Summer is the season every road trip fanatic dreams about and waits for. To some of us, the summertime brings summer-themed holidays, accompanied by summer outfits and meals. This season brings out our inner selves and a sense of freedom. Also, the unfolding summer invites the wanderlust within us. And as the weather begins to heat up, the quest for the ideal convertibles for summer road trips begins.
Before we dive into the list, let’s give you a brief road trip convertible buying guide. It’s without a doubt a fact that convertibles are the perfect summer road trip vehicles. What features make a convertible perfect for road trips? During the summer, we spend most of our exploring the great outdoors. While it might be tempting to pick the most stylish option on the new or used car market, there’s a lot more you should look into. When searching for summer road trip convertibles, buyers should consider comfort, performance, features, and overall driving experience.
This article explores the top 10 convertibles for a summer road trip. Each of these road trip convertibles will not only transport you from point A to point B in comfort. They will also take you to your destination in style and speed while you enjoy the scenic drives. Whether you want affordable, sleek, sporty, or fuel-efficient convertible cars, our list has something for you.
Here are the top convertibles for the best summer road trips
2024 BMW 4 Series Convertible
Kicking off our summer road trip convertible list is the new BMW 4 Series Convertible. This convertible blends performance and refined design, making it an ideal choice for a summer road trip. Boasting remarkable handling and a seamless, smooth ride, this convertible delivers extraordinary driving experiences. With an impressive engine set of engine options under the hood – a 2.0-liter Turbo inline-4 and a 3.0-liter inline-6 – the 4 Series Convertible meets every twist and turn on your journey with precision and power.
Going up against the Mercedes C-Class Coupe and Audi A5, the latest BMW 4 Series Convertible emerges in style and performance. The new 4 Series Convertible comes in four trim levels: 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i and M440i xDrive. The 430i and the 430i xDrive have the 255-hp 2.0-liter BMW TwinPower Turbo inline 4-cylinder. The M440i and M440i xDrive have the 382-hp 3.0-liter BMW M TwinPower inline-6. We love the latter, which gets assistance from a 48-volt hybrid system.
Under the hood, a 382hp engine has a distinctive sound, which you will love when you throw the convertible roof down. The 2024 BMW 4 Series Convertible is also very comfortable on the highway, thanks to the advanced M Sport suspension and rear differential. It also has a rear spoiler and great hints of faux leather.
2024 MINI Convertible
The 2024 MINI Convertible is among the road trip-ready convertibles, with everything you need and tailored for the perfect summer escapade. With enough room for four adults, the MINI convertible exemplifies Mini Cooper’s iconic charm with a modern twist.
The MINI has always been known for its spirited performance, and the 2024 MINI Convertible is no different. At the heart of the base MINI Convertible’s driving experience is the 1.5-liter TwinPower Turbo inline 3-cylinder engine, which makes 134 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. Other models up the family tree, including the Cooper S Convertible, have a peppier 2.0-liter inline-4, which produces 189 hp and 206 lb-ft.
The Turbo 3-cylinder allows the MINI Convertible to accelerate from 0 to 60 in 6.3 seconds. Power goes to the wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic or a 6-speed manual transmission. The low-spec 1.5-liter MINI gets 29 MPG City and 38 MPG highway, which is surprisingly fuel-efficient for a turbocharged engine. All in all, the MINI Convertible is fun to drive with responsive steering and engaging transmission.
2024 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible
The Chevrolet Camaro is among the most respected names in the muscle car community. The 2024 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible adopts the same winning formula with a top-down twist to satisfy wise road trip enthusiasts who love pony cars. You are enjoying the best of both worlds: road trip Convertible and pony car.
In a bittersweet turn of events, the 2024 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible marks the grand finale for this generation. As the sun sets on an era, Chevrolet has unveiled a remarkable farewell in the form of a New Collector’s Edition package. This package will be available on the RS, SS, and a limited number of ZL1 Camaros.
