Best Performance Convertibles

Few automotive experiences are as unique and exciting as driving a convertible. Regardless of the type of roof you prefer, dropping the top one of these cars, especially while driving, is a rush of instant emotions that’s hard to beat. Of course, they have their drawbacks in structural terms and are commonly equal to or heavier than a coupe because of their roof folding mechanisms and the structural reinforcements they require. But the sensory experience you get from driving a convertible makes up for any arguments against convertibles.

Unlike your typical luxury car, convertibles offer competent performance and the benefits of connecting driving with ambient sensations. The ability to make us smile even on short trips makes convertibles a type of car that each of us should own.

It’s for this reason that we bring a selection of the best performing convertibles on the market. We base our selection on their design, performance, and functionality. And although most of these models are not cheap, they all offer outstanding performance to justify the price.

Porsche 911

Important Info Base price: $113,335 – $114,000 Updates: Minor 0-60 mph: 2.9 seconds Fuel Economy: City 18 mpg / Hwy 23 mpg Basic Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles Our Rating:  8.9 / 10

OUR THOUGHTS: PROS & CONS Summary: The 911 maintains an elegant, sophisticated, and dynamic design combined with exceptional engines to delight the driver Pros: Insanely fast, athletic handling, intuitive features Cons: Pricey, tight rear seats, not very competent on the track

When it comes to sporty driving, most of us agree that a closed-top car is the better option. But convertibles have an undeniable charm – it’s not about acceleration in the shortest amount of time, nor is it about what your top speed is. It’s about enjoying every ride. The Porsche 911 Carrera S 2021 is a sports car that has everything you need to make you smile, offering a complete driving experience.

The 911 convertible is a member of the royal family of sports cars and the most outgoing member of the 911 Porsche lineup. And the Cabriolet variant of the iconic sports car is an all-rounder that offers style, performance, technology, and a pedigree simply unmatched.

In terms of performance, the 911 Cabriolet uses the same mechanical offer as the coupe or Targa variants. Its 3.0-liter twin-turbo six-cylinder boxer engine delivers 450 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque that is sent to all four wheels via an 8-speed PDK transmission. The sporting credentials are nothing short of impressive, 0-60 mph in just 2.9 seconds with the integrated Sport Chrono package, while the top speed is 189 mph.

Jaguar F-Type R

Important Info Base price: $104,350 – $115,235 Updates: Minor 0-60 mph: 3.5 seconds Fuel Economy: City 16 mpg / Hwy 24 mpg Basic Warranty: 5 years / 50,000 miles Our Rating:  8.7 / 10

OUR THOUGHTS: PROS & CONS Summary: A British sports car that forgets good manners and exchanges them for loads of adrenaline Pros: Thunderous supercharged V8 engine, stylish good looks, responsive steering Cons: Limited cargo and interior space, finicky infotainment system, feels heavy with the V6

The convertible car segment never ceases to surprise us – even more so when the most recognized manufacturers announce vehicles that, because of their design, functions, and characteristics, give as much to talk about as the Jaguar F-Type R Convertible 2021. A well-executed old-school roadster with a very satisfying V8 grunt and handsome lines.

Thanks to its powerful V8 engine that generates 575 horsepower and 517 lb-ft of torque, the 2021 Jaguar F-Type convertible achieves the sprint from 0-60 mph in a time of just 3.5 seconds and boasts a rated top speed of 186 mph. Full power is sent to all four wheels, while transition tasks are controlled through an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The driving sensations of the F-Type are sublime, and the ownership experience is easy. So, if you are a grand tourer who’s inclined to a car that is comfortable on the inside, elegant on the outside, and that will not give you unnecessary complications, then this is the car from the Jaguar Lineup that you’ll want to buy.

Audi TT Roadster

Important Info Base price: $52,825 – $59,100 Updates: Minor 0-60 mph: 5.5 seconds Fuel Economy: City 23 mpg / Hwy 27 mpg Basic Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles Our Rating:  8.6 / 10

OUR THOUGHTS: PROS & CONS Summary: It perfectly balances performance and brand-defining elegance that keeps satisfying sports car enthusiasts Pros: Thrilling performance and quattro handling, great fuel economy for a sports car, impressive build quality and cabin layout Cons: Not as powerful as some rivals, no manual gearbox is available, lacks driver aids

The Audi TT is one of those cars that perfectly explains our passion for sporty automobiles. It’s a work of art that combines the meticulous work of engineers with the exceptional ingenuity of designers – the perfect balance between creativity and dynamics.

As in a genuine sports car, the driving position in the TT is low and just as enveloping as in a real coupe. As such, visibility is not the best in the industry and could use a blind-spot monitor as standard equipment to improve the view.

Regarding performance, we think the TT’s specs don’t do it justice. Its 2.0 four-cylinder turbocharged engine generates 228 hp and 258 lb-ft distributed between both axles through a Quattro all-wheel-drive system and a six-speed S-Tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission. 286 horsepower might sound a bit low for a performance convertible that calls itself sporty and is also around 3,400 pounds. Not light at all, but somehow, engineers of Audi achieved extremely agile and entertaining dynamics with an acceleration from 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds and a top speed of 130 mph.

