There is something magical about the sensation of wind rushing past your face in a cabriolet car. The moment the roof retracts, you feel immersed in the world our senses fully awaken. The cabrio allows a sense of freedom, invigorating and refreshing, as if the car, the speed, the landscape are one fully immersed in the experience. A cabrio often exude a sense of style and glamour, with many people choosing them for their eye-catching design and exclusivity.
Cabriolets, also known as cabrio, open top, or convertibles, hold a unique allure that sets them apart from any other car. Their defining feature is the retractable roof, which allows drivers to experience the thrill of open-air driving. This feeling of freedom, combined with a deeper connection to the surroundings, makes cabriolets a distinctive choice.
Jesta Freak presents the Cabriolet Car Brands Pyramid, showcasing the top convertible brands and models available in 2024. While we appreciate the legacy of classic convertibles, this pyramid focuses mainly on the latest models, offering a guide to today’s best options in design, technology, and driving experience.
A Brief History of Cabriolets
The concept of the cabriolet dates back to the very early days of automobiles. The word “cabriolet” comes from French, referring to horse-drawn carriages with foldable tops. Early automobiles were essentially motorized versions of these carriages.
The early cars were open top due to the limitations of engineering and materials. As closed body cars became more practical, convertibles emerged as a specialized option.
After the WWII convertibles gained popularity, especially in the United States where cars like the Ford Mustang, Ford Thunderbird, Chevrolet Corvette, the MG and Triumph from Great Britain, the Citroen 2CV from France, Volkswagen Beetle and Golf Cabrio from Germany and Alfa Romeo Spider and Fiat 500c from Italy, became icons of post-war optimism and freedom.
Modern convertibles have become more practical, offering soft and hard-top convertible options, better insulation, and advanced safety features. The modern cabrios are a blend of style, performance, and everyday usability.
Finally, convertible types include the branding such as Roadster, Spider or Spyder, a sporty, open two-seater, and the Cabrio Coach or folding sunroofs, which retains more body structure with a retractable roof. Fixed-Profile Convertibles keep body elements with a sliding roof, and Off-Road Convertibles like the Jeep Wrangler have removable soft tops.
The Luxury Cabriolet Car Brands Pyramid
Source: Jesta Freak Research, company websites, True Car, Car and Driver, and Sotheby’s Realty
Convertibles under $50,000* - Market Entry Cabrio Car Models
Some familiar brands and models are at the bottom of the Cabriolet Car Brands Pyramid. Affordable cabrios include the Fiat 500c, the Mini Convertible, the Peugeot 307 cc, and well-known “muscle” car brands such as the Camaro and the Ford Mustang.
In this tier, several German brands provide cabrio versions of well-known models including the Volkswagen EOS and the Golf, the Audi A3 convertible, the BMW 3 series convertible, and the Mercedes C-Class convertible.
Finally, several American off-road cars prove removable soft tops such as the Fort Bronco, and Jeep Wrangler.
Convertibles between $50,000-$99,999* - Premium Luxury Cabrio Car Models
The premium convertible car brand market is populated by a selection of prestigious car brands offering dedicated cabrio models that blend luxury, performance, and innovation. Leading the pack are the renowned German automakers, including Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, BMW, Audi, and Volkswagen, each bringing their own distinct style and engineering prowess to this competitive segment.
BMW stands strong with its Z-Series, particularly the iconic Z3 and Z4, which offer an exhilarating driving experience combined with the brand’s signature refinement. Meanwhile, Porsche enters this tier with the popular 718 Boxster, a sports car that delivers exceptional handling and the pure thrill of open-top motoring.
Beyond the German stalwarts, the Chevrolet Corvette holds a notable position in this category, offering a blend of American muscle and cutting-edge technology, making it a strong contender among premium convertibles. Together, these brands create a dynamic selection of convertibles that cater to discerning drivers seeking both luxury and performance in the open-air driving experience.
Convertibles between $100,000-$199,999* - Accessible Luxury Cabrio Car Models
Porsche dominates this category with two standout models: the Porsche 911 Convertible and the iconic Porsche Targa, both renowned for their precision engineering and thrilling open-top performance. Looking ahead to 2025, Porsche is set to launch the highly anticipated Porsche Spyder, a modern tribute to the legendary 1953 Porsche Spyder, blending heritage with cutting-edge innovation.
