10 Top Rated Convertibles

2019 Lamborghini Huracan Performance Spyder top ・ Photo by Lamborghini

Summer is coming, which is the perfect time for a convertible — and we've put together some of the most highly rated models available. Most of these cars have received high marks from actual buyers, and we’re also including some that we’ve driven and absolutely loved. Luckily, there’s a lot of overlap.

The good news for people with soft spots for soft tops is that there are plenty more than 10 choices, with prices that range from the $20,000s to $300,000-plus. We’ve tried to keep prices reasonable, but most of the best convertibles are on the premium side. And there’s one special case because it’s such a special car. The fresh air is beckoning, so here are 10 top-rated convertibles, listed alphabetically. 

2019 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider

It looks a bit like a Ferrari, but costs way less — approximately $68,000. There’s no power steering for that money, but that’s how true enthusiasts like it, because there’s nothing to mask the information coming up from the front wheels. Any inconvenience at low speeds is forgiven and forgotten through quick corners. This car demands that a driver gets involved. And the more engaged a driver is, the more the fun accumulates.

The 4C Spider is a lightweight two-seater with a mid-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive. If anyone was concerned about how the 4C performs in real life, it has great consumer ratings from several sources. These owner/reviewers truly get what the 4C is about.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet

At approximately $40,000, this is the least expensive soft-topped Audi available. It’s a big hit with consumers and critics alike. The A3 has the understated yet classy exterior design and elegant cabin for which Audis are renowned, plus the option of all-wheel drive (Audi's Quattro system) to make this four-seater a car for all seasons.

The A3's power-folding fabric roof does a great job of insulating occupants from noise and the elements, and it can be deployed on the move at speeds of up to 31 mph. We’d be inclined to go for the Quattro system, since it brings a slightly more powerful engine (228 horsepower as opposed to 184 hp with front-wheel drive), and we'd also select the Virtual Cockpit configurable driver information display from the options list.

Photo by Audi

2019 BMW 4 Series Convertible

For anyone who may not be aware, the 4 Series is based on the 3 Series. There’s a new generation of 3 for 2019, so a fresh 4 is undoubtedly in the pipeline. However, the current 4 Series convertible, with its folding hardtop, remains a thing of driving beauty, as well as a high scorer among actual buyers.

Even the base engine in the 430i makes an energetic 248 hp in a refined way, while at the other end of the performance spectrum is the M4 convertible starting out with 425 hp. These punchy power units are complemented by virtually perfect suspensions providing sweet handling as well as comfort to relish. A rear-drive 2019 430i starts at around $54,000.

Photo by BMW

2019 Chevrolet Camaro

Yes, there’s a convertible version of the iconic Chevrolet Corvette, one of the most highly rated sports cars, especially for the money. But we wanted to feature the freshly updated 2019 Camaro among our 10 top-rated convertibles because it’s more affordable and so darn good — especially when the entry-level model with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine makes 275 hp and starts at $32,495.

The Camaro handles really well, and having the smaller engine up front (there are also V6 and V8 variants) brings a certain agility. A decade ago, it might have been easy to not take the Camaro quite so seriously, but it’s now one heck of a machine, perhaps our favorite pony car.

Photo by Chevrolet

2019 Fiat 124 Spider

The 124 Spider shares its platform with the Mazda MX-5 Miata. Italian style on a Japanese platform — what’s not to like? As well as the design, however, the differences between the two cars include the Fiat's turbocharged 1.4-liter engine delivering 160 hp.

The 124's cabin, meanwhile, is a little higher-end than its Mazda counterpart, including more sound insulation that makes life a little calmer when the roof is up. That's a definite, plus considering this car starts in the region of $26,000. And even though European brands don’t always do well regarding resale values, the 124 Spider is considered one of the most affordable sports cars to own. It’s also a pleasure to drive, with an ideal 50/50 weight distribution front to rear.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

2019 Jaguar F-Type

Considering Britain is famous for rain, it might be assumed that convertibles from this country might not be so great. On the contrary, when pasty Brits see a single ray of sunshine, they want to make the most of it.

And an F-Type two-seat convertible is really making the most of it. The convertible range (there’s also a coupe) starts in the region of $65,000 with a 296-hp four-cylinder engine. We’re rather taken by the version with the 380-hp supercharged V6, but that means an extra $22,000 or so. Either way, the F-Type has a superb chassis to go with its sensual styling. The vast majority of buyers give the car 4.9 stars out of five overall.

Photo by Jaguar Land Rover

2019 Lamborghini Huracán Performante Spyder

This is our special case among 10 top rated convertibles. It costs approximately $315,000 before options, but this is the range-topping convertible version of Lamborghini’s fabulous V10-powered, 202-mph supercar.

It has active aerodynamics to enhance already brilliant handling thanks in part to all-wheel drive, torque vectoring, and adaptive anti-roll bars. The mid-mounted engine develops a mighty 631 hp (640 metric horsepower). We love the standard carbon ceramic brake discs as well. The looks, the sound, the rush, the handling, and the thrills all make this an amazing driving experience. If we had more than $300,000 to spend on a car, we could totally understand the decision to buy one of these.

Photo by Lamborghini

2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Everyone loves the MX-5. Slight exaggeration, but this is the most popular two-seat convertible of all time, selling more than a million units over the years. We’re now into the model's fourth generation, and it’s the best MX-5 ever, especially after several tweaks for 2019. Power is a punchy 181 horsepower, while the chassis has evolved to become a tactile joy.

The soft-top version starts at roughly $26,500. The RF (retractable fastback) variant is around $33,500. We’d recommend the six-speed manual transmission for greater engagement. It’s worth learning how to operate a stick shift just to drive this car. We know several Mazda engineers who own MX-5s for the sheer fun. That has to be the highest recommendation.

Photo by Mazda

2019 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

More than top-rated, the SL is a true icon among convertibles. There have been SL models since 1954. Looks-wise, the generations have varied between somewhat awkward to absolutely gorgeous, but they’ve all had a special air about them.

This is a two-seat grand tourer, with lots of luxury touches and a power-retractable hardtop, yet there’s also a sportier edge that can be found among the driving modes and leather-lined cabin. Go for the 577-hp SL 63 AMG and that edge becomes far sharper. To become part of the exclusive SL club means spending at least $90,000, but owning an icon is so much more interesting that just having a mere car.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

2019 Porsche 718 Boxster

If there were a No. 1 among our 10 top-rated convertibles, the Boxster would be a particularly strong contender. This is the car for people who don’t usually like convertibles. There’s no fixed roof, many soft-tops suffer from body flex, especially over rough surfaces. Not this one. It always feels precise and sharp, exactly as a sports machine should.

For cruising in style or pushing with a vengeance, this mid-engined two-seater is the ideal accomplice. It’s expensive, starting around $58,500, but drive the Boxster and it quickly becomes clear that most of the cost pays for the engineering expertise and hardware that makes this such an enthusiast’s dream. Porsches also hold their value incredibly well.

Photo by Porsche