Top Down, Spirits Up: The 15 Best Convertibles for Ultimate Summer Cruising

There’s nothing quite like the warm summer breeze floating through your hair as your favorite song comes out of your car’s speakers.

For some, a car is just a means of getting from point A to point B. But for those who understand, the joy of dropping the top and hitting the open road can be as exhilarating a ride as there is.

If you want to feel the power of the road and get your hair messy, these are some of the highest-rated convertibles coming off the lots in 2024.

1. Chevrolet Camaro

Image Credit: Reinhold Möller, CC BY-SA/Wikimedia Commons.

The Chevy Camaro has consistently been one of the coolest cars on the road since the 1960s. Nothing about that has changed in 2024 because this ride is still charging down the road and turning heads.

With the 455-horsepower SS trim, you’ll feel like you drove right off the race track. Still, the new Camaro comes in various price points, engines, and after-market options, making it a ride you can customize and make your own. So whether you’re a racer or a cruiser, Camaro has whatever you’re looking for.

2. Ford Mustang

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Like its counterpart, the Camaro, the Ford Mustang has car enthusiasts drooling over the new models that come out each year. There’s nothing like the classics, but even the 2024 Mustang has continued to impress drivers with its legendary V8 GT edition, which produces 450 horsepower.

While the Mustang wants to run fast, Ford has also made a 4-cylinder model that is more practical for everyday driving. Combine that with a roomier back seat from prior models, and this convertible is ideal for cruising the coast or zipping around mountain roads.

3. Mazda MX-5 Miata

Mazda-MX-5-Miata
Image Credit: Mazda North American Operations.

Since its 1989 introduction, the Mazda Miata has set the standard for affordable compact sports cars. The 2024 edition builds on this legacy, offering both soft-top and retractable hard-top options.

The Miata comes standard with a peppy 4-cylinder engine, 180 horsepower, and a 6-speed manual transmission. That is more than enough power for this lightweight roadster.

Drivers who have tested this car agree that it is a fun ride despite its small size and is perfect for city driving or trips to the beach.

4. Porsche 718 Boxster

Image Credit: Porsche.

The Boxster might be the entry-level Porsche, but it’s still a Porsche. Boxters come with a few different turbocharged engine options, superior control behind the wheel, and an aggressive exhaust system.

The car is small and offers little cargo space, but who cares? It’s a sports car, not a sports utility vehicle. You won’t care about space when you have the sun in your eyes as you’re cruising down the beach boulevard as others stare in jealousy.

5. Porsche 911

Porsche 911 convertible
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The Porsche 911 is an iconic sports car and a benchmark for classic performance and handling. The 911 stays true to its roots with twin-turbo flat-six engines mounted in the back, turning out 470 horsepower.

The sporty 911 has the option of a cloth top or the Targa option, which has a retractable panel above the front seats. With plenty of customizable options and a roomy cabin, this year’s 911 can be a daily driver or a weekend warrior.

6. Ford Bronco Raptor

Image Credit: Ford.

You might not think of an off-road sports utility vehicle to make the list of top convertibles. Still, the fully removable canvas top makes the Bronco a unique convertible.

The recently redesigned Bronco follows in its predecessor’s footsteps with an EcoBoost twin-turbo V-6, a multi-configurable four-wheel-drive system, Fox suspension, and giant 37-inch tires. Whether hauling dirt bikes in the desert or loading up surfboards for the beach, the Ford Bronco will get you wherever you want to go.

7. Chevrolet Corvette

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The Chevy Corvette continues its dominance in supercar performance with an affordable price tag. The new C8 model is the first of its generation to mount the V8 engine behind the passenger cabin.

The new Corvette has a retractable roof and continues to impress in speed and handling, but the newer models add a larger trunk space for cargo and groceries. A rare combination of performance and practicality, it can shine on the rack track or the city streets.

8. Audi A5

Image Credit: By Alexander Migl – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, WikiCommons.

The Audi A5 is available in two or four doors, but the convertible coupe is the real show-stopper this season. The sleek four-seat coupe has a standard all-wheel drive and a 261-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder.

Audi offers multiple trims that bump the engine output to 350 horsepower and 444 horsepower. Still, the base option is enough for you and three friends to buckle in and enjoy a smooth ride with the top down.

9. BMW 4-Series

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The BMW 4-Series coupe is everything you would expect from German automobile makers. Its elegant style and compact design satisfy the need for a combination of luxury feel and speedy performance.

The coupe’s snug interior still leaves enough room for four adults to sit comfortably. If you are looking for an exciting ride with the quality of a BMW, this should be on your short list of convertibles in 2024.

10. BMW M4

Image Credit: BMW.

The BMW M4 is the two-door version of the M3 sedan but with exaggerated levels of comfort and class. M4 has a mighty 503 horsepower twin-turbo inline V6, all-wheel drive, and an eight-speed automatic transmission.

With seating for four people, the M4 will leave you and your friends feeling the wind on your hair while you enjoy the smooth ride of precise German engineering.

11. BMW Z4

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If you want a car that rivals the Porsche 911 and Porsche Boxster, the Z4 is your next vehicle. For just $55,000, you’ll get a roadster that outperforms many cars at twice the price.

This convertible offers two turbocharged engine options. With a quiet interior, best-in-class fuel economy, and a slick exterior, the Z4 is quickly becoming one of the most affordable sports cars on the road.

12. Mercedes-AMG E53

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The Mercedes-AMG E53 has everything you would want in a sporty midsize coupe. This is why it has won Car and Driver‘s Editors’ Choice award every year from 2019 through 2023.

The 2024 follows suit. Equipped with a turbocharger and an electric supercharger, the E53 has 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, making it surprisingly quick yet easy to hug the roads. You’ll have no problem getting stares when you hit the road with this special coupe.

13. Mercedes-AMG C63

Image Credit: Mercedes Benz.

The Mercedes C63 has an identity crisis. Is it a supercharged performance dragster or a luxury car? The answer is both.

With a twin-turbo V8 spitting out over 500 horsepower, it will keep up with almost any other car on the road while making you feel like you are riding on a cloud. If that hasn’t sold you on the C63, the 2024 models offer a four-door sedan with horsepower in the mid 600s.

14. Bentley Continental GT

Image Credit: Bently Motors.

If you have a taste for the finer things in life or are looking to impress your friends at the country club, pulling up in a Bentley Continental GT will surely spark jealousy in the hearts of the other members. The name Bentley alone exudes style and upper-class sophistication.

Drivers can choose between turbocharged V-8 or W-12 engines and interior features like leather or wood-trimmed seats and dashboards. This car is so comfortable that you won’t want to reach your destination; you just want to keep on the road.

15. Aston Martin DBS

Image Credit: Alexander Migl via CC 4.0 / WikiCommons.

There is a reason why James Bond prefers the refined wisdom of Aston Martin. The world-class automakers stayed true to form with the 2024 Aston Martin DBS.

You will feel like a special agent when cruising with the top down and the burly V12 engine humming down the highway. Equipped with seating for four, there’s plenty of space for your partners while on the job or your friends when you pull up to a fancy gala.

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