The world of compact convertibles is growing to include cars that are capable of glamor and practicality. Whether you’re getting a rental or buying new or used, it is important to understand what makes the best compact convertibles so good. Some are affordable, and some aren’t the safest, but with our guidance, you should end up with a winner in 2022.
There are various advantages and disadvantages to owning a small top-down auto. Think about the following prior to simply forking over the cash for one of these beauties:
Pros
Wind in your hair driving
There’s lots of headroom with the top folded
Generally sporty dynamics
Status, street-cred and fun-factor
Cons
Limited trunk space, especially in hardtop cars
Back seat space is tight
They don’t come cheap!
Our Compact Convertible Picks
Audi R8 Spyder - Right at the top of our list is the four-ringed wonder that shares underpinnings with the Lamborghini Huracan. It looks sassy, boasts a naturally-aspirated V10 and an all-wheel drivetrain.
Porsche 911 Turbo - The iconic Cabrio remains one of the sweetest-looking in the segment, and comes in at number two on our roster. It has 640 horses under the hood and loads of racing pedigree, to boot.
Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster - Able to give you thrills at a top speed of just under 200 mph, the GT Roadster’s twin-turbo V8 and rear-wheel drivetrain merge with a beautiful interior that has this car taking up third place in our rankings.
BMW 4 Series - With the new-look 4 Series set to reach US soil in 2021, now is a good time to snatch up one of these dynamic drop-tops. The 4 Series is a blast to drive, but as with its competitors, it lacks back-seat legroom.
Audi A5 - This drop-top is a popular choice in the USA and is within our top ten, thanks to its clever packaging and brisk performance. Its small-capacity four-cylinder engine offers good punch, and it's about as safe as a Volvo, to boot.
FAQs
What is the average trunk size of a compact soft-top?
Trunk sizes vary between four- and two-seaters. The Audi A5, for example, offers 7.2 cubic feet, while the Mazda MX-5 gets just 4.6 cubes.
Are they hard to maintain?
These vehicles should be as easy to maintain as any other body shape, but folding roof mechanisms can fail, which could end up being expensive to fix.
Which one is the best to drive?
Even though it doesn’t quite make it into the upper echelons of our listings, if we had to pick a fun-to-drive compact convertible, it would be the MX-5. This little bundle of joy is excellent to drive and offers a pure experience that is difficult to replicate. Additionally, cars from McLaren, like the 600LT and 570S Spider promise unforgettable experiences, too.