty, the LC Convertible is actually more of a grand tourer. It’s powered by a 5.0-liter V8 engine that makes 471 horsepower, all of which goes to the rear wheels.
The Lexus LC has a design that rivals anything from Europe’s great luxury marques. That said, its elegance is more understated than anything. It is a Lexus after all, and the brand isn’t known for flashiness. The LC Convertible isn’t cheap, but it is different, and that’s something money can’t buy.
2022 Jeep Wrangler
A Wrangler with the top down and doors off is one of the iconic symbols of American summer. The Wrangler has changed with the times, of course, and now a hybrid is on offer. What has remained unchanged over the years is its ability to drop its top at a moment’s notice.
The ‘22 Wrangler is one of the more affordable convertibles out there. It’s also a pretty capable off-roader, too, with 4WD and a transfer, fuel and transmission skid plates all standard. Off-road or on it, there are few cars that look cooler topless than the Wrangler.
2022 Ford Mustang Convertible
There’s a reason why so many Ford Mustang convertibles end up in rental car fleets. Okay, there are many reasons why, but one of them is that so many people just want to drive one. It’s not hard to see why. The convertible Mustang has been an automotive icon since the 1960s.
The 2022 Mustang carries on that legacy. It looks good and comes with two powerful engine options. There’s a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder pumping out an impressive 310 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. However, it’s the GT you want, with its big V8 that makes 460 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. There’s nothing quite like dropping the top and listening to the Mustang’s V8 roar.
2023 Mini Convertible
Mini’s are designed to offer go-kart handling. The thing with go-karts is that they don’t have roofs. That’s where the Mini Convertible comes in. The 2023 Mini Convertible is all-new, yet it’s still pretty affordable.
Along with being eye-catching, the ‘23 Mini Convertible also offers some serious performance. This comes in the form of the John Cooper Works trim. It’s equipped with a sport suspension and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 228-horsepower. The Mini Convertible is a bit of an oddity and a tad impractical. Still, when did people ever look to fit in or for practicality when shopping for a convertible?
2022 BMW Z4
The BMW Z4 is easily one of the most stylish convertibles available today. The roadster is also quite capable owing to the fact that it was developed alongside Toyota. Yes, the Z4 is in essence a German version of the new Supra.
Car and Driver clocked a 0-to-60 mph time of 5.1 seconds in the base Z4. This model is powered by a four-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower. The performance-spec M40i ratchets things up a few notches. Its twin-turbo inline-six makes 382 horsepower. Car and Driver took the M40i from 0-to-60 mph in 3.8 seconds. In addition to the power, the Z4 also has a luxurious cabin and surprisingly roomy cabin.
2022 Aston Martin DBS Volante
Aston Martin calls the DBS the ‘ultimate production’ and the company isn’t exaggerating, either. Few cars pack a V12 engine rated at over 700 horsepower. Even fewer can hit a top speed of 211 mph and do 0-to-60 mph in 3.4 seconds. Want to guess how many convertibles offer that combination?
The answer is, of course, very few. Despite its raw power numbers, the DBS Volante is meant for high-speed cruising, not tearing up twisty backroads. That’s good as a highway cruise gives you time to appreciate the DBS’ luxurious cabin, which is covered in leather.
2022 Porsche 911
The Porsche 911 is offered in an incredible 12 different convertible trims, which includes the Targa models. From a performance perspective, Porsche truly offers a convertible for every type of driver.
Those who prefer a more purist experience will want to opt for the base Carrera Cabriolet. If you prefer precise handling, than the “4” models, which come with all-wheel drive, are the ones you want. Those with a need for speed will move straight to the Turbo convertibles, which top out at 640 horsepower.
2022 Ferrari SF90 Spider
You wouldn’t know it by looking at it, but the Ferrari SF90 Spider is actually a plug-in hybrid. The addition of an electric motor gives it a combined power output of nearly 1,000 horsepower. With the roof up, the SF90 Spider looks identical to the SF90 coupe. Both are two of the most beautiful cars in production today.
The SF90 is one of the quickest and fastest convertibles out there. It needs just seven seconds to go from 0-to-124 mph and has a top speed of 211 mph. If you want, you can also travel 15.5 miles using just electricity, too. On the other hand, the SF90 Spider starts at well over half a million dollars, so it’s clearly only for those with oodles of extra cash laying around.
