We asked some of the world’s top auto journalists and car reviewers about their personal picks for this year’s best convertible cars in five categories: affordable, green, luxury, exotic and even vintage.
As auto journalists and reviewers ourselves, we feel very lucky to have access to some of the country’s main motor minds, as well as professional new car reviewers and vintage car experts. Here’s what they said when we asked them to choose their favorite convertible.
The 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata interior glows in a summer sunset.
Most Affordable Convertible
The Mazda MX-5 Miata was — hands down — the top pick for most affordable convertible car amongst this group of savvy new car reviewers. “There’s no such thing as a bad Miata,” so says a Motor Trend journo. Not surprisingly, one nationally-recognized auto reviewer chose Ford’s classic Mustang GT as her favorite affordable convertible.
2016 Smart ForTwo Cabrio
Green and Smart
While one expert humorously mentioned a Vespa scooter as the most “green” open-air green vehicle, a chat message to an eco car insider revealed his choice: Smart ForTwo Electric Drive Cabrio. We agree with his assessment as we’ve personally road tested Smart’s all-electric rag top. This two-seat wundercar is definitely best to drive in smart’s super fun rag top version.
2016 718 Boxster S
Best Luxury Convertibles: Porsche
Porsche led this category by a four-second mile. Touted as “the only real roadsters left” by one longtime journalist, Porsche’s Boxster, 356 Cabriolet and 911 Turbo all come in hard or rag top versions for that ultimate open-air roadster driving experience.
Rolls Royce Dawn
Top Exotic Convertibles
Not surprisingly, most of the world’s top auto reviewers chose the new Rolls Royce Dawn as their No. 1 exotic convertible pick. Two other standouts were the Alfa Romeo 4C and the Ferrarai Lusso.
2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible
Time to Go Vintage?
What about used, vintage or retro convertibles? One journalist swears by “Boxsters less than 10 years old” while another says an “affordable vintage VW Beetle convertible” is a good buy. Could anything be better on a clear summer day than driving a mint-condition convertible or finely restored retro rag top?
When it comes down to it, even these auto nerds seem to agree: Buying a convertible is not about price or performance, but about the sheer pleasure of enjoying your life while driving with the top down on a gorgeous day.
