At the time of its introduction in Italy in the 18th century, the cabriolet was a horse-drawn carriage, with two wheels and only two seats. Of course, it was fitted with a hood that could be folded away in good weather. This form of transportation was very popular in Europe during the 18th century. Today, the cabriolet (sometimes called convertible) is an open car that can be uncovered thanks to a canvas top or a retractable hardtop. It is most often derived from a sedan or coupe. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best convertible cars of 2021.
The convertible market was somewhat turned upside down by the arrival of the first “CC”, or Coupé-Cabriolets. These are vehicles that can still be uncovered but are equipped with a real hardtop, with motorized maneuvering.
This allows to have two vehicles in one: a convertible for the good days and a real car for the bad ones, with a completely waterproof roof, which effectively filters the noise and preserves the rigidity of the car’s chassis.
The current offer of convertibles and other models is melting like snow in the sun. Therefore, buying a new convertible in 2021 is becoming more complicated. While mainstream manufacturers are slowly abandoning this niche, a few premium and exclusive brands are still selling vehicles with our favorite body style.
What are the advantages of convertibles?
Driving a convertible gives another dimension to your travels. On the countryside roads, all your senses will be awake. You can hear the sound of the wind, the birds singing… And it will be like magic. Nevertheless, the best convertible cars of 2021 in this article can also be transformed into a coupe in just a few seconds with the help of a convertible top that is, most of the time, fully electric.
In addition, the cabriolet has a strong aesthetic appeal because the line is generally very pure, particularly when the roof is off. It allows an unobstructed view of the interior and gives your car an even more attractive look. In 2021, the choice is quite limited but it has the advantage of being more inclusive since, alongside the traditional coupe and city car convertibles, there is a convertible SUV and roadsters.
The best convertible cars of 2021
Here is a review of the best convertible cars to buy in 2021. Please note that this selection is completely personal…
It would be hard to make a selection of convertibles without including an MX5. Over the past 30 years, the Japanese roadster has become the best-selling convertible in the world. The MX5’s friendly face, affordable price and legendary reliability make it a great choice on paper.
However, as any MX5 owner will tell you, it is best to turn the key, put the car in gear and drive off. As soon as you start, you realize that this car is not like the others. Even at low speed, the pleasure of driving is there!
Obviously, it’s not the most flexible convertible in this selection, but there are worse. The MX5 is nevertheless more at ease on a country road than on a highway even if a highway trip of several hundred kilometers from time to time does not frighten it.
The RF version is the only Targa on this list along with the 911. The opening systems where everything folds automatically are very similar. The hardtop roof is particularly practical if your MX5 has to be put to sleep outside or for daily use. Some people might criticize it for not offering all the “open air” sensations of a convertible. However, there’s a canvas top version for that.
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