Best Convertibles for 2025

A convertible delivers a driving experience that includes drop-top styling and wind in your hair. While all convertibles share the ability to retract their roofs, there are a lot of variables to consider before choosing the best convertible to buy. 

For example, there are three roof options to choose from: hardtop, soft-top, or targa-style. Based on the available budget, there are foreign "spyder" or "cabriolet" (common European terms for convertibles) vehicles or domestic models sporting either a mainstream or luxury nameplate. Local climate may determine if front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive makes sense. And while automatic transmissions have become dominant in today's new car market, even in the convertible segment, a manual transmission is still available in several convertible versions of popular models. Engine choices range from fuel-efficient four-cylinders to turbo (or even twin-turbo) powertrains with supercar-like performance. Finally, with regard to space and seating capacity, convertibles can range from an intimate two-seater sports car (or roadster) to a more spacious cabin with a back seat and room for four.

Be certain to consider all of these factors when identifying the right convertible for your motoring needs. Because this list focuses on mainstream open-top cars, with mainstream price ranges, luxury convertibles from brands like Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, or Porsche are not ranked on this list. Check out the Best Luxury Convertibles list to view those models.

Finally, iSeeCars has not rated exotic or supercar models from companies like Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini, or McLaren, but those brands are available in the website’s vehicle listings.

Soft-Top Vs. Hardtop Vs. Targa:

While most aspects of choosing a convertible are self-explanatory, the choice of a soft, hardtop, or targa roof might not be as clear. Here are the benefits and drawbacks of each to help decide which open-air system is best for you:

Soft-top Convertible -  Soft-top convertibles take up less room when they are folded down, which allows for more cargo space. They also typically take less time to retract and offer a lower center of gravity and lighter weight. Because hardtops have more mechanical and electrical components, they are often more expensive than their soft-top counterparts.

Hardtop Convertible - Hardtop convertibles, also called "retractable hardtops", are both quieter at high speeds and more weather-resistant, which is important to keep in mind if the car won’t be housed in a garage or if it will be driven in a colder climate. With a roofline nearly identical to their coupe counterparts, they are also safer in the event of an accident and are less prone to requiring a replacement top as they age, though their complex roof mechanisms can require expensive repair work if a problem develops.

Targa Roof - While not technically a convertible, targa roofs offer nearly the same open-air effect by providing a large roof panel that can be removed while the rear roof pillar (or "b-pillar") remains in place. These panels can often be stored in a predetermined location within the cabin or cargo area. Unlike most modern convertibles with a power-operated top, this is usually a manual process that may require two people.