Best Convertible Cars | 2026 New Cabriolet Rankings | CarBuzz

The best convertibles in the USA provide a more immersive driving experience than their coupe counterparts. While practicality can suffer due to stowage of the roof, the best convertible cars have the desirable image, the open-air driving expereince and the gorgeous looks that everyone loves. Some are simple, with fabric roofs designed to keep costs down, while others can do the work for you at the touch of a button. You'll be giving up some chassis rigidity and space, but nothing can beat a summer's day with the roof down. Here are the best convertibles to consider in 2026.

Vehicles are assigned a BuzzScore in relation to their direct segment competitors, and as such, vehicles in this list, while similarly scored, do not necessarily compete directly against one another. Find out more about how the BuzzScore ratings work here. These lists are continuously updated with the latest BuzzScores and vehicles as they become available.

1 Lexus LC

The Lexus LC convertible demands a price increase over the standard LC, but it's definitely cooler-looking than the coupe. Aimed at luxury buyers, the fabric soft top is power-retractable, and once it's down, you'll be able to hear the incredible naturally aspirated 5.0L V8 in all its glory. It produces 471 horsepower and while the 0-60 mph time is slower than on the coupe, we'll still take a sub-five second time when the wind is in your hair. Be quick to buy this cabriolet, though, as Lexus has just announced its departure at the end of the year.

2 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

The Corvette Convertible has been one of the most popular ways to get open-air driving in the USA thanks to a lower-than-expected price and a sleek silhouette. The hard-top power convertible is smoothly integrated into the body, and folds over the 6.2L V8 that produces 490 horsepower. The Bose 10-speaker system comes in handy when you want to annoy your neighbors with the roof down, and if you're unwilling to pay extra for the folding hard top, just know that the coupe Corvette is fitted with a removable targa top.

3 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet

When a company produces about 500 versions of the same sports car, they'll definitely have a convertible there. In the 911 range, you can find six model variants that feature a fabric folding top, running from the base Carrera all the way to a supercar-fast 911 Turbo. The most affordable Carrera Cabriolet has 388 horsepower and gets to 60 miles per hour in 4.1 seconds, or you could pay slightly extra for the 'T' version and pair the flat-six to a manual transmission.

4 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante

If there are two things that Aston Martin is good at, they are: 1) making drop-dead gorgeous cars and 2) naming them in a way to make you feel like James Bond. The Vanquish Volante does both of those things and features a twin-turbo V12 under the hood that has a function called boost reserve, which keeps some pressure in the turbochargers to make turbo lag a thing of the past. The fabric soft top retracts itself to let you listen to the brilliant exhaust sound, although you'll also love the interior that's much better than previous Astons. Just watch that half-million dollar price tag...

"For those who want a more relaxed experience than a Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider or forthcoming Lamborghini Revuelto droptop can offer, the Vanquish is the only game in town. Plus, who doesn't want to say they drive the, ahem, most powerful front-engine rear-drive V12 sports car in the world?"

- Justin Westbrook, Senior Road Tester, CarBuzz

5 Mercedes-AMG SL55

The Mercedes SL has been a mainstay of any convertibles list, and the latest SL55 doesn't disappoint. The potent 4.0L twin-turbo V8 has 469 horsepower, much more than the hybrid four-cylinder SL43, although those who want more power can choose the hybrid V8 with 805 German horses. With its luxury focus, there are massaging seats as standard, and a heated steering wheel and 64-color ambient lighting to complete the comfort on a long cross-continent drive.

6 Aston Martin DB12 Volante

It's hard to stop and look when you see the Aston Martin DB12 Volante in the flesh. We couldn't find many faults with it in our test drive, and we loved the fact that the British automaker had finally fixed the interior, which was hard to use and see in the sun. There may not be a V12 engine in the front, but the V8 has 671 horses and the steering is the most communicative of any GT car we tried. Aston say that this is less of a pure GT car and more of a 'Super GT' that blends both driver enjoyment and comfort. They nailed it.

"The DB12 is our favorite kind of car: a compliant grand tourer that can thrill you on a back road. It's more athletic but less comfortable than a Bentley, and more "special" than an AMG or a Porsche. The DB12, like the DB9 that came long before it, is one of the prettiest vehicles on the market and among the most fun to drive."

- Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-at-Large, CarBuzz

7 BMW Z4 Roadster

The BMW Z4 is one of the most driver-centric vehicles that BMW makes, and it's often overlooked due to the number of M cars around. The Handschalter Package even gives you something that changes the driving experience entirely: a manual transmission. That lets you enjoy the B58 3.0L turbo inline-six in all its glory. This package also adds new chassis tuning and reinforced anti-roll bars, as if to invite owners to push this car forwards.

"BMW delivered everything that enthusiasts asked for: a manual transmission, a great engine, handsome styling, and access to the sky. For discerning enthusiasts, the Z4 Handschalter is the best BMW currently on sale. It's easy to get the rear end to step out and manage the throttle without worrying about losing control. This is now our favorite BMW to drive; it's more comfortable than an M2 but just as fun."

- Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-at-Large, CarBuzz

8 Mercedes-AMG SL63 S E Performance

By the time you've said this convertible car's full name, it's already reach 60 miles per hour. The Mercedes-AMG SL63 S E Performance (say that five times!) has a massive 800 horsepower thanks to hybrid assistance. That's routed through a dual-clutch nine-speed gearbox and all-wheel-drive to set a 0-60 mph time of less than three seconds. Oh, and while you're doing launches, the seats can massage and cool you to make sure you're fully relaxed.

9 Mercedes-AMG SL43

We know that the Mercedes-AMG SL43 made headlines for being a $122k four-cylinder, but that doesn't take away from how impressive this powertrain is. Hybrid assistance ups power to 416 horsepower, and it's just as handcrafted as any other AMG engine. It still has all the standard equipment that the other new convertibles from Mercedes have, like massaging seats and a Burmester sound system; Only this one costs half the amount that the flagship does.

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Why Should You Buy A Cabriolet?

Some cabrios offer a truly exhilarating drive, such as the Mazda MX-5 Miata and the Porsche 718 Boxster. These top-rated options will suit those who value sharp handling and exceptional feedback. If you prefer more of a grand tourer, you could consider alternatives like the SL from Mercedes. Technology has evolved to a point where most modern roadsters are just as engaging, comfortable, and refined as their coupe counterparts. Above all, an open-top offers the novelty of wind-in-your-hair motoring and the versatility to act as a coupe when required.

Main Characteristics Of The Top-Rated Convertibles

Shopping for automobiles isn’t what it used to be. Today’s saturated market and the plethora of brands demand that shoppers spend more time researching before signing on the dotted line. It’s no different when trying to draw up a list of the best droptops. We’ve summarized some of the main points to take note of:

• Practicality: Seating and trunk space differ broadly. It’s important to evaluate cargo capacity.
• Roof: A manually-operated roof is more affordable and will require less maintenance, but isn’t as convenient.
• Cost: Carries a significant premium over the equivalent coupe. It’s worth evaluating if the extra cost is really worth it, whether you choose to buy, rent, or lease.
• Dynamics: The best cabrios are superbly engineered and remain refined even if they have a fabric top.
• Equipment: Heated seats, neck-level heating, and a rollover protection system are some features that carry more importance in this type of vehicle.

The Right Buyers For New Convertibles

Even the newest convertible won’t suit everyone, but for the right shopper, it can be the ideal vehicle. If you often travel alone or with one other occupant, a drop-top car could be a good fit for you. If you already have a large sedan or SUV for daily use, it could be the perfect weekend toy.

For those who live in warmer regions of the US, the ability to let the sunshine in simply adds to the fun. Higher-end options are engineered so well that the most discerning buyer wouldn’t be able to tell that they aren’t in a full-size luxury sedan.

Cabriolet Advantages And Disadvantages

As with any other segment, this body style has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. On the upside, cabrios tend to look more stylish than a coupe. Many are equipped with amenities like wind deflectors and neck warmers. However, they tend to be heavier, slower, and more expensive than coupes.

Pros

• These vehicles are more desirable than other body styles
• An open-top car is enjoyable in warmer regions or seasons
• Modern features improve comfort levels
• Often just as sporty as coupes

Cons

• Typically heavier and slower due to extra chassis stiffening
• Pricier than hardtop
• Trunk space is often compromised
• Undesirable dynamics on some models

Sources: Lexus, BMW, Porsche, Mercedes, Aston Martin, Chevrolet