10 Best AWD Convertibles for 2016

2016 Bentley Continental GTC Speed - rear ・ Photo by Bentley Media

All-wheel drive convertibles can sometimes seem a little out of place. After all, if you're going to have the top down, shouldn't the weather outside be nice enough not to need the added security of four-wheel locomotion? The truth is, AWD convertibles have become popular because they transform a summer toy into a true year-round driver for scores of individuals who live in parts of the country where winter turns the roads nasty for months at a time. Being able to count on your convertiblem not just when the sun is shining but also when the snow is falling, is a major plus for buyers who don't have room for more than one automobile in the driveway. Let's take a look at the 10 best AWD convertibles for 2016.

1) 2016 Jaguar F-Type R AWD

The 2016 Jaguar F-TYPE R AWD is one of the newest members of the AWD convertible club, having just gained the feature for the current model year. The all-wheel drive system that comes with the Jaguar F-Type R AWD is designed to maintain the car's rear-wheel bias in normal driving, but kick as much as 50 percent of engine torque to the front axles should traction conditions warrant. Matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the F-Type R's 5.0-liter supercharged V-8 engine sends 550 horses and 502 lb-ft of twist to all four wheels.

Photo by Jaguar

2) 2016 BMW M235i xDrive Convertible

The 2016 BMW M235i xDrive convertible peels the roof back on the German brand's smallest coupe and it gives it an engine capable of overcoming the extra weight afforded by the drop top mechanism as well as the all-wheel drive system. The BMW M235i xDrive convertible's 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder is good for 320 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque, and an eight-speed automatic transmission is standard with the car. Although the BMW offers a rear seat - unlike the F-Type R AWD, which is a true roadster - it's a little cramped back there, making it suitable exclusively for short trips.

Photo by BMW Media

3) 2016 Bentley Continental GTC Speed

If you're looking to spend a king's ransom on an AWD convertible, then the 2016 Bentley Continental GTC Speed is not a bad place to start. The 2016 Bentley Continental GTC Speed needs all the traction it can get, what with its 6.0-liter W-12 engine under the hood producing 626 horsepower and 607 lb-ft of torque. The Bentley's all-wheel drive system also does an excellent job countering the momentous effect of the convertible's hefty curb weight, helping it to reach 0-60 in 4.1 seconds on its way to a top speed of 203 miles per hour. An eight-speed automatic transmission handles the shifting duties for the Continental GTC Speed.

Photo by Bentley

4) 2016 Audi TT

The 2016 Audi TT serves as a counterpoint to the Bentley's go big or go home mentality. The two-seat roadster's small dimensions conceal a lot of fun, thanks to its 220-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (which is also good for 258 lb-ft of torque), and its six-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission. In addition to all-wheel drive, the recently-redesigned Audi TT also features selectable drive modes in order to further shape the car's personality out on the road, along with a more responsive chassis than was available with past models.

Photo by Audi Media Services

5) 2016 BMW 435i xDrive

If you're shopping for a BMW but want something a little bigger than the 2 Series we mentioned earlier, then it's worth considering the 2016 BMW 435i xDrive. Like the M235i xDrive, the BMW 435i xDrive is motivated by a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine, which in this case produces 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic remains the only available gearbox, too, which isn't so bad for enthusiasts given that the vehicle also comes with paddle shifters for manual control over ratios. The heavier weight of the 4 Series platform keeps overall performance down compared to the 2 Series, but at the very least there's a larger back seat to take advantage of.

Photo by BMW Media

6) 2016 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet

The 2016 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet is the ultimate drop-top from a brand that's been building AWD convertibles for many years. All versions of the Porsche 911 Turbo come with standard all-wheel drive - Cabriolet included - and they also feature a seven-speed dual clutch automated manual transmission. With 560 horsepower on tap from a twin-turbo, 3.8-liter "flat" six-cylinder engine, the Cabriolet thunders to a top speed of 197 miles per hour with the roof down, which is probably fast enough to make you consider wearing a helmet at all times. Torque is a suitably monstrous 516 lb-ft, and the car can hit 60 mph in a mere three seconds from a standing start.

Photo by Porsche

7) 2016 Audi S5 Cabriolet

The 2016 Audi S5 Cabriolet doesn't necessarily try to compete with BMW 435i xDrive when it comes to handling or pure driving pleasure. Despite these two cars going head to head in the luxury segment, the Audi S5 Cabriolet is more about style and comfort, matched with respectable power. A 333-horsepower, 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 (also good for 325 lb-ft of torque) comes with every S5 model, and a seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission is also along for the ride. If you want to sharpen the Audi's cornering capability, you can always opt for the car's available torque-distributing active differential.

Photo by Audi Media Services

8) 2016 BMW 650i xDrive

Dig the full-size AWD convertible stance of the Bentley Continental GTC Speed, but still pinching your pennies until you can hit billionaire status? The 2016 BMW 650i xDrive is a big bruiser of a luxury 'vert, what with its long hood, short rear deck, and spacious interior (at least in the front two positions). An eight-speed automatic transmission calls the shots for the BMW 650i xDrive's 4.4-liter V-8 engine, which has been turbocharged to produce a generous 445 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque. Despite its prodigious weight, the BMW can find its way to 60 mph in less than five seconds and offers outstanding highway passing power to go with its sure-footed all-wheel drive system.

Photo by BMW Media

9) 2016 Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS

Although the 2016 Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS isn't quite as muscular as the 911 Turbo S Cabriolet, it's got character all its own thanks to its unusual convertible top mechanism. The Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS features a removable roof panel that lifts up and then stores automatically underneath the car's rear clamshell hatch, making it a spectacle to behold and leaving behind a swath of open sky immediately above the driver and front passenger. The Targa 4 GTS is motivated by a 430-horsepower version of the company's 3.8-liter six-cylinder motor (also good for 325 lb-ft of torque), and it features the choice between either a seven-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission to go with its standard all-wheel drive system.

Photo by Porsche

10) 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet

The 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet can thought of as a 2/3-size S5 - at least in terms of form factor and design, as there is a strong resemblance between the two models. However, if you want all-wheel drive you've got to step up to the Audi A3 Cabriolet's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and ignore its front-wheel drive-only 1.8-liter base motor. This also brings the added benefit of 220 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque (the same as in the Audi TT), which quickens the pace of the A3 by a considerable margin. All versions of the car come with a six-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission.

Photo by Audi Media Services