The 2024 Chevy Camaro Convertible lineup starts with a 1LT trim, which, like the 2LT and 3LT, has a 335-hp 3.6-liter V6 engine. From the LT1, you will find the 455-hp 6.2-liter V8 engine, which provides a slightly livelier driving experience. You can also have the Camaro in a ZL1 trim, which carries a 650-hp Supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine. Distributed smartly across the lineup are entertainment, comfort, and safety features to enhance your summer road trips.
2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Mazda‘s MX-5 Miata sports car might be pint-sized, but let me tell you, it’s got a massive dose of fun personality packed in there. The 2023 MX-5 Miata Convertible Roadster made waves when it landed on the market a while ago, with its sleek styling, powerful engines, and good gas mileage. Carrying on from the predecessor, the 2024 Miata takes things to the next level.
For 2024, the Mazda MX-5 Miata gets a freshened-up grille, new exterior lighting elements, and some new wheel designs to spice things up. And for tech lovers, the Mazda MX-5 Miata 2024 version comes with a shiny new 8.8-inch infotainment display, an upgrade from the previous 7.0-inch screen. It’s the same iconic roadster with more flair and tech to keep things exciting.
Mazda went all-in with the 2024 MX-5 Miata, tweaking the suspension and power steering systems. The brand also added a new DSC-TRACK stability control for a better handling experience. No matter where your road trip destination is, the MX-5 Miata will take you there.
2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet
Mercedes-Benz continues to blow its dedicated fans away with the legendary E-Class Cabriolet on the Convertible car market. In July 2023, the Mercedes unveiled the all-new 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE. Gracing the automotive stage in 2024, the new CLE Cabriolet will replace the C-Class Cabriolet and E-Class Cabriolet.
Under the hood, the CLE Cabriolet will have the same engine lineup as the CLE Coupe, which, in turn, draws from the E-Class. On top of the known diesel and mild-hybrid powertrains, expect the Cabriolet 2024 to have plug-in hybrid options.
Powering these CLE are the 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, along with the 3.0-liter six-cylinder petrol. These engines will pair a 9-speed automatic gearbox, with power going to the rear axle. The 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet will deliver a responsive and efficient driving experience. The optional all-wheel-drive through the 4Matic system will sprinkle extra traction and engagement to your summer road trips.
2024 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet
Up next in our Convertibles For Summer Road Trips list is an automotive Marvel: Porsche 911. It’s hard to believe that the Porsche 911 joined the automotive market four decades ago. Yet, 40 years later, the Porsche 911 is still here. At this point, we can also say it is eternal. It’s hard to imagine a world without it. For the sake of summer road trips, the Convertible version of the Porsche 911 Carrera catches our eye.
For the 2024 model year, Porsche refreshed the legendary 911, giving it new headlights, a front bumper, and fresh front air intakes. Among its many improvements, the 911 Carrera 2024 Cabriolet also received a lifted rear end featuring a new bumper and revised taillights.
Under the hood, the 2024 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet has a standard 3.0-liter H-6 twin-turbo six-cylinder engine. With two turbochargers and charge-air cooling, the 3.0-liter engine produces 379 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque. The Carrera Cabriolet has optional air suspension or Porsche Active Suspension Management. What you will love are the swift shifts from that Porsche Doppelkupplung transmission.
2024 Bentley Continental GT Convertible
We all know the history of the Bentley brand—a legacy of luxury, performance, and timeless elegance. Everyone knows the luxury and driving experience to expect from a Bentley car. The Bentley Continental Convertible is exactly that. Starting at $245,850, the 2024 Bentley Continental is the priciest vehicle on this list. But trust us when we say it’s worth every penny.
Competing against the Bentley Flying Spur, the Rolls-Royce Spectre, and the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, the 2024 Bentley Continental GT is a legendary two-door grand tourer.
The 2024 Bentley Continental GT undergoes refined styling enhancements. Noteworthy updates include new 22-inch wheel options for the Azure trim. These components enhance both aesthetics and performance. The Speed model embraces a sophisticated touch with dark gray exterior detailing.