Chevrolet Camaro

Important Info Base price: $37,995 – $49,270 Updates: Minor 0-60 mph: 4.1 seconds Fuel Economy: City 16 mpg / Hwy 27 mpg Basic Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles Our Rating:  8.4 / 10

OUR THOUGHTS: PROS & CONS Summary: An incredible pony car for those who care more about performance than practicality Pros: Powerful engine lineup, superb handling for a muscle car, intuitive infotainment system Cons: Cramped rear seats, questionable interior quality, poor outward visibility.

The 2021 Chevrolet Camaro is one of the most popular on the muscle car market. It offers a good level of equipment and driver assistance to make city and highway travel safer but doesn’t neglect its sporting roots. If you’re a fan of American automobiles, this muscle car is one of the most faithful to its origin.

Like any good muscle car, the Chevrolet Camaro comes with a big engine under the hood; A 6.2-liter mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission that sends the 455 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque to the rear axle, making it purely American and a lot of fun. Despite this, we recommend you take it easy on public roads – not just for its power, but also for its fuel consumption. The Camaro can accelerate from 0-60 mph in only 4.1 seconds, reaching up to 180 mph.

The Camaro also features an intelligent suspension that can adjust the stiffness of the shock absorbers using electrical current in milliseconds to maintain the best possible safety when turning at a sharp angle, preventing rollovers or loss of control.

BMW Z4

Important Info Base price: $64,695 – $73,295 Updates: Minor 0-60 mph: 3.8 seconds Fuel Economy: City 24 mpg / Hwy 31 mpg Basic Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles Our Rating:  8.2 / 10

OUR THOUGHTS: PROS & CONS Summary: The Z4 is an energetic convertible that doesn’t neglect sophistication and technology Pros: Acceptable performance, great handling and ride quality, eye-catching design Cons: Tight cabin, limited cargo space, braking is not sharp

The 2021 BMW Z4 M40i is an eye-catcher due to its athletic design, premium interior materials, and dynamic handling. While it tries to please those looking for spirited driving, it’s obvious BMW is targeting a generation of drivers who are looking for sophisticated, luxurious, and high-tech products. Overall, it’s a competent sports car that provides a vigorous driving experience without neglecting comfort and exclusivity.

The Z4 comes with a 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder turbo engine that pushes out 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. The engine is linked to an 8-speed Steptronic transmission, which sends all the power to the rear axle, barreling the machine 0-60 in 3.8 seconds.

The driving experience is dynamic, thanks to other elements such as the adaptive M suspension. Not only does it lower the chassis height by 10 millimeters, but it also allows electronic adjustment to road conditions and driving circumstances. In addition, the M-sport Differential optimizes traction and provides greater stability in each maneuver. In this way, it goes well planted in a quick lane change or when cornering at high speeds.

Mercedes Benz E 450 Cabriolet

Important Info Base price: $73,000 – $76,000 Updates: Minor 0-60 mph: 5.2 seconds Fuel Economy: City 23 mpg / Hwy 29 mpg Basic Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles Our Rating:  8.1 / 10

OUR THOUGHTS: PROS & CONS Summary: As a good Mercedes Benz, the E 450 prioritizes elegance and luxury without disappointing in performance Pros: Strong powertrain, exceptional chassis, high-tech features Cons: Pricey, complicated infotainment system, convertible top limits trunk space

The Mercedes-Benz E 450 4Matic Cabriolet 2021 is designed for those who love the unique sensation of driving outdoors. Both the coupe and the convertible models are the same car, but in the Cabriolet’s case, it combines the sportiness of a coupe with the luxury and elegance that convertible versions of Mercedes always exude.

Under the hood of the Mercedes-Benz E 450 4Matic Cabriolet hides a 3.0-liter turbo inline six-cylinder engine with EQ Boost micro-hybridization system, which delivers a maximum of 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque – and all this paired with a 9G-Tronic 9-speed automatic transmission that sends the power to all four wheels through the 4Matic system. It can go from 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph – no light feat.

The handling, as you can expect from a Mercedes Benz, is very dynamic and especially pleasant when we lower the roof of the vehicle to enjoy a nice summer breeze while the windshield protects us from the turbulent airflow that floats towards the rear over our head.

Mazda MX-5

Important Info Base price: $26,830 – $31,770 Updates: Minor 0-60 mph:  5.8 seconds Fuel Economy: City 26 mpg / Hwy 34 mpg Basic Warranty:  3 years / 36,000 miles Our Rating:  8 / 10

OUR THOUGHTS: PROS & CONS Summary: An affordable entry level sports car that delivers good performance for the money Pros: Surprisingly vigorous, nimble handling, good gas mileage for a sports car Cons: Not enough power to satisfy all drivers, no optional all-wheel drive, extremely compact car with a tiny trunk

Experiencing the sensations that a sports car produces is the goal of many of us. Unfortunately, the cost is, in most cases, the biggest inconvenience we face. To solve this, Mazda came up with the MX-5 RF i Grand Touring 2021, a car that gives us the sensations of a sports car at an affordable price.

The MX-5 is an interesting proposal. It is a sports car that offers us an attractive appearance on the outside. Its cabin has the space for two passengers and offers a pleasant experience thanks to its design and materials used. Another of its powerful cards is its price if we compare it with other sports on the market. And of course, it’s not the most powerful car, but the power-to-weight ratio makes it agile and fun to drive.

Mazda’s MX-5 features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox with manual mode to launch the car from 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds and a top speed of 143 mph.