2020 Convertibles

Convertibles continue to offer a fun-in-the-sun motoring experience no other vehicles can. Drop the top on a beautiful day, begin driving, and let all your troubles fade away. The convertible segment is one that always seems to be shrinking, but for 2019, a few notable new entries have arrived at various price and performance points.

Pros and Cons of Convertibles

Pros: There is a certain freedom to open-air motoring no other type of car can match. These days, convertibles are more convenient than ever with tech like Mercedes’ AirScarf, which blows warm air on a driver’s neck to keep them toasty during a frosty morning of top-down driving. Many even have speakers in the seatbelts so you can still have conversations over Bluetooth without too much wind noise. If you’re scared of getting stuck in the rain, most convertibles these days can retract the top while the car is still moving, usually at slower speeds, so you don’t have to find a place to pull over if it’s starting to look stormy. There is also a convertible for every budget.

Cons: Convertible drivers always need to carry some sunscreen in the car! Convertibles are also not the most practical cars with very reduced trunk space. Drotops are often not suitable for four-weather driving. Convertible variants are also typically more expensive than their coupe siblings. There’s also a certain vulnerability to driving around in a droptop: Everyone can see you and you don’t get any privacy while driving. You need a certain confidence or attitude to pull it off.

What’s New in Convertibles or 2019?

The BMW Z4, which shares a platform and many other parts with the Supra, was overhauled for 2019. The biggest change is the new style and the fact it’s no longer available with a retractable hardtop.

Perhaps one of the most important sports cars of the modern era, the Mazda MX-5 Miata got an important refresh for 2019: It finally got the power bump that people have been asking for — output from the naturally aspirated four-cylinder is now 181 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. Bringing it up to speed in terms of tech, the lightweight roadster also gets a backup camera for the first time. Of course, there is also the RF available with its retractable fastback. Lightweight, nimble, engaging, pure, and fun at any speed, the Miata is an icon — it has a focus and joyfulness that is rare in this segment.

The McLaren 720S Spider also debuted for 2019, joining the likes of exotic droptops like the Pagani Huayra Roadster. Lamborghini also has a very fast lineup of convertibles in the Huracan and Aventador. Ferrari also has some exotic droptop offerings.

Other Important Convertible Models

The Rolls-Royce Dawn is the epitome of luxury top-down motoring, while nearly every BMW and Mercedes coupe model has a convertible variant: BMW 2 Series, 4 Series, 6 Series, and i8, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, E-Class and S-Class convertibles. Mercedes-AMG GT also comes in a droptop variant. Mercedes also has a few dedicated roadsters with the SLC and SL.

The Audi A5/S5 convertible was overhauled along with the TT convertible lineup. The Porsche 718 Boxster remains segment-leading in terms of sophistication and engagement, while the Jaguar F-Type leads with its sexy looks and excellent-sounding engines. The Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang lineup was also refreshed, and the convertibles get all the same updates. It’s a similar situation over at MINI, which refreshed its Cooper lineup, including the Cabrio models. The Fiat 500C is still available with an open roof and the Fiat 124 Spider puts an Italian spin on the Mazda MX-5 Miata. The Alfa Romeo 4C Spider is an excellent and engaging option and the Corvette Convertible still offers bargain performance.

Smart Fortwo Cabriolet is still available, though only as an electric model. The Nissan 370Z Roadster keeps trucking on, but it’s getting super old. We also consider the Jeep Wrangler a convertible! What other SUV allows you to take off the top to get closer to nature?

What’s Coming in Convertibles?

BMW brought back its 8 Series, and you can be sure a convertible version is coming soon. The new eighth-gen Porsche 911 debuted, and we’re expecting convertible models to follow this year. Lexus might unveil a droptop version of its LC500. Tesla has unveiled a new Roadster model, which is expected to be the fastest accelerating car in the world and is more like a targa in bodystyle. It will come out in 2020 and is said to accelerate to 60 mph in 1.9 seconds.