What is a convertible?
A convertible is a car with a roof that folds, retracts, or lifts away so you can drive open to the sky. Most convertibles are built from a coupe, with a stronger body to make up for the missing fixed roof, and the top stows behind the seats in seconds.
Key traits.
- A roof that opens, usually at the press of a button, often while moving at low speed.
- Two or four seats; four-seat convertibles have a small back seat.
- A reinforced body: extra bracing under the car and stronger windshield pillars replace the strength of a fixed roof.
- Rollover protection, such as fixed roll hoops or bars that deploy automatically behind the seats.
- A smaller trunk when the top is down, because the roof is stored there.
Kinds of convertible tops.
| Top | How it works | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Soft top | An insulated, multi-layer fabric roof; light and quick | Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet, Mercedes-AMG SL, BMW 4 Series Convertible, Porsche 911 Cabriolet, Ford Mustang Convertible |
| Retractable hardtop | Rigid roof panels fold into the trunk; quieter and more secure | Mazda MX-5 Miata RF, earlier Mercedes-Benz SL and SLK models |
| Targa | A removable panel over the front seats, with a fixed rear section | Porsche 911 Targa, Chevrolet Corvette coupe (removable roof panel) |
| Roadster | A two-seat convertible | Mercedes-AMG SL, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Porsche 718 Boxster |
What the names mean.
- Convertible: the common American word.
- Cabriolet: the European word, used by Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Audi.
- Roadster: a two-seat convertible.
- Spider or spyder: an Italian-style name for a roadster, used by brands such as Ferrari and McLaren.
Pros and cons.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Open-air driving | More wind and road noise, even with the top up |
| Often holds value well where the weather is warm | Usually costs more than the matching coupe |
| Most modern tops are well insulated for year-round use | Less trunk space with the top down |
| Pure enjoyment on the right road | A little heavier and slower than the coupe |
Who a convertible fits.
- Drivers who want every drive to feel like a weekend.
- A second car for good weather.
- Couples and singles who rarely need a big back seat or trunk.
How a convertible compares.
Quick answers.
What is a convertible car?
A car with a roof that folds, retracts, or lifts away for open-air driving, such as the Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet, BMW 4 Series Convertible, or Ford Mustang Convertible.
Convertible vs cabriolet
They are the same thing. Cabriolet is the European term, used by brands such as Mercedes-Benz and Porsche; convertible is the American term.
Convertible vs roadster
A roadster is a convertible with two seats. Every roadster is a convertible, but a four-seat convertible is not a roadster.
Soft top vs hardtop convertible
A soft top is fabric: lighter, quicker to open, and more compact. A retractable hardtop is rigid panels: quieter and more secure, but heavier, and it uses more trunk space.
Are convertibles safe?
Modern convertibles are designed for it, with reinforced bodies, strong windshield frames, and rollover protection such as roll hoops or bars that deploy automatically. Check crash-test results for the specific model.