Top 10 Convertibles For Summer | Top 10 - Car News Jun 2013

14:22 Thursday 15 Aug 2013

As the great British summer dawns upon us we begin to remember those feelings of getting into the oven-like cabin of a car and driving insanely fast with all windows down to create a breeze – enter convertible season.

The versatility of convertibles does of course mean that they are excellent cars to own all year round, so if you’re currently in the market for a new motor you might want to consider some of the following. Here are our top 10 convertibles for summer in no particular order.

Audi TT Roadster

Oozing quality and reliability, convertibles don’t come much more stylish than the Audi TT Roadster. As you’d expect the interior has a typically classy German feel to it and the driving experience is pretty impressive too. A wide range of engines are available with the 2.0 TSFI quattro Sport boasting acceleration from 0 – 62mph in just 5.9 seconds. Great fun but space is at a premium.

MINI Convertible

Like all MINI cars, the Convertible is stylish, compact and a lot of fun on the road. However it also boasts an element of practicality with a decent amount of space for passengers in the front and more room than some rivals in the rear. The ride is comfortable and a fair level of equipment is included with all versions as standard.

Audi A5 Cabriolet

When thinking Audi and convertibles it will be the TT which comes to mind first for the vast majority, however the A5 Cabriolet is certainly not to be overlooked. It makes a superb family vehicle and can’t be faulted for appearance. Like the TT it boasts an impressive array of engine options and it delivers reasonable fuel economy. The 2.0 TDI is the pick of the bunch; it’s quick and efficient.

Mercedes SLK

Up there in price with the more expensive convertibles as you’d expect, the Mercedes SLK is now in its third generation. It still features a folding metal roof and was the first modern production car to do so. Its design is an incredibly sleek one and it looks the part with the roof up or down, although it’s far from cheap to insure. The 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY 2dr is quick and delivers impressive fuel economy.

Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet

The Golf Cabriolet offers reliability and strong performance credentials. As well as the versatility it offers in terms of its convertibility, it appeals to a wide range of drivers and makes an excellent family vehicle. The 1.4 TSI petrol engine delivers a decent balance between power and fuel economy; it’s a lot of fun to drive too.

BMW 3 Series Convertible

Reliability and practicality are both impressive in the BMW 3 Series Convertible and it’s certainly not short of style either. There is plenty of room both in the front and the rear of the vehicle which makes it perfect for families. Additionally there’s an endless list of engines to choose from, with the 330i SE 2dr offering a good balance between fuel economy and performance.

Porsche Boxster

The Porsche Boxster doesn’t fall short on any marks in terms of performance, desirability, aesthetics or quality of driving experience. The handling of it is superb and endless fun can be had driving through country lanes as well as in the city – the 2.7 litre engine allows for acceleration from 0 – 62mph in 5.7 seconds. Unfortunately it is rather pricier than some of its direct rivals.

Mazda MX-5

An excellent all-rounder, it is no wonder than the Mazda MX-5 is the world’s best-selling convertible. It is well priced and delivers excellent performance on the road, while the cabin is comfortable and you get plenty of standard equipment. There are only three engines to choose between but all of them offer decent acceleration and good fuel economy. Just from looking at the MX-5 you can tell it’s great fun to drive – tough to see how it could disappoint.

Volkswagen Eos Cabriolet

The Eos has been somewhat overshadowed by the more recent addition of the Golf Cabriolet to Volkswagen’s range, however it is still a strong contender and is more spacious than its smaller cousin. All of the engines are quick enough and the BlueMotion diesels offer excellent fuel economy too. The styling of the Eos is subtle and sleek and the model makes a fine family car.

Citroen DS3 Cabrio

If you’re after something a little different to all of the aforementioned models then look no further than the Citroen DS3 Cabrio. Far from the conventional design for a convertible, there is space for five passengers in the car and it boasts an impressively sized boot too. Moreover the DS3 is well priced and it delivers decent fuel economy. The roof can be lowered at speeds of up to 74mph.

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