Best Luxury Convertibles | 2023 Ratings

Characteristics of Luxury Convertibles

Luxury convertible cars are popular and plentiful, available in a variety of sizes and styles. However, this also means that similarities aren’t as easy to spot. There are certain things you should look for, though, when shopping for the most luxurious convertible cars.

Style: Curb appeal matters, especially in a segment that is all about status and making a statement. Sleek curves, imposing wheel designs, deeply slanted windshields, and sporty exhausts define the best-looking convertibles. However, they need to be just as luxurious inside.
Performance: Though not true sports cars, luxury convertibles need to have an effortless driving quality to live up to the leisure lifestyle they embody. Between 200 and 400 horsepower is usually plenty, but up to 600 hp isn’t unusual. This lets them quickly accelerate up to peak cruising speeds so that you can lean back and enjoy the ride. Many models also have AWD to improve traction and make driving that much easier.
Practicality: Any way you cut it, luxury convertibles are not very practical, and they don’t even try to be. They do put a lot of emphasis on comfort, but this is reserved for the front-seat passengers. If there are back seats, they are usually limited in space. Meanwhile, there is seldom enough room in the trunk for more than only the lightest of errands.
Price: Drop-tops are not traditionally cheap cars, and the most expensive convertibles on the market can easily exceed the six-figure mark. Most are heavy, too, which negatively impacts fuel economy and increases the cost of ownership. But, if you can afford the sticker price, you probably won’t care about hefty fuel bills.

What to Consider When Buying a Luxury Convertible

You could easily pick up a stately sedan, a sexy hot hatch, or a practical but stylish SUV for much less than one of these exclusive beauties. So, why is this segment still so popular after all these years?

Pros

Undeniably strong curb appeal
Ride comfort is sublime
Loads of power on tap
Why pay extra for a sunroof when you could opt for no roof at all?
The extra thrill of the wind in your hair when hooning down the road

Cons

Exorbitant price tag
Rain puts a real damper on the fun
Middling fuel economy
Cramped back seat, if any
Barely functional trunk

FAQs

What is the best luxury convertible car?

While the Mercedes-Benz S-Class may take our top spot with a score of 9.5, every model in our top 10 earns 9.0 or higher. Whether you pick the BMW M8, Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet, or Rolls-Royce Dawn will ultimately come down to your personal preference and the size of your wallet. Some other top choices include the Bentley Continental GT Speed, Lexus LC Convertible, and Audi R8 Spyder.

Are there any affordable premium convertibles?

There is no denying that most convertibles are expensive, but that does not mean you should have to spend a year’s salary. The BMW Z4 Roadster has a reasonable starting MSRP of around $50,000, while the Mini Cooper goes for approximately $30k. However, this is certainly a case of “you get what you pay for.” Alternatively, you could steer away from the pricier new models and look at a used model from previous years.

Best Luxury Convertibles of 2023