Underneath the hood, the 2024 Bentley Continental GT features updated versions of the revered V-8 and W-12 engines. The 4.0-liter V-8 engine produces 542 horsepower and propels the Continental GT to 60 mph in an impressive 3.4 seconds. The 6.0-liter W-12 engine produces 626 horsepower in non-Speed models. This powerhouse accelerates the coupe to 60 mph in a swift 3.3 seconds. According to EPA, the Continental V8 delivers 16 MPG city and 26 MPG highway.
2024 Ford Mustang GT Convertible
The 2024 Ford Mustang kicks off the Mustang’s seventh generation run of the iconic pony car. While it may be a new generation, the 2024 Mustang maintains much of its predecessor’s DNA, sharing the same platform and engines with subtle enhancements. That means you should expect the same classic front-engine, rear-wheel-drive setup. We particularly love the Ford Mustang Convertible, which looks sleek from all angles with the all-new body panels.
The new Mustang still carries the same engines as the previous generation but with refined modifications. EcoBoost models feature a 315-hp turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-four. The GT roars to life with the formidable 5.0-liter Coyote V8, producing 480 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. Opting for the GT’s optional active-valve exhaust system elevates the power output to 486 hp and 418 lb-ft. And there’s the Dark Horse V8, which produces 500 horsepower.
The perfect road trip trim is the base Mustang Convertible with the 315-hp turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-four engine. The Ecoboost engine is strong enough to take you anywhere. Plus, the Mustang’s Ecoboost engine gets 22 MPG in city driving and 34 MPG on the highway, making it the most fuel-economical engine of the three.
2024 Audi A5 Premium Cabriolet
The next entry in our convertibles for summer road trips list is the Audi A5 Cabriolet. After 17 years and four generations, Audi’s A5 two-door lineup continues to hold its ground. The A5 stands out for its enduring practicality and fun-to-drive experience. The A5’s design alone is a testament to Audi’s commitment to aesthetics and innovation. Every inch of the Audi A5 Cabriolet captivates the onlookers and enthusiasts alike. The Audi A5 Cabriolet 2024 is ideal for family summer road trips.
In the 2024 iteration, the Audi A5 undergoes an upgrade with the integration of new standard features. Aside from the Progressive Red Metallic paint, the 2024 Audi A5 Cabriolet has adaptive cruise control, a heated steering wheel with hands-on detection, and active lane assist. These are now standard features. Oh, and did we mention it’s got a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a 10.1-inch touchscreen?
Behind the Audi A5’s performance is a 2.0-liter Turbo Inline-4 engine with 261 horsepower and 273 lb.-ft of torque. While the A5 coupe version gets 24 MPG in the city and 32 MPG, the Cabriolet drops the highway mileage to 31 MPG. It’s an insignificant difference, but it’s a difference nonetheless.
2024 Jeep Wrangler Convertible
Known as the ultimate rock climber, the Jeep Wrangler is one of the most adventurous vehicles you can get. Off-road enthusiasts agree — there’s nothing quite like the Jeep Wrangler in the off-road territory. In the form of the 2024 Jeep Wrangler Convertible, summer road trip lovers now have the ideal companion for venturing beyond the open road. As for the convertible option, every Jeep Wrangler comes with a removable top. Since all Wrangler tops are removable, you can enjoy the topdown Convertible experience on every model across the lineup.
For the 2024 model year, the Jeep Wrangler lineup has an updated exterior styling, a new Google-based 12.3-inch infotainment display, and an 8,000-pound winch option for the Rubicon trim. The Wrangler looks bold on all fronts, with a technological twist.
The new Jeep Wrangler offers up to four engines, ranging from a low-spec 270-hp 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder to a top-of-the-line 470-hp 6.4-litre V8. The Wrangler is more off-road capable than ever, challenging the Toyota 4Runner, the Land Rover Defender, and the Ford Bronco.