Also standing out in this category is Audi’s A8 GT Spyder, a beautifully crafted convertible that balances elegance and dynamic driving. Mercedes-Benz continues its legacy with the SL and SLK convertibles, offering a seamless blend of luxury, style, and performance, maintaining the brand’s stronghold in the premium cabriolet market. Together, these models define the upper echelon of the convertible world, catering to enthusiasts seeking both prestige and exhilaration.
A surprising yet impressive entry in this premium tier is the Lexus LC500. Though Lexus, a brand under Toyota’s umbrella, is traditionally known for luxury sedans rather than sports cars, the LC500 breaks the mold. Priced at the higher end of the market, which might be slightly surprising.
Convertibles between $200,000-$499,999* - Aspirational Luxury Cabrio Car Models
In this tier, we encounter the gateway models of Ferrari’s illustrious lineup, namely the sleek Ferrari Roma and the dynamic Ferrari Portofino, both offering a blend of Italian elegance and high-performance thrills. Another iconic Italian marque, Maserati, makes its presence felt with two exceptional cabriolet offerings: the luxurious GranCabrio and the high-performance Cielo MC20, showcasing Maserati’s signature flair for style and speed.
Among the top contenders for ultimate luxury is Bentley’s Continental GTC, a masterclass in refined open-air driving, crafted with meticulous attention to detail by the Volkswagen-owned brand. Porsche stands out once again with the 911 Speedster, one of the pinnacle models of their storied lineup, offering a thrilling, driver-focused experience.
On the performance front, McLaren delivers two breathtaking models: the 750S and the Artura Spider, both embodying the brand’s cutting-edge engineering and race-inspired design. Rounding out this prestigious tier is Aston Martin with its stunning DB12 Volante, a convertible that exudes British luxury and unmistakable Aston Martin heritage, combining power and elegance in one iconic package.
Convertibles between $200,000-$499,999* - Aspirational Luxury Cabrio Car Models
In this elite range, Ferrari and Lamborghini reign supreme, showcasing some of the most iconic and high-performance convertibles in the world. Ferrari impresses with a trio of standout models: the electrifying Ferrari 296 GTS, blending hybrid technology with thrilling performance; the cutting-edge Ferrari SF90 Spider, offering unparalleled power and innovation; and the formidable Ferrari 812 Superfast, a V12 masterpiece that delivers raw speed and timeless Italian craftsmanship.
Lamborghini is equally commanding in this category, with the bold and aggressive Lamborghini Huracán Spyder, known for its razor-sharp handling and fierce V10 engine, and the breathtaking Lamborghini Aventador Roadster, a V12-powered icon of extreme performance and head-turning design.
Not to be outdone, McLaren presents its ultimate open-top machine, the 765LT Spider, a track-focused supercar that marries McLaren’s cutting-edge aerodynamics with blistering speed, ensuring a thrilling experience both on the road and the racetrack. Together, these brands define the pinnacle of high-performance convertibles, offering a level of power, exclusivity, and engineering excellence that few others can match.
Convertibles above $1 million* - Ultra Luxury Cabrio Car Brand Models
At the very pinnacle of the Jesta Freak Convertible Car Brands Pyramid lies the exclusive and opulent world of the Ultra-Luxury Cabrio Sports Cars, a realm where craftsmanship, performance, and rarity converge. Leading this echelon is Rolls Royce, offering unmatched sophistication and grand open-air driving experiences. Their ultra-luxury cabrios include the breathtaking Rolls-Royce Boat Tail, a true masterpiece of bespoke automotive design, alongside the refined Rolls-Royce Dawn and the elegant La Rose Noire, each representing the height of automotive luxury.
On the other end of the spectrum is Bugatti, renowned for producing some of the most powerful and exclusive convertibles in the world. Their lineup includes the awe-inspiring Bugatti Chiron, a hypercar that combines speed with unparalleled craftsmanship, the open-top powerhouse Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, and the recently introduced Bugatti Mistral, a cabrio that pushes the boundaries of design and performance.
Porsche also claims its place among the elite with the Porsche 918 Spyder, an engineering marvel that blends hybrid technology with blistering speed. While the 918 sits at the top of Porsche’s convertible offerings, one could argue that heritage models like the Porsche Spyder carry the legacy of the brand’s open-top excellence.
The ultimate in automotive artistry comes from Pagani, with the Pagani Huayra Roadster. This convertible masterpiece is the pinnacle of bespoke design, combining hypercar performance with exquisite, hand-crafted details that make it one of the most coveted convertibles in the world. Finally, we understand that not all convertibles are covered in our convertible car brand pyramid such as the Ferrari Monza. Nevertheless, we aim to extend the pyramid in our 2025 list.
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