8) (Tie) 2017 Chevrolet Camaro
Price: $31,905 (Details Below)
The Chevrolet Camaro is a top-ranked American muscle car. It offers powerful V6 and V8 engines and a choice of four trims: LS, LT, SS, and ZL1. Configure your Camaro as a convertible and you'll add about $6,000 to the base price of that trim. Equipped as a convertible, the Camaro is priced to start at $31,905 for the base LS.
The Camaro has a standard rearview camera and is available with a blind spot monitor and rear parking sensors. This safety tech can help with the blind spots from pillars, narrow windows, and small mirrors. The Camaro has comfortable front seats, with an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and a six-way power-adjustable front passenger seat. The back seats have limited room for passengers. J.D. Power and Associates gives the Chevy Camaro a three out of five for predicted reliability, which is about average.
8) (Tie) 2017 Ford Mustang
Price: $30,415 (Details Below)
The Ford Mustang offers a wide-range of engines and trims. As a convertible, you have two choices. The Mustang V6 Convertible trim starts at $30,415 and the GT Premium Convertible with a V8 engine roars in at $42,420. The Mustang balances its power with solid safety scores from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
The Mustang features a standard rearview camera and many optional driver assistance safety features, like blind spot monitoring. Expect quality interior design and fine materials in any trim. The front seats are spacious and comfortable, but back seat space is limited. Cargo space is average for its class, at 11.4 cubic feet.
8) (Tie) 2017 BMW 2 Series
Price: $38,950 (Details Below)
The BMW 2 Series is a value. As a finalist for U.S. News' 2017 Best Luxury Small Car for the Money award, the BMW 2 Series delivers excellent performance, perfect safety scores, and a competitive price for the class. The 230i convertible is priced at $38,950, and the M240i convertible, with a power-operated fabric roof, costs $49,050.
Three engine choices deliver power, thrilling acceleration and confident handling. Standard safety features include adaptive cruise control and emergency services notification with collision notification.
Enjoy a luxe, modern interior with comfortable, supportive front seats. The cramped backseat may be better left for extra cargo space, which is diminished at 11.8 cubic feet with the top up and 9.9 cubic feet with it collapsed.
7) 2017 Mercedes SL
Price: $86,950 (Details Below)
The Mercedes-Benz SL combines high style and power in a smooth-riding convertible. The two-seater roadster with power-retractable hard-top is redesigned this year. The SL offers four engine choices (a V6, two V8s, and a V12) and is filled with high-tech and safety features.
The SL450, which comes with a 362-horsepower V6 engine, is priced to start at $86,950. A fully loaded Mercedes-AMG SL65 will set you back $219,850. It is equipped with a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V12 engine that generates 621 horsepower. Long rides are welcome in the SL thanks to its spacious, upscale interior. Leather upholstery and heated, power-adjustable seats are standard.
4) (Tie) 2017 BMW 4 Series
Price: $50,300 (Details Below)
The BMW 4 Series offers three convertibles to choose from in the luxury small car line. The 430i is the least expensive convertible of the three, at $50,300. It has a 248-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The 440i offers a 320-horsepower turbocharged six-cylinder at $57,300, and the M4 trim has a 425-horsepower twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine and costs $74,700.
Excellent performance is the hallmark of the 4 Series. You can also expect a comfortable, well-tailored interior, with supportive front seats. The backseat is a bit cramped, especially for tall passengers, due to a sloped roofline. Standard features include a power moonroof, Bluetooth, and the iDrive infotainment system with a 6.5-inch display screen.
4) (Tie) 2017 Chevrolet Corvette
Price: $59,450 (Details Below)
Flashy and unforgettable, the Chevrolet Corvette announces itself at every turn. This luxury two-seater sports car comes in three models, all of which offer a convertible option. The base Stingray is priced at $55,450. The aerodynamic Grand Sport, new for 2017, includes Magnetic Ride Control, plus upgraded wheels and brakes. The top-end Z06 brings superpower to the ‘Vette at a top-level price, starting at $79,450. Each model is available in a convertible version for an additional $4,000.
