There are few better motoring experiences than having the roof down on a warm summer day. That wind-in-your-hair feeling is hard to beat, particularly in the rare snapshots of hot weather that we experience here in the UK. But, despite the frequently cool climate, Brits are historically big buyers of convertibles, which is why there’s such a good variety of them on sale here.
But with all these choices, which one should you pick? Well, let’s take a look through what’s on offer today.
Mini Convertible
The Mini is frequently one of the best-selling models in the monthly list of favourites, so it’s little wonder that the convertible is popular too. It combines everything that people love about the regular Mini hatch - style, neat handling and solid build quality - with that drop-top ability that can let the outside world in.
It’s available with the same range of punchy engines, too, with the 2.0-litre Cooper S providing an invigorating amount of performance.
Jeep Wrangler
Okay, so the Wrangler might not be a traditional drop-top, but the ability to remove roof panels and doors means that you can actually expose a lot more of the cabin to the elements than you can with others on this list.
Plus, it’ll still tackle all road conditions while it’s in ‘convertible’ mode, with clever four-wheel-drive systems ensuring that it’ll take a lot to stop this drop-top.
Mazda MX-5
Mazda’s MX-5 is often seen as one of the go-to options for those drivers who want an exciting motoring experience, backed by a good reputation for reliability which should mean that few mechanical headaches will crop up.
The convertible system on the MX-5 is beautifully simple, too, with a traditional latch system meaning that it’ll work reliably time after time.
Audi TT
If you fancy a slice of the premium convertible experience then the Audi TT has often been seen as the go-to choice. It’s got all of the high-end touches that people expect from a car with the four rings, while a variety of punchy engines mean it’s got a lot of performance to back this up.
The TT offers some excellent refinement too, feeling remarkably quiet and stable at higher speeds. It means that longer journeys aren’t going to feel too tiresome behind the wheel of the TT.
BMW Z4
Much like the TT, BMW’s Z4 is seen as one of the more premium convertible choices on the market. The latest version is the most high-end to date, packing an upmarket interior as well as a refined yet sporty driving experience.
The Z4 M40i is particularly exciting, with its 3.0-litre straight-six engine providing a huge amount of performance. That said, even less powerful versions are still excellent to drive.
Fiat 500 Convertible
You don’t need to have a large car in order to access that convertible experience. In fact, the Fiat 500 is one of the most enjoyable drop-tops out there, with the most recent fully electric model retaining the previous model’s fabric roof.
It’s a great package, particularly if you’re often travelling around the city. Simply retract the roof and enjoy the sunshine in whisper-quiet EV power.