Considering the local climate, it’s perhaps surprising that British car buyers love a convertible. In fact, manufacturers shift more top-down cars in the UK than in any other European country, even the ones with year-round sunshine.
Exactly why is up for conjecture, but it could be that we just like to make the most of good weather when we get it. If the sun comes out then the barbecue is quickly dusted off, the sun lounger is cleaned of spider webs and, crucially, the top comes down on the convertible. The best convertibles give you that exhilaration of fresh-air motoring with the roof stowed, but can also give you all the protection of a hard-top when the weather won’t play ball. These, then, are our recommendations of convertibles to consider in 2021.
Mini Convertible
Car lease price: from £234.43 per month*
The Mini Convertible features cute, retro-inspired looks to catch the eye as you drive, but it adds in a fun-to-drive element that many more expensive cars can only dream of. All Minis have go-kart-like handling that’ll put a smile on your face down a country road, and the Convertible enhances that fun by throwing fresh air into the mix. Sure, you sacrifice a bit of practicality in order to have somewhere to stow the roof when it’s down (don’t count on using the rear seats too often) but you’ll struggle to have much more fun for the money.
Mini Convertible need to knows:
- Car Leasing Category: Convertible
- Select’s Car Review Score: 4.0 out of 5
- Boot size: 215 litres
- Engine Options: Petrol
- NCAP Safety Rating: 4 stars
Fiat 500C
Car lease price: from £187.40 per month
The Fiat 500C is proof that you don’t need to spend big money to get a stylish motor with top-down potential. Although it’s not a full convertible, it does have a retractable canvas roof that goes a step further than a traditional sunroof when it slides back. The 500C has been around for a few years now and remains a favourite with the public, but 2021 will also see a new, electric model, called the 500 Cabrio. It boasts a bigger sliding canvas roof for even more fresh air into the cabin, as well as refreshed looks, a higher quality interior and emissions-free driving for up to 185 miles per charge.
Fiat 500C need to knows:
- Car Leasing Category: Convertible
- Select’s Car Review Score: 3.2 out of 5
- Boot size: 182 litres
- Engine Options: Petrol, Electric
- NCAP Safety Rating: 3 stars
Mazda MX-5
Car lease price: from £271.97 per month
Admittedly, we haven’t checked the letter of the law, but we’re pretty sure it’s illegal to have a guide to the best convertibles without including Mazda’s MX-5. It’s the world’s best-selling two-seater sports car, and if you’ve ever driven one you’ll understand why. It might be small in size, but it’s a classic rear-wheel drive enthusiast’s car, with levels of fun and engagement behind the wheel that are hard to match without spending considerably more money. Don’t discount it before you’ve tried one and found out what all the fuss is about.
Mazda MX-5 need to knows:
- Car Leasing Category: Convertible
- Select’s Car Review Score: 4.3 out of 5
- Boot size: 130 litres
- Engine Options: Petrol
- NCAP Safety Rating: 5 stars
Audi TT Roadster
Car lease price from: £368.44 per month
You want a convertible. You want a sports car experience. But you want luxury too, and a beautifully made interior. Oh, and you don’t want to pay too much. Well, you want to check out the Audi TT Roadster then. It gives customers the best of multiple worlds, with a comfortable cabin and build quality that outshines pretty much anything, as well as a bunch of modern tech. Choose from a range of trim levels and engines that range in power from enthusiastic to flat-out bonkers if you pick the extremely rapid TT RS. And with the roof down, the fun just increases. Especially if you opt for a car with a sports exhaust.
Audi TT Roadster need to knows:
- Car Leasing Category: Convertible
- Select’s Car Review Score: 4.1 out of 5
- Boot size: 280 litres
- Engine Options: Petrol, Diesel
- NCAP Safety Rating: 4 stars
Porsche 718 Boxster
Car lease price: from £901.64 per month
The Boxster is a mid-engined sports car from one of the most iconic sports car manufacturers in the world. Sure, Porsche’s flagship 911 range might get most of the attention, but the Boxster is right up there when it comes to driver engagement, and for far less cash. Like the Audi TT it mixes incredible feel and handling with all the luxury you’d expect for the price, but Porsche’s road and racing expertise take the experience a step further. You can own a Boxster, not care about driving enthusiasm and still be very happy, such is its style and polish. But if you do care about such things, it’s a car that should be at the top of your wish list.
Porsche 718 Boxster need to knows:
- Car Leasing Category: Convertible
- Select’s Car Review Score: 4.5 out of 5
- Boot size: 280 litres
- Engine Options: Petrol
- NCAP Safety Rating: 5 stars
Jaguar F-Type
Car lease price: from £651.60 per month
The F-Type has been Jaguar’s flagship sports car for a few years now, but a 2020 refresh has kept it bang up to date. It’s a genuine rival for Porsche’s brilliant 911, and boasts its own slick looks, some fantastic engines with sonorous sports exhausts to match and, most importantly for driving enthusiasts, incredible handling. The original F-Type was good but the revised version has been sharpened up for the new decade, with newfound levels of agility and scalpel-sharp steering, as well as that top-down connection to the world outside. If you find a 911 too obvious, then make sure you check out what Jaguar has to offer.
Jaguar F-Type need to knows:
- Car Leasing Category: Convertible
- Select’s Car Review Score: 3.8 out of 5
- Boot Size: 132 litres
- Engine Options: Petrol
- NCAP Safety Rating: Unavailable
Mercedes E Class Carbiolet
Car lease price: from £476.39 per month
Just because you want the wind in your hair, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re after a sports car. Mercedes knows that, and while it does offer sporty convertibles, it also offers this – a top-down version of the E-Class Saloon. The Cabriolet model gives you four seats, all the luxury and cutting edge technology you’d expect in a Mercedes, and a folding fabric roof. This can stow or deploy in seconds, even while on the move, and it’s engineered so that when up, the cabin is almost as quiet as a hardtop car. Clever aero engineering means even when it’s down, you shouldn’t mess up your hair. For fresh air without the need for adrenaline, this is the car to look at
Mercedes E Class need to knows:
- Car Leasing Category: Convertible
- Select’s Car Review Score: 3.9 out of 5
- Boot size: 600 litres
- Engine Options: Petrol, Diesel
- NCAP Safety Rating: 5 stars
*Prices include VAT. Credit is Subject to Status, Ts and Cs and Arrangement Fees apply. Excess mileage may apply. Price correct as of 28/01/2021.
**Score based on Select’s unique meta score analysis, taking into account the scores of the UK’s top five leading independent car website reviews
