10 Most Reliable Convertibles

If you want to maximize your opportunities for open-air driving, only the most reliable convertibles should be on your shopping list. After all, you won’t be doing much driving at all if your ride’s always breaking down. That’s why our dependable drop-tops—many of which feature power-retractable roofs—are chosen from the brands that are best known for keeping their cars on the road. You should recognize many of our choices here, too, since they include two of the country’s most popular muscle cars as well as the modern-day convertible par excellence. And yes, we also cover convertibles from the more premium side of the spectrum, for customers with a sharper focus on the latest in luxury and technology cues.

As the latest edition of the best-selling roadster of all time, the 2017 Mazda Miata MX-5 continues to provide the kind of details that open-air drivers love. That includes exceptional handling, of course, but also such innovations as standard headrest-mounted speakers and an easy-to-operate soft top. Indeed, the top can be opened right from the driver’s seat simply by unlatching it from the sturdy front windshield frame. Because the top is entirely manually operated, there are no mechanisms or motors to worry about, either, which certainly helps when you’re shopping for the most reliable convertibles. On the other hand, if you do prefer the convenience of a power-retractable roof, the Miata has one of those as well in the MX-5 RF hard-top fastback.

A long-time dependability leader that doesn’t always get much love from customers, the Buick brand also checks in with one of the market’s most reliable convertibles: The 2017 Buick Cascada. This stylish four-place drop-top is backed by the same commitment to quality that helped propel Buick to a top-five finish in the most recent J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS). The Cascada also brings many of the brand’s latest connectivity technologies—including a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot—plus a standard turbocharged engine and available handling enhancers like a HiPer Strut front suspension. Another feature that owners will appreciate is the heat-reflective seat upholstery that comes standard in the Cascada and helps keep things comfortable on sunny days.

The 2017 Chevrolet Camaro may not be the first vehicle that comes to mind when talking about the most reliable convertibles, but it has been first in its segment for the past five years in the J.D. Power VDS. Now, those winners are from the previous generation, since the study looks at vehicles after three years on the road, and the current Camaro launched as an all-new model in 2016. Yet for owners, that tradition of dependability should inspire confidence. Meanwhile, the 2017 Camaro convertible should inspire a lot of open-air road trips since it has a fully automatic soft top that can be opened at speeds of up to 30 mph — and modular underbody bracing to maintain a nimble ride.

Yes, the competition between the Camaro and its cross-town rival — the 2017 Ford Mustang — even extends to the drop-top category. Here, the Mustang serves up its own power-retractable and thickly insulated roof, along with relatively impressive J.D. Power ratings: The Blue Oval’s muscle-car entry may have been second in the segment in the most recent VDS, but it was one of only two cars that could even qualify for recognition. Building on those benefits, the Mustang convertible is offered with three increasingly powerful engines, from a 300-hp naturally aspirated V6 to a 310-hp EcoBoost engine — with 320 lb-ft of torque — to a traditional 5.0-liter V8 that can unleash 435 horses and 400 lb-ft of torque.

Believe it: Porsche was the top-rated brand — in a tie with Lexus —in the 2017 J.D. Power VDS. But because the Lexus brand lacks a drop-top in its 2017 lineup, that company is out of the running for our list of most reliable convertibles. Instead, we present the 2017 Porsche Boxster, which can run from 0-60 in a mere 4.0 seconds in the highest-performing Boxster S (with the Sport Chrono package). In that setup, drivers enjoy a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that provides 350 horsepower and a top track speed of 177 mph. But then again, even the Boxster’s power-retractable fabric roof is a fast piece of machinery, as it can be opened or closed in just 9 seconds.

It’s also worth reporting that in a separate third-party study — from the automotive experts at Consumer Reports — it was the Four-rings brand that was rated Number One in 2017 overall vehicle quality. By that measure, which includes predicted reliability as a major component, Audi furnishes five of the most reliable convertibles currently available, with the 2017 Audi TT Roadster sitting in the sweet spot. The TT Roadster has some of the same supercar cachet as the Audi R8 Spyder, and it’s plenty athletic in its own right. In fact, the TT Roadster can run from 0-60 in 5.6 seconds, then keep on running to a top track speed of 130 mph. However, its MSRP of $47,000 is about one-fourth the price of an R8 Spyder.

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet is a further example of how premium German engineering bolsters many of today’s most reliable convertibles. To be clear, the 2018 E-Class Cabriolet made its U.S. debut this spring at the New York International Auto Show and is the drop-top version of the all-new sedan. As a result, the new Cabrio delivers a similar ultra-lux cabin, with seating for four, along with all the new Mercedes driver-assistance and connectivity features. Next, though, the open-air E-Class welcomes a fully automatic, acoustically insulated soft top that can be ordered in dark brown, dark blue, red, or black. Nor has Mercedes skimped on practicality: Also onboard is an AIRCAP wind deflector and AIRSCARF neck-level heating system, for year-round convertible enjoyment.

As should be obvious by now, most reliable convertibles are fun-to-drive, too, and the 2017 BMW 2 Series is no exception. The M240i xDrive, for instance, carries both a 335-horsepower turbocharged V6 engine and BMW’s proprietary all-wheel-drive technology; in turn, that powertrain can carry drivers from 0-60 in as few as 4.4 seconds. The time it takes to open or close the 2 Series roof? That works out to about 22 seconds, and it can be accomplished at speed of up to 30 mph. Alternatively, with the 2 Series standing still, owners can remotely operate the top using the Comfort Access keyfob, for extra convenience.

Perhaps the most unexpected choice among our most reliable convertibles is no doubt the 2017 FIAT 124 Spider, from a brand that’s not exactly known as a leader in vehicle dependability. What’s the catch? The 124 Spider, despite being named for an iconic Italian roadster, is built on the same platform as the Mazda MX-5 Miata. That said, the Fiat does have its own uniquely Italian design cues, including a dual power-dome hood and hexagonal grille treatment inspired by the looks of the classic Spider. Also, for a distinctively turbocharged driving experience, the Fiat features a forced-induction engine instead of the naturally aspirated unit found in the Mazda vehicle.

As Jaguar looks to re-establish itself as a top premium automaker, the company has rolled out an especially notable way to support its improved dependability. Thus, the 2017 Jaguar F-TYPE sports car doesn’t just deliver supercharged driving dynamics, upscale appointments, cutting-edge technologies, and a lightweight, power-operated soft top. It also offers more warranty coverage than most reliable convertibles. More specifically, the company’s “EliteCare” program extends to a five-year/60,000-mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty, complimentary scheduled maintenance, 24/7/365 roadside assistance, and Jaguar’s InControl Remote and Protect Telematics, for everything from remote access to key vehicle functions to automatic crash notification. Per Jaguar, that’s a best in class package of benefits.