The Stingray and Grand Sport are equipped with a 6.2-liter V8 engine. The Z06 has a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine. Each model is offered in three trims. Power comes at the sacrifice of gas mileage, at 16 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway. Enjoy the Corvette’s driver-focused, comfortable seats. The Chevy MyLink infotainment system, with 8-inch touch screen, is standard, along with an array of tech features. The Corvette convertible has average cargo room for a sports car, at 10 cubic feet.
4) (Tie) 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Price: $24,915 (Details Below)
Be seen in the top-ranked affordable sports car this spring. The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a fun car to drive, with a palatable starting price of $24,915. The two-seater Miata is nicely appointed with comfortable seats, which you'll enjoy while negotiating winding roads and hairpin turns.
The base Miata Sport, with manual-folding soft top, has few tech features. Several trims are available. Level up to the Miata Club for the Mazda Connect infotainment system, plus a sport-tuned suspension. For $31,155, step into the new MX-5 RF with power-retractable hardtop. Expect scant cargo space but more optional safety features than rivals. The Miata gets good fuel economy, at 26 mpg in the city and 33 on the highway with a manual transmission.
2) (Tie) 2017 Porsche 718 Boxster
Price: $56,000 (Details Below)
A less-expensive alternative to the Porsche 911 is the Porsche 718 Boxster. At $56,000, the sporty, two-seater roadster may be just the convertible you’ve been dreaming of. The redesigned car has new turbocharged engines, an updated infotainment system, and a luxurious, spacious interior that can accommodate tall folks.
The Boxster is equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer engine, which generates 300 horsepower. The Boxster S model, at $68,400, delivers 350 horsepower with a 2.5-liter engine. Expect superior handling and confident steering when the rubber hits the road. Reliability ratings have not yet been released for the 2017 model, but Porsche is known for excellent reliability.
2) (Tie) 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Price: $62,600 (Details Below)
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is our top-ranked luxury midsize car. The E400 cabriolet, at $62,600, and the E550 cabriolet, at $69,100, are your convertible choices. Mercedes has additional convertible options for 2018 models, which include the redesigned features of the E-Class sedan. The E-Class delivers polished performance, top safety scores, and a perfect predicted reliability ranking.
The E400 features a 329-horsepower V6 with a seven-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. The E550 cabriolet generates 402 horsepower with a V8 engine and rear-wheel drive. The convertibles have a power soft top. All-wheel drive is available.
1) 2017 Porsche 911
Price: $103,400 (Details Below)
The Porsche 911, a top-ranked luxury sports car, offers 11 convertible choices out of 21 trims, all with impressive power and style. Porsche 911 convertibles range from the Carrera Cabriolet, at $103,400, to the top-of-the-line Turbo S Cabriolet, at $203,000.
Besides its exceptional power and handling, drivers will enjoy the attention to detail in the 911’s upscale interior. The refreshed 911 is crafted with leather upholstery on four-way sport front seats. The comfortable and supportive front seats offer spacious head- and legroom, but expect a cramped backseat. Cabriolet models come with a power-operated fabric convertible top, which can be raised and lowered while driving at low speeds. The Targa models have a power-retractable fabric roof panel.
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
Explore our new car rankings page, where you can compare convertibles, along with other cars, trucks, vans, hybrids, and SUVs, by size and budget. Before you visit the showroom, check out the U.S. News Best Price Program, where shoppers have saved an average of $3,279 off MSRP.
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The Best Cars for Top-Down Fun
Turn up the radio, slide on the sunglasses, and put the top down. It’s convertible season. No matter what you call it: rag top, cabriolet, or convertible; or how you like it: manual-folding soft-top or power-retractable hardtop – at the end of the day, it is all good.
If a car isn’t designed primarily as a convertible, like the Mazda Miata, it will cost more than the base model. For a Chevrolet Camaro, you’ll tack on about $6,000 for a convertible. Other cars are pricier. At nearly $220,000, a fully-loaded Mercedes-AMG SL65 costs the same as a house in some markets. Convertibles can also sacrifice cargo space when the top folds and stows in the trunk area.
U.S. News & World Report ranks new cars in several categories, considering critical safety and reliability data, as well as automotive industry reviews. Let’s see the top 10 convertible cars based on overall scores.