Convertibles

The Mazda MX-5 convertible offers some of the sweetest handling you’ll find anywhere, but when buying one you have the choice of a standard cloth-roofed model or the metal-roof Mazda MX-5 RF. The RF’s folding metal roof weighs a little more and costs a little more but it still handles superbly. So, take your choice.

The MINI Convertible comes with a complete folding roof that tucks away leaving no metal roof bars behind. It feels very upmarket inside – for such a small car – and comes with an infotainment system that’s a doddle to use. It’s good fun to drive, too, and comes with absolutely masses of customisation options.

If it’s style and quality you’re after, few convertibles do it better than the Audi TT Roadster. All three generations of the TT have been stylish two-door, two-seat models. The latest car has a superbly well-built cabin, fantastic infotainment system and tidy handling that makes it one of the best open-tops on sale.

The Audi A3 Sportback is a very good premium hatchback, so it’s perhaps little surprise that its cloth-roofed cousin the Audi A3 Cabriolet is a strong choice of convertible. There space for four adults, who’ll enjoy Audi’s typically superb cabin quality. Audi’s brilliant MMI infotainment system also features, as do a choice of strong petrol and diesel engines.

You’ll struggle to find a more luxurious open-top experience than the Mercedes S-Class Cabriolet. It’s extremely comfortable to drive and its interior is both brilliantly built and fantastic to behold. There a choice of silky-smooth engines, too.

xThe Mazda MX-5 RF has a metal folding roof which means it weighs a little more than the soft-top, but still is just the best fun to drive. It also costs a little more, too, but it’ll be worth it if you’re after a quieter cabin on the motorway.

If a Mazda MX-5 focuses on fun, the Mercedes SLC focuses more on luxury. It’s a two seat convertible with a folding metal roof that comes with an upmarket interior and the choice of either petrol or diesel engines. It’s more expensive than the MX-5, but does feel it inside, and does an even better job of keeping wind and road noise outside with its roof up.

There are very few choices when it comes to hardtop cabriolets with room for four passengers. In fact, there’s just one: the BMW 4 Series. Folded away, that heavy roof hanging over its rear end does hurt the 4 Series’ handling a little, but with it up it keeps noise out better than its cloth-roofed Audi and Mercedes alternatives.

The BMW i8 Roadster combines a three-cylinder petrol engine with batteries and electric motors. It means startling performance, yet low CO2 emissions. Its small folding roof is very light, so you’ll enjoy handling that’s every bit as engaging as the coupe’s.

The DS 3 Cabriolet is a small but stylish convertible with a plush interior and a range of perky petrol engines that make it good fun to drive. There’s room (just) for three passengers in the back. Rather than a full folding soft top, it comes with a fabric roof that slides back between two metal rails.

The Jeep Wrangler is a retro-styled 4x4 that’s pretty much unstoppable off-road thanks to its lofty ground clearance and low-geared five-speed automatic gearbox. You can get it with either a hardtop or with a fabric roof that’ll let you and four passengers make the most of even the briefest sunny spells.

The Citroen C1 Airscape is a convertible version of the Citroen’s compact city car. It’s easy to drive, cheap to run and affordable to buy. It comes with plenty of personalisation options, too, and just enough space in the back to carry two adult passengers – for short journeys at least.

The Peugeot 108 TOP is based on the Citroen C1 Airscape, so shares a similar back-to-basics interior, a range of economical engines and an all-important opening fabric roof. The 108 TOP’s small size makes it dead easy to park and drive around town, and there’s just enough space in the two back seats to bring some passengers along for the ride.

The Fiat 500C costs a little more than the Citroen and Peugeot, but its folding fabric roof extends beyond just the top of your back-seat passengers’ heads. It looks great – both inside and out – and comes with a range of perky engines that’ll cost pennies to run.

Unlike the other four cars on our list, the MINI Convertible comes with a complete folding roof that tucks away leaving no metal roof bars behind. For the price, it feels very upmarket inside and comes with an infotainment system that’s a doddle to use.

The DS 3 Cabriolet is a quirky small car with a folding fabric roof and an upmarket interior with plenty of plush touches. It’s roomier than the first four cars on our list, comes with five seats and will cope better with the odd long motorway journey. It’s a little more expensive, but still decent value.