Best Convertibles For All the Seasons
On a steamy summer morning, we cut out of New York City, top dropped on a brand new 2025 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante and exhaled. The Vanquish Volante is the latest summer entry in the delightful escapist category. Car brand use many names to describe this type of open-air vehicle — cabriolet, spider, spyder, or simply convertible.
In the languid, late summer days, convertible season is meant to be savored. Designing a well-built cabriolet that performs well is underappreciated artform. It’s also one that carmakers improve on, year after year. The best designs integrate a well-constructed hard or soft top that close in a matter of mere seconds. When it comes to convertible innovation, progress is marked by time and inches that extends well into the fall season.
Aston Martin Vanquish Volante
The newest entry in the top tier segment is the Aston Martin Vanquish Volante, an outtake of the Vanquish Coupe introduced last year. The Aston is a head turner – it’s a journey and an arrival. What sets the Aston brand apart is its dedication to beautiful sculptural surfaces, which carries over into this grand tourer’s generous proportions under the guidance of longtime design chief Marek Reichman. It has a big, unapologetic V12 engine that is capable of dizzying 214 miles per hour speed that surges with power. All this force is countered by confident carbon-ceramic brakes. At a price tag of $489,700, the Vanquish Volante will be made in a limited production run of 1000 units per production year and will be a rarity on the road.
Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider
In the upper echelons of super car offerings, the right vehicle is a matter of subjective taste. The Ferrari12Cilindri Spider is a stunning, heart-fluttering object that scores big on looks and feels. This object is also an occasion to drive, engaging all the senses through its 510 horsepower and ability to reach 60 miles per hour in 2.8 seconds. The 12Cilindri’s hardtop looks stellar and in 14 seconds the top drops into a slinky form. Features like a heated headscarf and a 1600-watt Burmester audio system make the driving experience mesmerizing. The $510,000 price tag isn’t for the faint heart either. The timeless appeal of Ferrari ensures this vehicle will be a future collectible.
Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE53 Cabriolet
We first drove the CLE53 in the Miami sunshine, and found it perfectly paired with the coastal roads. The combo of driving prowess and comfort deliver carefree vibes. AMG is Mercedes’ performance arm, and it juices up the CLE53 with 423 horsepower. Handling is nimble and turning is tight and taut. It’s equipped with a soft top that moves into position at a speed of 37 miles per hour, transforming in 20 seconds. Thoughtful features such as the wind deflector make the cabin feel calm and breezy all at once in a cabin, well suited for a party of four. The 2025 Mercedes-AMG CLE-Class starts at $75,450.
Porsche 911 Cabriolet
For a vibe that’s both modern and classic, there’s no better option than a 911, which is currently in its 992.2 generation, refreshed just last year. The Carrera is an excellent starting point in the 911 lineup, and the cabriolet offers the same driver centric approach to the road. The 911 cabriolet is also available as the GTS in hybrid form, which delivers even more power. The eight-speed paddle shifters add rhythm to the drive that’s deeply freeing and fun. Porsche has gone added to the digital experience the cockpit. Pricing starts at about $150,000 for the Carrera and $180,000 for the GTS.
BMW M4 Competition Convertible
BMW’s most recent convertible introduction is the revised M4, which delivers on substance, speed, and style. The M Brand was established in 1972 to support motorsports brand and that verve bled over into its road worthy cars. Here we have old-fashioned BMW thrill seeking performance in 3.0-liter twin-turbo engine that makes 523 horsepower. The newest model includes BMW’s new infotainment system, iDrive 8.5 that leans heavily into graphics on a large 14.9-inch display and incorporates fun future-forward features like gestural control. Pricing starts at $97,000 and with options will climb into the six-figure category.
Mini Cooper John Cooper Works
The Mini Cooper JCW is among the most practical and enduring convertibles ever made. Its compact size makes it well suited for zooming around towns, big and small. The Mini ride is characteristically rough-and-tumble infused with a 2.0-liter, turbo-four engine inspired by the tuner John Cooper. This version adds racing cues like black sports stripes and a 365-watt Harman Kardon sound system. The UX controls are manned through the screen, which can be a bit cumbersome at first. The cabin’s texture and patterns are unique, as well. It’s tough to squeeze adults in the backseat, but not impossible in a pinch. Our “Chil Red” test Mini earned compliments wherever we drove and was priced at $49,895. In crowded beach towns, you’ll never waste time circling for parking, as the Mini fits in everywhere it goes.